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You won’t find this economic indicator being debated on the news, but dry cleaners across the nation know the economic situation is growing darker: deeper rings around the necks and cuffs of the clothes being brought in by customers. The economy really stinks for neighborhood dry cleaners in a number of ways. Consumers are looking to stretch their dollar and going wearing clothing longer before bringing it in to be cleaned. It costs dry cleaners more to clean the garments with more stains and odor because it takes more chemicals and energy to get them clean.
If dirtier clothes and fewer clients are not enough for the local dry cleaner, most are dealing with higher prices for cleaning chemicals, plastic bags, and energy because of the rising price of fuel.
There is also a shortage of wire hangers in some parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Commerce placed a tariff on wire hangers imported from China. Many cleaners are now asking customers to return hangers because in some cases, the prices for basic hanger have doubled!
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