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Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
Horton Hears A Tale Of Gender Inequality

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Alys Brangwin has a huge talent
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
This makes me grateful for the assholes who run the $2.75 dry cleaners. Everything's 2.75.
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angryblackgurl
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
Hand wash, or wash in machine on gentle, save your money and it does not have that weird dry clean smell.
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Interior_League
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
Shoes cost the same regardless of size, so you small-footed types all subsidize my footwear. Just bought a new pair of size 13 boots.
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Lymed
02/05/09

@Interior_League: It's worth it for the choices we have
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Hana Maru
02/05/09

@Interior_League: My husband wears a size 13 and most men's shoes don't come in that size. How is it finding women's shoes?
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tscheese
02/05/09

@Interior_League: Oh damn, size 12 right here.

I find that designers who actually HAVE the lasts to make shoes in our sizes tend to charge more in general across the entire spectrum of sizes. (If it's not really cheap mass-produced stuff like Payless.)

It baffles me. Because we're OUT HERE, and we need shoes that are not made of crappy plastic or made for exotic dancers. And there are more of us than they think.
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boxspelunker
02/05/09

@tscheese: Size 10 or 11 here, and YES THANK YOU. I usually buy men's.

I don't like stripper heels for myself. Others are free to wear lucite, but I would like a nice pair of shoes for working and school (not all strippers wear lucite and I mean no offense to strippers!). I try to buy earth-friendly footwear (a problem in and of itself for cost), but it so rarely fits me. I have wide feet, too, so a lot of women's shoes hurt my feet by pinching. And jobs look down on your if you wear men's shoes! Argh, I can't win here. It would be nice if no one cared, but they do.
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Lymed
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
I feel like the post suggests that because most people can't afford $7 to clean a shirt, it's not an important issue. Perhaps I'm misreading, but at least one poster raised the issue that this is a rich person's issue.

First, dry cleaning is not just a rich person's issues. Many people uniforms that have to be dry cleaned. Many of these people are not wealthy. Some could possibly wash and iron their uniform if they weren't working 2 jobs. Many people with disabilities can't do laundry.

Second, even if it is a rich person's issue, it doesn't make discrimination ok. Discrimination is always wrong and it can sink all boats. Because any discrimination that is accepted makes it easier for people to accept other discrimination.
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Khrushchev
02/05/09

@Lymed: Thank you. I'm not getting why everyone wants to dismiss this.
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LaFemme
02/05/09

@Lymed: As I replied to someone else, try being a young person working in a big city on a government salary and being required to wear a suit everyday. Rich person's issue my ass.
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Lymed
02/05/09

@LaFemme: A lot of my work clothes are dry clean because I lost the use of my hands for a year. I was lucky that there was a $2.25 almost any item down the street from me. But not every place has cheap dry cleaners.
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Hana Maru
02/05/09

@Lymed: Thank you. all discrimination is a problem.
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formergr
02/06/09

@Lymed: Thank you. I love Jezebel and I love the commenting community, but occasionally a post will pop up that ends up revealing a lot of bitterness towards anyone who isn't broke.

I've been dry cleaning (judiciously, and only when absolutely needed) since I was right out of college and absolutely broke. You really can't hand-wash a suit effectively, or press it after washing properly. And if it's a wool suit, you are asking for trouble.

And Dryel doesn't clean anything-- it's no different than spraying Febereze on something and hoping it masks any odors in the fabric.
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Eldritch
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
I always thought they charged more because a woman's shirt buttons on the other side of a mans, and for that they have to be cleaned differently. And that's a hold over from when women didn't dress themselves and their maids buttoned their shirts. Since most maids were right handed, the buttons were on that side to make it easier for a maid to dress her lady.

I don't mind paying more for shoes or haircuts or dry cleaning. The only gender inequality in clothing that PISSES ME THE FUCK OFF is pants size. A guy always knows what size he is in any brand at all. A 32, a 36 inch... whatever. A woman? 8, 12, 4, 1, 0, 16? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS? Vanity sizing drives me up a fucking wall. All women's pants should be in waist measurements too, DAMMIT!
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Stabby McStabberson
02/05/09

@Eldritch: i'm so with you on the sizing thing. we need standard measurements as sizes and get rid of this vanity sizing nonsense. then if someone wants to be obsessed with saying they are a small size their muffin tops will give it all away.
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boxspelunker
02/05/09

@Eldritch: I once dreamed of making women's pants.

My sizing was this: waist, hips, inseam.

I have a smallish waist and big ol' hips. Women's pants always gapped out in the back on me (oddly enough, men's pants do not. I don't know why). So I thought that putting it in measurements would help women find pants that fit! But alas, I am not a fashionable person and would never make it in the fashion world. So, non-standard sizing it is, since clearly, I am the only one who can solve it. Le sigh.
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flaxen_vixen
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
I said it before, but there are so few fabrics that ACTUALLY need to be dry cleaned. All clothing in sold in this country must have a care tag on it, most designers are lazy and just put "dry clean" on it so they aren't responsible if you wash it improperly.

