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Owner's Cleaning Guide

Keeping your items clean and ready to wear is one of the most important parts of being a great Owner on Pickle. This guide covers your responsibilities, how to handle cleaning costs, and what to do if you want to require your Renter to clean the item.

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Who is responsible for cleaning?

By default, Owners are responsible for cleaning their items after every rental. This ensures items are cleaned using the correct method for the fabric and returned to perfect condition for the next rental.

Cleaning costs should be factored into your rental price — they are a standard part of running your closet and should not be charged separately to Renters after the fact

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What if the item comes back dirty?

This is a normal part of renting. Once the item is returned, clean it according to the care instructions on the tag before the next rental. Do not send an item out that has not been cleaned since its last rental — if a Renter receives a dirty item, they are eligible for a full refund and you may be liable for delivery and return costs.

What if my item is expensive to dry clean?

If your item requires dry cleaning, we recommend:

  • Building the dry cleaning cost into your rental price so it is covered automatically

  • If the cost is significant, consider whether your current price reflects this — you can adjust pricing at any time

Do not charge Renters for dry cleaning after the rental unless you have set this expectation clearly in advance (see below).

Can I require my Renter to clean the item?

Yes, but only if you follow these steps:

  1. State this requirement clearly in the individual item description — adding it to your bio only is not sufficient, as many Renters do not read the Owner's full profile

  2. Send the Renter cleaning instructions at the time of the rental so they know exactly what is expected

  3. If you require dry cleaning specifically, you should consider:

    • Lowering your rental price to make this requirement fair to the Renter

    • Allowing for multi-day extensions so the Renter has enough time to have the item dry cleaned before returning it

If you have not clearly disclosed a cleaning requirement in the item description, you cannot charge the Renter for cleaning costs after the rental.

General cleaning tips

  • Always check the care label before cleaning — especially for delicate fabrics, embellishments, or structured pieces

  • For items that require dry cleaning, build a relationship with a trusted local cleaner

  • If an item comes back with a stain that goes beyond normal wear, refer to the Damages guide — this may be a Renter liability issue rather than a standard cleaning situation

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