How Much to Dry Clean a Coat: Complete UK Pricing Guide (2026)

📖 19 min read

How much to dry clean a coat is the question I’m asked constantly by clients trying to budget for their winter wardrobe maintenance. After 18 years running a professional cleaning business across the UK, I can tell you that coat dry cleaning prices vary wildly – from £10 in smaller towns to £35+ in central London, with specialist coats costing even more. The frustrating part? Most dry cleaners don’t publish their prices online, so you walk in blind and sometimes get a shock at collection. I’ll give you exact price ranges for every coat type, explain why costs vary so dramatically by region and cleaner, and teach you how to avoid overcharging.

What makes this guide different is real pricing data from actual UK dry cleaners in 2025, not vague estimates. I’ve collected price lists from cleaners across the country – from Hull to London, Manchester to Brighton – so you know exactly what to expect before you hand over your coat.

Average Dry Cleaning Costs by Coat Type (UK 2025)

Let me start with the actual numbers. These are based on price lists from dozens of UK dry cleaners.

Standard Wool or Trench Coat

Outside London: £12-£20 London: £20-£30

This is your typical overcoat, wool coat, or raincoat. Most dry cleaners charge £13-£15 in budget areas, £15-£18 in major cities, and £20-£25 in London.

Real examples:

• Hull launderette: £10 for overcoat, £11.50 for 3/4 length
• Dry Green Only: £13.95 for overcoat
• Laundryheap: £15.95 for overcoat/raincoat
• Checkatrade estimate: “around £15”
• Love My Laundry: £16.25 for coat, £17.50 for long coat
• London Laundry: £25 for short coat, £35 for long coat

Heavy or Full-Length Coats

Outside London: £17-£25 London: £28-£35

Long wool coats, heavy winter coats, and full-length styles need more cleaning solvent, more time on the pressing machine, and more labour.

Real examples:

• Laundryheap: £17.95 for heavy/full length
• Ducane Richmond (London): £29.99 for heavy coat

Down and Puffer Coats

Standard puffer (outside London): £16-£25 Branded puffer (North Face, Patagonia): £35-£45 Designer puffer (Canada Goose, Moncler): £40-£60

Down coats need specialist cleaning to prevent the filling clumping. Branded coats cost significantly more.

Real examples:

• Dry Green Only: £16.95 for down coat, £47.95 for designer puffa
• Laundryheap: £24.95 for puffer/down, £55 for branded

Leather and Suede Coats

Standard leather coat: £30-£45 Suede coat: £35-£50 Designer leather/suede: £50-£80

Leather needs completely different cleaning than fabric – specialist equipment and expertise.

Real examples:

• Most cleaners: £35-£45 for leather coat
• London specialists: £50-£70

I’ve written a comprehensive guide on how to clean a leather jacket at home, which can save you money between professional cleans.

Fur Coats (Real Fur)

Standard fur coat: £50-£80 Luxury fur (mink, sable): £80-£150

Real fur requires specialist fur cleaners, not standard dry cleaners. The process is completely different.

Faux Fur Coats

Faux fur coat: £18-£30

Cheaper than real fur but still more expensive than standard coats due to the delicate nature of synthetic fur fibres.

Specialist Coats

Waxed jackets (Barbour): £20-£35 (includes re-waxing) Sheepskin/Shearling: £40-£60 Wedding coat/formal: £25-£40 Vintage coats: £30-£50 (requires expert handling)

Regional Price Differences Across the UK

The same coat costs dramatically different amounts depending on where you live.

Budget Areas (£10-£15 Average)

Where: Smaller towns, Northern England (especially Yorkshire, Lancashire), parts of Scotland, Wales, rural areas

Why cheaper:

• Lower business rent
• Lower staff wages
• More competition from local launderettes
• Less affluent customer base

Examples:

• Hull: Overcoat £10, 3/4 length £11.50, full length £13
• Small town Lancashire: Standard coat £12
• Rural Wales: Coat £10-£13

Major Cities Except London (£13-£20 Average)

Where: Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Nottingham, Cardiff

Why moderate:

• Moderate rent costs
• Competitive market
• Mix of budget and premium cleaners
• Average UK wage levels

Examples:

• Manchester city centre: £15-£18 for standard coat
• Birmingham: £14-£17
• Glasgow: £13-£16
• Leeds: £14-£18

London (£20-£35+ Average)

Where: Especially Zones 1-2 (Central, West End, Chelsea, Kensington, City); slightly cheaper in outer zones

Why expensive:

• Extremely high business rent (£30,000-£100,000+ per year)
• High staff wages
• Premium customer base willing to pay more
• Higher operating costs overall

