A spa for your clothes? London's swankiest dry cleaners
There aren't many ways to make a dry cleaners sound romantic. Opening the doors for the first time on Valentine's Day however, might just do it. In 1984, Buckingham dry cleaners did just that. The family run business prides itself on a first-class service that provides free collection and deliveries within London. The founders are still involved in the day-to-day running (and their grandchildren even lend a helping hand from time to time too). They offer every cleaning task you could think of, from shirts to curtains to gowns to carpets and are more than well-versed in the demands of delicate designer goods. The swankiest garment they have cared for (so far) was a Versace beaded evening gown worth more than £80,000. They also have an express cleaning and tailoring service for any fashion emergencies that require a 'save-me' same day service.
buckinghamdrycleaners.com
In 1969, Jeeves took up residence in Belgravia with a mission to bring the locals what they needed — a luxurious dry cleaning experience. Now, you will find Jeeves in all the most reputable patches of London. For good reason, this establishment is not just trusted by locals but also by the Royal Family. Since 1980, they have held a royal warrant for carefully cleaning and delivering the King's outfits. A requirement to receive this warrant is a commitment to environmental sustainability. Nature-safe cleaning processes are part of their ethos. Every item of clothing passed over to the cleaning gurus goes through a strict seven step process of detailing/inspecting, stain removal, cleaning, hand finishing, minor repairs, inspection and packaging. Named after the PG Wodehouse character, Reginald Jeeves (the most famous butler in fiction), the shop reflects the butler's key characteristic —his meticulous attention to detail. An added bonus is the complimentary collection service.
jeevesofbelgravia.com
On a not-remotely modest looking street in Knightsbridge, sits the modest shop front of Haywards dry cleaners. They consider their main duty keeping well-dressed clientele looking their best with a meticulous cleaning and tailoring service. With four decades of experience in dealing with designer clothes, this shop is able to deal with all garments from simple shirts to sequinned gowns. They also restore shoes and designer bags. Even curtains, carpets and upholstery fall under their remit. They also offer their private wardrobe refresh service that includes an expert joining you in your home to assess your wardrobe — cleaning, pressing and repairing anything that needs extra TLC.
haywardsdrycleaners.com
Only the French can make a dry cleaners sound chic. La Sirène originated in Paris and became known as le spa de vos vetements ('the clothes spa'). Their motto is 'we take care of you by taking care of your clothes'. And we've heard on the grapevine that they have crossed the channel to set up shop on Bruton Place in Mayfair. They have specialist knowledge in caring for high-end fabrics and materials with a significant consideration for sustainability by protecting precious items to ensure longevity and by using environmentally-friendly techniques. Offering cleaning, alterations and repairs, this luxury dry cleaners is well qualified to handle your designer goods and even has close connections with Chanel.
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