Clean Smart

WORST CLEANERS EVER!!!
Gave me someone else’s clothes and when I took them back they were unable to recover mine.
Refused to offer any type of resolution for their mix-​up. I will be reporting them to the better business bureau
STAY FAR FAR AWAY!!!

The matter was resolved only after getting Fairfax Consumer Protection Division involved and threatening legal action.
I learned two important things, one of which might still help you if you have garments damaged by this cleaner. *I am not a lawyer and obtained this information from Fairfax Consumer Protection Division.*
Virginia State Statute 8.01−42 requires the dry cleaner to compensate you for the damage in the amount of the market value of the clothing minus depreciation for wear and tear. The depreciation schedule is determined by the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute. In my case, since the clothes were purchased the same year as the damage I was eligible to receive 80% of the purchase price. It does not matter that the dry cleaner has a policy posted that limits reimbursement to $ 25. This statute may help you.
Virginia State Statute 59.1−200 paragraph 16 requires the business to post in conspicuous public area of the premises, so as to be readily noticeable and readable by the person obtaining the goods from the supplier, a sign that informs the consumer of the conditions, charges and fees related to the return of goods for refund, exchange, or credit. Omitting this information may be a prohibited practice under paragraph 14 and considered deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation in connection with a consumer transaction. This statute may not help you at this dry cleaner. As a result of my action with Consumer Protection, when I went to pick up the damaged garments and the reimbursement check I noticed there is now a handwritten note posted with its other policies that if they pay you for the damaged garments the garments become company property.
This is not to say there aren’t other consumer protection laws that might be violated by this shady business…
I would encourage anyone in dispute with this dry cleaner to contact the Fairfax Consumer Protection Division. They were incredibly helpful and expedient. I had been arguing with this dry cleaner for nearly two months and once Consumer Protection was involved the matter was resolved in a week and a half. I am convinced that without their assistance I would have been dealing with small claims court.

I love this place. I wish they were nearer to my home, but I’ll continue to drive out if my way to get my clothes cleaned here. I’ve never had a problem with damaged items. On a couple of occasions, they’ve even suggested that I take pieces elsewhere (e.g., leather-​trim, fancy items). I don’t need the dry cleaning staff to turn cartwheels for me for crying out loud. They are polite and efficient. There’s easy parking and never a long line like at Zips and btw, my clothes came out better here.
Now, my sisters being dry cleaning when they visit me from NYC!

Been going to this place for more than a year now with no complaints. Also, you can’t beat the $ 1.99 price.

Last week, I tried out this cleaners. I was really hesitant at first, but decided to just try it out. First of all, it’s super cheap compared to most dry cleaners that charge about $ 6 per pants. Clean Smart charges $ 1.99 on most dry cleaning clothes and if I remember correctly, $ 1.29 on men’s laundry shirt. I read some other reviews about people saying how their super expensive clothes got ruined. Personally, if I had an item of clothing that was very expensive I wouldn’t bring it to a $ 1.99 dry cleaners. Even though I’m sure they wouldn’t damage it, there’s no guarantee. Of course, you get what you pay for, but their quality for that price was pretty good.
I had a blazer that had a stain on it, and when I pointed it out to the women working at the register, she marked it with some red tape. When I picked it up, the stain was gone! However I did have a blouse that I got back that had a stain on it, I mentioned this to one of the employees and she tagged it to be cleaned again and they didn’t charge me again!
Now the customer service is not the best, but it’s not unbearable either. They greet you when you first come in and try to help you with any problems that occur.
When I went back to pick up the blouse that had a stain on it, the stain was also gone! I was really pleased with the way it turned out!
When I came in the first time, I noticed that they did alterations. So coming back the second time, I brought a pair of pants to get altered, if I saw that the stain came out of the blouse. Once I saw that the stain was gone, I brought in my pants to be hemmed shorter. They charged $ 12. The price wasn’t too bad considering the price of buying a pair of new pants. The alteration lady was super nice and seemed to know what she was doing. Overall, they did an amazing job with the pants!
I’m really happy with the quality of the work done on my clothes. I’m definitely going to be coming back again!
I also noticed a sign that said if you bring it in by 10 AM, you can get it back the same day by 5 PM!