Examples:

• London Laundry (Zone 1): Short coat £25, long coat £35
• Ducane Richmond (Richmond): Standard coat £19.99, heavy coat £29.99, Burberry coat £34.99
• Central London premium cleaners: £30-£40 for standard coats

London price variations:

• Zone 1-2 (Central): £25-£40
• Zone 3-4 (Inner suburbs): £20-£30
• Zone 5-6 (Outer suburbs): £15-£25

Collection and Delivery Services

Laundryheap, Zipjet, Laundrapp: Usually competitive with local prices, sometimes slightly higher for convenience

Examples:

• Laundryheap: Overcoat £15.95 (national pricing)
• Similar to mid-range high street cleaner

Many collection services charge the same nationally, which means they’re expensive for budget areas but competitive for London.

Why Dry Cleaning Costs Vary So Much

Understanding pricing helps you avoid overcharging and know what’s reasonable.

1. Coat Size and Weight

Why it matters:

• Larger coats need more cleaning solvent
• Heavier fabrics require longer cleaning cycles
• Full-length coats need bigger pressing equipment
• More time spent = higher cost

Price jumps:

• Standard coat → 3/4 length: +£1-£2
• Standard → full length: +£2-£5
• Light fabric → heavy wool: +£3-£7

2. Material Type

Simple fabrics (cotton, polyester blends): Cheapest Wool: Standard pricing Down/feather filling: +£3-£10 (special process needed) Leather/suede: +£15-£30 (completely different equipment) Fur: +£30-£100 (specialist fur cleaners only) Delicate fabrics (silk lining, cashmere): +£5-£10

3. Brand and Perceived Value

Some cleaners charge more for designer brands, knowing customers with £800 Canada Goose jackets will pay premium prices.

Examples:

• Generic puffer: £17-£25
• North Face puffer: £25-£35
• Canada Goose: £40-£60
• Moncler: £50-£70

The actual cleaning process is identical. You’re paying for brand perception and perceived risk.

4. Condition and Stains

Standard cleaning (no stains): Base price Light stains: +£3-£8 Heavy staining: +£8-£20 Specialist stain removal (oil, wine, makeup): +£10-£25

Most cleaners include light stain removal in the base price, but serious stains cost extra.

5. Additional Services

Hand finishing/pressing: Usually included, sometimes +£5-£10 Mothproofing treatment: +£5-£8 Waterproofing/re-proofing: +£8-£15 Express service (24-48 hours): +50-100% of base price Alterations (button replacement, repairs): Variable, £5-£30

6. Type of Cleaner

Budget launderettes: Cheapest (£10-£15) Chain dry cleaners (Johnsons, Timpsons): Mid-range (£13-£20) Independent local cleaners: Variable (£12-£25) Premium/specialist cleaners: Expensive (£20-£50+) Luxury dry cleaners: Very expensive (£40-£100+)

How to Estimate Your Coat Cleaning Cost

Here’s my quick formula for estimating before you walk into a cleaner:

Step 1 – Identify Your Coat Type

Standard: Regular wool coat, raincoat, trench coat, cotton coat Heavy: Long wool coat, heavy winter coat, full-length Down: Any puffer or padded coat with down/synthetic filling Leather/Suede: Self-explanatory Specialist: Fur, sheepskin, waxed, designer brands

Step 2 – Know Your Location

Budget areas: Yorkshire, Lancashire, rural areas, small towns Average cities: Most major UK cities except London London: Especially Zones 1-2

Step 3 – Apply the Formula

Budget area:

• Standard coat: £10-£15
• Heavy coat: £15-£20
• Down coat: £16-£22
• Leather: £30-£40

Average city:

• Standard coat: £13-£20
• Heavy coat: £17-£25
• Down coat: £20-£30
• Leather: £35-£45

London:

• Standard coat: £20-£30
• Heavy coat: £25-£35
• Down coat: £30-£45
• Leather: £45-£60

Step 4 – Add Extras

• Designer brand: +£10-£30
• Heavy staining: +£8-£20
• Express service: +50-100%
• Specialist services: Variable

Example:

“I have a Canada Goose puffer coat in Manchester with a few light stains.”

• Base (down coat, major city): £20-£30
• Designer brand (Canada Goose): +£15-£25
• Light stains: +£3-£5
• Total estimate: £40-£60

That matches real prices – Laundryheap charges £55 for branded puffers.

