5 Best Dry Cleaners in Edinburgh We Rely On During Clothes Emergencies
I’ve spilt coffee on my work shirts, wine on my blazer, and somehow, even curry on a silk scarf. So yes, I’ve become a reluctant expert on the best dry cleaners in Edinburgh.
If there’s a stain to test them with, I’ve already done the honours. Here are the spots I’d actually trust with the spots I made on my most accident-prone outfits!
How much do dry cleaners cost in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, dry cleaning typically costs about £6 to £8 for a shirt, £15 to £18 for a two-piece suit, and £18 to £25 for a short coat.
Wedding dress dry cleaning can range from £90 to over £150, depending on complexity.
1. AR Alterations & Dry Cleaning
Address: 354 Leith Walk
Contact: +447856681144
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM–6 PM
I’ve turned up at AR Alterations & Dry Cleaning more times than I care to admit, each visit thanks to coffee or curry mishaps. Luckily, they handle everything from dry cleaning and pressing to quick alterations, so my clothes always come back looking fresher than I deserve.
I find the prices fair for Edinburgh standards: about £6 to £8 for shirts and £15 to £18 for suits. It feels worth it when they manage to lift stains I thought were permanent.
Their turnaround time has saved me more than once, with same-day and next-day service that’s a godsend when I’ve messed up before a presentation. It makes them a safe bet for accident-prone customers like me.
I also like that they’ll even arrange pickup and drop-off. This works for me; I mean, who wants to parade their stained clothes through town?
The downside is that they can get busy, so not every request is lightning-fast, and prices for special garments like sequined gowns can creep higher.
Customer Reviews
Great service. Thank you!
Highly recommend! I took my wedding dress in looking the worst for wear and not expecting it would be possible to get many of the marks out, however, I picked it up today and it looks as good as new with one of the missing buttons sewn back on too! Great service. Thank you!
- Jess Bell, Google Review
He did an exceptional job
Atiq was incredible in sorting some last-minute alterations and dry cleaning for a full skill outfit – the kilt itself, jacket, waistcoat, and more. He did an exceptional job, as it was second-hand, and he made it look like new. If you have anything you need sorted, definitely come and do it here!
- Evan K, Google Review
2. Elite Drycleaners
Address: 5 Leven Street
Contact: +441312617037
Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
Saturday, 9 AM–4 PM
The Elite Drycleaners staff know what they’re doing. They cover it all: dry cleaning, pressing, alterations, plus specialist cleaning for big items like curtains or duvets.
I’ve brought in a cocktail dress disaster and a couple of gravy-splashed blouses there, which all came out good as new when I thought they were irreparable. The prices aren’t rock bottom, but so far, the quality of the services justifies the cost.
They offer pickup and drop-off, which is extra helpful when I don’t have time to walk across town (their parking is also a bit tricky).
Turnaround time is a reasonable couple of days, though I have yet to test their services for urgent help, as it’s mostly dirty curtains I’ve brought over.
However, for really special garments or “make-it-perfect” demands, expect the price to creep up a bit. After all, you’ll be paying a premium for confidence and care.
Customer Reviews
They got rid of the oil stains on my silk tie
I’m so surprised and happy that they got rid of the oil stains on my silk tie! I went to a dry cleaner before, and they didn’t remove it at all, then I went to this place for another try, thinking that I might end up giving up on this beautiful Hermes tie. But luckily, they removed it so well without damaging anything!
- Edward Li, Google Review
I am so happy with how everything turned out
I used Elite to get my wedding dress and shoes dry-cleaned in July. We had an outdoor ceremony, so there was quite a lot of dirt, mud and grass on my dress and shoes by the end of the night. When I took my dress and shoes into Elite, they explained to me how they would clean each item and were extremely professional. My dress and shoes are like brand new, and I am so happy with how everything turned out. Would highly recommend Elite if you need anything dry cleaned, especially if you are looking for somewhere to get your wedding dress cleaned.
- Eilidh McCracken, Google Review
3. Needle and Thread
Address: 12 Telford Road
Contact: +441313329864
Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
Saturday, 9 AM–1 PM
Guess where I got my oops-I-spilt-it-again clumsiness genes from? My mum, of course! I’ve witnessed how she dropped half a bowl of spaghetti Bolognese down her favourite silk blouse during her birthday.
Good thing she took it straightaway to Needle & Thread, which can handle similar disasters. The shop offers dry cleaning, pressing, alterations, and even leather repairs. Mum keeps raving about the staff’s high workmanship and friendly professionalism.
She said the price is good value for what she gets, at just around £2 per item for simpler work. Even repairs are priced competitively, so she doesn’t have to throw away clothing with little rips and tears.
She has often retrieved altered items or dry-cleaned clothes within a couple of business days, so turnaround time is decent. Given her age, it’s quite convenient that Needle & Thread also offers pickup and drop-off services.
