Dry Corner was a service brand that entered the dry cleaning sector in 2010 and soon opened branches in different parts of Istanbul. In 2012, to gather branch production in a single center, the company set up a new dry cleaning plant on a 300 m² area in Ikitelli.

The plant’s ironing equipment and general installation services were provided by Malkan Machinery. Visiting the new central dry cleaning plant, we spoke with Emre Kursad Uner, General Coordinator of Tuğba Kuru Temizleme Hizmetleri Limited Şirketi, which operates under the Dry Corner brand.

After the interview, readers will also find a technical framework on cleaning, stain removal, ironing and infrastructure for businesses planning to set up a dry cleaning plant. In this way, Dry Corner’s experience becomes a concrete guide for entrepreneurs considering a similar investment.

1. DRY CORNER AND EMRE KURSAD UNER: FROM BRANCH TO CHAIN

Emre Kursad Uner welcomed his visitors at the new central dry cleaning plant where the interview took place and introduced himself and his company. Uner served as General Coordinator of Tuğba Kuru Temizleme Hizmetleri Limited Şirketi, which operated under the Dry Corner brand.

The company entered the dry cleaning sector in 2010 with its Avrupa Konutlari TEM branch. This was followed by the Avrupa Konutlari Atakent 2, Arena Park Mall, Andromeda Mall, Ispartakule and Avrupa Konutlari Atakent 3 branches.

The Bahcelievler Agaoglu MyCity, Yorum Istanbul and Istanbul Lounge 1 branches also joined the chain. At the time of the interview, a store at Zincirlikuyu Zorlu Center was also planned to open very soon.

At that time, the company employed 35 people. The rapidly growing branch network soon raised the question of how production would be organized and created the need for a dry cleaning plant.

2. FROM BRANCH TO CENTER: WHY PRODUCTION UNDER ONE ROOF?

As the number of branches grew, Dry Corner decided to combine production from all its locations under a single roof. As a result of this decision, the dry cleaning plant in Ikitelli was opened and began serving on a 300 m² area with modern cleaning and ironing machines.

In the new setup, the branches worked as drop-off and pick-up points; garments were brought to the center by a collection service, processed and then sent back to the branches. According to Uner, the aim of this model was to reduce costs and provide a more professional service.

A central dry cleaning plant concentrates machine investment in a single location and lets the equipment run at a higher utilization rate. Since specialist staff also work in one place, maintaining the quality standard and training new employees becomes easier.

In the central model, branches can operate in small spaces, which lowers rent and set-up costs. Heavy equipment, energy infrastructure and specialist staff are concentrated in a single dry cleaning plant and used more efficiently.

The success of this model depends on orderly logistics between the branches and the dry cleaning plant. Tracking garments with labels, fixing collection and delivery times and protecting ironed items on hangers during transport are the invisible parts of service quality.

3. SECTOR DYNAMICS: CHANGING LIFESTYLES, RISING DEMAND

Orderly production flow in textile care

According to Uner, dry cleaning was a developing and growing sector. With mothers largely entering working life, cleaning and ironing clothes at home had begun to become a problem.

Dry Corner provided its service to solve this problem. Uner emphasized that they took care to offer quality service at an affordable price, as otherwise they could not contribute to household budgets.

People’s wish to dress cleanly and well, and the fact that this work cost less than cleaning at home, made the company a preferred choice. To meet demand, the number of branches was increased as far as possible and fully equipped plants were set up.

Services for corporate customers, such as workwear and hotel and restaurant textiles, are also an important part of demand in the sector. This customer group expects regular volumes and firm delivery times, so it requires a planned production routine.

This picture also explains the demand logic behind a dry cleaning plant investment. As the working population grows, the need for professional textile care services that save time also increases.

4. HOW DID THE INVESTMENT IDEA COME ABOUT?

Uner explained that the idea of entering this business actually arose from a problem they had experienced themselves. The garments they gave to dry cleaners were not cleaned well, and very high prices were charged.

Seeing how hard it was to find a good cleaning plant, the team said, “Why don’t we do it ourselves?” and got started. This experience as customers also shaped the company’s service approach from the outset.

