This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating business plan for a dry cleaner.
Our business plan for a dry cleaner will help you build a profitable project
Opening a dry cleaner requires significant investment in specialized equipment, but figuring out exactly what you need can be confusing.
The challenge is understanding which machines are essential versus nice-to-have, and how to balance quality with your startup budget.
Every dry cleaning operation has different needs, and equipment costs can quickly exceed your budget if you don't plan carefully.
Complete Dry Cleaner Equipment List
Starting a successful dry cleaning business requires specialized equipment that meets industry standards and customer expectations. This comprehensive list covers everything you need to operate professionally.
Dry Cleaning Equipment
- Dry cleaning machine - Core equipment for cleaning garments with solvents
- Solvent distillation unit - Recycles and purifies cleaning solvents for reuse
- Spotting station - Removes stains before and after cleaning process
- Steam boiler - Provides steam for pressing and finishing operations
- Solvent storage tanks - Safely stores cleaning chemicals and solvents
- Lint filters - Captures debris during cleaning cycle operation
- Solvent pumps - Circulates cleaning fluids through machine systems
Pressing & Finishing Equipment
- Shirt press - Automated pressing for dress shirts and blouses
- Pants press - Specialized equipment for trouser pressing and creasing
- Steam press - Manual pressing station for delicate items
- Finishing tables - Work surfaces for hand finishing and touch-ups
- Steam irons - Professional-grade irons for detailed pressing work
- Pressing pads - Heat-resistant surfaces for various garment types
- Steam guns - Targeted steam application for wrinkle removal
- Form finishers - Specialized forms for jackets and structured garments
Washing Equipment
- Commercial washers - Heavy-duty machines for water-based cleaning
- Commercial dryers - High-capacity drying equipment for laundered items
- Extraction units - Removes excess water before drying process
- Wet cleaning equipment - Eco-friendly alternative to dry cleaning
Material Handling
- Conveyor system - Moves garments efficiently through the facility
- Garment rails - Organizes clothes during processing and storage
- Sorting tables - Separates incoming garments by cleaning method
- Bagging equipment - Protects finished garments for customer pickup
- Hangers - Various types for different garment categories
- Garment covers - Protective coverings for cleaned items
- Laundry carts - Mobile storage for transporting items
Customer Service Area
- Counter/reception desk - Customer service and transaction processing
- Point-of-sale system - Manages orders, payments, and customer data
- Ticket printer - Creates claim tickets for customer orders
- Cash register - Processes payments and maintains cash flow
- Customer seating - Comfortable waiting area for clients
- Display racks - Shows finished garments for customer pickup
- Mirrors - Allows customers to check garment fit and appearance
Safety & Environmental
- Ventilation system - Removes chemical vapors and maintains air quality
- Fire suppression system - Safety equipment for chemical fire prevention
- Eyewash stations - Emergency equipment for chemical exposure incidents
- Spill containment - Materials for managing solvent spills safely
- Personal protective equipment - Safety gear for staff handling chemicals
- Chemical storage cabinets - Secure storage for hazardous materials
- Waste disposal containers - Proper disposal of contaminated materials
Utilities & Infrastructure
- Compressed air system - Powers pneumatic equipment and machinery
- Water treatment system - Filters and conditions water for cleaning
- Electrical panel upgrades - Handles high-power equipment demands
- Plumbing connections - Supports washers, steam equipment, and drainage
- Gas lines - Supplies fuel for boilers and heating equipment
- Floor drains - Manages water drainage from equipment areas
Quality Control
- Inspection stations - Final quality check before customer return
- Repair kit - Basic tools for minor garment repairs
- Measuring tools - Ensures proper garment dimensions after cleaning
- Color charts - Reference guides for matching fabric colors
- Stain removal chemicals - Specialized products for different stain types
Office & Administrative
- Computer system - Manages customer database and business operations
- Printer/scanner - Handles receipts, invoices, and documentation
- Phone system - Customer communication and appointment scheduling
- Filing cabinets - Organizes business records and customer information
- Security system - Protects facility and customer belongings
- Small Neighborhood Dry Cleaner
A small neighborhood dry cleaner with basic services needs around $100,000-$200,000, and most of that budget goes toward a quality dry cleaning machine and pressing equipment.
- Medium-Sized Dry Cleaner
A medium-sized dry cleaner offering full services typically runs $200,000-$350,000, with additional specialized equipment like automated pressing systems and wet cleaning capabilities.
