The Dry Cleaner

Talka

So this should be an easy question.

I'm about to go to the dry cleaners. I've got a suit shirt, suit pants, and about four shirts that need cleaning. This is my first time going to a dry cleaners (first job). Normally I'd just try and figure out how the system works at the store, but I'm living in Japan right now and my Japanese is iffy so I'd appreciate if I could get some explanation on how this thing is going to go down.

Do I bring my own hangers? Do I just sort of throw the suit and the shirts over my shoulder and walk down there? Is it a next day service kind of thing, usually? Around how much am I going to pay? Do they give me a slip with a number on it or something so I can get my clothes tomorrow?

I know this is probably all obvious and stupid, but this is just one of those small pieces of information in life that's somehow managed to slip past me.

SoCo_and_Lime

Just bring your stuff in. They'll give you a ticket and tell you when you can pick up your stuff, probably within a day maybe two if.

Don't know about cost. I'm going to say around $10 USD? I had my suit cleaned for around $7.

Talka

So I just sort of fold my suit and pants and shirts over my arm and haul it down there? Don't bring any hangers?

SoCo_and_Lime

You can wrap your clothes up in a ball if you really want

Yes they'll give you hangers.

RUNN1NGMAN

For the shirts, they'll want to know how much starch you want when they press them. Just tell them medium, you'll know after the first time whether you want heavy or light (don't get no starch, it kind of defeats the purpose of getting them professionally cleaned and pressed).

Also, invest in a steamer and steam your suits after you wear them, and after they've hung for a day or so to let the perspiration dry. Unless they actually get "dirty" from a spill or mud or something, you should only have to dry clean your suits every couple of months or twice a year. They'll last a lot longer that way.