There is no confirmed same-day or rush service yet, so it might not be ideal for when Mum needs a dress dry-cleaned or fixed ASAP.
Customer Reviews
I could not fault the service
I contacted Needle & Thread, hoping they could wash and repair two damaged sofa covers. From the original request through Facebook, to the collection & drop off process, to the finished result, I could not fault the service. Very fairly priced too. I’d highly recommend them to anyone who requires a similar service.
- Sandy, Google Review
Personalised drop off service included!
Approached the team to dry clean a few items and make alterations to a new pair of tailored trousers. Incredibly impressed with the alterations: trousers have a stripe detail, and required turned-up hemming. I offered an indication of a ‘final length’ requirement, and with no other discussion, they have returned a perfect fit, and perfect alignment of the stripes, etc., all this at a very reasonable charge. Personalised drop off service included! I had used the service often some years ago when I worked in town; I will certainly continue to use it in the future!
- Suzanne, Google Review
4. Ace Cleaning Centre
Address: 13 S Clerk Street
Contact: +441316670549
Hours:
Monday to Tuesday, 8 AM–2 PM, 3–7.30 PM
Wednesday, 8 AM–4 PM
Friday, 8 AM–4 PM
Saturday, 9 AM–5 PM
Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM
My best mate once turned my white linen shirt into a red-ink blot Rorschach, which almost made it a friendship-over moment if not for the help of Ace Cleaning Centre.
Their staff took on the challenge, armed with services ranging from dry cleaning to service washes. I like how consistently professional they are, from dealing with simple wash-and-fold services to more delicate jobs.
I find their pricing reasonable: basic service washes are £14.50, and there’s even a £6.99 deal for 5 shirts washed, dried, and ironed! For someone like me, dealing with multiple spills at once, these are heaven-sent.
There’s also a 24-/48-hour option depending on what you drop off and how busy they are. Another big plus is the shop’s pickup and drop-off service, which means I don’t have to show my stew-soaked outfit to the entire neighbourhood.
Now for the cons: because they’re popular, the drop-off desk can get busy, which means you might have to wait longer than ideal just to hand off your stained item. The operating hours are also a bit confusing, especially on days when they have lunch breaks.
Customer Reviews
She took great care of my extremely valuable and much-loved blazer
Absolute perfection! The lady was very friendly and helpful as she took great care of my extremely valuable and much-loved blazer; not a single gemstone was missing – I received it as if it were brand new again out of a showroom! Really impressed with the dry cleaning service, and it is really value for money too. Couldn’t be happier! Thank you so much!
- Val Grey, Google Review
Absolute sweet lady
Absolute sweet lady – Anne took care of me when the guys down the road wanted to charge me double!
- Omeed Azadpour, Google Review
5. Inverleith Dry Cleaners
Address: 60A Inverleith Row
Contact: +441315528816
Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9 AM–5.30 PM
Saturday, 9 AM–4 PM
I live next door to an impeccably dressed elderly lady who treats her cashmere cardigans like treasure. When I complimented her on her neatness, contrasting her crisp clothing with my wrinkled, fur-covered get-up (courtesy of my cat!), she laughed and said it was thanks to Inverleith Dry Cleaners.
I’m not at all familiar with them, but my neighbour assured me they’ve been around for years. She has come to rely on them for her dry cleaning, pressing, alterations, and even washing of household fabrics with collection and delivery across Edinburgh.
She is glad for the consistent hours, as she relies heavily on routine for her daily itinerary as a senior. She told me it helps that they’re open until Saturday, as she often needs help with clean linen napkins and tablecloths for her dinner parties.
As for pricing, she said they’re pretty mid-range. Basic items are within average rates (some shirts, light blouses), but more delicate or larger pieces like beaded blouses and voluminous skirts expectedly cost more.
The only issue she has is the lack of information on eco-friendly processes, which could help with senior clientele who may be sensitive to harsher dry cleaning chemicals.
Customer Reviews
They offer same-day dry cleaning
Had a nightmare as I got red lipstick on my very light pink bridesmaids’ dress the day before heading away for the wedding. I was worried I wouldn’t find anywhere that would get the dress dry cleaned in time; however, Inverleith Dry Cleaners came to the rescue and had it ready within 24 hours of dropping off the dress. They even offered same-day dry cleaning! Done me an absolute solid. Amazing service, would highly recommend.
- L G, Google Review
Simon had it pressed and ready to be picked up
Needed a suit dry-cleaned urgently for a wedding. Took it in on Thursday afternoon, and Simon had it pressed and ready to be picked up at 9 am on Saturday, for a very reasonable price. Fabulous service. Thanks again, Simon!
- Mark Donaldson, Google Review