This journey, which began from a customer’s point of view, clarified the quality expectation: garments had to be delivered clean, stain-free and carefully ironed. This expectation also set the criteria for equipment selection for the dry cleaning plant to be set up.

5. What Was Considered When Setting Up the Dry Cleaning Plant?

Textile machinery

According to Uner, the equipment and the craftsmen used in this business were very important. Dry Corner was not a factory sewing jackets or trousers; it did not do serial work, and every kind of garment imaginable came in to be cleaned and ironed.

For this reason, the machine doing the dry cleaning in particular had to be very good. Since cleaning was done with chemicals, it was essential that the machine did not harm the environment, the garment or the customer.

The team researched this subject at length and, although they were very expensive, bought machines with the Green Dry feature. Uner stated that at that time they were the only ones using these machines in Türkiye.

When setting up a dry cleaning plant, equipment should be selected according to the variety of items accepted. Unlike machines set for a single product in serial production, flexibility and quick adjustment come to the fore in a service business.

Layout is equally important. Separating dirty and clean product flows and arranging sorting, stain pretreatment, cleaning, ironing, quality control and packing areas in a one-way flow increases both hygiene and efficiency.

6. CLEANING TECHNOLOGY: SAFETY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, GARMENTS AND CUSTOMERS

Dry cleaning is the cleaning of garments with liquids called solvents instead of water. It is preferred for wool, silk and lined garments that may shrink, lose their shape or bleed color when washed in water.

For many years, perchloroethylene was widely used in the sector. Due to environmental and occupational health concerns, alternatives such as hydrocarbon-based solvents, silicone-based systems and, for suitable garments, professional wet cleaning became increasingly common.

For a dry cleaning plant, solvent recovery, filtration, distillation and closed-loop operation are important features in machine selection. These features reduce solvent consumption and emissions and limit worker exposure.

In this respect, Dry Corner’s decision to put not harming the environment, the garment and the customer first in its cleaning machine was a sound priority. A garment that has not been cleaned well will not give the expected result, no matter how much care is taken in ironing.

Professional wet cleaning is done with controlled water, special detergents and careful drying; a dry cleaning plant can set up this method as a second line for suitable garments. Which garment goes to which method is decided at intake according to the care label and fabric type.

Local environmental regulations, disposal of waste solvent and filter residues and room ventilation should also be addressed from the start in dry cleaning plant design. These issues are also decisive for operating permits and worker safety.

7. IRONING: THE MOST DELICATE JOB IN THE DRY CLEANING PLANT

According to Uner, the other important issue was ironing. Ironing was actually a very difficult and delicate job; the team researched this subject at length too, and Malkan Machinery emerged as the best brand.

Within a dry cleaning plant, the difficulty of ironing stems from each piece being of a different fabric, model and size. Shirts, jackets, trousers, dresses and coats must be ironed by the same team on the same day.

The first thing customers see when they collect a garment is the ironing quality. For this reason, the ironing section of a dry cleaning plant should be chosen as carefully as the cleaning machine.

8. THE EQUIPMENT SET INSTALLED BY MALKAN MACHINERY

Ironing presses

Dry Corner implemented its ironing equipment and general installation services with Malkan Machinery. The set included a fully automatic shirt ironing robot, ironing presses, multi-function ironing boards and a stain removal machine.

General installation service covers machine layout, steam, vacuum and compressed air connections, commissioning and initial settings. Installing the equipment from a single source speeds up the opening of a dry cleaning plant and concentrates responsibility at a single point.

In larger-scale projects, the same approach is applied with the turnkey finishing line model.

Uner said they were very satisfied with the machines and the services provided. Having the equipment come from a single manufacturer meant that installation and subsequent technical support were handled through a single point of contact.

The shirt ironing robot speeds up work on shirts, the highest-volume item in a service business, and delivers the same result on every shirt. Ironing presses provide a smooth, lasting shape on items such as trousers and jackets. The structure of the jacket pressing bucks that determine shape on presses is explained in a separate guide.

Multi-function ironing boards allow precise hand ironing in areas presses cannot reach. Non-standard pieces such as dresses, coats and embellished garments are processed at these stations.

