How much is dry cleaning? Your ultimate price guide

For many people, dry cleaning isn’t just about delicate fabrics — it’s about convenience. Whether you’re juggling work, events, or a closet full of “dry clean only” tags, handing things off to a cleaner can save serious time and hassle. The tricky part? Prices aren’t always clear, and costs can add up fast.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to average dry cleaning costs, what affects the price, and simple ways to keep your bill in check.

Key takeaways

• Average price range: Everyday items like shirts, pants, and blouses cost $4–$18 each, while bulkier or specialty items (coats, comforters, gowns) range from $18–$500+.
  
  
• Location matters: Expect to pay more in large metro areas — usually a few dollars higher per item than in suburban or small-town locations.
  
  
• Platforms vs. local dry cleaners: App-based services like Rinse or Press Cleaners offer convenience but often add minimums and service fees; budget options like ZIPS keep costs low with flat-rate pricing.
  
  
• Best way to save: Bundle multiple garments, look for subscription discounts, and compare local cleaners with delivery apps to find the best value.
  

Dry cleaning prices: How much does dry cleaning cost?

When fragile or high-quality textiles are stained, dry cleaning is often the safest solution. Materials like wool or silk can be damaged by water-based washing, and oily stains or delicate detailing are usually best handled by professionals.

That said, dry cleaning can get expensive, especially if you’re bringing in multiple garments at once. On average, most everyday items fall between $4 and $18 per piece, while specialty pieces like coats, gowns, or bedding cost more. Knowing these ranges can help you spot fair pricing at your local cleaner and avoid surprises at checkout.

‍

‍

Dry cleaning prices: Average cost

Like many personal services, dry cleaning prices vary depending on where you live. Urban locations across the United States generally charge more for the same services, driven by higher rent and labor costs.

A basic dress shirt or blouse typically costs $4–$12, while a pair of pants runs about $8–$18. Some cleaners also offer pressed shirts so you can skip ironing at home, usually included or for a small fee.

Costs rise as garments get bulkier or more complex. Long dresses, skirts, or coats often range from $18–$45, with heavy wool or leather adding more to the bill. A full two-piece suit may be priced as separate items, averaging $15–$40 depending on the cleaner.

Household items such as duvets or comforters are usually charged as large pieces, costing $30–$60 each. At the top end, wedding dresses almost always start around $150 and can exceed $500 if special stain removal, delicate fabrics, or preservation services are involved.

‍

Lower cost of living regions vs major metro area pricing 

‍

Calculating the cost of dry cleaning

Dry cleaning is almost always charged per garment, but extras like pressing, stain removal, or delivery can add to your bill. Here’s how to get a ballpark estimate before you head to the cleaners.

How to calculate your dry cleaning bill

1. Start with your garment list. Note how many shirts, pants, suits, or large items you’re sending.
   
   
2. Apply the average per-item cost. Everyday pieces like shirts are $4–12, pants are $8–18, and larger items like coats, comforters, or gowns run $18–500+. Use the table below to find prices for common items.
   
   
3. Add extras. Common add-ons include stain removal ($5–20), express service (+20–40%), or premium hand-pressing ($2–5 per item). Find common costs in the table below.
   
   
4. Factor in service minimums. Many app-based cleaners have $25–35 order minimums plus small delivery/service fees.
   
   
5. Add it all together. That’s your rough total — usually accurate to within $10–20 of the final bill.

‍

Everyday items

‍

Outerwear

‍

Household items

‍

Possible add-on costs

Cost by specialty item 

Large or delicate items almost always cost more than everyday wear, since they need extra handling and equipment. Use this table to calculate the estimated cost for specialty items, like wedding dresses and leather jackets.

‍

‍

Cost by service 

Dry cleaning is usually the most expensive cleaning option because it involves specialized solvents, pressing, and sometimes delicate handling. But depending on what you need cleaned, other laundry services may be a better (and cheaper) fit.

‍

‍

Costs for the top 5 dry cleaning platforms

Comparing pricing among the top dry cleaning companies in your area can help you find the most affordable service.

‍

‍

Rinse 

Rinse is one of the largest app-based laundry services, offering dry cleaning pickup in many major metropolitan areas across the U.S. and Canada. Use the app to send garments along with your regular laundry order for easy, stress-free dry cleaning.

Dry cleaning is priced per item, with shirts starting around $5–6, blouses around $12, pants around $14, suits close to $29, and comforters or duvets around $40. A $30 minimum order applies, along with a $5 service fee and a $9.95 pickup and delivery fee — the service and pickup fees are free with a subscription. 

