Frequently Asked Questions

Each garment is tagged, inspected and pre-treated for stains, then cleaned in a sealed machine using a solvent rather than water. The solvent is filtered and recovered, the garment is dried at a controlled temperature, and it is then pressed and hand-finished. We explain the full process step by step in our guide to how dry cleaning works.

Laundry uses water and detergent; dry cleaning uses a solvent and no water. Laundry suits everyday cotton, linen and synthetics — shirts, T-shirts, bedding. Dry cleaning suits anything that water would shrink, distort or fade: suits, wool, silk, cashmere, beaded or tailored pieces. Whites offers both, and our team chooses the right method for each item at intake.

Neither is better in every case — it depends on the fabric. Dry cleaning is gentler on structure, colour and delicate fibres, and it removes oil-based marks that water spreads. Washing is better for sweat, sugar and everyday grime on sturdy cotton. Follow the care label; when a label says dry clean only, water is the risk, not the solvent.

It means the manufacturer has tested the garment and found that water washing will damage it — through shrinkage, colour loss, or loss of shape — so it should be cleaned in solvent by a professional. The crossed-out circle symbol means do not dry clean either; those pieces need specialist hand or wet cleaning, which Whites handles through its Couture service.

Properly done, no. Shrinkage comes from water and heat, which dry cleaning avoids. Damage usually comes from wrong solvent choice, over-drying, or missed trims and buttons. Whites inspects every item at intake, protects embellishments, and cleans at controlled temperatures, which is why we can take on designer and bridal pieces that other cleaners refuse.

Yes. Every Whites dry-cleaned garment is pressed and hand-finished as part of the service — collars, cuffs, pleats and creases set by hand — and returned on a hanger, covered. If you only need pressing on a clean garment, a press-only option is available at a lower price on most items.

Most, yes — especially oil, grease, make-up and food stains, which solvent dissolves better than water. Sweat and other water-based stains are pre-treated before cleaning. Tell us what caused a stain when you drop off or book a pickup; the sooner a stain is treated and the more we know about it, the higher the success rate.

Stains that have been set by heat — ironed over or tumble-dried — are the hardest. Old turmeric, some rust marks, ink on silk and dye transfer may not lift fully without risking the fabric. Whites will always tell you at intake if a stain is unlikely to come out, rather than damaging the garment trying.

Not in a standard dry-cleaning machine — solvent strips the oils that keep leather supple. Leather and suede need specialist cleaning and re-conditioning, which Whites provides through its Couture service, with hand cleaning and a 7–10 day turnaround. Bring the jacket to any branch or book a free pickup.

Yes — these are exactly the fabrics dry cleaning exists for. Water felts wool and cashmere and dulls silk; solvent cleans them without shrinkage or loss of drape. Sweaters and cardigans are AED 44 cleaned and pressed at Whites; designer knitwear and silk pieces go through the Couture service with hand finishing.

Yes. Whites cleans single and double duvets, feather duvets, polyester and feather pillows, blankets and bedspreads. Prices start at AED 29 for a pillow and AED 44 for a single blanket. Bulky items take a little longer than garments; allow up to a week, and book a free pickup rather than carrying them in.

Yes. Whites cleans carpets and rugs by the square metre — AED 59 for regular carpet, AED 89 for silk, wool, fur or animal skin — with free pickup and delivery across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Carpets take 7–10 days because they are cleaned, dried flat and inspected before return.

Yes, both can be dry cleaned safely, though they usually don't need to be — most cotton and polyester washes well in water. Dry clean them when the garment is structured, lined, or has trims that water would spoil. Whites will recommend clean-and-press or wash-and-press for each item at intake.

Only when it needs it — typically every four to six wears, or immediately after a spill. Over-cleaning wears the fabric; between cleans, brush it, air it and press it. Whites cleans and presses a two-piece suit for AED 84, or presses it alone for AED 59, with free pickup and delivery.

At Whites, clean-and-press starts at AED 21 for a shirt, AED 49 for a casual dress, AED 64 for a blazer and AED 84 for a two-piece suit. Abayas are AED 34 and kanduras AED 29. Bundles bring the per-item price down — five shirts or blouses for AED 99. The full price list is published on our pricing page.

A two-piece suit is AED 84 cleaned and pressed (AED 99 for three-piece). Dresses are AED 49 casual, AED 79 formal and AED 124 for long or detailed evening dresses. A suit jacket or blazer is AED 64; a winter jacket AED 69; a coat AED 79. Designer pieces are priced separately under Whites Couture.

No. All prices on whites.ae and in our branches are exclusive of tax and subject to 5% UAE VAT, which is added at checkout. A AED 84 suit clean is AED 88.20 including VAT.

Standard turnaround at Whites is two days, free of charge. Items with heavy stains or special treatment take up to three; accessorised items or those needing repairs up to four. Shoes, bags, carpets and curtains take 7–10 days. Express is available — 50% surcharge for under 48 hours, 100% for under 24 hours.

No — there is no minimum order for standard pickup and delivery. The only exception is express orders with home delivery, which are billed at a minimum of AED 100.

Yes. Pickup and delivery are free across all areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with no minimum order for standard service. Book through the Whites app, online, or by calling 800 944837 (800 WHITES).

Whites has eight branches. Dubai: Dubai Marina Mall (daily 9am–10pm), Emaar Marina Walk (daily 10am–10pm), Waitrose Motor City and Spinneys Layan (daily 8am–10pm), and Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall and Mall of the Emirates (10am–11pm weekdays, until midnight Friday–Sunday). Abu Dhabi: Waitrose Khalifa City, daily 10am–10pm.

Yes. Wedding dress cleaning at Whites Couture starts at AED 690 and takes 5–7 days (up to 14 for heavily embellished gowns). Each dress is measured, ornaments protected, hand-cleaned and hand-finished. Archival preservation boxing is available afterwards: AED 750 for small to medium dresses, AED 1,000 for large

Whites Couture is our specialist service for designer garments, luxury shoes and bags, and bridal wear. Every piece is detailed at intake, stain-treated individually, cleaned by hand, dry or wet method as the fabric requires, hand-finished, given minor repairs where needed, inspected, and returned on custom hangers with tissue. Turnaround is 3–5 days for garments, 7–10 for shoes and bags.

Yes, through Whites Couture. Shoes start at AED 229 for formal shoes, flats and trainers, AED 249 for sneakers and heels, AED 269 for loafers; children's shoes from AED 109. Handbags start at AED 399 for small or clutch, AED 499 medium, AED 599 large. Everyday backpacks and bags are also cleaned at standard rates from AED 44.

Yes. Whites runs a green laundry programme in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, using solvent recovery, reduced-water wet cleaning where fabrics allow, and energy-efficient equipment. Read what that means in practice on our green laundry page.