Wire Hangers, Power Costs Increase Dry Cleaning Prices

HONOLULU -- Rising costs for wire hangers, electricity and gas to power their steam presses are hitting dry cleaning businesses and customers.

In March, the federal government imposed high tariffs on wire hangers imported from China, because the feds concluded the Chinese were flooding the market in the U.S. to put rivals out of business.

There is only one wire hanger manufacturer remaining in the United States, so prices are skyrocketing.

Cal's Cleaners, formerly known as Clyde's, along King Street between Piikoi and Keeaumoku streets, has not raised its basic prices for two years.

The family-owned business said it will not raise prices now despite a 50 percent increase in wire hanger costs since April.

"It's been bad, but we're surviving," owner Ann Harada said.

Harada said they have hiked prices for specialty items like blankets and wedding dresses, but kept aloha shirts at $3.50 and long pants at $5.25.

"We just love our customers, you know? They trust us. We trust them. They're not going to let, see us go under," Harada said.

Customers are encouraged to return their wire hangers, and many do.

"Even if I don't have cleaning, I'll just bring them back because I know they need them and it keeps costs down and it's the right thing to do," customer Annabel Chotzen said.

At Young Laundry, they are reeling from a 40 percent hike in wire hanger costs. The company added a 2 percent fuel service charge last month to cover higher electricity and gas price.

Customers can download coupons from their Web site to save 30 percent off a laundry or dry cleaning order if they bring in wire hangers to recycle.

Caesar's Cleaners began charging a fuel service charge of 4.5 percent in April. Caesar's said it is paying roughly 20 percent more for its hangers in the last couple of months. Caesar's Cleaners are offering 10 cents off an order for every recyclable wire brought in, up to 10 hangers, for up to $1 off an order.

Al Phillips said its fuel and wire hanger costs have gone up too. This month, Al Phillips raised its prices by 5 percent.

Hakuyosha Dry Cleaners, with 15 locations on Oahu, said it has already paid 28 percent more for wire hangers this spring and is bracing for another increase of about 75 percent in the months ahead.

Hakuyosha raised its rates for customers by about 10 centers one year ago. A spokesman said the company will have to raise their prices again shortly because of all the rising costs.