Find location-specific pricing here. 

Tide Cleaners

Tide Cleaners is a nationally recognized franchise with locations across the U.S. You can drop items at lockers or counters and schedule orders through their app.

Pricing varies by location, but in Dallas, you can expect to pay around $9 for a dry-cleaned button-up shirt, $7–10 for pants, and about $38 for comforters. Because each franchise sets its own rates, it’s worth checking local pricing before placing an order.

You’ll have to create an account with Tide Cleaners to find exact pricing in your area. 

Hamperapp

Hamperapp offers same-day dry cleaning in dozens of U.S. cities, alongside laundry pickup, wash-and-fold, and commercial services. Clothes are cleaned by local partner dry cleaners, so exact costs vary.

In Houston, pricing starts at $4.99 for shirts, $19.99 for a long dress, $21.99 for a two-piece tuxedo, and $26.99 for a comforter. The service requires a $35 minimum order, which makes it most cost-effective if you’re sending multiple garments at once.

Pricing is outlined in the app, tailored to your city and chosen service level. Enter your ZIP code on their website for location-specific pricing.

Press Cleaners

Press Cleaners is another app service with easy online scheduling for pickup and delivery. The company partners with local dry cleaners across most major cities, and typically returns items within two days.

Prices differ by market — you can check your local pricing here. In Houston, sample pricing includes $7.99 for a dry cleaned blouse or pants, $16.98 for a two-piece suit, and $11.99–$22.99 for dresses, depending on formality. Coats start around $13.99, with longer coats and gowns costing more. Press Cleaners requires a $25 minimum order and adds a $5.99 service fee.

ZIPS Cleaning 

For an ultra-budget option, ZIPS Cleaning offers dry cleaning of any garment for $3.49 each. Available in 70 locations across the country, ZIPS has partnered with DoorDash for easy pickup and delivery — or you can drop your dry cleaning off at one of their locations. 

Their pricing is hard to beat at $3.49 for any garment. 

What’s included in a dry cleaning service?

‍

Most dry cleaning is priced per garment, with costs covering the cleaning process itself plus basic finishing. For example, men’s dress shirts are usually laundered, pressed, and returned on hangers, while suits or dresses are carefully cleaned and steamed.

Extras like stain removal, delicate fabric handling, or hand-pressing may be included at some cleaners but come with small surcharges at others. Large household items, leather, and specialty garments nearly always cost more because they require additional treatment.

Since pricing and inclusions vary widely by location and provider, the best way to get an exact estimate is to check your local cleaner or download a dry cleaning app to see itemized costs for your ZIP code.

Alternatives to dry cleaning (including costs) 

Dry cleaning is the go-to for delicate fabrics and tricky stains, but it isn’t always the cheapest or most convenient option. Depending on your clothing and household items, you may be able to use alternative services that save money while still giving you fresh, clean results.

Wash and fold laundry

Also known as “fluff and fold,” this service is one of the most affordable laundry options. Clothes are machine washed, tumble dried, and neatly folded — usually priced by the pound. Wash and fold is ideal for everyday items like T-shirts, jeans, and gym clothes. It won’t work for “dry clean only” fabrics, but it’s a budget-friendly way to outsource laundry chores.

Average cost: $1.50–3.00 per pound (around $20–30 per standard bag).

Launder and press shirts

This option is popular with professionals who wear dress shirts regularly. Instead of dry cleaning, shirts are washed in water, pressed or starched, and returned on hangers. Launder-and-press services are cheaper than dry cleaning and work well for cotton or polyester blends, but not for silk or delicate fabrics.

Average cost: $2–5 per shirt.

At-home garment care

For some garments, especially lightly worn pieces, you may be able to freshen them up at home. Steaming removes wrinkles and light odors, while at-home dry cleaning kits (available in many supermarkets and online) use a dryer-safe cleaning bag and a mild cleaning solution to mimic some of the effects of dry cleaning. While not as effective for deep stains, they can extend the time between professional cleanings.

Average cost: $10–20 per kit (enough for 3–5 loads).

Specialty cleaners

Some items — like leather jackets, rugs, or wedding dresses — may be better handled by niche specialists rather than a general dry cleaner. Prices vary widely depending on the material, size, and service needed. While often pricier, specialty cleaners have the expertise to preserve fabrics and extend the life of valuable garments or household pieces.

Average cost: $20–80+, depending on item and material.

When to choose dry cleaning vs alternatives

‍

How often should you dry clean certain items?