I picked-​up my items from Clean Smart yesterday, uncertain as to how they would come out. From the other previous reviews, this establishment made them out to be a risky bet, but I opted to give them a go.
The idea of paying just $ 3.95 to launder/​press TWO items was very appealing, especially where the average I’ve been paying recently is $ 4.60 per item. I am very mindful of the «you get what you pay for» school of thought, but on this ocassion I really needed to get my cleaning sorted before the weekend, and I happened to be in this part of Alexandria.
On entry you will notice a small desk area and behind it, you’ll see a PILE of clothes, a coveyor belt with clothing hanging from it, and several people working away at the seemingly endless pile. It must be very hot and uncomfortable back there because the several Latina-​looking young women who were quiet and grim-​faced were near enough wearing bikini tops and wee t-​shirts.
The girl who helped me at arrival was pleasant, but not the friendliest. She was very matter-​of-​fact in her tone and the transaction. When I handed her my items, she stuffed them into a green bag similar to those reusable eco-​friendly type shopping bags, and threw it in a hookshot over her shoulder onto a pile behind her. No joke! I did think it was kinda funny at the time, but I did afterwards hope that they will treat my clothes — or anyone else’s really — with much better care when cleaning and readying for pick-​up.
That was on Friday the 20^th. I picked-​up my stuff on Sunday the 22^nd, at about ten mins to closing. The young chap who rung up my transaction and got my items was friendlier than the girl during my first visit, and he was equally courteous with the other customers who approached the desk as I waited my own turn.
In fact, he was also good enough to point out the following Fun Fact, just after we briefly chatted about the previous day’s World Cup match results: *** Please note that if you bring your items in BEFORE 10am, you can collect after 5pm that same day. IF however you bring your items in AFTER 10am but you still want to pick up the same day after 5pm, they will charge you an additional $ 1 PER item. ***
I was in a hurry to get back home for the US v Portugal match, and I didn’t really bother to check out my items until after the match. They did come back clean, and seem fine otherwise. I didn’t get anything dry cleaned, just laundered and pressed, so I can’t confirm if they use any harsh chemicals that other reviews suggested were used respectively. The low price did make my visit there somewhat worthwhile, but unless I am in the area specifically I may pass-​up on using Clean Smart because the traffic in that part of Alexandria is arse around 5pm, leading back to the Wilson Bridge and into Fort Washington.
I will add that with regard to the customer service aspect, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, again per previous reviews. The employees there speak Spanish, so if you also speaky-​Spanish then it’s a wee bonus.
Location-​wise it is just off the Richmond Highway in Alexandria. It is contained in a shopping plaza, and right next door to a Krispy Kreme donut place, a pizza place, and a Wells Fargo is nearby in case you happen to have the misfortune of banking with them, as I do. Parking can be hit and miss, and on leaving, you may find it frustrating trying to get across the other side of the highway as the traffic is a pain in the cornhole. There are some horrible drivers in this area, so mind your car and your patience.

I haven’t used them in the past month. So if they have changed their practices I wouldn’t know. All I can do is tell you about my experiences. For the price… not bad. But they have some things to work on. Until then though…
DROP THE BEAT!!!
(In the Style of Ginuwine, Pony)
*womp chick chick chick, womp chick womp chick womp, chick chick chick womp chick womp chick womp,
chick chick chick, womp chick womp chick womp, chick chick chick womp chick womp chick womp*
I’m not bachelor
Don’t live in an apartment
But I’m to lazy to wash
clothes or even iron at all
My work clothes are casual
some denim and some linen
But when I dress to show off
I need a dry cleaner that wont rip me off
[Chorus]
If you can clean it, Let’s do it
my shirt smells, cologney
my jeans are just fading
but what smells like baloney
You’d said you clean it, then do it!
How my shirt get so holey?
I’m not a deacon
Come Sunday, I’ll prove it.
Stand in line during the summer
This place is 2,000 degrees yo!
You’ll never ever get the chance
to get your hands on my suits
You and your buddies
drench my clothes in some poison
Send chills up and down my coworkers spines
when I pass and my pits smell like pork rinds.
[Chorus]
Since you’ve never gotten nasty, Buddy
First I’ll show & tell
«How’d all my fricken buttons melt?» (hmmmmmmm?)
Too much starch I’ve move like a storm trooper
Shirt shrank from the extra steam
it’s so tight you can barely hear me scream
*aa…aaah*
[Chorus]
[repeats and ends]

They do a good quick job however my complaint is about their customer service. It’s terrible! I dropped off some suits and one of my jackets came back with the inner lining completely un-​stitched! So I went back to them and they immediately denied it, and one of the employees said she’ll bring it to the managers attention and I’d get a phone call in 3 days. A week I didn’t get a call back so I called and asked them about the status of my jacket. I ended up speaking with the manager and he had the nerve to tell me that they didn’t do it and pretty much implied that I’m the one who damaged the suit.
Nevertheless that they sewed it up, but next time they’ll have to charge me.
Long conversation short I pretty much said how can you say it wasn’t you if didn’t even see the employee press my suit. Yeah they are bargain dry cleaners but I’d rather pay a little more money than to be treated like a second class customer. I’m not going back after using them for the last 4 years. Sad way to lose a customer.

If you have good cloths, do NOT give them because they use very harsh chemicals. My Armani shirts were faded, broken buttons and they didn’t even offer to help me put my cloths in the car. In 3 trips I took my cloth…
poor customer service I must say.
They need to change their name to «Don’t clean smart».

