How CleanByMail® works: Our mail-in dry cleaning process.

Can't find a dry cleaner you trust with your best clothes?

Our CleanByMail® service gives you access to specialist garment care beyond your neighborhood. If you live far from a cleaner who understands designer and delicate pieces, the right care can be hard to find.

With dry cleaning by mail, you don't have to choose your cleaner based on distance alone.

How does CleanByMail® work, step by step?

We take your CleanByMail® order through an estimate, shipment, inspection, cleaning, finishing, and return delivery.

Step 1: You pack and ship your garments

Request an online estimate; attach photos or ask about a video consultation. Print the appropriate request form from our CleanByMail® page, then include it with your quote and items. Ship to our main plant: Margaret's Cleaners, 5150 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111. You can drop off at any of more than 4,900 UPS Store locations or use another carrier.

Step 2: We receive, inspect, and tag each item

We'll contact you when your items arrive. After checking care labels and condition, we tag each piece to keep it with your order. We begin work once we receive your order and verified credit card information. Include any concerns you'd like us to review.

Step 3: We pre-treat stains by fabric type

We examine visible stains and read your notes about their source. Before treatment, we consider the mark, fabric, dyes, and trims. Delicate garments need stain-by-stain treatment. Older stains may resist complete removal.

Step 4: We dry clean with professional solvents

For suitable garments, we use professional solvents to lift oils and soils. Our cleaning choices account for care instructions, fabric, and construction. Through CleanByMail®, we also handle items that need other services, including hand laundering.

Step 5: We finish, press, and quality-check

We finish and press your garments as their construction allows, then check remaining marks and the overall finish. Before we package anything, we match each piece back to your order.

Step 6: We package carefully and ship back to you

We protect finished items in custom-developed shipping boxes or containers suited to the garment. Unless otherwise specified, we return your order by UPS Ground. Note your declared value and delivery preferences on the request form, and contact us before shipping to discuss special arrangements.

How do we inspect and tag every garment you mail in?

For every CleanByMail® order, we review care labels, fabric, construction, and existing condition, then tag each garment to keep it connected to your order.

During inspection, we look for stains, wear, loose buttons, and delicate trims that may affect handling. We use tags to track your pieces through cleaning and finishing and check them when assembling your return shipment.

Your notes matter, too. Tell us about fragile areas, previous alterations, or concerns we might not spot by looking at the garment.

How do we treat stains without seeing you in person?

With CleanByMail®, we combine our inspection with your information to choose fabric-specific stain treatment. You don't need to visit us to share useful stain history.

With your shipment, tell us:

• What caused the stain, if you know.
• Roughly when it happened.
• What treatment or previous cleaning you've already tried.

We treat oil, food, beverages, makeup, and perspiration according to the stain and material. Your silk, wool, and cotton blends can respond differently to treatment.

Some old or set-in marks may remain. We won't promise complete removal at your garment's expense.

Why do we dry clean with solvents instead of water?

We use solvent-based cleaning to remove oils and soils while avoiding some changes water can cause. With CleanByMail®, "dry" cleaning still uses liquid, but that liquid isn't water.

How solvent cleaning protects fabric

We consider the risk of swelling, shrinkage, color bleeding, or distortion when choosing how to clean your garments. Wool, silk, structured adapting, and delicate finishes need particular attention. We weigh those characteristics alongside your care labels.

What about chemical and environmental safety?

We select professional-grade solvents and processes suited to fine fabrics.

How do we protect delicate and designer garments in transit and in our care?

We combine individual handling with protective return packaging for your CleanByMail® order. Before shipping to us, empty pockets, secure appropriate closures, include care notes, and pack your items to limit movement and crushing.

Careful packaging for the return trip

We use custom-developed boxes and containers to protect your finished garments. We position each piece to limit movement and creasing, though we can't rule out every crease during shipping.

Special handling for silks, vintage, and designer pieces

We give individual attention to delicate fabric, aging fibers, beading, and structured construction. Tell us about known weaknesses before shipping. You can also use our specialty services for scarves, knits, leather, suede, handbags, and bridal gown preservation.

How long does mail-in dry cleaning take?

CleanByMail® orders typically take about three days longer than our in-store service, plus shipping time each way.

• Your shipping method and origin affect when we receive your order.
• We account for stain treatment, finishing, and specialty handling in processing time.
• Your return shipping arrangements affect delivery time.

Share your deadline and planned shipment so we can discuss timing before you make plans around it.

Is mail-in dry cleaning worth it compared to a local cleaner?

Mail-in dry cleaning can be worthwhile if you value specialist care and fewer cleaner visits over proximity. With CleanByMail®, you can use our services without separate drop-off and pickup trips around store hours.

Shipping adds time, so plan ahead for events and trips. CleanByMail® prices match our in-store prices, and orders with a $250 minimum service charge qualify for complimentary UPS ground shipping and insurance (exclusions apply).

Who is CleanByMail® designed for?

We offer CleanByMail® to customers nationwide outside our Southern California pickup and delivery areas, including:

• Collectors of designer and couture pieces who want specialist care.
• Brides preserving a wedding gown, with complimentary shipping on gown preservation.
• Frequent travelers and second-home owners who want one trusted cleaner.
• Clients far from a cleaner who handles leather, suede, fur, or beaded evening wear.
• Families caring for heirlooms, vintage gowns, and other sentimental pieces.

You don't have to settle for the closest shop. Through nationwide shipping, you can send your garments directly to us.