When it comes to laundry, both households and businesses in Nairobi often face the same pressing questions. From the nuances of fabric care to the eco-friendly solutions available, a lot of information is needed to make informed decisions. At Cleanfax Laundry and Cleaners Ltd, we believe that providing detailed, expert answers to these frequently asked questions helps our customers care for their fabrics better, save money, and achieve spotless results every time.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the top 20 most-asked laundry questions in Nairobi, revealing how our advanced technology and expert team ensure impeccable results.

In-Depth Answers to Your Top Laundry Questions.

1. How Often Should Clothes Be Dry Cleaned?

The frequency of dry cleaning in Nairobi largely depends on the garment type and how often it’s worn. For delicate items like suits, jackets, silk blouses, and formal dresses, dry cleaning is recommended after 2-3 wears to prevent embedded dirt and oils from damaging the fibers. These contaminants, often invisible to the naked eye, can weaken fabrics over time, leading to premature wear and tear.

For items like sweaters, overcoats, and wool trousers, dry cleaning after a few wears is crucial for maintaining their shape and texture. Regular dry cleaning not only removes stains but also rejuvenates fabrics, restoring their look and feel. At Cleanfax, we assess each garment individually to recommend the best cleaning schedule that prolongs its life and keeps it looking new.

2. What’s the Difference Between Dry Cleaning and Wet Cleaning?

This is one of the most common points of confusion.

• Dry Cleaning uses eco-friendly, non-water-based solvents to remove dirt and stains. This method is ideal for delicate fabrics that can be damaged by water, such as wool, silk, cashmere, and rayon. The process is gentle on the fibers, prevents shrinkage, color fading, and loss of shape, making it the preferred choice for expensive or structured garments.
• Wet Cleaning is a highly specialized, modern, and computer-controlled process that uses water, but with precise temperature and moisture control, as well as biodegradable detergents. Unlike a regular washing machine, wet cleaning is gentle enough even for many “dry clean only” garments, offering a truly eco-friendly alternative.

Cleanfax utilizes both methods, with our expert technicians analyzing each fabric to select the most effective and gentle cleaning process. Our advanced technology ensures that even the most fragile items are handled with the utmost care.

3. Can Stains Be Removed Completely?

While we have an extremely high success rate, not all stains can be removed completely. The key factors are:

• Stain Type: Oil-based stains (grease, makeup), protein-based stains (blood, food), and ink or dye stains require different chemical treatments.
• Fabric Type: The material’s composition (e.g., cotton vs. silk) dictates the type of solvent and agitation that can be used without causing damage.
• Time: The sooner a stain is treated, the higher the chance of complete removal. Old, set-in stains are much more difficult to lift.

Our precision chemical dispensing systems allow us to apply a targeted, pre-treatment solution for each unique stain, maximizing the chances of success while protecting the fabric’s integrity. We provide a thorough consultation on every heavily stained item to manage customer expectations.

4. How Should I Store Clothes Long-Term?

Proper long-term storage is essential for preserving seasonal or special-occasion garments. Follow these crucial steps:

• Thorough Cleaning: Always have clothes professionally cleaned before storage. Hidden dirt, oils, and perspiration can attract pests like moths and silverfish and lead to permanent yellowing or mildew.
• Breathable Garment Bags: Use cotton or canvas garment bags instead of plastic. Plastic traps moisture, which can cause mildew and yellowing over time.
• Cool, Dry, Dark Place: Store clothes in a location with stable temperature and low humidity to prevent fiber damage. Avoid basements or attics where temperatures fluctuate.
• Moth Protection: Use natural moth repellents like cedar blocks or lavender sachets, which are a safe alternative to chemical mothballs.

For sensitive or high-value fabrics like wedding gowns and evening wear, Cleanfax offers professional preservation and specialized garment storage solutions to keep them in pristine condition for years.

5. Is Laundry Pick-Up and Delivery Available in Nairobi?

Yes! In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key. Cleanfax offers a seamless, on-demand laundry pick-up and delivery service across Nairobi. You can easily schedule a pick-up through our website or a dedicated mobile app, choose a convenient time slot, and our team will collect your laundry and deliver it back to you, fresh and perfectly cleaned. This service is designed to save you time and effort, making professional laundry care more accessible than ever.

6. What Fabrics Require Extra Care?

Certain fabrics demand specialized handling to maintain their quality:

• Silk: Prone to watermarks and damage from high heat. Requires gentle dry cleaning.
• Wool & Cashmere: Can shrink and lose shape with improper washing. Dry cleaning or gentle wet cleaning is recommended.
• Linen: Known for its tendency to wrinkle heavily. Requires professional pressing to achieve a crisp, polished finish.
• Rayon: A semi-synthetic fiber that can lose shape and color when wet. Best handled by dry cleaning.

Our state-of-the-art RFID garment tracking system tags each item, allowing us to monitor its journey through our facility and ensure it is processed according to its specific fabric requirements, minimizing the risk of damage.

7. How Do I Prepare Clothes Before Sending Them to the Laundry?

A little preparation goes a long way to ensure the best results. Before you pack your clothes for us, we recommend that you:

• Empty Pockets: Check all pockets for personal items like pens, coins, or paper, which can damage clothes and machines.
• Separate Items: Place heavily soiled or stained garments in a separate bag and alert our staff about the specific stains.
• Communicate Concerns: If a garment has a loose button, a delicate embellishment, or a tear, let us know. This allows our team to provide the appropriate pre-treatment and handling from the very beginning.