The stain removal machine allows targeted treatment of stubborn stains before and after cleaning. In the dry cleaning plant flow, this station is a second safeguard for stains the cleaning machine cannot remove on its own.

9. FLEXIBILITY AND SERVICE: THE DIFFERENCE OF WORKING WITH A LOCAL MANUFACTURER

Explaining why they chose Malkan Machinery, Uner recalled that they had done a lot of research before starting and had also met with European companies. However, he said they found Malkan Machinery more functional and more flexible.

He illustrated this flexibility with a concrete example: when they wanted an ironing board 10 cm longer or an additional attachment, Malkan Machinery said “fine” and met the request. In Uner’s experience, whenever they requested service, a technician responded within 2 hours at the latest.

Uner added that the products were of high quality and that, as far as he knew, Malkan Machinery also exported to Europe. “Why should I pay more and buy a product for which I cannot find anyone to talk to?” said Uner, emphasizing that Malkan Machinery was a good company for their sector.

In a service business, machine downtime means failing to keep the delivery promise given to the customer. That is why, for a dry cleaning plant, nearby service and fast access to spare parts are as important as the technical specifications of the machine.

Today Malkan Machinery exports to 95 countries and has been manufacturing ironing equipment since 1971. The size and attachment adaptations that local production makes possible help service businesses adapt quickly to different garment types.

The company’s certified quality approach is explained in detail in the TSE Quality Award article.

10. SORTING, STAIN REMOVAL AND QUALITY CONTROL FLOW

A dry cleaning plant flow begins with the intake of the garment. At intake, the label is read, care symbols are checked and visible stains and damage are noted; this record ensures both the right treatment choice and transparent communication with the customer.

In the sorting stage, garments are grouped by fabric type, color and degree of soiling. Processing light and dark colors and delicate and durable fabrics separately reduces the risk of color transfer and wear.

Stain pretreatment is done before the garment enters the cleaning machine. A suitable stain remover and method are chosen according to the type of stain; the wrong chemical can fix the stain more permanently in the fabric.

After cleaning and ironing, the garment is inspected in a well-lit area at the quality control station. Problems such as remaining stains, incomplete ironing or missing buttons are caught here, and the garment is sent back to the relevant station if necessary.

In the final stage, the garment is hung, packed in a protective cover and queued for dispatch to the branch. Each step of this flow determines both the efficiency of the dry cleaning plant and customer satisfaction.

11. IRONING BY FABRIC: WOOL, SILK, SYNTHETICS AND BLENDS

The range of fabrics in garments coming to a service business is very wide, and each fabric reacts differently to ironing. That is why, within a dry cleaning plant, ironing settings are determined by reading the garment’s care label and fabric type.

Wool fabrics take shape easily with steam, but excessive temperature and pressure can cause shine on dark colors. A suitably covered surface, controlled steam and sufficient vacuum give wool a clean, natural look.

Delicate fabrics such as silk and viscose require low temperatures and careful steaming; since water droplets can leave marks, dry steam is especially important here. In synthetic and blended fabrics, excessive heat carries the risk of permanent shine or melting on the surface.

When in doubt, testing on a hidden area of the garment is the safest way. For a dry cleaning plant, this habit is a simple measure that reduces customer complaints and damage claims.

12. STEAM, VACUUM AND COMPRESSED AIR INFRASTRUCTURE

Press stations that determine ironing quality

The performance of the presses, ironing boards and shirt ironing robot depends largely on infrastructure. Dry steam, balanced vacuum and clean compressed air are the three basic inputs of ironing quality.

The capacity of the steam source is determined by the number of stations that will operate simultaneously. Proper slope in steam lines and regular condensate drainage prevent water stains on garments.

Vacuum fixes the shape by drawing moisture and heat out of the fabric after ironing; it is necessary for a clean result on ironing boards and presses. Removing moisture and oil from compressed air protects pneumatic components and prevents stains from being carried onto garments.

For a dry cleaning plant set up in a small area, an orderly infrastructure layout is especially important. In a compact facility such as 300 m², keeping lines short and accessible reduces both energy loss and maintenance time.

The load that heat and steam create in the working environment must also be managed. Good ventilation and an ergonomic station layout help operators stay attentive throughout the day and keep ironing quality stable.