Chain Dry Cleaners vs Independent – Price Comparison

Johnsons Cleaners

Coverage: 230+ shops across UK Pricing: Mid-range to slightly expensive Standard coat: £15-£22 (varies by location) Down coat: £22-£30

Pros: Consistent quality, insurance cover, nationwide Cons: Not the cheapest, can be slow

Timpsons

Coverage: 2,100+ shops (mostly key cutting/shoe repairs, but many do dry cleaning) Pricing: Variable – some cheap, some expensive Standard coat: £13-£20

Pros: Convenient locations, fast service Cons: Quality varies between branches

Sketchley (Now part of Johnsons)

Similar pricing to Johnsons.

Independent Local Cleaners

Pricing: Most variable – £10-£30 Quality: Also most variable

How to choose good independents:

• Check Google reviews (4+ stars)
• Ask about experience with your coat type
• Get a quote before leaving the coat
• Check if they do cleaning on-site (better) or send out (slower, higher damage risk)

I use an independent cleaner in my area who charges £14 for standard coats and does excellent work. But I’ve also seen terrible independents who ruined clothes.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Some cleaners are sneaky with their pricing. Watch for these tricks:

1. “Base Price” That Doesn’t Include Basics

The trick: Advertised price is for “cleaning only” – pressing costs extra

How to avoid: Ask “does that include pressing and finishing?” before agreeing

2. Stain Removal Always Extra

The trick: Every tiny mark is classified as a “stain” requiring extra charges

How to avoid: Point out marks when dropping off and agree price upfront

3. “Premium Brand” Surcharge

The trick: Your coat has a visible designer label, so they charge £10-£20 extra

How to avoid: Remove or hide brand labels if possible, or accept it as the price of luxury

4. Express Service You Didn’t Request

The trick: They “assume” you want express service and charge 50-100% more

How to avoid: Explicitly state “standard service, no rush”

5. Minimum Charges

The trick: £15 minimum charge, so one coat costs the same as three

How to avoid: Batch your dry cleaning – bring coats, trousers, and jackets together

6. Collection Fees for Delivery Services

The trick: £3-£5 collection fee on top of cleaning cost

How to avoid: Check if collection is included or extra

When Dry Cleaning Is Worth the Cost

Not every coat needs professional dry cleaning. Here’s when it’s worth paying:

Always Dry Clean

Designer coats (£300+): The cleaning cost is small compared to replacement Structured wool coats: Home washing destroys the shape Coats with interfacing: The inner structure doesn’t survive water Cashmere: Professional cleaning extends life significantly Down coats: Improper washing clumps the filling Anything with “dry clean only” label and clear reason

Sometimes Dry Clean

Wool coats without structure: Can sometimes be hand-washed Light raincoats: Many are washable at home Unlined cotton coats: Usually washable Faux fur: Some can be hand-washed carefully

I’ve written a guide on how to dry clean at home that covers which items you can safely clean yourself.

Rarely Needs Dry Cleaning

Puffer coats with synthetic filling: Most are machine-washable Fleece coats: Almost all machine-washable Basic cotton or polyester coats: Usually machine-washable Outdoor technical jackets: Designed for home washing

Check the care label. Many coats labelled “dry clean recommended” (not “dry clean only”) wash perfectly well at home.

How to Save Money on Coat Dry Cleaning

After 18 years in the cleaning business, here’s how to reduce your dry cleaning bills:

1. Clean Less Frequently

How often you actually need:

• Daily wear coat: 2-3 times per winter
• Occasional wear coat: Once per winter
• Special occasion coat: After each wearing only if visibly dirty

Between cleanings:

• Air outside on a breezy day
• Brush with a clothes brush
• Spot-clean small marks
• Steam to freshen

I dry clean my everyday winter coat twice per winter (October and February). Total annual cost: £30 instead of £100+.

2. Batch Your Dry Cleaning

Many cleaners offer:

• “3 items for £25” deals
• 10-20% off 5+ items
• Discounts for regular customers

Bring all your coats, suits, and dry-clean-only items together rather than making multiple trips.

3. Use Collection Services Strategically

Services like Laundryheap often have new customer discounts (25-40% off first order). Use these for one-off big cleans.

4. Shop Around Seasonally

Some cleaners run promotions:

• “Summer coat cleaning” deals (May-July)
• “Winter coat preparation” deals (September-October)
• “New Year cleaning” promotions (January)

Sign up for emails from local cleaners to catch these.

5. Know What You Can Clean at Home

Basic spot cleaning saves professional cleaning:

• Light surface dirt: Damp cloth
• Food stains: Spot treatment
• Odours: Airing outside

For detailed home cleaning methods, see my guide on how to clean a leather jacket – many techniques apply to fabric coats too.

