From fresh sheets and soft towels, to crisp shirts and stain-free carpets, dry cleaners across the island can take care of your delicate garments and general laundry, while they can handle carpets and upholstery with care, returning them to you as good as new. Discover a wide list of dry cleaners on Yellow. View company contact details, respective websites and photo galleries.

Why dry cleaning is not really dry

Contrary to its name, dry cleaning is not exactly dry seeing that garments are immersed in liquid chemicals called solvents. This means that clothes are still soaked but not in water. Yet, this type of cleaning can be particularly effective when it comes to tough stains which if left untreated can become permanent and may cause irreversible damage. Dry cleaning can also lessen stretching that may be caused during normal washing, while it can help preserve the original colour of most clothes. In addition, dry cleaning sterilises and eliminates any bacteria that may have accumulated overtime.

Tempted to throw clothes meant to be dry cleaned in the washing machine with the rest of your load? Perhaps you should think twice before doing so since this may lead to your garment shrinking. The clothing label found on your plush, wooly knitwear or your favourite, silky soft camisole should clearly state whether the item is machine washable and if yes, the temperature it can withstand, whether it can be dry cleaned, hand washed or can be dried in a tumble dryer.

Clothing and household laundry care

If you are struggling to keep up with your laundry or need assistance with cleaning clothing that needs special attention, a dry cleaner can freshen up your evening dresses, silk, fine woollens and knitwear, shirts and suits, suede, fur, waxed or leather jackets and coats effortlessly and without damaging your items. However, do beware. Not all fabrics are made equal and some cannot withstand the harsh chemicals that come with dry cleaning. For instance, materials that contain or are made of plastic, PVC or polyurethane will most likely be damaged during the dry cleaning process. Always consult the clothing label or ask your dry cleaner for advice.

Quilts, curtains, carpets and upholstery

Regular vacuuming can help maintain and extend the life of your carpet. However, by time, dirt can be deeply embedded into it, while stubborn stains may have developed that are tough to remove with conventional methods of cleaning. A dry cleaner can breathe new life into your carpet through wet or dry extraction. Wet extraction refers to cleaning the carpet with either steam or hot water. This is done by firstly spraying detergent mixed with hot water onto the carpet after which a wet-vacuum is used to remove any remaining water and moisture, as well as dirt and grime. On the other hand, dry cleaning consists of placing dry, powdered cleaning chemicals on the carpet which are left to penetrate the carpet so they can break apart any stains. Once the chemicals have seeped in, a mild spray of water is used to break down the debris particles, while a vacuum is run over the carpet to collect any remaining dirt. Similarly to carpets, your upholstered sofa or comfy armchair can accumulate dust, food crumbs and germs and by time they might end up having stains and blemishes. It goes without saying that cleaning your upholstery regularly will render your furniture and environment healthy, but if you need to revitalise it completely, it is best to give your dry cleaner a call. Both carpets and upholstered furniture should be deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Whereas bed sheets and pillowcases are washed regularly, quilts are generally overlooked. It's important that your quilt is cleaned at least once a year, whereas curtains should be washed more often. Items made from quality fabric, can be easily cleaned in the washing machine with a mild detergent and cold water on the gentle cycle. But if your quilt and curtains are too bulky, you must take them to your dry cleaner.

Commercial laundry

Most dry cleaners found in Malta and Gozo are well-established companies that operate large production facilities, which means that they can handle large washing loads. As a result, dry cleaners do not only serve the general public, but also offer their services to a number of industries, namely hotels and guest houses, restaurants and other catering establishments, care homes, beauticians and spas, as well as pharmaceutical and high tech industries. Yet, apart from handling the laundry of businesses, dry cleaners can also clean staff uniforms, maintaining the clothing's vibrancy, while avoiding colour mismatches.

What more can a dry cleaner do for you

Dry cleaners offer a number of other services. Some establishments, for example, provide linen rental services to clients such as restaurants, hotels, healthcare centres, manufacturing companies and other businesses. From bed sheets, pillowcases and towels to tablecloths and napkins, companies and commercial establishments can benefit from this service by having less of an inventory while saving up on valuable storage space. Other services include pressing and ironing, denim processing and fabric shrinking and alterations, whereas some dry cleaners have established a self-service laundrette. Similar to those found abroad, these laundrettes allow you to do your own laundry. All you need to do is stock up on coins to fill the machines up.

Many popular dry cleaners offer a free door-to-door collection and delivery service, whereas others have shops and sub-agents where you can drop off your garments and pick them up once they're done. Pricing varies depending on the item. Typically, dry cleaners' websites offer ample information about their services and pricing, however, if this information is not provided, a quick ring to the dry cleaner of your choice should clear things up for you.