I recently took some shirts, vests, linen pants, neckerchiefs and a wool winter coat to Balfurd's for cleaning. Instructions: Shirts--cleaned, fully starched; vest--cleaned and pressed; pants--cleaned, lightly starched and pressed; neckerchiefs--laundered, heavy starch (I was adamant about this); wool coat--cleaned. Strike #1: I was told the coat would have be sent out to Pittsburgh because it had leather accents. This would cost an additional $40-60 and would take a few weeks. I visit Pgh semi-frequently and have friends there. I'll drop it off myself and see how I fare. Strike #1.5: The pants came back mostly okay. Not stiff enough for my taste, but I was willing to let this one slide. Strike #2: The neckerchiefs were clean, yes. But they were also floppy. The entire reason I took them to the cleaner was to have them come back stiff--like the linens in a restaurant often do. These appeared to be only laundered--which I could have done at home for practically nothing. When I inquired at pick-up time, I was told that the ticket said they were starched, so they were starched. Strike #3: (Yes, three strikes in the SAME VISIT! But keep reading...) Upon seeing my neckerchiefs so floppy I inspected my shirts. The collars were starched, as were the cuffs. But the rest of the shirts were very floppy. I bring this to the clerk's attention and I'm given the same line. I was expecting them to offer to re-do them, but that never happened. I told them I was probably going to go somewhere else next time and left. But there's more...! STRIKE #4: I get my cleaned items home and hang them up. I wore the pants first and noticed a strange barcode sticker on the waistband. Figured I just missed it when I removed tags. I was able to scrape it off because of it's placement. Later in the week, I put on one of the shirts (which I planned on wearing open) and find another barcode stuck on the inside, bottom of the strip where the buttons are located. Since I work in a blacklit environment, every time I walk near a blacklight, I get a distracting flash of white out of the corner of my eye. Understand, that I specifically buy dark colored shirts out of personal preference and because I sometimes work in theatrical type settings where all-black is essential. This time when I tried to remove the barcode, it WAS NOT coming off! I called Balfurds and talked to someone on the phone. The guy said "Oh that's just the technology now" as if it were no big deal. When I mention that no one asked my permission to alter my clothing, he simply repeats himself. Upon attempting to escalate the call, I'm told I must call back and talk to Linda Bowman. When I eventually talk to Linda, she basically gives me the same line!!! She does offer to re-starch the neckerchiefs and to "ATTEMPT" to remove the barcodes--though she can't guarantee anything, she says. SERIOUSLY?! The sheer nerve to take that sort of tone is absolutely mind-boggling to me. If you can't take it off, then you've no business putting it there to begin with. A DRYCLEANER HAS NO BUSINESS ALTERING MY CLOTHING WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION... even if they have an accident. (This is not the first instance of alterations at Balfurd's either: I once had a grey vintage vest come back with blue stitching on the pocket--as if I wouldn't notice! They denied any alterations, but offered to re-do the stitching at no charge.) What if the clothing I brought in this week was vintage? That immediately de-values all these items, which I may have brought to the cleaner specifically in anticipation of selling them! No, we do not live in a perfect world. But TECHNOLOGY or NOT, Balfurd's has NO BUSINESS altering your clothing without your permission. JUST TAKE YOUR CLOTHES SOMEPLACE ELSE! [2011.07.23] FOLLOW-UP: Because of holiday work schedules, I wasn't able to drop off the shirts and neckerchiefs again until nearly two weeks later. The neckerchiefs were to be re-starched... and they came back as I expected they should have been done the first time--perfect. In their attempt to remove the barcodes from the shirts, however, they were only partially successful. Three of the five shirts came back mostly okay. (There is still a bit of residue from the heat-sealing, but not too noticeable. I can deal.) Two shirts, however, were completely destroyed. (The plastic tub they used to hold the solvent while they soaked the shirts actually melted the plastic into the fabric. It was so bad that it rendered the shirt nearly unrecognisable. In many cases, Solvent + Plastic = Bad.) In the end, I was reimbursed almost $70 for the damaged shirts, which was right and good. Still, I can't help but point out that none of this would have been necessary if they'd not altered my garments without asking. read more

