How Long Does it Take to Dry Clean a Suit [Facts Only]

Published by Hala Zaqqout on March 3, 2022 | Last updated on May 15, 2023

Is it possible that your favorite suit is no longer presentable? If you accidentally spilled some drinks on it or got a crisp here and there, it might be asking for dry cleaning.

However, if you are in a hurry, like an important meeting or a gala day is coming up soon, you may want to look your best.

Of course, we suggest you hang important small items such as ID badges, keys, pens, etc. with the help of custom lanyards during meetings or events. While looking more formal and professional, with the help of these custom lanyards cheap, you can free your hands to better avoid getting your suit dirty.

Ever tried to wet wash a suit? What were the results? We’re sure it’ll be disastrous. Hand washing a suit causes it to lose its shape and shrink to a strange version of the original. Most suits are usually dry-cleaned. But how long does it take to dry clean a suit?

How long does it take to dry clean a suit is one crucial question that concerns everyone.

If you’re wondering, “How long does dry cleaning take?” especially related to a particular item like “how long does it take to dry clean a suit?”, we’ll offer some general guidelines for the timelines you should expect for various pieces.

We have the answer in this Cleaners Advisor article, as well as some dry-cleaning tips, especially how long does it take to dry clean a suit. Let’s get started right away.

By the end, you’ll have a much better understanding of the mystery that is dry cleaning. Here’s everything you need to know about dry cleaning a suit and especially, how long does it take to dry clean a suit.

Table of Contents

What is Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a method of cleaning clothes and fabrics that can withstand the rigors of a typical washer and dryer.

To remove the impurities from the fabric, this procedure uses a gentle chemical solvent that contains little or no water. As a result, the clothes are not exposed to water and become deformed.

Furthermore, if you have stains on them by accident, dry cleaning can remove them without causing discoloration. Because the stains do not interact with water, there is no way for them to become larger or change structure.

Dry cleaners use massive, high-tech machines that run the solvent through the clothes while passing it through filters to remove impurities. Distillation purifies the solvent after it has passed through filters and is ready for reuse.

Here’s everything you need to know about dry cleaning.

How Does Dry Cleaning Work?

To understand the timelines given by your dry-cleaning service, you must first understand how dry-cleaning works. There are several steps involved, but they can be easily condensed into 5 simple steps. Let’s look at them in more detail.

1. Clothes Examination

Before deciding on the type of cleaning required, the garments must be inspected. The label may say “dry clean only.”

Specialists will first assess the level of wear and damage before deciding on the best cleaning method.

2. Pre-Treatment

If stains are noticed on the garment, they must be removed with special cleansers. Professional dry cleaners use only high-quality, safe materials in their work.

They do not cause shrinkage or allergic reactions in humans, nor do they harm the structure of things.

3. Dry Cleaning

Following manual stain removal, the product is sent to special drums. The cleaning is completed through the use of steam. In addition, some suitable solvents are added.

Attendants clean and remove stains by soaking the clothes in machines filled with chemical solvents. This process doesn’t take a long time.

4. Drying Things

The clothes are dried after they have been chemically treated. The drying temperature can range from +25 to 50 ° C, and it is determined by the material of the garments.

This dry-cleaning cycle ensures a high level of safety while also being environmentally friendly.

5. Finishing

The products are processed, pressed, steamed, and ironed at the end of the procedure. Additionally, repairs to clothing may be required.

If there are no stains, the cleaners will press, fold, and package your clothing. Your clothes are now ready to be picked up.

This video below shows the steps of the dry cleaning process.

How Long Does Dry Cleaning Take?

The answer to this is – it depends on the fabric.

It stands to reason that dry cleaning various pieces of clothing would take some time due to the process and steps involved. Some items may be completed quickly, while others may take longer.

The dry-cleaning process should take no more than a few hours (3-4 hours). However, there are numerous factors at work that can cause this process to take several days before your clothes are ready for delivery.

Take it to a dry-cleaning specialist to get an exact estimate of how long it will take to dry clean a blazer. Consult with him/her by displaying the dress that needs to be dry cleaned.

Some of these factors include:

Location of the Shop
Location of the Cleaning Site
Type of Garments and Items to be Cleaned
The Services You Seek

How Often to Dry Clean Suit?

You may wonder “how often dry clean suit?” Well, it all depends on how often you wear them. Examine your clothing and habits carefully. If you wear it frequently, like 3 or 4 times per week, you should have it dry cleaned regularly.

Once every month or two will do. Of course, if you only wear them occasionally, you won’t need them as frequently. Then you should do it once a year.

When brushing, airing out, and stain treatment no longer removes the odor, dirt, and spots, it’s time to send them off for dry cleaning.

How Long Does It Take to Dry Clean a Suit?

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You may wonder “how long does it take to dry clean a suit?”

The exact Answer: 3-4 Hours.

Dry cleaning could take several days due to a variety of factors that could consume more time. Things like the amount of dirt in the clothes, the type of garment, and other similar considerations.

A full suit may require more time to clean than a regular pair of dress pants or a dress shirt. Still, you can expect it back in 2 days on average, and sometimes even sooner.

