What’s everyone’s trust test for a new dry cleaner? I used to just drop stuff wherever, but after a spot on 4th Ave pressed the lapels flat on a good jacket and then tried to charge me for “stain removal” when it went in clean, I got gun-shy.

Now I bring a shirt with one slightly cracked button and see if they flag it when they write the ticket. If they just say “Friday” and toss it in the pile, I keep moving. Maybe that’s extra, but I’m done losing buttons.

Big fan of this. If a place doesn’t look at the garment before they take it, that’s a no. I want at least a fake once-over—somebody flipping the cuffs or checking the collar.

Check out the “No Stopping ticket when the sign was hidden behind a construction wrap—worth fighting?” thread No Stopping ticket when the sign was hidden behind a construction wrap—worth fighting? if you haven’t yet. Same energy: you want someone to show you the hidden thing before you’re stuck paying for it.

Wait, are you supposed to check the pockets before you drop stuff off? I thought the person at the counter did that. I just tried a new place near me and they called me about a missing belt loop, which I thought was kind of extra, but now I’m thinking that might actually be a good sign?

Thanks for the tip about the cracked button. I’m going to try that next time instead of just picking the closest one.

Pockets are on you, generally. A good shop will remind you to empty them, but the ones that actually check for loose buttons, snags, or stains before they write the ticket are already above average. My old place on 30th Ave had a small paper ledger at the counter. When you dropped off, they’d make you initial next to any existing stains or missing buttons. If you didn’t, they’d still note it on the ticket, but the initial line meant nobody was arguing about a burnout mark two days later. That is the real trust test.

I’d also watch what they do with hangers. A solid dry cleaner reuses the good plastic ones or asks you to bring them back. The place I used would fold shirts on cardboard so collars kept their shape instead of throwing them in a bag. It was old school, but I never had a button crack twice. The chain across town didn’t care and it showed.

One caveat: the nice places take longer. If you need a suit in 24 hours, you may get different service just because of the rush. For regular shirts, drop them off on a Tuesday and see how the tag looks when you pick them up.

Yes! The pin versus staple thing is my little obsession! The cheap places use those tiny plastic staples through the fabric and they leave snags, especially on rayon. The good ones use safety pins through the care tag or the side seam, or no pin at all if it’s in a bag. If I see a staple poked through the front of a shirt, I will absolutely walk out.

Have you tried asking if they press collars on a form or flat? That changes the whole look of a button-down. Also, shirt cardboard! If they give back your shirts on cardboard, you found a keeper.

Honestly I just stopped buying stuff that needs dry cleaning after too many ruined sweaters. For the few jackets I do have, I use the place next to my laundromat because they let me watch them tag it and they pin the receipt to the inside label instead of the pocket. That’s my test.

RiverdaleRambler is right about the staples. Even the nice-looking places do it when they get busy. I’d rather a hand-written tag.