Wash on the Rocks has been established in Sydney for more then 20 years specializing in Dry Cleaning and Laundry Services for the private customer and for corporate offices in and around the CBD of Sydney. From 2008 we are delighted to offer our valued customer also a quality - state of the art - in house Dry Cleaning Service.

…here just a few of our services…

Dry Cleaning - Same Day Service Available

Shirts Service - Starched, Folded or Hanging

Private Household Linen

Tourist Service | Same Day Service Available including pick up & delivery from your hotel

Laundry / Wash – Dry & Fold Bag wash Service

Other Services

Dry Cleaning - Same Day Service Available

A Short History on Dry Cleaning

The dry cleaning process originated in France in 1825 and was discovered by accident when a worker in a cleaning factory spilled lamp oil, which is a petroleum-based solvent, on a soiled tablecloth. When the table cloth dried, Viola! the stains were gone and a new industry emerged. The new cleaning method was called dry because it used turpentine and kerosene and not “wet” water. Within a few years, they started using benzene and gasoline, which were more refined and had fewer industrial petroleum impurities. These great advances in cleaning had the slight drawback of the solvents being highly flammable. More than one early dry cleaning shop burst into flame or was blown out of the neighborhood. Oh, yes … the clothes also stank like a gas tank after being cleaned.

Over the years, less explosive petroleum-based solvents were introduced and then in 1928, a new almost odorless, petroleum-based solvent called Stoddard Solvent swept the dry cleaning industry. With a much higher flashpoint making it less explosive and flammable, Stoddard Solvent really cleaned up, but dry cleaning fires were still all too common.

In the early 1900s, chemists were discovering how to synthesize chlorinated hydrocarbons. These nonflammable solvents quickly found their way into dry cleaning shops. Carbon tetrachloride was the early contender but it was highly toxic and had the unfortunate side effect of corroding metals and textiles. But, science marches on and on and by the 1950s, carbon tetrachloride was being replaced by perchloroethylene.

Dry Cleaning! What else?

• Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using an organic solvent rather than water -generally known as dry cleaning fluids and typically is perchloroethylene - known as perc in the industry - or hydrocarbon solvents. Dry cleaning is necessary for cleaning items which would otherwise be damaged by water and  soap or detergent. It may also be sought if washing by hand — another alternative for some delicate fabrics — is seen as laborious. Dry cleaning is favoured by garment manufacturers, particularly because it will not harm the fabric or the construction of the item. Dry cleaning favours the removal of grease & oil based stains whereas wet cleaning / washing favours water based stains. For this reason we should always be advised as to the nature of the stain.
  
  
• Moths Love Dirty Clothes – This is a Fact. Moths always look for protein in stains, perspiration and other matter collected on our clothes. It is here that they lay their eggs, the larvae then feed on the protein and in the process eat the fabric, wool and cotton are at risk.
  
  
• If you find a moth in the wardrobe beware!
  
  
• Always clean your clothes as winter moves to summer. Not only do you lessen the risk of moth damage (which has increased dramatically over the last few years in Sydney, but your clothes are clean and ready as autumn returns. There are various methods of keeping the moths away and one of the most pleasant is using natural cedar, it smells pleasant to most humans, but the moths hate it.
   
• Never leave the plastic cover from the dry cleaner covering your clothes in your wardrobe, in humid conditions the clothes cannot breathe and this can help attract moths etc. To prevent dust gathering, cut the plastic cover some 4 inches ( 10 centimetres ) from the shoulder, this will act as dust protection, but still allow the fabric to breathe.

• Clothes should always be washed or dry cleaned regularly. Modern methods are not harmful to clothes, especially here at Wash on the Rocks where we have recently invested in the most technologically advanced dry cleaning machines available, enabling us to clean even the most delicate garments. Stains should always be treated as soon as possible, even though a stain may seem to disappear it is still there. These stains will “develop” over time and may well “set” and not be possible to remove at a later stage.
   
• Stains should never be rubbed, this can damage the fibres, and whilst not necessarily noticeable at the time of the “accident”, after cleaning may well result in colour or pile damage. Only blot a stain, preferably with clean white absorbent tissue and have it cleaned as soon as possible. Never put white wine on red wine or salt on a wine stain, this will only make the dry cleaner’s job more difficult and may result in the stain not being removed.
  
  
• Always try to point out any stains when bringing the garment for cleaning, and where possible identify the stain so that the correct treatment can be applied. Help Us To Help You.
  
  
• Fabrics are becoming ever more delicate, particularly in the “designer” and more expensive garments. Never apply deodorants, eau de toilette, perfume etc. whether in spray or solid form whilst wearing the garment. Always apply before dressing and allow to it dry. Modern deodorants etc. can damage a fine fabric particularly when mixed with perspiration.
  
