Marias French Dry Cleaner

Just perfect cleaning and alteration… every single time. Their cleaning of duvet covers is particularly exceptional. They take extra care in all their cleaning of all items. The owners are lovely, caring people who go beyond what one would expect from a dry cleaner company.

This dry cleaning shop is run by a warm and friendly couple with the best intentions for your clothes, and for the most part these intentions are realized. They do, like many mom & pop dry cleaning fronts, outsource the work (except for alterations) to a dry cleaning plant. Few dry cleaners do the cleaning themselves or at locations they themselves own. As someone concerned about the environment you should know they use a hydrocarbon solvent. These types of solvents are produced by companies like Exxon Mobile and are one of two popular choices for solvent that are replacing PERC, the other being «GreenEarth» which is a silicone based solvent. It is debatable if either is good for us for the environment, but it’s a step up from PERC, a potentially cancer causing solvent which is being phased out in California. Hydrocarbon solvents were used before PERC in the 50s but where originally phased out because because of their high flash point (fire). Later the flash point was lowered to make it a workable solvent as a replacement for PERC. (A little dry cleaning history for you, so that you’re aware that earth friendly dry cleaning isn’t actually that earth friendly or «dry!») Solvent is expensive, so it’s important that a good dry cleaner change the solvent often so that it remains clear like water. If you were to dry clean a wedding dress for example, you would ask for Virgin solvent. Dirty solvent can deposit an unsavory hue into clothes as well as leave a «smell». Back to Maria’s Cleaners… They have always priced fairly and for the most part the work they do is excellent. Are they the best dry cleaner in Marin? Maybe not, but they are among the most reasonably priced– more «bang» for your buck. I wish the communication was better as there is a bit of a language barrier.

Recently, I needed to have a dress hemmed for a meeting the next day and I knew it would be impossible but Maria got on it and handed me my dress the next morning. There has never been a time when I’ve not been able to pick up my cleaning on time. They are so sweet & professional and they will bend over backward to make sure you’re happy. Now they are in the process of moving and if I call– they literally come to my office, pick up the order and then deliver it to my door. I’m going to get spoiled! I really appreciate the extra care they take and the extra miles (literally) they go for their customers. Pam

So, here they are, newly open right downtown Tiburon. Decided to test the waters with their alteration service because Maria French Cleaner is so conveniently located and the woman there is super sweet (which is a big plus). Gave her 2 pairs of pajama pants to change the elastic, couldn’t be more simple than that. The service I was told would cost $ 18. When I came to pick up my pants I was overcharged by $ 5 which is not a lot, but still tha’t not how you run business. You don’t tell the customer one price and then charge him a different one. At least if the work was good, but it wasn’t. I am not sure where did this woman learn to sew but the seam was uneven. The elastic was not a whole piece but 3 pieces sewen somewhow together and so badly done that I am glad I gave her pajama pants and not something I would have been really upset if she ruined it.
Please, do not use their alteration service sunless you want your clothes ruined.

«So sorry. So sorry» are the hardest words to hear from your dry cleaner. But that’s the response every time I try to pick something up.
Maria is sweet and runs the operation by herself. She needs help.
My dry cleaning has never been ready when promised. My tailoring has never been ready as promised and even the laundry hasn’t been ready as promised. Worse, it was a damp pile when I picked it up. $ 30 for a few items. Yikes.
Two stars instead of one because of her personality.
What can I say? Wished Maria had her act together. So sorry. So sorry.