1. DEFINITION OF SPECIALIZED AND HIGH VALUE ITEMS 

Washables defines “Specialized Garments” as any items composed of complex fibers or construction requiring non-standard laundering protocols. This includes, but is not limited to, silk, wool, cashmere, linen, velvet, lace, and technical performance fabrics. “High Value Items” are defined as any individual garment, accessory, or household textile with a replacement value exceeding $500.00 USD. Due to the unique chemical sensitivities and structural fragility of these items, they are excluded from our standard “Wash & Fold” bulk processing and must be declared by the customer to ensure they are routed to our Artisan Care Stream. 

2. MANDATORY PRE-ACCEPTANCE INSPECTION AND QUOTATION

Washables maintains a strict “Inspection First” policy for all specialized, high-value, and formal wear items. No specialized garment is considered “accepted for service” until it has undergone a physical examination by a senior technician at our central facility. Any price provided via the website, mobile app, or by a logistics driver is a non-binding estimate only. Upon arrival at the facility, the garment will be inspected for fabric integrity, pre-existing damage, stain type, and manufacturer construction defects. Following this inspection, Washables will provide a final, formal quote and a service feasibility assessment. We will not begin the cleaning process until the customer has electronically approved the final quote. If the customer rejects the quote, the garment will be returned in the next available delivery window, and a nominal inspection and logistics fee may apply. 

3. FORMAL WEAR AND WEDDING GOWN CLAUSE

Due to the sentimental value and extreme complexity of wedding gowns, gala dresses, and bespoke tuxedos, these items are subject to an ultra-high-tier inspection protocol. Our technicians will map the garment for loose beadwork, yellowing of aged lace, and hemline abrasions. The customer acknowledges that these items often require multiple cleaning cycles or hand-spotting over several days. Because wedding gowns frequently utilize non-standard adhesives and delicate tulle, Washables reserves the right to refuse service after the initial inspection if the garment’s structural stability is deemed insufficient to survive the restoration process. 

4. CUSTOMER DECLARATION AND INTAKE PROTOCOL

It is the sole responsibility of the customer to identify and declare High Value or Specialized items during the digital booking process or via a physical note attached to the specific garment at the time of pickup. If a technician identifies an undeclared high-value or delicate item within a bulk “Wash & Fold” bag, Washables will immediately pause processing and move the item to the “Inspection First” stream. The customer will be notified, and the item will not be cleaned until the specialized quote and risk disclosure are accepted.

5. PROTOCOLS FOR SILK, FUR, AND LEATHER 

Specific materials require radical departures from standard cleaning: 

• Silk and Delicates: Processed using pH-neutral solvents and low-mechanical action to prevent “shifting” of the weave or loss of luster. 

• Natural Fur and Shearling: These items are never submerged in water. They are cleaned using specialized dust-extraction and glazing techniques to maintain the natural oils of the pelt. 

• Leather and Suede: Subject to specialized oils and conditioners. Customers acknowledge that leather cleaning may result in slight variations in color or texture, which is a natural characteristic of organic hides. 

• Embellished Items: Garments with heavy beadwork, sequins, or “glued” accents are hand-cleaned or processed in protective mesh barriers. Washables is not liable for the loss of embellishments that have become loose due to aged adhesives. 

6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR SPECIALIZED ITEMS

While Washables employs premium cleaning agents and expert technicians, the customer acknowledges that high-value garments often utilize experimental dyes and fragile construction. Our liability for any specialized or high-value item is strictly capped at ten (10) times the cost of the specific cleaning service charged for that item, or the actual depreciated value, whichever is lower, regardless of the brand name or original purchase price. This cap can only be waived if the customer purchases “Premium Valuation Protection” for a specific order prior to processing. 

7. CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF INHERENT FABRIC RISKS

Certain high-end materials possess “memory” or chemical properties that may react unpredictably. By submitting specialized items, the customer accepts the risk of: 

• Tannin Oxidation: Invisible stains (e.g., white wine or sweat) on silk that may only manifest as yellowing after the cleaning process. 

• Distension: Heavy knitwear (wool/cashmere) may experience minor stretching or “relaxing” of the fibers. 

• Hardware Oxidation: Designer hardware (gold-plated buttons or buckles) may show wear if the protective coating has been compromised by previous use. 

8. PACKAGING AND RETURN STANDARDS

High Value and Specialized garments are never returned in bulk bundles. These items are returned on premium contoured hangers, encased in breathable fabric or high-gauge plastic garment bags, and, where necessary, supported with acid-free tissue paper to maintain silhouette integrity. For fur or leather items, we provide specific storage instructions to ensure the longevity of the treatment. 

9. RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE

Washables reserves the right to refuse the cleaning of any high-value item if our lead technician determines that the garment is too fragile to withstand any form of cleaning, or if the risk of damage outweighs the potential for successful restoration. In such cases, the item will be returned to the customer with a “No-Service Technical Note” explaining the risks identified during the pre-acceptance inspection.