If you're new to using a laundry service, the menu can look confusing. Wash & fold? Dry cleaning? Press only? The difference matters for both your bill and your clothes — here's the short version.
Wash & fold (the everyday option)
Wash & fold is your normal home wash, done by us. Clothes are sorted by colour and weight, washed in water and detergent at the right temperature, tumble-dried, then neatly folded and bagged.
Use it for: t-shirts, jeans, socks, underwear, towels, bed linen, gym kit, kids' clothes — anything you'd normally put in your home machine. Priced per kilogram, usually around £2–£3/kg.
Dry cleaning (for items that can't get wet)
Dry cleaning doesn't use water — it uses a liquid solvent that lifts oil-based stains without shrinking or distorting fabric. The machine looks like a giant washing machine but works completely differently.
Use it for: suits, blazers, wool coats, silk shirts, formal dresses, ties, anything with a 'dry clean only' label, and items with delicate trims or structured shoulders. Priced per item, usually £6–£15 depending on the garment.
How to decide in 5 seconds
- Check the care label first — it almost always tells you.
- If it's structured (suit, blazer, lined skirt), dry clean.
- If it's silk, wool, cashmere or has beading, dry clean.
- If you'd happily put it in your home machine, wash & fold.
- Still unsure? Send it. We'll sort it on arrival and only charge for what's needed.
What about ironing?
Wash & fold returns clothes folded but not pressed. If you want shirts and trousers crisp and on hangers, add ironing — usually £1.50–£3 per item. Dry cleaning includes pressing in the price.
Rule of thumb: everyday clothes = wash & fold by the kilo. Special clothes = dry cleaning by the item.
Published 2026-06-10 by MyLaundress. Book a collection online