Blog

When customers book a professional laundry service, one of the most common questions they ask us is: "Should I go for laundry or dry cleaning?

The confusion is understandable. Both services aim to clean your clothes, but they work in different ways. 

Understanding the difference helps you choose the right option for your garments and avoid unnecessary damage or expense. If you're curious about the dry cleaning process specifically, read our detailed guide on what is dry cleaning and how does it works. In this blog, we’ll explain how laundry and dry cleaning differ, when to choose one over the other, and what’s best for different types of fabrics.

What is Laundry?

Laundry means washing clothes using water and detergent. It’s mostly used to clean regular clothes like shirts, jeans, and polyester items. People also use it for household things like towels, bedsheets, pillow covers, and curtains. For seasonal items, learn about washing woollen blankets and cotton throw blankets

How laundry is done:

• First, clothes are put in water to loosen dirt.
  
  

• Then detergent is added to clean stains, sweat, and dust.
  
  

• After that, clothes are washed by hand or in a washing machine.
  
  

• Next, they are cleaned with fresh water to make sure all the soap is gone.
  
  

• Finally, the clothes are dried in the sun or in a dryer.

Note - For a crisp, professional finish, many people opt for steam press services after washing.

What is Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a way to clean clothes without using water. Instead, a special liquid is used to remove stains and dirt gently. People usually choose it for clothes that are costly or need extra care, like sarees, suits, blazers, or fabrics like silk and wool. These are the types of clothes that can lose their shape or shine if washed at home. This is especially important for delicate fabrics with tough stains like ink or water stains. Many people go for dry cleaning when they want their special clothes to look fresh and last longer, especially for weddings, office wear, or family functions.

How Dry Cleaning is Done:

• First, visible stains are treated.
  
  

• Then, the clothes are cleaned with a special liquid in a dry cleaning machine.
  
  

• Finally, they are steam-pressed and ready to wear.

Laundry vs Dry Cleaning — Key Differences

When to Choose Laundry?

Laundry is the right choice for clothes you wear every day, like cotton shirts, T-shirts, jeans, or nightwear. These clothes are usually simple and don’t need any special care. You can wash them easily at home using water and detergent. For light stains, regular washing is enough. Most people do this already, either by hand or in a washing machine. It saves both time and money. Unless the fabric is fancy or has heavy work, laundry is more than enough. For everyday garment care, our wash & iron laundry service handles everything from shirts to jeans with care.

When to Choose Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a good option for clothes like suits, blazers, sarees, silk, wool, or anything with a heavy design or work. These clothes are often worn for weddings, functions, or office use. They usually cost more and may have fabric that doesn’t do well with water. Washing such clothes at home can spoil their shape, shine, or design. Dry cleaning uses a special liquid instead of water, which helps remove strong stains and keeps the cloth in good condition. Learn more about 6 signs of a reliable dry cleaning service to ensure your precious garments get the care they deserve.

Is Laundry Cheaper than Dry Cleaning?

Yes, laundry is cheaper because it can be done at home or through a local laundry shop at low cost.

Most people use it for regular clothes like T-shirts, jeans, or nightwear — things that don’t need special care.

It's quick, simple, and gets the job done without spending much.

Dry cleaning costs more because it uses special liquids, trained staff, and machines.(Curious about the pricing breakdown? Read why dry cleaning is expensive to understand the value you receive.)

People usually go for it when the clothes are costly, like suits, sarees, or silk items.

Sometimes it's chosen not just for care, but also when there's a little extra money or the cloth feels too important to wash normally.

Conclusion

If your clothes are simple, strong, and marked safe for water wash, using a laundry service is the right choice to keep them clean and fresh.

But if they are delicate, costly, or labeled "Dry Clean Only", dry cleaning is the safest option.

And remember — always check the care label inside your clothes. It clearly tells you what method to use or when to choose a professional laundry service.