Quick answer
Before sending clothes for dry cleaning, empty every pocket, point out each stain and what caused it, and check for loose buttons, beads or zari that may need attention. Keep matching pieces together, count the items, and tell the cleaner about any earlier damage or home treatment, so the plant can choose the right process and the right care.
Key takeaways
- Empty pockets fully: pens, tissues, coins and lip balm can damage a whole load.
- Tell the cleaner what each stain is and how old it is, and do not rub or iron it at home first.
- Point out loose buttons, delicate embellishments and existing tears before handover.
- Send matching pieces of a suit or set together so colours stay even.
- Count your items and check the tag list, and report any issue within 24 hours of delivery.
Why a few minutes of preparation matters
Most problems with dry cleaning start before the garment reaches the plant. A forgotten pen bursts, an untold stain gets heat-set, or a loose bead falls off and nobody knew it was loose. Five minutes of checking at home helps the cleaner choose the right process and gives you a clear record of what you handed over.
The steps below apply whether you drop clothes at a store or book a doorstep collection.
1. Empty every pocket, including the hidden ones
Check trouser back pockets, coat inner pockets, the small coin pocket in jeans and the pockets inside kurtas and sherwanis. The usual culprits are:
- Pens and markers, which can leak ink through a garment and onto others.
- Tissues and paper, which break into lint that clings to dark fabrics.
- Lip balm, chapstick and chewing gum, which melt and leave oily marks.
- Coins, keys and cards, which can tear linings and damage machines.
Also remove brooches, safety pins, tie pins and detachable belts. Pins left in a dupatta or saree are a common cause of small snags.
2. Point out every stain, and say what it is
Stain removal depends on knowing the cause. Oil, haldi, tea, ink, wine and mehendi each need a different treatment, and the wrong one can set a stain for good. When you hand over a garment, tell the cleaner:
- What the stain is, if you know.
- How old it is. Fresh stains come out more easily than ones left for weeks.
- What you have already tried, such as soap, detergent, salt or a stain stick.
Avoid rubbing hard, using hot water or ironing over a stain before sending it. Heat can fix many stains into the fibre. Our guide on why some stains never come out explains why.
At Swan Clean, spotting is a separate step in our ten-step plant process, done before cleaning, and stain treatment can take longer than a regular order.
3. Check buttons, embellishments and existing damage
Look over each piece in good light:
- Buttons: note any that are loose or missing. Decorative or fabric-covered buttons may need special care.
- Beads, sequins, mirror work and zari: tell the cleaner if any threads are loose, so the piece can be handled gently.
- Tears, thin patches and moth holes: point them out before handover. Cleaning can make an existing weak spot more visible.
- Colour bleeding: if a garment has bled colour before, mention it.
If you need a repair, ask about it at the same time. Repairs, like heavy items and wedding wear, can take longer than the regular turnaround.
4. Keep sets together and read the care label
Send both pieces of a suit, the full lehenga set or the kurta with its matching churidar together. Cleaning them as a set keeps the colour and finish even, which matters most for dark suits and silks.
Check the care label too. A label that says “dry clean only” or shows a P or F in a circle tells the cleaner which solvent suits the fabric. If the label has been cut off, mention it. Our care label symbols guide explains the icons.
5. Count your items and choose your return date
Count the pieces before they leave the house and keep a note or a photo. At the plant, every garment is inspected and tagged at the start, so you have a matching record.
When you book on the schedule collection page, you pick a pickup slot (9am–12pm, 12–3pm, 3–6pm or 6–9pm) and your return date. The form shows the dates available for your pickup date:
- Regular: 2–3 days after collection (36–72 hours), at no extra charge.
- Express: next-day delivery in the second half of the day (24–36 hours after collection), at an additional charge confirmed before collection.
If you need an outfit for a function, book a few days ahead, especially for heavy or embellished pieces.
When your clothes come back
Open the package soon after delivery and check each piece against your count. If anything is not right, report it within 24 hours. Swan Clean’s liability is up to 5x the cleaning charge.
Collection and delivery are free across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. You can also drop clothes at our stores in Sector 35-C and Sector 37-C&D Chandigarh, Sector 11 Panchkula or Homeland Heights, Sector 70 Mohali. To book, use the schedule collection page or WhatsApp or call 9115-505-505.