Pretty sad. Stained the pocket of one shirt and burned (or so it appeared) the pocket of another. They cleaned both again for free, but to no avail. I used to like this place but I can’t support a dry cleaner that can’t do it properly.

I have come here on several occasions. The last time I came here was a few weeks ago to get my zipper fixed for my jobs holiday party. They did an excellent job although a bit pricey ($ 20) and they were able to deliver it to me on the day I needed it. Turnaround time was two days!

I was shopping for an alternative to Zips and tried this place. They charged me the normal, higher price for my men’s shirts until I asked why and then she stated the lower price, nice. I was willing to give them a 2^nd shot and brought one of our comforters to clean. It was returned stuffed in a clear bag with barely any folding, and a wrinkly mess. It looked like I gave it to a bachelor friend to wash, really. My wife went back there and had a discussion with them in their native Spanish and expressed her dissatisfaction. Results: «sorry, we don’t iron or press comforters». I took a picture, which is quite hilarious. Won’t be back.

I have never had a problem with their dry cleaning, until this Saturday. When I came to pick up my trench coat (that states dry clean only), I found the leather buttons entirely mangled and frayed.
When confronted on why this happened, they had no answer, and no reasonable solution. The manager’s only reason was that «some items cannot be dry cleaned» and apparently my trench coat was one of those items. The thing is, this coat has been dry cleaned before, and has never been damaged.
The strange part is this: they then went on to explain that it may have been the machine they used; they throw ALL items together and don’t separate before cleaning! This may explain why my coat has never come back damaged before. Honestly, I am not fully convinced they did anything other than launder and press, and didn’t dry clean it at all.
The other thing that will prevent me from EVER returning here is their damage policy. They will not compensate for any damage, but will BUY your items for a measly $ 25.00. They’re then free to resell your items for a profit. If they’re able ruin expensive clothing and then make a profit from selling it, what is the incentive to do good, quality work? There isn’t one.
Their full policies are not stated clearly or publicly, but instead are excerpted and then put on the wall. For example, the policy that they will buy back items for $ 25 dollars reads «No compensation will be given above $ 25» [sic], which certainly is not the same as «We will buy the clothes we ruin for $ 25». According to them, they are not obligated to state «every single word» of their policies.
I will be finding a new dry cleaner. They don’t stand by their work and don’t take customer complaints seriously.
The poor service you receive is not worth the low price of dry cleaning here. Go elsewhere.

great work so far, both from dry cleaners and for alterations. i emphasized with them when they had to work in 100 degree heat with no AC. the manager told me that no on-​site cleaning dry cleaners had AC because it doesn’t keep the building cool given all the steam generated from press and cleaning. not sure if i bought that.

just like zips down the street, cheap dry-​cleaning, same day service, and they get the cleaning done just right. even better, they’re opened on Sundays!!!

I went to pick up my clothes yesterday and attached to the ticket was a little bag. Low and behold was some money that my husband left in his pants pocket. Granted it was only two bucks, but to me it was the honesty that these people have. This place is good in fact I left Zips celaeners to try them and I have not been disappointed. As long as they don’t lose my clothes or ruin my clothes I will clean with them.

I was using Clean Smart for a while to dry clean work shirts, pants and blouses. I also dropped off my boyfriend’s shirts and pants along with my stuff also. I think they do alot of business and make alot of money, since they are one of the most affordable cleaners in the area, and dont really care about customer service. I have had three incidents there, and will not be using them again.
Twice, they have miscounted the number of clothing I have dropped off. They produce a receipt for a drop off, when I pick up, they «miscounted», so I end up paying more than the price produced on the receipt.
Second, one of my boyfriend’s shirts had cufflings that he forgot to take off. He went back to get them, and was given back only one cuffling. the other one was «lost.» The manager produced a box of single customer cufflings. So, they take the cufflings off and loose the other one? If you are in the laundering business, why can’t you take care of customer cufflings? They don’t care, and thats the point.
Their policy also is, they are not responsible for ornaments and jewelry on clothing.
Use this cleaners for basic items, I would even trust them with alterations, but their customer service is poor.

Update: They do alterations now. What they ended up doing was carve out a space in their small lobby area for the alterations. Which is fine, except for the fact that there are windows everywhere… and when you’re measuring my inseam, I kinda don’t want the world to look at us in our private moment. That was weird. Sorry.
Also, further props to these people: I sauntered in one Saturday and pulled on the door. It was closed. I was like, «Umm, hey, it’s only 8 o’clock, yo.» Well, it turns out they closed an hour before, because on Saturdays they close at 7 pm. But guess what? With a smile, they let me in anyway. Then took my clothes, gave me my receipt and said thank you. That, my friends, is excellent customer service. And I… I am an a-​hole customer. But I am a happy one! Thumbs up for Clean Smart!