Japanese at a Dry Cleaner: Tickets, Stains and Pickup Dates

Finding a shop and reading the price board

Look for the katakana クリーニング on a shop sign, often with a picture of a shirt or hanger. Many neighbourhood shops are simple drop-off counters, toritsugiten, where clothes are collected and sent to a factory, so pickup times depend on the delivery schedule rather than on the shop itself.

Prices are usually displayed per item type on a board by the counter. They vary a lot between shops and areas, and many shops run discount days, membership cards or point cards. The words below will help you read the board.

Dropping off: the item check

At the counter, put your clothes down and say kurīningu o onegai shimasu. The staff will go through each item, counting them, checking pockets, and looking for stains, tears, loose buttons and fading. This check is called kenpin, and it protects both you and the shop, so it is worth pointing out anything you already know about.

They may ask whether there is anything in the pockets, and whether a stain is something specific, such as coffee, oil or wine, because different stains need different treatments. If a garment has a care label saying it cannot be dry cleaned, they may explain the options or decline to take it.

Shirts: hanger or folded, and how much starch

Shirts are the most common item at a kurīningu shop, and there are two small choices. The first is the finish, shiage: on a hanger, hangā, or folded, tatami. Hanger finish is common for work shirts you will hang in a wardrobe; folded is handy for packing.

The second is starch, nori. You can ask for more, tsuyome, or less, yowame, or none at all, nori nashi. If you do not say anything, the shop will use its standard setting, which varies between shops.

Stains and optional treatments

Stain removal is shimi-nuki. Some shops include simple treatment in the normal price, while stubborn, old or unusual stains may cost extra. Staff will often be honest that a stain may not come out completely, saying something like ochinai kamo shiremasen, it might not come out. That is not a refusal, just a warning before you agree.

Other common extras include water repellent treatment, bassui kakō, popular for coats and down jackets, anti-bobbling care for knitwear and small repairs. Some shops offer alterations and hemming, called sunpō naoshi or suso age, while others pass them to a partner. Ask what is available at your shop.

Pickup dates and express service

Before you leave, the staff will tell you when your clothes will be ready, the shiagari-bi or pickup date, and write it on the ticket. If you need clothes by a certain day, for an interview or a wedding, say so at drop-off, not afterwards.

Many shops offer a faster option, often called tokkyū or kyūkō, sometimes same-day, sokujitsu, if you drop off before a cut-off time. It usually costs extra and may not apply to every item, and it can be unavailable at busy times such as the change of seasons, when many people clean their winter or summer clothes at once.

The claim ticket and collecting your clothes

When you pay or drop off, you receive a claim ticket, hikikaeken, sometimes just called the hikae, the stub. It shows your number, the items and the pickup date. Some shops take payment at drop-off, maeharai, and some at collection, so do not be surprised by either.

When you collect, hand over the ticket and the staff will bring your clothes, usually in plastic covers. It is sensible to check the items at the counter, especially stain treatment. Many people remove the plastic covers at home so that clothes can breathe in the wardrobe.

When something goes wrong: lost tickets, missing items and damage

If you lose the claim ticket, go to the shop and explain. Most shops can find your order by name, phone number or membership card, though they may ask for ID first. If you find something missing when you collect, say so at the counter straight away, before you leave.

Damage such as shrinking, chijimi, colour running, iro ochi, or a missing button should also be raised at the counter as soon as you notice it. Shops follow their own procedures for complaints and compensation, and staff will usually take the item back to check. Stay calm and specific: which item, what changed, and when you noticed. The same applies if you left something in a pocket; ask the shop to check, since staff often find and keep items.

Swap Maruyama for your own name, and keep your ticket and any receipts together. With those in hand, even a tricky conversation usually ends quickly.