How does dry cleaning work in Korea?

Dry cleaning in Korea is convenient and reasonably priced compared to many countries. Dry cleaning shops called 세탁소 are found in almost every neighborhood, typically near apartment complexes, subway exits, or traditional markets. Most also offer regular laundry and basic alterations alongside dry cleaning.

For pricing, cleaning a dress shirt usually costs around 3,000 to 5,000 KRW, a suit jacket around 6,000 to 10,000 KRW, and a coat or heavy winter jacket between 8,000 and 20,000 KRW. Delicate or specialty items like gowns or leather may cost more. Standard turnaround is one to three days, and many shops offer same-day service for an additional charge if you drop items off in the morning.

When you drop off your items, you will receive a ticket or the shop will take your phone number for pickup notification. Many larger apartment complexes have automated locker-based laundry systems where you drop off and collect your cleaning without needing to interact with staff, which is very practical. There are also app-based services like Laundrall that offer scheduled pickup and delivery if you prefer not to visit in person, usually at a slightly higher cost but with the convenience of booking through your phone. Communication at local shops is generally straightforward even without Korean, as pointing at items and using fingers for the number of days works just fine.