New York celebrities regularly drop off their duds with this high-end cleaner, and one entrusted her couture pieces to Cameo after her apartment was ravaged by a fire. And with good cause: Owner Jerry Pozniak has been cleaning wedding gowns for about fifteen years, and his well-trained eye can identify and treat just about any stain ($400-$800). Although he usually needs two or three weeks, Pozniak has fixed disasters overnight. Free pickup and delivery in Manhattan (it costs about $50 for the outer boroughs).
Chris French Cleaners
57 Fourth Ave., at 9th St.; 212-475-5444; chriscleaners.comManhattan brides bring gowns from practically every designer to be cleaned here. Ordinarily, a dress takes four to six weeks, but French can rush it in one to three ($300-$700). He doesn't offer storage, but pickup and delivery are free.
Fashion Award Cleaners
2205 Broadway, nr. 78th St.; 212-289-5623These thorough cleaners use UV light to catch invisible stains that would show up as yellow spots years from now. Allow two weeks for cleaning (from $600). No storage, and pickup and delivery are free only if you live within a few blocks of the shop.
Hallak Cleaners
1232 Second Ave., nr. 65th St.; 212-879-4694; hallakcleaners.comThis family-owned business uses four different methods of cleaning, depending on the gown. Hallak can clean in a week if you're in a hurry, but the average is three to four weeks (from $475). Pickup and delivery are available, and shipping is free; storage is $100 per year.
J. Scheer & Co.
6 E. 74th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-570-1511; jscheer.comTrained in textile science, owner Jonathan Scheer is a master at fabric preservation. He subjects what passes through his doors to a battery of tests to determine how best to clean it ($395-$795). Free pickup, delivery, and shipping.
Madame Paulette
1255 Second Ave., nr. 66th St.; 877-268-8873; madamepaulette.comPicture someone on his hands and knees with a Q-Tip and magnifying glass-that's about the level of scrutiny you can expect here. Jobs take four to six weeks (from $500), but under special circumstances they can be done in 24 hours. Tailoring services are available for sample-sale gowns. Free pickup and delivery in Manhattan.
Meurice Garment Care
31 University Pl., nr. 9th St.; 212-475-2778; 245 E. 57th St., nr. Second Ave.; 212-759-9057; 20 Park Ave., nr. Plandome Rd., Manhasset, N.Y.; 516-627-6060; garmentcare.comBrides longing to wear their great-grandmother's dress bring their gowns here for the Über-treatment, which includes restoration (from $624), alteration (from $25), reconstruction (from $1,500), and cleaning and preservation (from $511). The cleaning process is right out of CSI: They use UV light to uncover stains invisible to the naked eye.
