Dry cleaners Dry cleaning - your rights explained

Your rights at the dry cleaners

When you take clothes to be dry cleaned you’re protected by the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. This makes it a term of the contract that the dry cleaner has to provide its service using reasonable skill and care, and any materials used, such as the cleaning agent, must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. 

The dry cleaners must also ensure that the service you paid for is the one you get. So if you pay for the cleaner's premium service but get the standard one, you could claim back the difference.

If clothes are returned damaged, the cleaners are liable for their value or the cost of repair, if possible. You don't waive your statutory legal rights just because a cleaner has a disclaimer for damage caused to items. No notice can take away your legal rights, and any sign or clause in the dry cleaner's terms and conditions that tries to do so could be challenged as unfair.

The position would be different if the cleaner advised that the garment wasn’t suitable for dry cleaning but you insisted they go ahead; even then the dry cleaners would be liable for damage caused by a lack of skill and care or using the wrong cleaning agent.

Dispute resolution

If you’re unhappy with the service provided and the dry cleaner is a member of the Textile Services Association (TSA), you can use its customer advisory service to help get your problem resolved.

Which? Legal Service

If you need further advice on your legal rights, call the Which? Legal Service on 01992 822828. Join the service and receive legal advice on dry cleaning and all other aspects of consumer law from qualified lawyers.