Hildebrand Cleaners & Alterations

After returning from my first biz trip after moving to BI, I wandered into the Hildebrand Cleaners since they are so convenient (near Safeway). The staff was aloof, but hey, who cares when it is your cleaners. I didn’t think to ask the prices. I’ve wondered why dry cleaner in CA are regulated… OMG, now I know. When I picked up my laundry, I was stunned… the bill was close to $ 200 and it wasn’t a big load. I’d say they did a good job, but the clothes were not gold plated upon return so I can’t say I got my money’s worth. It would have almost been cheaper to just toss out the old clothes and buy new ones! I’ll need to find an alternative, or dramatically change my dress code. :(

This business is obscenely expensive. They charge at least 200% more than similar businesses in Poulsbo and have a slower turn around time. They are quite fussy about what they’ll accept and make up what seem like bogus reasons to refuse items. This business has a monopoly on Bainbridge Island, and they make the most if it. If there were any other local option, I would take my business to them in a heartbeat.

This place is the most overpriced business I think I have ever purchased from. At $ 8 per shirt the price is easily 3x if not 4x the industry standard. When I asked about the price the smug beard faced man with zero service skills smugly replied with, $ 8. Are you serious?! I will never return, based on his reaction, lack of service and lack of explanation. Second the prices are outrageous period. Please do not waste your money unless you like wasting it. I will be taking my clothing into Seattle to my old spot, pay ferry fare, pay parking and still have money left over comparative to this crap.

I have never, ever, ever seen such bad business practices from one company! They ruined a pair of Pottery Barn draperies of mine and refused to take responsibility — not to mention I STILL had to pay for the alterations and cleaning of my ruined drapes! I experienced negative and threatening treatment from Zahra (the owner). I sued them in Kitsap County small claims court and was awarded judgement. To this day (a year and a half later) she has yet to pay me.
WARNING — if you take your laundry here it may never come back the same! There have been many in our community who have had similar experiences. It is NOT an isolated incident.
Please, read ALL the reviews here before deciding.

I have to take a moment to say, «wow top notch!» I had to be in a wedding with a horrible dress, that was basically a hotdog in chiffon look a like, and in such last minute timing Hildebrand cleaners resized and restructured the dress! They went above and beyond to mAke me feel comfortable and confident! The owner Zahra was so diligent and kind! I can’t say enough great things about this company! They’re quick, reliable, greatly priced and super involved in community :) I will definitely be returning for all my laundry, dry cleaning and resizing needs!

This business requires «special» processing (read $ 8.00/shirt) depending on label. They claim their machine can only handle certain brands. Complete BS to up charge. Take your business elsewhere.

I have been going to Hildebrand Cleaners since Zahra purchased the business and my experiences here have been some of the most positive of any business on Bainbridge Island.
The staff has always been friendly and helpful and the service is fast and exceptional and Zahra bends over backwards to accommodate whatever need we have had. We usually take in 10 – 14 shirts plus sweaters and pants 2 or 3 times a month and we have never had an issue with anything.
I wholeheartedly recommend that you try this business, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

If you want to be called a bully, «not using your frontal lobe», and be hung up on (after calling twice to talk to owner), go here. Otherwise, choose another cleaners.

I love this place. I often take my wife’s work pants in, usually while out running errands — and it’s rare if I’m in there less than ten minutes. Mainly because the owner (Zera I think?) is such an absolute love! There’s a real community spirit when I pop in, a genuine desire to connect, chat and make the experience of going to Hildebrand Cleaners a happy one. I always leave with a massive smile.
While I don’t test my wife’s trousers, she’s always very happy with them :) We’ve been frequenting the establishment for over two years now and have yet to find fault.

It’s so nice to have a community oriented dry cleaners. The owner Zera does a great job keeping my suits and golf clothes looking like they are new garments. I also see donations from the cleaners at island functions. I was out bid on their St. Cicilias donation, but it made me feel good to support a business that gives back. Great friendly service!

This used to be a great business, but it seems like there has been a change in management. Don’t put too much stock in the 2 to 3 year old reviews.
I recently took in a pair of flat front pants. While dropping them off, I was asked if I would like them pressed with a pleat. I made it clear that I would not. I picked them up, got them home and realized that they had been pressed with a pleat. After schlepping them back to the dry cleaner, pointing out their mistake, being told that they would be happy to correct their mistake, waiting for them to be repressed, going back to the dry cleaner pick them up — they wanted me to pay for the privilege of two unnecessary trips to and from the cleaners and accused me of wanting something for nothing.
The only thing I wanted was clean, properly pressed pants — and a dry cleaner who knows what they are doing. I don’t need them to be nice, just competent — which is why I can’t go to Hildebrand anymore.

Amazing! Their customer service is beyond compare. Today I had an emergency sewing job that, though small, well… to call it difficult would be an understatement. I called and was told to come in. They were as friendly as always and seemed happy to help me out of a bind. They didn’t even charge me for it!
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As an Irish dance mom, I have some difficult items to clean. Hildebrand’s are experts and I wouldn’t trust anyone else.

terrible alteration and customer service, plus lack of care about how we felt about both. will not go back again.

I am sorry to have to revise my previous review below. While I do like the service at Hillebrand, the prices are something else again. They are unbelievably expensive compared to other cleaners. My wife was charged $ 20 to clean a rayon hoodie sweater, and $ 14 for another sweater. At those prices you should think about wearing something once and throwing it away! So we have had to find another cleaner with much better prices– and pick up and delivery service.
Sarah and her sister are the friendliest, most attentive business owners I’ve ever met. They are genuinely concerned about your clothes and making them look their best. I managed to spill wine on a favorite shirt and they cleaned it three times– twice free– to try to as save it for me. Do yourself a favor and give them a try. Best cleaners on the island.

I have used this cleaners for the past year and have always received great service and professionally clean clothes. The prices are competitive and fair. If you need something clean quickly they bend over backwards to accomodate.

Dry Cleaners are more or less capable of providing the exact same services. The difference makers are the people, their attitudes, and the willingness to forge personal relationships. June at Hildebrand is an exceptional small business owner. He and his staff are fast, pleasant, and their default answer is «yes». This is in sharp contrast to Crystal Cleaners, who I felt held hostage to as the only game in town until June showed up on the scene a couple years ago. Read reviews of that unfortunate crew first and your decision will be easy.
Choosing Hildebrand Cleaners is a no-​risk decision.

Hildebrand is an incredible dry cleaners. I have been using them when visiting BI and always seemed to need special service due to my schedule. They ALWAYS accommodated me. Now that I live here it is great, I have compared their prices and work with the other cleaners on the island and they come in at a lower cost with far superior service. The clothes are cleaner, pressed better and the customer service is excellent. Turn around was quoted at 3 days but when I went in 2 days later my garments were ready. The employee said fast turnaround was available upon request!!! (Yeah, because two days isn’t already fast???)