If you hand wash in cold water with a mild soap and then drip dry you're gonna be fine.
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LaFemme
02/05/09

@flaxen_vixen: I agree, though I think the exception to this is structured garments or anything with a lining. Example, washing a 96% wool sweater in cold water should be fine, but I would screw around with a 96& wool suit blazer or pleated skirt.
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flaxen_vixen
02/05/09

@LaFemme: Ok you got me on suits, but I have hand washed wool pleated skirts in cold water and just made sure to block them out and reshape the pleats on a terrycloth towel on the floor. If it needed any extra ironing, that's what the wool setting on my iron is for.
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athenaswisdom
02/05/09

@flaxen_vixen: Christ, you have time for all this gentle clothes care???
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flaxen_vixen
02/05/09

@athenaswisdom: Ya got me...this is (one of) my (many) obsessive(s). I wash my delicates in my bathtub about once a month with Woolite and then drip dry or block them out en masse on an old cotton comforter on my floor. Also, I have an unhealthy obsesion with ironing and Niagra spray starch.
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TheUptightMidwesterner
02/05/09

@athenaswisdom: No- which is why I hand washed 3 sweaters last night at 1145 pm when I had to be up getting ready for work at 430 am.

Still cheaper than dry cleaning!
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ionu
02/05/09

@flaxen_vixen:

I am the same way.I purchase many things from the Salvation Army so I can relate. I block the garment on a towel and place them next to a box fan. Easy. I also rinse my silk blouses with hair conditioner and use vinegar to whiten and remove funny odors from thrift stores.. I wash nearly all my Dry Clean Only ( even lined garments) by hand. Except Rayon.My Rayon always shrink! Any suggestions?
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boxspelunker
02/05/09

@ionu: Wow, this is full of great ideas!

I never use a dryer, unless I do laundry at my mom's house. I live in an old, crappy apartment complex, and it's $1.00 to wash and $0.75 to dry. Drying would take at least twice through, so we just hang up the clothes and let them dry.

The problem is that no one cleans out the washing machine, so everything gets all linty. :/

My issue is that I sweat ALL THE TIME. It has been utterly impossible to find any deodorant that lack aluminum and stops me from sweating. Any synthetic fabric, like polyester, makes me the stinkiest person ever. You can smell me from like, 6 feet away!

The shirt's not dirty, it just smells really bad. Can I use vinegar for that?
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formergr
02/06/09

@boxspelunker: Don't know if vinegar works, but if you sweat a lot, have you tried a anti-perspirant called Drysol? It's super-hardcore, but still sold at most drugstores and without a prescription, and it works for about 24 hours at a time. If that isn't strong enough, your doctor can actually prescribe an anti-perpirant that will stop all sweat in its tracks!
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boxspelunker
02/06/09

@formergr: @ionu: I have not tried Drysol. I use Tom's, because it smells nice, is earth-friendly-ish and doesn't make me break out. But I will try this Drysol you speak of, because sometimes, it's seriously like rivulets of sweat. AWESOME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE VINEGAR TIPS. Oh, man, you are the best! I am gonna go buy some vinegar today and check it out! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Penny_Esq
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
Brooks Brothers no-iron button downs. Some of mine are five years old and there are still crisp creases down the arms.
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Emmersct
02/05/09

@Penny_Esq gives a f*ck about an Oxford comma.: LOVE LOVE LOVE them. Also, you wouldn't expect it from Brooks Bros., but the fitted ones are actually capable of accomodating a big rack, which is rare in a button-front shirt.
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formergr
02/06/09

@Emmersct: I've heard about these shirts, and now that you've mentioned the big rack accommodation, I may have to order a couple to try! If the sleeves are long enough, then I will be in love! (I have freakishly long but skinny arms, so small shirts always end about 4 inches above my wrists).
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RobertaFisk
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
People pay $7 per shirt? Most dry-clean only stuff can be hand-washed, if you're willing to take a bit of a risk.
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athenaswisdom
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
I just cannot get on board with this crusade. Men's suits are generally more expensive than women's suits, as are their work shirts(and please note use of generally...I'm sure there are some instances where that's not true, but I recently accompanied the bf to buy a suit and experienced some real sticker shock). Let's just let it go?
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Khrushchev
02/05/09

@athenaswisdom: Yeah, but it's not like she's proposing a massive boycott. She's just putting that information out there. I don't see why she should "let it go."
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pennycandy
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
dry cleaning is really hard on clothes? I thought that was the point - to take clothes that can't handle the washing machine? Am I completely off here?
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badmutha
02/05/09

@pennycandy: Usually it is the fabric that will stain or shrink in water. You don't wash silks, or some rayon, or wool.
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TheUptightMidwesterner
02/05/09

@badmutha: I do. Brief, gentle handwashing, in very cold water. Block the blouse or sweater on a towel on a table.

I will only dry clean leathers and down.
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Khrushchev
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
Well, the article states that the unisex machine is actually about half the price as the current machine, although it does clean at a slower pace.

To me, her concern seems valid. Should we wait until the recession is over to start caterwauling about the patriarchy?
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AtomiClash: humanitarian misanthrope
02/05/09

@Khrushchev: Certainly not, but perhaps this comes under the "bigger fish to fry" category.

