What Lapels Dry Cleaning Does

Lapels Dry Cleaning is a chain of dry cleaning locations that handles garment cleaning, pressing, and alterations. You drop off clothes at a Lapels store, they clean and press them according to fabric type, and you pick them up a few days later. Lapels operates hundreds of locations across the United States, mostly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, though the chain has expanded to other areas.

The service works the same way as most dry cleaners: you bring in items that need professional cleaning (suits, dresses, delicate fabrics, items with stains you cannot remove at home), staff inspect and tag them, and you return after the stated number of days to collect them. Lapels also offers shirt laundering, alterations like hemming and taking in seams, and leather or suede cleaning at most locations.

Key Takeaways

  • Lapels charges by the item, not by weight, so a single dress costs the same whether it weighs two pounds or five pounds.
  • Turnaround time is typically three to five business days, though rush service (usually one or two days) is available at most locations for an extra fee.
  • You can find your nearest Lapels location and pricing through their website or by calling ahead, since prices vary slightly by store and region.
  • Lapels accepts most common garments but may decline heavily soiled items, fur, or pieces with damage that cleaning could worsen.

How to Drop Off and Pick Up Clothes

Walk into any Lapels location during business hours with the items you want cleaned. Staff will inspect each piece, note any stains or damage, and ask you to point out problem areas so they can treat them. They will tag your order with a ticket number and give you a receipt showing what you dropped off, the price per item, the total cost, and your pickup date.

Return on or after the pickup date shown on your receipt. Give the staff your ticket number or phone number, and they will retrieve your cleaned clothes from the back. Most Lapels locations are open six days a week, with limited or no Sunday hours, so check your local store's schedule before dropping off on a Friday if you need clothes by Monday.

Pricing and What It Covers

Lapels prices by the individual item: a dress shirt might cost $2 to $4, a suit jacket $6 to $10, a pair of pants $4 to $7, depending on your region and the specific store. Prices are posted in the store or available by phone. You pay when you pick up, not when you drop off, though some locations may ask for a deposit on large orders.

The base price includes standard dry cleaning and pressing. Stain treatment is usually included if you point out the stain when you drop off. Alterations (hemming, taking in a waist, shortening sleeves) cost extra and are priced separately; ask for an estimate before leaving the garment. Rush service—getting clothes back in one or two days instead of three to five—typically adds 50 percent to 100 percent to the item price.

What Happens to Your Clothes During Cleaning

Lapels uses dry cleaning solvents (not water) to remove oils, dirt, and stains from fabric. The process is gentler on delicate materials like silk, wool, and linen than home washing would be. After cleaning, garments are pressed with steam and heat to restore their shape and appearance. Most items are hung on hangers and bagged in plastic for storage until pickup.

If you note a stain when dropping off, staff will pre-treat it before the main cleaning cycle. Heavily soiled items or stains that have set in may require extra treatment, which can take longer or cost more. If a stain cannot be removed without damaging the fabric, Lapels staff will tell you this when you pick up—they are not responsible for stains that cannot come out through dry cleaning.

Items Lapels May Not Accept

Most Lapels locations will not clean fur coats, leather jackets, or suede items, though some larger locations may offer these services—call ahead to ask. They typically decline garments that are heavily soiled, torn, or stained with substances like paint or tar that could damage the fabric during cleaning. Vintage or antique clothing may be refused if the fabric is too fragile.

If you have a delicate or unusual item, describe it to the staff when you arrive. They can tell you whether they can clean it and what the cost or timeline might be. Do not assume an item will be refused; many dry cleaners handle more than they advertise.

Rush Service and Special Requests

If you need clothes cleaned faster than the standard three to five business days, ask about rush service when you drop off. Most Lapels locations offer one-day or two-day turnaround for an additional fee. Rush service is not always available on every item (some delicate pieces still need standard time), and it may not be possible if the store is very busy, so ask rather than assume.

You can also request special handling: extra pressing, light starch, no starch, or specific folding instead of hanging. Tell staff about these preferences when you drop off. Write them on your receipt or ask the staff member to note them on your ticket so the cleaning team sees the request.

Finding Your Nearest Lapels Location

Lapels has a store locator on their website where you can enter your zip code and see nearby locations, hours, and phone numbers. You can also call a location directly to ask about pricing, services, or whether they handle a specific type of garment. Prices and services vary slightly by location, so it is worth calling ahead if you have an unusual item or want to confirm rush service availability.

Many Lapels stores are located in shopping centers or downtown areas. Some locations offer drop-off and pickup windows for convenience, though not all do. If you are in a hurry, call ahead to confirm the store is open and has staff available to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lose my receipt?

You can still pick up your order by giving the staff your phone number or last name. They will look up your ticket in their system. If you cannot remember the phone number you provided, ask the staff to search by the date you dropped off and a description of your clothes.

Can I pick up clothes after hours?

Most Lapels locations do not offer after-hours pickup. Check your store's hours when you drop off, and plan to pick up during business hours. Some locations may have a window or locker system for after-hours retrieval, but this is not standard—call your local store to ask.

What if I do not pick up my clothes by the date promised?

Lapels will hold your clothes for a set period (usually 30 to 60 days, depending on the location). After that time, the store may donate or discard unclaimed items. If you know you will be late, call the store and let them know; they may hold items longer as a courtesy.

Do I need to remove stains before dropping off?

No. In fact, do not try to remove stains yourself before dropping off, as home treatments can sometimes set stains permanently. Point out the stain to staff when you arrive, and let the professionals handle it. They have solvents and techniques designed to lift stains without damaging fabric.

Can Lapels clean clothes that are already damaged?

Lapels can clean garments with minor wear, but they will not accept items with large tears, holes, or seams that are coming apart. If the damage is small, staff can sometimes repair it as part of alterations, though this costs extra. Ask when you drop off whether they can repair the damage or if you should take the item to a tailor instead.