While “dry cleaning” is a modern universal service, its prevalence in China has its own cultural context. The rise of 干洗店 (gānxǐdiàn), or dry cleaner shops, in Chinese cities mirrors the country's economic development and the growth of a middle class with more disposable income and a greater number of “white-collar” jobs requiring formal wear like suits. In the West, dry cleaning is a standard, often unremarkable, errand. In modern China, it's a symbol of urban life and professionalism. Taking a suit (西装, xīzhuāng) or an expensive overcoat (大衣, dàyī) to be dry-cleaned is a common practice for office workers. Unlike the often large, chain-based dry cleaners in the US, many Chinese 干洗店 are small, family-run businesses, though larger chains are becoming more common. Furthermore, with the ubiquity of apps like Meituan and Ele.me, on-demand pickup and delivery for dry cleaning services are far more common and integrated into daily life than in many Western countries.
干洗 (gānxǐ) is used in everyday situations related to laundry and clothing care.
The term is neutral and has no specific formal or informal connotations. It's a standard, functional word.