How to choose a dry cleaner for your dress suit

There is not an exact science that tells you when it’s time to take your bespoke suit coat and trousers to the dry cleaner. However, most of us visit the dry cleaners too often. A good rule of thumb is to dry clean your menswear when brushing, airing out and spot cleaning aren’t removing the odors, dirt or stains any more. If you rarely wear a suit, this may be as little as once a year. Of course if you live in your dress suit, you may dry clean more frequently.
Dry clean your dress suit as little as possible. Perc strips the wool fibers of their natural oils. This causes the fibers to become brittle and your dress suit to become worn-though well before its time.

When it comes time to clean your suit, do a bit of homework. Check America’s Best Cleaners, or search Google for any reviews of dry cleaners near you. There is no shortage of dry cleaners, but the ones who have been in business for a while will have both a good following and a good reputation. Take the time to call a few local dry cleaners. If they’re willing to take the time to answer your questions, that may be a sign that you can trust them with your custom suit. Don’t forget to find out if they do their dry cleaning in-house, or send it out to a larger facility. This may not seem like a big deal but it will make a world of difference the first time an item gets misplaced.
Pay attention to how your clothes are handled at intake. A good clerk will mark any spots or problem areas which may need pretreating. Also, be sure to point out any loose buttons. Get a detailed receipt of what you’re dropping off for your records as well. This is a great guide to dry cleaning.