Why A Harlem Dry Cleaner Offers Free Cleanings For Job Interviews

HARLEM, NY — There are few more nerve wracking experiences than interviewing for a new job, but this Harlem dry cleaners will help iron out the wrinkles.

DryCleanNYC, which has three of its five locations in Harlem and another in Inwood, offers a special deal it started during the COVID pandemic for people trying to land a new gig.

"If you are unemployed and need an outfit cleaned for an interview, we will clean it for free," a sign reads posted to the front door of DryCleanNYC at 708 St. Nicholas Ave. near West 145th Street.

Elton Cerda, the owner and team leader of the 145th Street location, told Patch that the program started during the pandemic as a way to give back to the community.

"Primarily, we are just trying to give back as we have been in the Harlem community for many years," Cerda said. "The COVID pandemic was a setback for pretty much everyone — people lost jobs — so we figured we can find a way to help."

"Nice looking clothes make people feel more confident in these interviews, and people who use our deal are always very honest," he added.

There is no proof requirement to get the free cleaning, Cerda says.

The initiative from the dry cleaning business received revamped attention on Tuesday when a photo of the sign made the rounds on uptown Facebook groups to the tune of hundreds of likes from community members.

DryCleanNYC has over 600 4.7-star verified customer reviews and an 100 percent money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied with the job.

The dry cleaning business is still offering the deal at all five of its locations, which you can check out on its website.

Harlem Council Member Shaun Abreu told Patch that DryCleanNYC's is proof of what he's always known about his community: "We help out with each other."

"The community dry cleaner is a representation of who we are, it's a representation of when we're there for each other, our community thrives, and that's what we do in Harlem," Abreu said.

"When we talk about our small businesses being our backbone, we're not kidding about that in Harlem."