Dry Cleaners Around the Square

Does this sound familiar? You’ve got that big date with that cute guy from your Econ section on Friday, but your choice outfit was a victim of some Pinot Noir. For many, this would be the end of the world, but at Harvard, we are blessed with more than enough options for you to get your wardrobe back on track.

But where to go, given the multitude of options? We sought to review a few of the dry cleaning options available around campus. We were unable to send out our own items for cleaning to evaluate the final result, so we have based our ratings on a combination of convenience, service and speed, and price. (To make comparing prices easier, we based them on a standard bundle of goods: a two-piece suit, a blouse, a tie, a button-down shirt, and a blazer.)

Hillside Cleaners

Where: 49a Brattle St.

Hours: Mon.-Sat., 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Price: $34.63

Hillside Cleaners, located on Brattle St., is a pretty small store that can seem cramped when you walk in. Like most places, they provide laundry wash, dry and fold for $1.45/lb. Additionally, they offer dry cleaning by the pound, a unique service that is cheaper than dry cleaning individual articles, although they can’t guarantee stain removal. You can also get same day service for an extra charge ($.25 for a shirt) if you drop off before 11 a.m. Hillside Cleaners may not be worth the walk for those who live further down the river, but it is a fine choice for those in the Yard. A big plus for this place is its hours, as it is open more hours on Saturday than any of your other options.

Rating: 7/10

HSA Cleaners

Where: 17 Holyoke St.

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Price: $34

HSA Cleaners has a better location than any other dry cleaning service you could find, especially for those in the Yard or on the river. Chances are that you walk past it on your way to class or to the gym, so HSA might be the best choice for you. Prices are reasonable, and their service takes two days—a tad slower than other stories, so it's not a place you can turn to for emergencies. But for a regular dry cleaning place, its hard to do better.

Rating: 9/10

Cambridge Cleaners

Where: 47 Mt. Auburn St.

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Price: $46.20

Cambridge Cleaners is pricier than other places, and for the budget-minded Harvard student, that’s a big deal. But Cambridge Cleaners also advertises next day service and specializes in shoe repair, which is a positive if either is needed. However, unless you live right across the street in Quincy, or live in Mather and don’t want to walk further, you might want to pass this up for a less expensive alternative.

Rating: 6/10

Rite-Way Dry Cleaners

Where: 4 Hudson St. (Porter Sq.)

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Price: $35.00

If you are one of those Harvard students who are fortunate enough to live in the Quad, you can still get your dry cleaning done without having to make the trek down to the Yard. Rite-Way Dry Cleaners is located on Hudson St., just two blocks west of Garden St. You can get same day service easily, but the store clerk warned us that on Friday, clothes need to be in by 11 a.m. or else they will not be ready until Monday.

Rating: 7/10

So where does that leave you, the dry clean-ee? After review, it appears that HSA Cleaners might be the best deal, considering their central location and low price. However, if you are in an emergency situation, you might need to try a place with same day service, such as Hillside Cleaners.

Any personal experiences to share? Feel free to leave a comment!

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.