Four Questions You Should Be Asking for same day alterations

Going to the dry cleaner is a ritual for some people.  They may even have a certain day of the week they drop off and another they pick up.  They may pair it with other errands like getting a manicure or a massage.  They may pair it with less glamorous activities like grocery shopping or junior’s soccer practice.  It is safe to say that in some people’s lives, the dry cleaner is a beacon of familiarity.  In such cases, people may even have a bit of a friendly relationship with the team who operates their preferred local dry cleaners.

If you are the type of person who heads to the cleaners often, you are most likely loyal to one specific shop.  This shop may be on the way to work or close to your home.  It may be the same one your parents go to.  What you may not realize, though, is that today’s dry cleaner does more than cleaning!  Have you ever noticed a neon sign that says alterations in the window of a local dry cleaner?  That’s because some shops pull double duty when it comes to clothing cleaning, repair, and changes.

Here are four questions you should ask your local dry cleaner:

1. Do you do same day alterations? Many dry cleaners can do alterations, which saves the time and expense of visiting a tailor, especially for small changes like taking in pants an inch or adjusting a hemline.  Not all, however, can accommodate same day alterations.  Even some that do can get backed up, having to decline work.  Rather than sit around guessing, ask about same day alterations the next time you drop off your clothes.
2. Do you do wedding gown restoration? Wedding dresses are expensive investments that often are worn just once in lifetime.  Before the wedding, the dress needs to be fitted.  A dry cleaner may be able to do that.  Same day alterations (see above) can even save a bride from disaster.  Once the gown has been worn to the ceremony, the dry cleaner can do restoration and preservation to keep that dress looking as good as new for years to come.
3. Do these pants look good on me? Okay, it may be weird to ask the dry cleaner how the pants look on you, but it probably would not be the first time they were asked the question. A tailor and a dry cleaner who does alterations both know what looks good when it comes to dress clothes; they are professionals!  You can ask the dry cleaner to hem pants if they are too long.  They may be able to let the seam loose if they are a little too short.  Just ask!
4. What about jackets? Jackets can be a bigger investment because we wear them more often.  They take more material and expertise to make, so they cost more.  Make sure your jacket looks good by asking your dry cleaner if they hem jackets.

To learn more about what dry cleaners can offer, contact Alan Dry Cleaners.  Call us today if you have these questions, or others, about same day alterations.