DIY cleaning handles most resale inventory. But some items need professional care—either because home methods risk damage or because the item's value justifies expert handling.
The question isn't "can I clean this myself?" It's "should I?"
Typical Professional Cleaning Costs
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Dry cleaning (shirt/blouse) | $5-10 |
| Dry cleaning (suit jacket) | $12-20 |
| Dry cleaning (dress) | $15-25 |
| Dry cleaning (coat/overcoat) | $20-35 |
| Leather cleaning | $40-80 |
| Leather conditioning/restoration | $75-150 |
| Wedding dress cleaning | $150-300 |
| Suede cleaning | $30-60 |
| Specialty stain removal | $15-40 additional |
Prices vary by location. Urban areas typically cost more. Build relationships with local cleaners for potential volume discounts.
The ROI Calculation
Apply the same thinking as your repair decisions:
Value cleaned - Value as-is - Cleaning cost = ROI
If ROI is positive and meaningful relative to the item's value, professional cleaning makes sense.
Example: Vintage Wool Coat
Purchased for $15. Value cleaned: $120. Value as-is (minor odor, needs pressing): $70. Dry cleaning cost: $25.
ROI: $120 - $70 - $25 = $25 additional profit. Worth it.
Example: Basic Blazer
Purchased for $8. Value cleaned: $35. Value as-is: $28. Dry cleaning: $15.
ROI: $35 - $28 - $15 = -$8. Not worth it. DIY steam and sell.
When Professional Cleaning Makes Sense
High-Value Items
BOLO brands, designer pieces, and vintage collectibles where the sale price justifies the cost. A $300 vintage Burberry trench deserves $30 professional cleaning.
Delicate Materials You Can't Safely Handle
Silk, vintage rayon, heavily beaded or embellished items, structured garments with internal construction. The risk of DIY damage exceeds cleaning cost.
Severe Odors That Won't DIY
Heavy smoke, persistent mildew, chemical smells that home methods can't eliminate. Professional ozone treatment or specialized cleaning may be the only solution.
Leather Restoration
Beyond basic leather conditioning, significant restoration (color correction, deep cleaning, re-dyeing) requires professional equipment. High-value leather jackets and designer bags often justify the cost.
Wedding Dresses & Formal Gowns
Complex construction, delicate fabrics, and high sale prices make professional cleaning standard for this category.
When to Skip Professional Cleaning
Low-Value Items
If cleaning cost exceeds 30-40% of expected sale price, it rarely makes sense. A $12 dry cleaning on a $30 item eats too much margin.
Items You Can Safely DIY
Cotton, polyester, most casual wear—home cleaning works fine. Don't pay professionals for what you can do yourself.
Items That Won't Sell Much Higher Cleaned
Some items sell at similar prices regardless of condition. Research comps—if cleaned and as-is prices are close, save the cleaning cost.
Finding the Right Cleaners
Standard Dry Cleaners
Fine for suits, dresses, wool coats. Ask about their process for delicates. Avoid cleaners that seem rushed or dismissive about fabric concerns.
Specialty Cleaners
For leather, suede, vintage items, and wedding dresses, seek specialists. They have equipment and expertise standard cleaners lack. Worth the premium for high-value pieces.
Building Relationships
Regular customers often get better service and pricing. Explain you're a reseller with ongoing volume. Some cleaners offer business discounts.
Before You Drop Off
Point out issues: Show stains, odors, or damage. Document with photos. Manage expectations about what cleaning can fix.
Ask about guarantees: What happens if they damage the item? Reputable cleaners have policies.
Get timeline: Rush service costs more. Plan ahead for items you need cleaned.
Keep receipts: Track cleaning costs in your profit spreadsheet. They're deductible business expenses.
The Time Factor
Professional cleaning isn't just about capability—it's about time. Even if you could hand-wash that silk blouse, is the 30 minutes worth it when a $10 dry clean gets better results?
Your time has value. Sometimes paying professionals is the most profitable choice, even for items you could technically handle yourself.
How to Clean Thrifted Clothes
Master DIY cleaning for the items that don't need professionals.