Cleaning Your Finest and Everyday Clothes

Not all dry cleaners are equal

Not all dry cleaners are equal. Some are known as neighborhood cleaners, others as discount cleaners or quick service cleaners. And then there is one that people count on when their cleaning needs to be done right; that’s DeHoney’s Dry Cleaning at 1427 S. Harvard in Tulsa.

Since 1921, DeHoney’s has been known as “the place to bring your finest garments,” says owner Jeff Waters. “We are a boutique business,” he explains, “not a high volume, mass production cleaner.” In the 20s and 30s, Arthur and Bertha DeHoney cleaned flapper dresses and cleaned and blocked hats for Tulsa’s elite oil barons. The Harvard location was opened in 1926. Now DeHoney’s cleans St. John knitwear, Les Copains and other designer labels, custom suits, and couture gowns.

What sets DeHoney’s Dry Cleaning apart is expert hand finishing. Each garment is carefully inspected for stains, loose hems or open seams, and buttons are covered or removed for protection. Then the appropriate cleaning procedure for the garment is determined.

All cleaning is done with environmentally friendly solvents in state-of-the-art equipment at DeHoney’s modern production plant. Next, each buttonhole, seam and ornamentation is pressed to perfection by hand. Every detail receives special attention, down to adding tissue for greater shape retention.

Generations of families have placed their confidence in DeHoney’s. And distance makes no difference. Packages of fine clothing from Wichita, Washington, D.C., and San Diego attest to customer satisfaction and loyalty. Wedding gowns arrive for preservation. DeHoney’s cleans heavily beaded gowns, as well as suede and leather jackets and some of the pricier clothing that other cleaners would refuse.

Jeff laughs when he talks about the weathered building northeast of 15th and Harvard. “Don’t let this building scare you,” he says. “The building doesn’t stand out, but the service does.” Inside, a formerly unattractive and outdated reception area has been transformed into a warm and cozy lobby. Jeff’s wife, Shelly, added her decorator touch with antiques reminiscent of the cleaner’s early days. Plans for an exterior facelift are in the works, with respect for the building’s historical elements.

Since taking over the business two years ago, Jeff and Shelly opened a second location in Owasso. The couple was handpicked to carry on DeHoney’s stellar reputation. Jeff, who was formerly general manager of a uniform dry cleaning company, said that they were honored to become only the third owners of this Tulsa dry cleaning icon.

The predominance of business casual wear prompted Jeff and Shelly to add a second price point for traditional cleaning. This new service is intended for garments that don’t require hand finishing. “We now offer exceptional work for everyday wear as well as fine clothing,” says Jeff.

You can always count on DeHoney’s Dry Cleaning. Drop off your casual or fine clothes, or call (918) 744-1166 for pick up and delivery to your home or office. There is no extra charge. You can even get your shoes shined or repaired with new soles or half soles. If you have extra clothing that you no longer need, they will clean the items and donate them to John 3:16 Mission. DeHoney’s is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For more information, contact

DeHoney’s Dry Cleaning

1427 S. Harvard

Tulsa, OK 74112

(918) 744-1166