6. Choose the Right Cleaner Type

Don’t pay premium prices unless needed:

• Basic wool coat → Budget cleaner (£10-£15)
• Designer coat → Premium cleaner (£25-£40)
• Delicate vintage → Specialist (£30-£50)

Match the cleaner to the coat value.

7. Negotiate for Regular Business

If you use the same cleaner frequently, ask about:

• Loyalty discounts
• Corporate rates (if you can claim)
• Regular customer pricing

My local cleaner gives me 15% off because I’ve used them for 10 years.

Red Flags – When to Avoid a Dry Cleaner

I’ve seen too many coats ruined by poor cleaners. Watch for these warning signs:

Pricing Red Flags

Too cheap: Under £8 for a coat suggests cutting corners No written quote: Verbal quotes often change at collection Vague pricing: “Depends what we find” without parameters Massive brand premiums: +£30 just because it’s Burberry is excessive

Service Red Flags

Can’t answer basic questions: “I don’t know” about their process No insurance: Reputable cleaners have insurance for damage Rushed assessment: Doesn’t check pockets, examine condition Dirty premises: If the shop is filthy, your coat won’t be clean No tagging system: How do they track your coat? Send everything out: On-site cleaning is generally better

Quality Red Flags

Poor reviews: Less than 3.5 stars on Google Damaged items in shop: Seeing returned items with problems Chemical smell: Should smell clean, not like harsh solvents Wrinkled items: Suggests poor pressing Stains not removed: If display items have visible stains, avoid

If you see 2+ red flags, find another cleaner.

What’s Included in Dry Cleaning a Coat?

Standard dry cleaning should include:

Always Included

• Pre-treatment inspection
• Stain spot treatment (light stains)
• Dry cleaning solvent bath
• Drying
• Pressing and finishing
• Quality check
• Packaging

Sometimes Included

• Button tightening
• Minor repairs (loose threads)
• Lint removal
• Light odour treatment

Usually Extra

• Heavy stain removal
• Alterations
• Waterproofing
• Mothproofing
• Express service
• Special treatments

Ask what’s included before agreeing to the price.

How Long Does Coat Dry Cleaning Take?

Standard Service

Most cleaners: 3-7 days Chain cleaners: 5-7 days (often send out to central facility) Independent (on-site): 2-5 days Collection services: 3-7 days

Express Service

24-hour: Usually available for +50-100% cost 48-hour: +30-50% cost Same day: Rare, +100-150% cost

Factors Affecting Time

• Stain treatment needed: +1-2 days
• Specialist coats: +2-3 days
• Busy season (October-November, February-March): +1-2 days
• Quiet season (summer): Often faster

I always allow a full week for dry cleaning. Rushing costs more and increases the chance of damage.

Common Coat Dry Cleaning Questions

How much to dry clean a Canada Goose coat?

£40-£60 in most areas, up to £80 in premium London cleaners. The high cost reflects the brand premium and specialist down cleaning required.

How much to dry clean a wool coat?

£12-£20 outside London, £20-£30 in London. Long wool coats cost £15-£25 (outside London) or £25-£35 (London).

How much to dry clean a trench coat?

£13-£20 typically, similar to standard overcoats. Burberry trench coats may attract brand premiums of +£10-£15.

How much to dry clean a leather coat?

£30-£45 for standard leather, £35-£50 for suede, £50-£80 for designer leather in London. Leather requires specialist equipment and expertise.

How much to dry clean a fur coat?

Real fur: £50-£150 depending on fur type and coat size. Faux fur: £18-£30. Always use specialist fur cleaners for real fur.

How much to dry clean a down coat?

Standard puffer: £16-£25. Branded (North Face, Patagonia): £25-£45. Designer (Moncler, Canada Goose): £40-£60.

Is dry cleaning worth it for coats?

For structured coats, designer coats, wool, cashmere, down, and anything with interfacing – yes, absolutely. For basic washable coats, consider home washing to save money.

Can I negotiate dry cleaning prices?

Some independent cleaners negotiate for regular customers or bulk items. Chains rarely negotiate. It’s worth asking for a loyalty discount if you’re a regular customer.