One of the best ways to save money on dry cleaning is to avoid over-cleaning. While it’s tempting to send things out after every wear, many garments only need occasional professional cleaning to stay fresh and in good condition.

Here are some general guidelines:

‍

‍

How can I save money on a dry cleaner?

If you have a lot of clothing that regularly needs dry cleaning, consider a service that offers discounts with a monthly subscription. Many dry cleaning franchises offer coupons, so it may be worthwhile to shop around for affordable quotes, especially for large items like comforters or wedding gowns. 

Dry cleaners often offer discounts for multiple items, especially men’s dress shirts. Sending your dry cleaning in larger groups may be another way to score a lower price. 

How to spot fair vs inflated pricing

Dry cleaning doesn’t have a standard national rate, which makes it tricky to know if you’re getting a fair deal. Prices vary based on location, labor costs, and the type of garment, but there are a few red flags that can help you tell when a cleaner is charging more than average.

Tips for spotting fair pricing:

• Check “per garment” vs “per piece” wording. Some cleaners count a two-piece suit as two separate items, while others charge one bundled price. Always clarify before dropping items off.
  
  
• Compare pricing menus. Most cleaners will share price lists online or in-store. Compare common items like shirts, pants, and coats across 2–3 local options to get a feel for the average in your area.
  
  
• Watch for add-on fees. Stain removal, express service, and special fabric handling may carry extra costs. Ask upfront to avoid surprises on your final bill.
  
  
• Use app-based services for transparency. Platforms like Rinse or Press Cleaners list itemized costs directly in their apps, so you can estimate your total before ordering.
  
  

As a rule of thumb, if prices in your city are significantly higher than the ranges outlined in this guide — and there are no specialty services included — it may be worth shopping around for a better option.

Is a dry cleaner worth the cost?

A dry cleaner is worth the cost when you have fragile garments or household items that can not be laundered safely in a water-based environment. It can come to the rescue if a gown or suit has been stained, so you don’t risk damage trying DIY stain removal solutions. Dry cleaning your expensive wool coat or floor-length curtains is the best way to ensure those items will last you for many years to come. Having to replace damaged items will nearly always be more expensive than what a dry cleaner would charge you. 

For complex gowns or large king-size comforters, dry cleaning is realistically your best option — a residential washing machine won’t be enough to tackle them.  

We recommend Rinse

As a full laundry service, Rinse handles all your dry cleaning needs as part of their laundry pickup and drop-off service. You never have to worry about visiting the dry cleaners again — the Rinse app will take care of all your garment cleaning needs. All items are cleaned according to the care label and are returned pressed and put on hangers. Button repair and addressing any stains are included in Rinse’s drying cleaning services.  

As a subscriber, their per-item rates are quite affordable for the large cities where they operate. In addition, their pricing model is quite transparent, so you will always know the cost of your dry cleaning. While Rinse has multiple pricing tiers, a subscription tends to be the most cost-effective, especially if you need items dry cleaned regularly. 

Choose the service that works best for you and get your laundry and dry cleaning off your to-do list.

Dry cleaning costs FAQ

What is a reasonable price for dry cleaning?
Most everyday garments cost $4–$18. Outerwear and household items usually run $18–$45, while gowns and wedding dresses can be $150–$500+.

How much is it to dry clean a shirt?
A dress shirt or blouse typically costs $4–$12, with pressed shirt services sometimes included or a small extra fee.

How much should dry cleaning cost per item?
Expect $8–$18 for pants, $15–$40 for suits, $18–$45 for coats, and $30–$60 for duvets. Specialty gowns start around $150.

How much do dry cleaners charge for laundry?
Wash-and-fold laundry averages $1.50–$3 per pound, while launder-and-press dress shirts cost $2–5 each.

What to ask for at dry cleaners?
Clarify whether multi-piece items (like suits or duvets) are priced separately, what’s included in the base cost, and any add-on fees for stains, fabrics, or rush orders.

Can you negotiate dry cleaning prices?
Not usually, but many cleaners offer bulk discounts, coupons, or subscription plans that reduce the per-item cost.

What are common dry cleaning mistakes?
Over-cleaning items, sending washable clothes unnecessarily, or not checking if services like stain removal or pressing are extra.

Why is dry cleaning expensive?
It requires special solvents, equipment, and expertise, plus extra handling for large or delicate garments.

How to tell if a dry cleaner is good?
Look for transparent pricing, itemized receipts, stain pre-treatment, and consistent positive reviews.