Frequently Asked Questions
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Free Pick-Up & Delivery
How does the Free pick-up and delivery service operate?
Once you sign up, we provide you with complimentary bags and ID tags – there are separate bags for wash & fold laundry and drycleaning. You do not need to have items every week.
You will receive a route reminder text the night before your scheduled day to see if you need a pick-up the next day.
*To be added to the list of pick-ups, you must TEXT back ONLY: Y or Yes
If we do not receive a Y or Yes response, your name will not be added to the list. If you already have a scheduled delivery, you will not receive a reminder text.
Who do I contact to sign up or if I have a question?
Route Customer Service (sign up, billing, etc): (410) 267-8381 or www.AdmiralCleaners.com.
Do I have to be home when the driver comes?
No. Please place your bag of clothes at your front door by 7:30 am on your days. Your cleaned items will be returned to your door on your next delivery day.
Are my clothes safe hanging on my door?
We have been operating routes for over 20 years and have been issue-free. Routes and drivers are bonded and insured.
Is there an extra charge for pick-up and delivery?
No. The charge for home or office service is the same as in our store locations.
What is your delivery area?
Admiral offers this service at your home or office in the greater Annapolis, Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Gambrills, Odenton, Crofton, Crownsville, Davidsonville, and Edgewater areas. Admiral also offers its route service in Chestertown and Easton.
Where are my clothes being cleaned?
Route orders in Anne Arundel County and the mid-shore are cleaned and pressed at Admiral’s Taylor Avenue, Annapolis plant.
How do I pay?
Please use American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover, whichever earns you the most points. Orders for the week will be charged to your credit card each Friday. To set up your credit card, call our corporate office at (410) 267-8381 or go online to www.admiralcleaners.com and click on New Customer Sign Up. Please note that by signing up online, you will also be able to review your statement, check order status, see all past orders, request a pick-up and do a garment search.
Services
Do you have specials?
Yes. Monthly specials are sent out via e-mail. VIP customers receive 50% off our monthly specials.
Does Admiral Cleaners offer same day service?
Yes, we offer same day service Monday through Friday at most locations. Please check with the location nearest you (see Admiral Locations).
Does Admiral offer alteration services?
Yes, we have seamstresses at many of our locations. Services include hemming, mending, zippers, etc. Please call or come in with your specific request.
Do you have eco-friendly programs?
Yes, Admiral Cleaners is a proud member of the Maryland Green Registry.
We provide hanger containers for hanger recycling and use recyclable plastic garment covers. We also have discontinued the use of paper garment covers and try to use recycled paper whenever possible.
Garment Care
What should I do when I have a stain?
The garment should be taken to your dry cleaner as soon as possible. Stains that are left too long can become permanently set. Removing a stain can be somewhat complicated since there are many different fabrics and types of stains. Admiral has trained “stain removers” with years of experience who use specialized stain removal agents. If you know what caused the stain (i.e. soda, white wine, etc.) please be sure to inform your dry cleaner. These often “invisible” stains contain sugar, which can caramelize and turn brown in the heat of drying. They need to be flushed out before dry cleaning.
Is it safe to have draperies, bedspreads, and slipcovers cleaned?
Draperies, bedspreads, and slipcovers may suffer some damage when they are cleaned. This can be due to sun-fading, long-term soiling, age, and components which are simply not able to withstand normal cleaning procedures and shrink. Many times fabrics do not appear damaged until after they have been through the cleaning process. Due to the above, many cleaners, including Admiral, require that a release is signed before these types of items are cleaned.
My shirt came back with a cracked button. Can this be prevented?
Buttons sometimes weaken after repeated pressings. Admiral makes every effort to check each shirt for cracked buttons before it is assembled, but often a weakened button does not crack until you try to fasten your garment. If your shirt should come back with a cracked button, please return it to the store location or to your route driver. Admiral’s policy is to replace any missing or damaged button free-of-charge.
What do I do if I have a problem with my dry cleaner?
When damage occurs during the cleaning process, recourse depends on where the responsibility lies. If the problem is due to a manufacturer’s defect (including poor dye selection or failure to pre-shrink the fabric) you should take the garment back to the retailer for an adjustment or a refund. If the problem stems from a condition such as a particularly stubborn stain or the age or condition of the garment, the customer usually has no recourse. If we made a mistake in processing, then it is Admiral’s responsibility and we may make an adjustment based on the life expectancy, age, condition, and replacement cost of the garment.
What is the Admiral Express Bag service?
Admiral provides the customer with 2 free Express Bags. Each bag has a tag showing the customer’s name and cleaning preferences (i.e. starched shirts, etc.). Customers just drop off the Express Bag at the front counter and leave. Bags are returned to the customers with their cleaning.
Who do I call if I would like more information?
Drycleaning & Institute (DLI) has consumer information including an explanation of the dry cleaning process, the benefits of professional cleaning, and fabric care tips and hints. The DLI website is at dlionline.org.
Why do colors sometimes fade or run?
There are several reasons. Sometimes toiletries, such as perfumes, antiperspirants, and lotions can affect dyes. Therefore, they should be allowed to dry fully before you put on a garment. Some colors change in cleaning due to the manufacturer’s poor dye selection. It is always advisable to have matching pieces cleaned together so that any color loss will be uniform. Color running or fading problems occur more frequently with some manufacturers than others, even when care label instructions are followed meticulously. If there is ever a question as to whether it is the manufacturer or your cleaner who is at fault for color loss or color running, the garment may be sent to an independent laboratory operated by the International Fabricare Institute.