Professional Drama Costume & Theater Wardrobe Cleaning
Citywide Cleaners provides specialized costume cleaning services for school drama programs, community theaters, and educational performing arts organizations throughout Eastern Iowa. With 97+ years of textile care expertise, we understand the unique needs of theatrical wardrobe management on education budgets.
Complete Drama Program Costume Services
Production Wardrobe Cleaning
- Full Show Wardrobes: Complete cast costume processing (50+ pieces)
- Period Costumes: Historical garments from any era
- Character Costumes: Specialty pieces including animal costumes, fantasy wear
- Formal Wear: Suits, gowns, and formal attire for contemporary shows
- Dance Numbers: Costume care for musical theater choreography
- Quick-Change Pieces: Rush cleaning for multi-scene costume plots
School Theater Inventory
- Costume Closet Maintenance: Annual or seasonal deep cleaning of inventory
- Pre-Production Prep: Cleaning costumes pulled from storage for upcoming shows
- Post-Show Processing: End-of-run cleaning before returning to storage
- Rental Preparation: Cleaning for school-to-school costume sharing
Why Drama Directors Choose Citywide Cleaners
Educational Pricing & School-Friendly Billing
We offer special rates for educational theater programs with flexible payment options:
- Educational Discounts: Reduced pricing for non-profit school programs
- PO Acceptance: School district purchase order processing
- Drama Club Billing: Invoicing for drama clubs and theater booster organizations
- Grant-Funded Programs: Documentation for arts grant expenditures
Fast Turnaround for Show Schedules
Theater productions operate on tight timelines. We provide:
- Tech Week Rush Service: Emergency cleaning before opening night
- Weekend Run Support: Quick turnaround between performances
- Strike Week Processing: Complete wardrobe cleaning after closing
- Festival Prep: Expedited service before theater competitions
Specialty Theatrical Cleaning
Stage Makeup & Performance Stain Removal
Theater costumes face unique soiling challenges. We specialize in removing:
- Heavy Stage Makeup: Foundation, greasepaint, and body makeup
- Lip Color: Lipstick and lip liner from collars and garments
- Fake Blood: Theatrical blood products (corn syrup and dye-based)
- Special Effects: Dirt, soot, and stage aging materials
- Prop Residue: Food props, adhesives, and spirit gum
- Perspiration: Heavy sweating from stage lights and performances
Delicate Fabric & Embellishment Care
Drama costumes often feature challenging materials:
- Sequined and beaded gowns
- Velvet and period fabrics
- Lace overlays and delicate trims
- Feathers, fur, and costume jewelry
- Hand-sewn embellishments
Service Options for School Theater
Pickup & Delivery to Schools
We provide pickup and delivery to educational institutions throughout Eastern Iowa:
- Cedar Rapids high schools and middle schools
- Iowa City Community School District theater programs
- Marion, Coralville, and North Liberty schools
- Rural school districts across Eastern Iowa
- Community college performing arts departments
Show Production Timeline Support
We work with your production schedule:
- Audition & Casting Week: Inventory assessment and cleaning quotes
- Tech Week: Rush service for last-minute needs
- Opening Weekend: Emergency service if needed
- Closing Week: Complete wardrobe processing
- Summer Storage: Pre-storage cleaning to prevent deterioration
Musical Theater & Dance Costumes
High-Energy Performance Wear
Musical theater costumes endure intensive use from singing, dancing, and stage lights. We provide:
- Deep Cleaning: Removal of heavy perspiration and odor
- Stretch Fabric Care: Cleaning for lycra, spandex, and dance wear
- Costume Jewelry Cleaning: Safe treatment for attached accessories
- Quick Turnaround: Fast processing between performances
Student Theater Competitions & Festivals
Festival & Competition Support
Eastern Iowa schools participate in state and regional theater festivals:
- IHSSA Events: Rush cleaning before Iowa High School Speech Association competitions
- One-Act Festivals: Quick turnaround for competition wardrobes
- All-State Theater: Professional cleaning for showcase performances
- Regional Competitions: Festival prep cleaning and pressing
Storage & Inventory Management
End-of-Season Processing
Proper cleaning before storage prevents fabric damage and prepares costumes for future productions:
- Complete removal of makeup and food residues
- Moth and pest prevention through thorough cleaning
- Damage assessment and reporting for summer repairs
- Professional pressing to minimize storage wrinkles
Costume Closet Organization Support
We can help manage your school’s costume inventory:
- Tagged cleaning for organized storage
- Era/period organization (1920s, Victorian, contemporary, etc.)
- Size-specific processing for easier retrieval
- Retirement recommendations for worn-out pieces
Quality & Expertise for Educational Theater
Certified Sanitone Master Dry Cleaner
As the only Certified Sanitone Master Dry Cleaner in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City metro area, we provide superior cleaning that extends costume lifespan—critical for maximizing limited drama program budgets.
97 Years of Textile Care Experience
Our long history includes expertise with vintage fabrics, period costumes, and antique textiles—valuable knowledge for historical productions and classic plays.
Community Theater & Youth Programs
Beyond School Productions
We also serve:
- Community Theaters: Non-profit community theater organizations
- Youth Theater Camps: Summer drama camp costume cleaning
- Church Drama: Costume care for religious pageants and productions
- Dance Studios: Recital costume cleaning
Environmental Responsibility
Ozone Deodorizing Technology
Our advanced ozone deodorizing system is gentler on delicate costume fabrics while reducing environmental impact—important for schools with sustainability commitments and LEED-certified buildings.
Partner with Eastern Iowa’s Theatrical Experts
Citywide Cleaners has been supporting Eastern Iowa’s educational theater community since 1927. Our expertise, educational pricing, and reliable service make us the preferred partner for school drama programs.
Get a Production Quote
Call: 319-364-6131 to discuss your show’s costume needs
Email: Request a quote at mycitywidecleaners.com
Visit: 1960 51st St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Contact us during your pre-production planning to get a cleaning quote and schedule pickup for your show’s wardrobe needs.