Returning drained condensate to the boiler feed water reduces energy and water consumption; the condensate return article covers this topic in detail. Principles of industrial steam boiler safety should also be included in the infrastructure plan for the safe operation of the plant that generates the steam.

13. CAPACITY, TRAINING AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

When planning a dry cleaning plant, the average daily number of pieces and their distribution across shirts, suits, dresses and outerwear are estimated first. This distribution is the key data that determines how many shirt stations, presses and ironing boards are needed.

In service businesses, demand fluctuates by day and season; the start of the week and seasonal transitions are typical peaks. If equipment and staff are not planned to meet these peaks, delivery times lengthen and customer satisfaction falls.

Operator training is the second element that determines the value of the equipment investment. Press and ironing board operation, correct settings on the shirt robot and daily maintenance steps are learned through training given during commissioning and experience gained in the field.

On the occupational safety side, working with solvents, hot surfaces and pressurized steam requires special attention. Suitable personal protective equipment, good ventilation, regular machine checks and emergency instructions protect both the employees and the facility of a dry cleaning plant.

14. EXPECTATIONS FOR 2013 AND GROWTH PLANS

Uner’s answer to the question of what 2013 would bring to the sector was clear: the sector would grow. Noting that in Europe the service sector stood out more than manufacturing, Uner expected the same trend in Türkiye.

The company planned to increase its number of branches and to grow by granting dealerships in places it could not reach itself. According to Uner, the foundation of the business, as in every profession, was customer satisfaction, meaning fast and quality service; its infrastructure had been built and would be continuously developed.

Sharing his views on developing their business, Uner said the number of branches would increase and that they might set up a dry cleaning plant of this scale on the Anatolian side as well. He added that they would audit the companies granted dealerships and try to follow and use newly released machines in the field.

Uner emphasized that they had become a brand in a short time and would take it to higher levels, saying, “In the end, we love this work; people succeed in work they love.” At the end of the interview, Mr Uner was thanked for his information and wished success with his new dry cleaning plant.

The decision to follow newly released machines was also important for a growing chain. Equipment with higher energy efficiency, easier operation and lower maintenance needs is one way to balance operating costs as service volume increases.

In chains moving to a dealership model, carrying the quality standard established at the center to dealers through written instructions and training is the basic condition for growth. Applying the same equipment and process standard at every point meets the quality customers expect from the brand at every branch.

15. CONCLUSION

The Dry Corner example showed how a service brand growing through a branch network could manage cost and quality together by gathering production in a single center. The dry cleaning plant in Ikitelli demonstrated that the right equipment in cleaning and ironing is the foundation of service quality.

Behind the choice of Malkan Machinery for the ironing section were flexibility, custom size and attachment adaptations, fast service and quality products. This choice reflected the concrete value of working with a local manufacturer in the service sector as well.

Malkan Machinery’s experience continues today; recent articles on Malkan Vision 2025-2026, the strategic partnership with Indupress and garment finishing technology describe this continuity.

16. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did Dry Corner set up a central dry cleaning plant? The aim was to reduce costs and provide a more professional service by gathering branch production under a single roof. Garments were brought to the center by a collection service and sent back to the branches.

Which ironing equipment does a dry cleaning plant need? A shirt ironing robot, ironing presses, multi-function ironing boards and a stain removal machine form the basic set. The selection depends on the variety of garments accepted.

Why did Dry Corner choose Malkan Machinery for ironing? In meetings with European companies, Malkan Machinery was found to be more functional and flexible. Custom size and attachment requests were met, and service requests were answered quickly.

Why is solvent selection important in dry cleaning? The solvent determines cleaning quality, garment safety and environmental impact. Recovery, filtration and closed-loop operation reduce consumption and emissions.

When is stain pretreatment done? Stain pretreatment is done before the garment enters the cleaning machine. Since the wrong chemical can make a stain permanent, a method suited to the stain type is chosen.

How much space does a dry cleaning plant need? The required space depends on daily volume and garment variety. In 2012, Dry Corner set up its central facility serving its branches on a 300 m² area in Ikitelli.

How is quality maintained in the central plant model? Label tracking, fixed collection and delivery times, a one-way production flow and a final quality control station maintain quality.