When we moved to the State College area 7 years ago, I was disappointed that there wasn't a discount dry cleaners. Dry cleaning was the only thing that was more expensive here than it was in Northern Virginia! But I have come to appreciate that it is worth the extra money. Balfurd gets the order done right and on time every time! My husband wears pressed shirts and professional attire to work, so we've used Balfurd a lot over time. I appreciate the attention to detail. When my husband pulls the seam on a pocket, the cleaning comes back with a note. When he forgets things in his pockets, the items are returned attached to the hanger. We love the delivery service. Our cleaning comes and goes from our home twice a week at no charge. In seven years, we have only had delivery cancelled twice because of weather. The office has called us to see how badly we need our items and were willing to attempt the trek if necessary. The delivery driver carries dog treats and treats the dogs when he comes and does an amazing job at remembering our schedule when we are out of town. Balfurd will always be a winner in my book. read more

Our washing machine broke last week and the service/ repair tech from Gordon Appliance, just ordered the needed parts. Parts will take a week. So with the dirty clothes of two teenage boys and their Lax practice clothes stating to stand up and get noticed.....I took the whole bag into Balfurd's Cleaners for their by the pound laundry service. The experience was a good one . I received an email notification that my order had been completed and was ready for pick up. The staff was prompt to say good morning, as I walked through the front door. The front counter employee asked for my phone number and within two minutes, had my entire order ready to go. My clothes where clean, folded, bagged and tagged. The price for the per pound laundry service was reasonable and convenient. I will be a repeat customer, as Balfurd"s laundry service fully met my expatiation's. Bravo for being a laundry operation that is friendly to our environment. read more

First time visiting here. They did a good job with the few shirts and my wife's sweater. Clothes were ready when promised, and they sent an email confirming that they're done so you don't waste a trip. A bit pricey compared to the dry cleaners in NJ that I'm familiar with (who may actually be a bit more meticulous with their work). It's recognized that this is Central PA though, and while some things are considerably less than NJ, apparently, Dry Cleaning is higher. read more

Always friendly, always on time. Would recommend. Pretty quick turn around time. Usually two to three days. Can be faster when requested. They offer home delivery which I haven't used. We use them at work as well for lab coats and scrubs, always clean, never had an issue. They also do alterations and repairs which we have used a few times for minor items and clothing. read more

Balfurd does a fantastic job. They pick up and deliver on schedule, with no problems, and their drivers are friendly and professional. I have never had any issues week after week with their cleaning of shirts, pants and suits. Cleaning is excellent, reasonably priced, and always done to my specifications. read more

Thanks you Balfurd! Your ladies at North Atherton always greet you with a friendly smile. On a couple of occasions I was in a hurry, in need of a suite for a funeral so they expedited my cleaning order. You always get it right light starch and on a hanger. You are my only cleaner!! read more

Recently took several wall hangings in to be cleaned. 2 wool rugs from Mexico which look great. The 3rd one is a loose Cotten weaving & it was determined that it might not stay intact during cleaning process so they recommended against it which I appreciated. read more

I am surprised by the negative comments. We have never had problems whether cleaning comforters, men's suits, my dresses. Always happy and truly appreciate their pick up and return service. Pricing is good - no complaints here! read more

I'm surprised by the negative reviews. I'm relatively new to the area and everyone I know highly recommends Balfurd. Every time I'm in the store everyone is very friendly and I've never had a bad experience. Highly recommended! read more

I use Baldfurd's for dry cleaning, dress shirts and "bulk laundry" (e.g., everything else); I also use their pickup and delivery service. The few times I've had an issue, the issue was easily resolved. read more

I had my peacoat cleaned here and they were able to remove stains that had the chance to set into the fabric for 9 months. Never thought I'd be able to wear the coat again, but they did an awesome job. read more

Fast and friendly service and found a perfect match or the missing button on my fall coat! I like that they use clean technologies to dry clean so I can feel safe about wearing my suit! read more

Dry cleaning was professionally executed and the pricing well within the norm for the East Coast. Service was friendly and Professional. I recommend Balfurd's. read more

Awesome dry cleaners. I have no complaints. I have been using them for a while a different strongly recommend it to anyone.

The zipper on my parka broke and was unusable. Balfurd quickly and efficiently fixed it and got the coat working again.

Great quality service; customer service was spot on and the turnaround time was great. Wonderful first experience.

They get things done quickly and are very efficient. They are very accurate when things are going to be ready.

I've always used Balfurd for dry cleaning. The service is fast and excellent. Would not go anywhere else.