  
• Garment manufacturers must by law attach a care label into every garment. This is to help the dry cleaner know which cleaning method to apply to the garment, in order to achieve the best result. All clothing manufacturers should test their garments, not just for cleanability, but the various component parts such as trims, sequins beads etc. as well as colour fastness, the suitability of glues (e.g. in hems and interlinings) and the fabric make up. Just because the garment was expensive to buy does not indicate that it has been fully tested.
  
  
• A garment without a care label will have to be cleaned at the owner’s risk. Since without a care label instruction from the manufacturer the cleaner may not know the best cleaning method to apply to the fabric, and therefore cannot be held responsible for the consequences. However here at Wash on the Rocks we should be able to give you the correct advice.
  
  
• There is no guarantee that a stain can be removed in dry cleaning or wet cleaning. Some modern fabrics have weak dyes, so that stain removal can be difficult, especially if the stain is stronger than the fabric dye, or has been left in the garment for some time. It is fair to say that stains left for more than one month may be difficult to remove, the longer they are left the more difficult it becomes. Nevertheless payment in full is still required as the cleaner will have spent considerable time trying to rejuvenate the item.

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Shirts Service - Starched, Folded or Hanging

We've been big on shirts for a long time. A good shirt service starts with attention and spot cleaning to collars and cuffs, followed by thorough laundering using special wash programs and detergents.

We have been told by many customers - to have the “whitest” Shirts in Sydney!

Then comes the important bit - the ironing. We've recently invested in a brand new state of the art shirt pressing machine that gives incredible results. Unlike some laundries that "press" your shirt with a puff of steam, our process presses with irons resulting in a crisp and professional finish. Your shirts are then normally returned on hangers, but if you prefer, our folding service is an option particularly popular with traveling customers . 

We usually starch your shirts lightly – if you do not like – please let us know.

Our volume and production efficiency allows us to provide a high quality service at a refreshing price.

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Private Household Linen

Linen

Here at Wash on the Rocks we take pride in the laundering of your personal bed linen. Ever wanted to sleep in the same nice sheets as during your last hotel stay?

We recommend to have your linen lightly starched – that gives them the nice crisp look! – but please let us know if you do not like starch. Every care is taken at each step of our process to ensure your laundry is beautifully finished prior to being returned to you in fresh plastic parcels.

Duvets, Doonas and Pillows

For proper deep cleaning of your bedding it is important that they move freely whilst washing. At Wash on the Rocks we have high capacity Laundry and Dry Cleaning machines just for that job! Whether polyester wool, feather or down filled, you can be rest assured we know what we’re doing.

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Travellers Service | Same Day Service including pick up & delivery from your CBD Hotels

Bring us your laundry and we wash, dry and fold it for you. For a small fee of $ 8.00 each way we also pick up or/and deliver your washing the same day from and back to your City Hotel. So you can fully enjoy your day out and on your return you will find your clean clothes in your hotel room!

Spoil yourself and have your washing also professionally ironed or dry cleaned.

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Laundry / Wash – Dry & Fold / Bag Wash Service

Wash - Dry & Fold / Bag Wash Service

Leave your mountains of washing to us and rest assured that we'll take good care of it. Our industrial washers give a really thorough clean, followed by drying and  attention to details when folding. Just leave your items in a bag (along with any special instructions) and we'll take care of it.

Other Services

• Formal Wear / Evening Wear / Cocktail Dresses
  
• Wedding Gowns (Bridal Gowns- Plain, Lace, Silk, Beaded, Trains, Veils, Petticoats, Bridesmaids Dress, Gloves)
  
• Curtains & Drapes (Take Down, Dry Clean & Re Hang Service, Curtain Repairs / Alterations / Weaving / Patching
  
• Delicate / Fragile / Silk - Hand Cleaned & Finished
  
• Furnishings - Bedspreads, Blankets, Quilts, Donnas, Sleeping Bags, Woolen Under blankets, Rugs, Car Seat Covers, Sheepskin Car Seat Covers, King Furnishings, Under lays
  
• Ski Wear & Reproofing (Waterproofing)
  
• Uniforms
  
• Pressing Service / Iron only service
  
• Children's Wear / School Wear
  
• Suede / Leather / Fur / Sheepskin Cleaning
  
• Corporate Laundry Services - Pillow Cases, Sheets, Mattress Covers, Serviettes, Tea Towels, Table Cloths, Aprons, Bath Towels
  
• Commercial Laundry

….and if it’s not on the list – just ask us!

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