Professional Cleaner Tips

Regional Cost Breakdown – Major UK Cities

Here’s what you’ll actually pay in major UK cities (2025 prices):

London:

• Standard coat: £20-£30
• Down coat: £30-£45
• Designer: £35-£60

Manchester:

• Standard coat: £14-£18
• Down coat: £22-£30
• Designer: £30-£45

Birmingham:

• Standard coat: £13-£17
• Down coat: £20-£28
• Designer: £28-£40

Glasgow:

• Standard coat: £12-£16
• Down coat: £18-£26
• Designer: £25-£40

Leeds:

• Standard coat: £13-£18
• Down coat: £20-£28
• Designer: £28-£42

Bristol:

• Standard coat: £14-£19
• Down coat: £22-£30
• Designer: £30-£45

Edinburgh:

• Standard coat: £14-£18
• Down coat: £22-£28
• Designer: £30-£45

Liverpool:

• Standard coat: £12-£17
• Down coat: £18-£26
• Designer: £25-£38

Knowing how much to dry clean a coat helps you budget for proper garment care and avoid being overcharged. Standard wool and trench coats typically cost £12-£25 depending on your location, with London being significantly more expensive at £20-£35. Down and puffer coats cost more (£17-£60 depending on brand), while leather and fur coats require specialist cleaning at £30-£150.

The key is matching your coat value to cleaner type – don’t pay premium prices for a basic high street coat, but don’t risk a £500 designer piece at a budget cleaner. Get written quotes upfront, batch your dry cleaning for better value, and clean only when actually needed rather than after every wearing.

I dry clean my coats 2-3 times per winter maximum, using spot cleaning and airing between professional cleans. This keeps my annual dry cleaning costs under £100 while maintaining my coats in excellent condition. For coats worth less than £100, consider whether home dry cleaning might work – it’s far cheaper and many “dry clean only” labels are overcautious.

Shop around, ask for written quotes, check reviews, and don’t be afraid to negotiate for regular customer discounts. Your wallet and your wardrobe will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to dry clean a coat in the UK?

Standard coats cost £12-£20 in most UK cities, £10-£15 in budget areas, and £20-£30 in London. Heavy or full-length coats cost £17-£25 (£25-£35 in London). Down coats range from £16-£25 for standard puffers to £40-£60 for designer brands like Canada Goose. Location is the biggest factor in pricing variation.

How much to dry clean a wool coat?

Wool coats typically cost £13-£20 outside London and £20-£28 in London. Long wool coats cost slightly more at £15-£25 (outside London) or £25-£35 (London) due to requiring more cleaning solvent and pressing time. Cashmere wool coats may attract premium charges of +£5-£10.

How much is it to dry clean a coat?

The average UK dry cleaning cost for a standard coat is £15-£18. Budget cleaners in smaller towns charge £10-£15, major cities charge £13-£20, and London charges £20-£35. Specialist coats (down, leather, fur) cost more. Always request a written quote as prices vary significantly between cleaners.

How much does it cost to dry clean a down coat?

Standard down or puffer coats cost £16-£25 at most cleaners. Branded puffers (North Face, Patagonia, Columbia) cost £25-£45. Designer puffers (Canada Goose, Moncler) cost £40-£60. Down requires specialist cleaning to prevent filling from clumping, which explains the higher cost versus standard coats.

How much to dry clean a Canada Goose coat?

Canada Goose coats cost £40-£60 for dry cleaning in most areas, potentially £60-£80 at premium London cleaners. The high cost reflects both the specialist down cleaning required and the brand premium – some cleaners charge extra for designer labels. Non-branded down coats with identical cleaning needs cost £16-£25.

How much does it cost to dry clean a leather coat?

Leather coat dry cleaning costs £30-£45 for standard leather, £35-£50 for suede or nubuck, and £50-£80 for designer leather pieces. Leather requires completely different equipment and expertise than fabric cleaning. Some regular dry cleaners won’t handle leather and refer you to specialists.

How much to dry clean a trench coat?

Trench coats cost £13-£20 typically, similar to standard overcoats. Burberry trench coats may attract brand premiums of +£10-£20, bringing costs to £25-£40. If your trench coat is cotton or polyester, check the label – many are machine-washable and don’t need dry cleaning.

How much does it cost to dry clean a fur coat?

Real fur coats cost £50-£150 for specialist fur cleaning depending on fur type (rabbit £50-£70, mink/sable £80-£150) and coat length. Never take real fur to regular dry cleaners – use specialist fur cleaners only. Faux fur costs £18-£30 and can be cleaned at regular dry cleaners.

How much is dry cleaning a coat at Timpsons?

Timpsons pricing varies by location but typically ranges £13-£20 for standard coats. Some branches charge less (£12-£15), others more (£18-£22) depending on local market rates. Timpsons has over 2,100 locations so pricing isn’t standardised nationally. Always request a quote before leaving your coat.

Is it worth dry cleaning a coat?

For structured coats, designer pieces, wool, cashmere, down, and anything with interfacing or lining – yes, dry cleaning preserves the coat’s shape and extends its life significantly. For basic washable coats worth under £50, home washing may be more economical. Check care labels and coat value before deciding.