- Large-Scale Dry Cleaner
A large dry cleaner or one with multiple locations can easily hit $350,000-$500,000, especially when you add things like multiple machines and advanced automation systems.
Our financial plan for a dry cleaner will help you build a profitable project
What Equipment Budget Should You Plan?
Most dry cleaner owners spend between $150,000 and $500,000 on equipment, depending on their size and services offered. You really can't go below $100,000 for even the smallest setup because you need professional-grade dry cleaning machines and safety equipment just to operate legally and efficiently.
Equipment Budget Examples
Small Neighborhood Dry Cleaner ($100,000 - $200,000)
Small dry cleaners focus on essential equipment that can handle daily volume of garments and basic services. The goal is getting quality basics that meet regulatory requirements without overspending on advanced features.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Cleaning Machine | 20-30 lb capacity machine with solvent recovery, basic programmable controls, includes installation and startup | $35,000 - $55,000 |
| Pressing Equipment | Basic shirt press, manual pants press, steam iron station with boiler, finishing table | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Spotting Station | Professional spotting board with steam and air, basic stain removal chemicals, vacuum system | $8,000 - $12,000 |
| Washing Equipment | Commercial washer and dryer for water-based cleaning, extraction equipment | $10,000 - $15,000 |
| Customer Area | Basic counter setup, point-of-sale system, garment display racks, basic seating | $5,000 - $8,000 |
| Safety & Ventilation | Basic ventilation system, fire suppression equipment, emergency safety equipment | $12,000 - $18,000 |
| Material Handling | Garment rails, sorting tables, hangers, garment bags, basic conveyor setup | $3,000 - $6,000 |
| Installation & Setup | Equipment delivery, professional installation, permits and inspections, initial training | $8,000 - $12,000 |
Medium-Sized Dry Cleaner ($200,000 - $350,000)
Medium dry cleaners need higher capacity equipment and additional services to handle diverse customer needs. You're investing in efficiency and the ability to offer specialized cleaning services.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Cleaning Systems | 40-50 lb capacity machine with advanced controls, solvent distillation unit, backup cleaning system | $65,000 - $90,000 |
| Advanced Pressing | Automated shirt press, pneumatic pants press, multiple steam stations, form finishers for suits | $25,000 - $40,000 |
| Wet Cleaning System | Professional wet cleaning machine, specialized drying equipment, eco-friendly cleaning supplies | $20,000 - $30,000 |
| Spotting & Repair | Professional spotting station with multiple chemical options, minor repair equipment and tools | $12,000 - $18,000 |
| Material Handling | Conveyor system, automated sorting equipment, multiple rail systems, packaging equipment | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Customer Service | Professional counter setup, advanced POS system with customer database, comfortable waiting area | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Safety & Environmental | Advanced ventilation system, comprehensive fire suppression, environmental monitoring equipment | $20,000 - $30,000 |
| Installation & Training | Professional installation, comprehensive staff training, all permits and certifications | $15,000 - $25,000 |
Large-Scale Dry Cleaner ($350,000 - $500,000)
Large dry cleaners operate with multiple machines and advanced automation systems. The focus shifts to maximizing efficiency, handling high volume, and offering comprehensive services including specialty cleaning.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Cleaning Systems | Two or more dry cleaning machines (50+ lb capacity), dedicated solvent recovery systems, backup equipment | $120,000 - $180,000 |
| Automated Pressing | Multiple automated shirt presses, robotic finishing equipment, specialized presses for different garment types | $45,000 - $70,000 |
| Specialty Equipment | Leather and suede cleaning equipment, wedding dress preservation systems, drapery cleaning capabilities | $25,000 - $40,000 |
| Advanced Wet Cleaning | Multiple wet cleaning machines, computer-controlled drying systems, specialized detergent dispensing | $35,000 - $50,000 |
| Material Handling | Fully automated conveyor systems, computerized tracking, automated sorting and packaging equipment | $30,000 - $45,000 |
| Quality Control | Multiple inspection stations, advanced spotting equipment, comprehensive repair workshop | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Customer Experience | Premium customer area, drive-through service, advanced POS with mobile integration, customer amenities | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Infrastructure | Industrial ventilation systems, comprehensive safety equipment, environmental compliance systems | $35,000 - $50,000 |
| Installation & Systems | Complete professional installation, advanced staff training, all permits and certifications, system integration | $25,000 - $35,000 |