If you have clothing or other items dry cleaned, it must be done:

• With reasonable care and skill.
• Within a reasonable time.
• For a reasonable charge.

As soon as you have determined that there is a problem with an item of clothing that you have had dry cleaned, contact the trader straight away and report the problem. You will need to take the clothing and the dry cleaning ticket back to the dry cleaner.

If the drycleaner has caused damage to the article of clothing in the process of their cleaning, you should make a complaint. You can make a complaint by using our complaint to a drycleaner about garment damage letter. If there is damage in an article of clothing when you pick it up from a drycleaner, they are automatically liable for the damage.

Drycleaners, like other service providers, are without qualification, obliged to perform what they were contracted to carry out with reasonable skill and care. If this is not the case here, the customer can hold the firm liable for this damage.

If the fault is due to damage caused by the dry cleaner, and can easily be put right, it is reasonable to expect a repair. To request a repair, use our letter to request a repair to faulty goods. The drycleaner must provide a suitable repair for drycleaned item at no additional cost to you. If the item has not been repaired properly, you will be entitled to a refund. If you have requested that an item be repaired and it has not been done to a good standard, use our letter requesting a refund for goods not properly repaired.

If the drycleaner cannot repair the fault properly, you are entitled to compensation. This could be the cost of having the item repaired elsewhere.

If the item is beyond repair, you are also entitled to compensation. This could be up to the full price you paid for the item. The drycleaner may make a reduction from the price you paid to allow for the use you have had from the item.

If there is a minor fault due to poor cleaning that can easily be put right, it is reasonable to allow the drycleaner a chance to re-clean the item. If the drycleaner does not clean the item properly, you are entitled to a refund.

If you are out of pocket in any other way, you may be entitled to compensation over and above the price of the dry cleaning. You can make a request for compensation from the seller for additional damage caused by faulty goods, by using our letter.

• Remember, if you are entitled to a refund, repair or compensation, it is the drycleaner who must sort out your problem.
• You may have rights against the seller of the item if the fault wasn't caused by the drycleaner.
• Loss of the dry cleaning ticket may cause you difficulty in re-claiming your property.
• Dry cleaning may not remove all stains.
• Dry cleaning may highlight existing wear.
• If you leave your clothes with an agent for the drycleaner, your rights are with the drycleaner.