Laundries: what to expect

How do I go about finding laundries?
Laundries are listed in Yellow Pages or at Yell.com. Some laundries are geared towards commercial businesses such as hotels and restaurants, while others are more suited to domestic customers.

Do laundries just wash my clothes?
No, many laundries also offer dry-cleaning, ironing, repair and alteration services. They can be a one-stop shop for all your clothing maintenance needs.

Will laundries collect and return my clothes?
Many laundries offer a free collect-and-return service, but it's always best to check with individual laundries first. Usefully, a lot of laundries will deliver to your workplace too.

How quickly can laundries wash my clothes?
This depends on the company and the garment or garments you need cleaning, but many laundries offer a same-day service.

How will my clothes come back to me?
Laundries usually offer a variety of options depending on whether you want your clothes returned on hangers, folded or boxed. Some laundries will even fold your clothes to your own specifications, but always check if extras like this are included in the price.

Can I trust laundries with my wedding dress?
Most laundries are able to handle items that need specialist care such as ball gowns and vintage dresses. Before entrusting a cherished garment, check how it will be handled. Will that wedding dress be boxed in acid-free tissue to preserve it, for example?

How much do laundries charge?
Laundries charge in different ways. At some laundries you will be paying per item cleaned, while other laundries might charge per load (small, medium, large etc.). Always check the weight, or items, allowed per load, and don't forget to ask if you're entitled to a discount for using the service regularly.

Are laundries environmentally friendly?
Many laundries appreciate that customers want an eco-friendly service. Check your laundries' green credentials by asking if their washing machines run on special settings to reduce the use of gas, electricity and detergents, and whether they recycle containers.