Professional dry cleaning in Burnaby.

Common dry-cleaning questions

Is dry cleaning better than washing?

Neither method is always better. The right choice depends on the garment, fabric, construction, care label and type of stain. Dry cleaning is often well suited to delicate fabrics such as wool, silk, cashmere and velvet, structured garments such as suits and lined coats, and oil or grease-based stains. Regular washing is usually suitable for many everyday cottons and durable synthetic garments.

When is dry cleaning worth it?

Dry cleaning is particularly worthwhile for garments that are delicate, structured, difficult to press, heavily embellished or labelled dry-clean only. It can also be especially useful for oil and grease-based stains that do not respond well to water. For everyday washable clothing, professional dry cleaning may not always be necessary. We prefer recommending the care a garment actually needs rather than cleaning it unnecessarily.

How often should I dry clean my clothes?

Most clothes do not need dry cleaning after every wear. How often they should be cleaned depends on the fabric, how the garment is worn, perspiration, stains and the care label. As a general guide:

• Suits & blazers: around every 3–5 wears, or sooner if stained or heavily worn.
• Dress pants & skirts: around every 3–6 wears.
• Dresses: around every 1–3 wears, depending on the fabric and skin contact.
• Wool & cashmere sweaters: around every 3–5 wears. Wearing a layer underneath can help extend the time between cleanings.
• Silk garments: often around every 1–3 wears, particularly when worn directly against the skin.
• Coats & outerwear: usually once or twice per season, and before seasonal storage.
• Special-occasion garments: clean after wearing if there are stains, perspiration, food or drink spills, especially before long-term storage.

These are general guidelines rather than strict rules. A garment that still looks and smells fresh may simply need airing between wears, while stains and perspiration are best addressed sooner. When in doubt, bring it in and we can recommend the appropriate care rather than cleaning it unnecessarily.

Can dry cleaning remove all stains?

Not always. Results depend on the type and age of the stain, the fabric, previous treatments and how much further treatment the garment can safely tolerate. Bringing a stained garment in quickly, without applying products at home, generally gives us the best chance of treating it successfully.

Should I try removing a stain at home first?

For delicate, special-care or dry-clean-only garments, we generally recommend avoiding home stain removers before professional assessment. Some products can alter colour, set a stain or make professional treatment more difficult. If you have already treated the stain, let us know what was used.

How long does dry cleaning take?

At Royal Oak Drycleaners, regular cleaning normally runs Tuesday and Friday. Standard dry cleaning is usually ready by the next scheduled cleaning day. Garments requiring stain treatment, additional cleaning cycles, pre-treatment or hang drying may take longer.

Can puffer and down jackets be professionally cleaned?

Yes, many puffer and down jackets can be professionally cleaned. The appropriate process depends on the garment's care instructions, outer fabric, filling, construction and condition, so we assess specialty outerwear individually.

Can silk, linen and cashmere be dry cleaned?

Many garments made from silk, linen, cashmere and other delicate fabrics can be professionally cleaned. We check the care instructions, fabric, construction, colour and condition before deciding on an appropriate cleaning process.

For more detail, see our stain-removal guide and puffer and down jacket cleaning guide.