A tuxedo is a formal wear with multiple components that requires special treatment, so expect a turnaround time of 2 days for something of that level. This’s why you need to know how long does it take to dry clean a suit.

How to Dry Clean a Suit at Home?

You can purchase machines that will clean your suit from the comfort of your own home. These devices, which are frequently quite expensive, are probably best suited to people who visit the dry cleaners once a week or so with a new stash of clothes.

You can also purchase dry cleaning kits if you want to wash your suit yourself. These aren’t great for removing stains and tough dirt, but they work well on lightly worn suits.

We already told you how long does it take to dry clean a suit. Instead, here are some simple instructions for washing a dry clean only suit at home.

1. Check the Label to Machine-Wash Suit Jackets

If you’re wondering if washing a suit at home will ruin it, the first thing you should do is look at the label. ‘Dry clean only’ is sometimes used more as a precaution than anything else.

If your suit is made of wool, silk, cotton, or linen but is labeled as dry clean only, chances are you can wash it at home – in fact, suit jackets can sometimes be machine-washed.

2. Test-Clean Suit at Home

Before you wash your suit, test a small area to see what happens. To do this, wet a small area of your suit and apply a small amount of detergent and fabric conditioner. Then, swab the washed section with a cotton swab.

If any of the dye comes off on the cotton swab, the suit will need to be dry cleaned. If it doesn’t, you’re good to go. Washing suit jacket linings should be tested in the same way, as these are frequently visible when worn.

3. Wash Suit

It’s now time to wash your suit. Dip your suit in and out of a bowl of cold water with Persil Silk & Wool until it’s clean, then gently rub any marks away. Then, rinse it with cold water and let it dry naturally.

If you prefer to machine wash your suit, place it in a mesh bag after turning it inside out. Choose the gentlest washing option and make sure it’s set to cold. When the wash is completed, remove your suit and lay it flat to dry. Yes, it’s that easy!

Check out this video to learn how to wash and dry clean your suit at home.

How to Store Dry-Cleaned Clothes?

Remove your freshly dry-cleaned clothing from the dry-cleaning bags as soon as you get home. This allows any remaining moisture or humidity to escape.

Hanging items should be neatly arranged in the closet, with enough space for them to hang flat without being crushed against each other. Some dry cleaners recommend allowing your clothes to air out on an open rack for 30 minutes before putting them back in the closet.

Remove folded items from their protective bags and place them in drawers, sliding trays, or shelves, depending on how your closet is organized. Your clothes should always be stored in a dry, spacious area, at room temperature or slightly cooler.

Keep your clothes away from light, whether artificial or natural. Avoid using hairspray or perfume near your clothing because the alcohol in these solutions can cause discoloration.

How To Care and Maintain Your Garments?

Here are some tips for storing your suit to keep it nice and clean for a long time and avoid the need for water-free cleaning:

Don’t wear the same suit over and over. Buy multiple of them and wear them regularly.
The steam roller works like magic to remove wrinkles. To look freshly pressed, use the steamer on the lowest heat setting every time before putting on the suit.
Before wearing your suit, make sure it’s been steam-pressed to remove any minor wrinkles. When you remove your suit, always hang it up properly as soon as you remove it, and let it hang for at least a day or 2 before wearing it again.
Brush off any clinging dust particles before hanging after each use. Brushing against the grain with quick and short strokes is the best way to start. Then, finish brushing with the nap.
While wearing your suit, you can also take care of it. If you’re driving, resist the urge to sit in your sports coat; instead, hang it on your seat or hang it on a hanger in the backseat. If you go outside for lunch in warm weather, leave your jacket at work to avoid spills and sweat.
After each wear, air out your suit by hanging it for at least 24 hours on a good wooden hanger. It’s even better if you can leave them hanging for a few days. Allowing the fabric to breathe and relax before storing it helps to extend its lifespan.
Wrap it in a cloth cover that allows for ventilation. This prevents trapped humidity from ruining your cloth.
To avoid wrinkles, make sure to check and empty the pockets.

Watch this video below to know the tips and instructions you should follow to preserve your suit.

How Long Does it Take to Dry Clean a Suit FAQ

Can a suit be dry cleaned in a day?

Yes. If you demand the dry cleaning facility to do it urgently, it can be finished in a day because the average cleaning process takes not more than 3 to 4 hours.

Does dry cleaning damage suits?

You can freshen up your suits really quickly by following these steps bYes, unfortunately. The harsh chemicals damage the fabric by removing away the natural oils in them.

Can you hand wash a suit?

Yes, you can hand wash them using cold water and a mild detergent like Laundress Delicate Wash. Don’t squeeze them hard. Softly press to get rid of the excess water.

To Wrap Up

Dry cleaning a suit may seem to be magic, but it is simply a different method of keeping garments looking their best. You can keep your suits looking sharp for years if you know what you’re doing.

So, Cleaners Advisor team helped you to understand how long does it take to dry clean a suit, as we provided a few tips that can keep your suits looking sharp for years to come.

Need more advice on how to keep your suit looking its best? Check out our article for more helpful hints. If you also need to know anything about how long does it take to dry a suit, then leave us a comment below!