What qualities do you look for in a dry cleaner?

[dudsville]

Another thread prompted me to look at my wool winter coats. I've never had them cleaned. After months in storage one smells very much like I just bought it from a second hand shop. The other smells great, normal, but the lapels are bent and it's old so probably could just do with a clean. I live in a reasonably small town. It has one dry cleaner and there's only one online review (complains about a non dry cleaning issue). I'm scared to trust someone with my coats. I can see myself enjoing these for years and will be v sad if anything goes wrong. So, what do you think makes a good dry cleaner, what can I look for in this local shop to assess whether it's safe to leave my coats there?

I go by “if it’s open” so perhaps not the best person to take advice on if you’re particularly attached to your coats!
Maybe ask on Facebook for local recommendations As there’s only one review to go on.
I have to say, I’ve never had anything go wrong with any of my dry clean items but I know it happens from time to time.

See if they check the label properly. Dry cleaning is not a catch all service, they use different treatments and chemicals depending on the fabric and not all places do everything. Coated jeans I have discovered is a really specialist service and I'm yet to find a dry cleaners who will do it. Make sure they check the item all over for anything which might hinder them (e.g.different materials, which might spoil. Leather piping, coated metal which might tarnish). Point out any particular stains, dry cleaning does not get everything out, so they should ask what caused the mark and advise.

Also check they have acknowledged the original style you are handing over. For coats it's probably fine, but I had one high street place put a crease in some £150 flat fronted trousers once and they swore blind it was there until I showed them the catalogue picture from the brand. If they press a crease in, it does not come out with a domestic iron, trust me.

For a freshen up and steam press of coats, you'll probably be fine in most places though.

A place where they don't threaten to sell your alpaca wool coat if you're a bit late picking it up...... and breathe. 🤬

Thanks mrsmaria!
I'm not on Facebook so am reliant upon what I can find from now general searches!