Q: Why do dry cleaners charge women more than men to launder and starch a basic, woven button-down shirt? — Anna McCaffery, Denver
A: What should be a simple answer, it turns out, isn’t so simple.
The dry-cleaning industry — referred to in some circles as the “fabricare” business — has been called on this issue for years.
There shouldn’t be a difference in the laundering cost for a man or woman’s shirt, all other factors being the same.
But that’s not always the case.
Sometimes a woman’s shirt — no matter its construction — is deemed a “blouse” simply because it’s made for a woman. That designation suddenly boosts the cleaning price from $1.50 to $5 or more.
Why? Several reasons, none having to do with which side the buttons are placed on. Many women’s fabrics are delicate, requiring dry cleaning rather than laundering. Some stores presume this from the start.
Others have frills, poufs, pleats or darts that require hand ironing to ensure proper treatment, according to Jim Nixon, owner of Nu-Way Cleaners in Greeley and secretary of the Rocky Mountain Fabricare Association.
“Assuring the same fabric and no trim or poufy sleeve, and the only issue is size, it should cost the same,” Nixon said.
One common reason given for the price difference: The woman’s shirt won’t fit on a pressing machine. True, but only if the shirt is size 2 or smaller.
Insist on the lower price if the shirt is the same as a man’s. If the proprietors refuse, ask them to show you the difference or find another cleaners.
David Migoya wants to get the answers to your consumer questions. E-mail consumertips@ denverpost.com or write to Consumer Shopping Bag, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO, 80202.
