Whether you are in China for a week-long business trip or a three-year posting, laundry is one of those everyday jobs that suddenly feels complicated. Washing machines have Chinese buttons, most apartments have no tumble dryer, and many local laundry apps only work in Chinese. The good news: once you know your options, getting clean, pressed clothes in China is easy and affordable.
This guide compares the main ways foreigners get laundry and dry cleaning done in China, what each one costs, how to pay, and the simplest way to book in English.
Why laundry can feel tricky in China
- Few home dryers. Most Chinese homes air-dry clothes on a balcony or rack, which takes a long time in humid cities and is hard in winter.
- The language barrier. Machine settings, care instructions and many laundry shops and apps are Chinese only.
- Payment. Many small shops only take WeChat Pay or Alipay — although both now accept international cards.
- Delicate items. Suits, silk, wool and down jackets need professional cleaning, not a quick machine wash.
Your four main options
1. Hotel laundry
Every international hotel offers a laundry list in the room. It is convenient — you leave a bag and it comes back to your room — but per-item prices are usually high, express service often costs extra, and the turnaround depends on the hotel’s schedule. Fine for one shirt in an emergency; expensive for a week of clothes.
2. Self-service laundromats
Coin or app-operated laundromats exist in some cities, mostly near universities and apartment compounds. They are cheap, but you do all the work, instructions are rarely in English, and you will not get dry cleaning or pressing.
3. Local laundry and dry cleaning apps
Chinese laundry apps and mini-programs offer pickup and delivery at competitive prices. The catch for most foreigners: registration, customer service and item lists are in Chinese, and problems are hard to sort out without the language.
4. An English-speaking pickup service
Services like Easy Life Dry Cleaning combine the convenience of hotel laundry with local prices. You message us in English on WeChat or book online, we collect from your hotel, apartment or office, and everything comes back cleaned, pressed and on hangers. We cover 39 cities across China.
How much does laundry cost in China?
Prices vary by city and service. As a guide, with Easy Life:
- Shirts: ¥20 each in Shanghai, ¥30 in our other cities — stain treatment and pressing included.
- Wash & fold by the kilo: ¥78 for the first 3 kg in Shanghai, ¥98 in other cities. See wash & fold.
- Suit jacket: ¥48 in Shanghai, ¥58 in other cities.
- Duvet: ¥168 in Shanghai, ¥198 in other cities. See bedding & curtains.
Pickup and delivery is charged by distance. In Shanghai it is free for orders over ¥300 inside the Puxi inner ring; in other cities it starts from ¥68, with a ¥150 minimum order.
How foreigners can pay for laundry in China
WeChat Pay and Alipay now let you link a foreign Visa or Mastercard, which makes paying for almost anything in China simple. Easy Life also accepts cash on delivery, bank transfer and US dollars through PayPal — and you only pay when your clothes are delivered.
How to book an English-speaking laundry pickup
- Book — use our online booking form or scan our WeChat code.
- We confirm — usually within an hour, by WeChat, phone or email.
- We collect — from your room, front desk, apartment or office, daily 8am–9pm.
- We clean — every item is checked, stain-treated and cleaned the right way for its fabric.
- We deliver — normal clothes usually the next day; same day in Shanghai if we collect before 11am.
Tips for getting the best results
- Empty all pockets before handing over your bag.
- Point out stains when you book — fresh stains are much easier to remove.
- Keep care labels on your clothes; they tell us how each item can be cleaned.
- Put delicates, silk and wool in a separate bag from everyday laundry.
- Business traveler? Tell us your checkout time and we will plan around it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get laundry done the same day in China?
Yes. In Shanghai, normal clothes collected before 11am (no special items, not Fridays) usually come back the same evening at no extra cost. In our other cities, same-day service is available for an extra 50%.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. Our customer service team speaks English, so you can book, ask questions and arrange delivery without a translation app.
Which cities do you cover?
We collect in 39 cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Chengdu. See all cities.
Ready for clean clothes without the hassle? Book your pickup — it takes two minutes.