(Just not near this shirt, it's dry-clean only.)
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Khrushchev
02/05/09

@AtomiClash: No doubt, but I don't think she or the New York Times writer is treating it as the most pressing (pun!) issue in the world. She's not doing anything more than taking note of an inequality.
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Grim Reaper of the Forest
02/05/09

@Khrushchev: Yeah, and I didn't think dry-cleaning was exclusively a rich person's concern. I only take my stuff once a year because I am disgusting, but I do dry-clean all my work suits.
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kelsium
02/05/09

@Khrushchev: It's not so much a pause that I would suggest as moment for a second thought as to whether this is really an important issue. Though, maybe a recession is a good time to stop and ask why women are always getting screwed harder economically.
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Khrushchev
02/05/09

@Grim Reaper of the Forest: Yeah, I am poor as shit and I still go to the dry cleaners sometimes.

@kelsium: Well, isn't that what she's doing? I doubt that this is this lady's sole purpose in life. But I think she's taking note of something important, even if it seems small.
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Hana Maru
02/05/09

@AtomiClash: In that case, why waste time writing a post on Jezebel about how this woman wasted her time?
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hortense
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
Paid less and charged more. Man, I feel like a woman! Ow ow!
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kelsium
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
This is certainly a toss up: I care about gender inequality... I don't care about rich people problems... Oh, yeah, there is it...

BUY A DAMN WASHING MACHINE and invest in those little dry cleaning bags you can run through your dryer.
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Lazy Line Painter Jane
02/05/09

@kelsium: not everyone can have a washing machine! I would love one, but I rent my apartment.
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argle-bargle? or fou-ferraw?
02/05/09

@Lazy Line Painter Jane: word! i've not had a washer/dryer in my home for the last seven years... i cannot WAIT until i'm able to do laundry without leaving the house!
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kelsium
02/05/09

@Lazy Line Painter Jane: But I bet if these people are sending out their dry cleaning once a week they could afford one. That's my point. I feel you, though. Coin-Laudromats rip off everyone equally.
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LaFemme
02/05/09

@kelsium: Yeah, try having to wear a suit every day of your life (or 5-6 days a week) and living in a big city on a government salary. I would beg to differ on the "rich people's problem" and on the "could afford a washing machine" and also on the "could afford to frequently replace all professional clothing inevitable RUINED by said washing machine/dryer treatment."
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RainbowBrite
02/05/09

@kelsium: Ok, my apartment does not have laundry and I work a professional job that requires clothing that is typically dry-clean only. I cannot do Dryel, or whatever at home, so I really have no choice but to dry clean things. It really is bullshit that my white button-down shirt is $5.75, and my fiancee's is $2.50.

My solution is to not dry clean my clothes as much, but then they get gross and wear out faster.

So, uh, anyway, drycleaning isn't for rich assholes. I'm not rich, and yet this is still a problem.
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J.D.Regent
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
who, who pays 7 bucks to get a shirt cleaned? at my place it's a dollar an item, no distinctions on what kind of garment. sue those fuckers for highway robbery!
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Lymed
02/05/09

@J.D.Regent: Dry cleaning in California is insane. I had a $2.25 per item place in DC. I wouldn't bring anything expensive there, but perfect it was perfect for maily work where. Now my dry clean only clothes are sitting in a box dirty in Cali. Places near my house want to charge $9-$10 for pants.
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LaFemme
02/05/09

@Lymed: @J.D.Regent: Ok guys...where are your cheap DC places? Because I have been to several around me and everyone charges about 4.50 to 5 dollars a shirt, 5 dollars skirt/pants, 13 a coat, 8 a blazer. If I didnt have dryel I would probably spend 200 dollars every 2 weeks on dry cleaning. I wear a suit every day during the week and it is ridiculously expensive to keep everything looking ok.
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Lymed
02/05/09

@LaFemme: There is a really cheap place on Connecticut Ave near Cleveland Park I think. There is also a place on Columbia Rd, west of 18th street, that is inexpensive and gives a discount for pre-paying. But be aware that some items are more than the posted rate, so ask before dropping off. Anything with decoration or special pleats is a regular dry cleaner price.
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WashingMyHair
02/05/09

@LaFemme: I haven't used dry cleaning in a while, but these guys are cheap (any garmet - $1.99) and all over the DC metro area.

Check out their website: 321zips.com
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BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit)
02/05/09

In reply to Taken To The Cleaners: The Dry Cleaning Glass Ceiling
This is so true. When I bring in my husband's furry dog costume it costs $25 to dry clean, mine is $35. And his is the one with the fancy chastity belt on it!
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tscheese
02/05/09

@BrutallyHonestZombies: I know it might pain you to do this, but you'd keep them a lot cleaner if you'd just cut holes in them.

Victorians + sheets style.
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badmutha
02/05/09

@BrutallyHonestZombies: Well that makes no sense. Why on earth would you take the belt to the dry cleaners? They are constantly loosing belts, and then where would you be, hmmmm?
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