8. Do You Offer Same-Day or Express Laundry Services?

Life in Nairobi can be unpredictable, and urgent needs arise. For those last-minute emergencies—a sudden business meeting, a forgotten outfit for a special event, or travel plans—Cleanfax provides an express same-day service. This ensures your garments are professionally cleaned, pressed, and ready for you within hours, without compromising on quality.

9. Can Comforters, Duvets, and Curtains Be Professionally Cleaned?

Yes, absolutely. Large and bulky household items like comforters, duvets, blankets, curtains, and even upholstery require specialized equipment that most home washing machines cannot handle. Our industrial-grade washers and dryers are designed to manage these items safely and effectively, removing allergens, dust mites, and dirt, and leaving them fresh, sanitized, and fluffy. This is a vital service for maintaining a clean and healthy home environment.

10. What Eco-Friendly Options Are Available?

Sustainability is a core pillar of our operations. We are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint by using:

• Biodegradable Detergents: Our detergents are free of harsh chemicals that can harm the environment.
• Precision Water Control: Our modern machines use precise water levels for each load, reducing water waste significantly compared to traditional methods.
• Energy-Efficient Equipment: We invest in state-of-the-art, energy-saving machines that consume less power.

Our advanced technology ensures superior cleaning results while being responsible stewards of the environment.

11. How Do You Handle Special Garments Like Wedding Dresses?

Wedding gowns, evening dresses, and traditional attire like kitenge and kaftans are often irreplaceable and hold significant sentimental value. At Cleanfax, we treat them as such. Each garment is meticulously hand-inspected for stains, delicate embellishments, and fabric type. We use specialized, gentle cleaning techniques and offer professional preservation and packaging services to ensure these cherished garments remain pristine for future generations.

12. Is Professional Laundry Expensive?

While there is a cost associated with professional cleaning, it is a smart long-term investment. Regular, professional care extends the lifespan of your garments by preventing fiber damage from aggressive home washing and ensuring proper stain removal. This reduces the need for frequent replacements, saving you money in the long run. Cleanfax offers competitive pricing and convenient subscription packages for frequent customers, making professional care both affordable and accessible.

13. What Happens If a Garment Is Damaged?

We pride ourselves on our meticulous processes and advanced tracking systems, which significantly reduce the chance of damage. Every item undergoes a multi-point inspection upon arrival and before being returned. In the rare instance that damage occurs, we have a transparent customer satisfaction policy. Our team will promptly investigate the issue, and where applicable, we offer a resolution that may include repair, compensation, or replacement, based on our transparent terms of service.

14. How Long Does Laundry Take?

Our turnaround times are designed for efficiency:

• Standard Laundry: Typically ready for pick-up or delivery within 24-48 hours.
• Express Service: Guarantees same-day results for urgent needs.
• Bulk/Commercial Laundry: Timelines are customized to meet the specific demands of your business, ensuring consistency and timely delivery.

15. Do You Offer Commercial Laundry Services?

Yes, we are a trusted partner for numerous businesses across Nairobi. We provide comprehensive bulk laundry solutions for:

• Hotels & Airbnbs: Linens, towels, and staff uniforms.
• Restaurants: Tablecloths, napkins, and chef uniforms.
• Salons & Spas: Towels and robes.
• Medical Facilities: Uniforms and other medical linens.

Our digital monitoring systems guarantee consistency, hygiene, and on-time delivery, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations.

16. Can You Handle Stubborn Odors?

Lingering odors from smoke, sweat, mildew, or pets can be difficult to remove with standard home washing. We employ specialized techniques to eliminate them at the source. Our process includes using powerful odor-neutralizing detergents and, for tougher cases, ozone cleaning, which penetrates deep into the fibers to break down odor-causing bacteria without damaging the fabric.

17. Do You Provide Alterations and Repairs?

To provide a complete garment care solution, Cleanfax offers minor repairs and alterations. Our skilled tailors can handle everything from button replacements and seam mending to hemming trousers or dresses. This ensures your clothes are not only clean but also in perfect ready-to-wear condition when they are returned to you.

18. How Should I Clean Delicate Household Linens?

Delicate household items like tablecloths, bed linens, and napkins, especially those with intricate lace or embroidery, should be handled with care. We use mild detergents and gentle cleaning cycles to preserve the fabric. Professional pressing is also a key part of our service, which ensures your linens are returned with a crisp, flawless finish, perfect for special occasions or everyday use.

19. Why Should I Choose Professional Laundry Instead of Home Washing?

Professional laundry offers several distinct advantages:

• Superior Cleaning: Our industrial-grade machines and specialized solvents remove deep-seated dirt, allergens, and tough stains that home washing can’t.
• Fabric Safety: Our experts are trained to identify and treat various fabrics correctly, preventing shrinkage, stretching, or fading.
• Time & Convenience: It saves you valuable time and effort, allowing you to focus on more important tasks.
• Polished Finish: We provide professional pressing and folding, giving your clothes a crisp, polished, and ready-to-wear look.

20. Where Can I Find Cleanfax Branches in Nairobi?

We’ve made professional laundry care convenient with multiple branches located across Nairobi. To find the nearest Cleanfax location or to schedule a pick-up, you can visit the “Our Branches” section on our website.

Your Trusted Partner in Fabric Care in Nairobi.

Laundry is more than just cleaning clothes, it’s about fabric care, hygiene, and extending the life of your garments. At Cleanfax Laundry and Cleaners Ltd, we combine decades of professional expertise with advanced laundry technology to deliver reliable, eco-friendly, and affordable laundry services in Nairobi.

By trusting us with your clothes, you’re not just getting a clean garment; you’re investing in quality, convenience, and peace of mind.