I went to Imperial Valet Shoe Repair based on the good ratings. I had a disappointing experience there in January 2026. I brought in a pair of brand new boots to get thicker soles and new corners. The gentleman promised to repair them within a week. Today, nine days later, I came to pick up my shoes, which were lying in the dust on the floor, unrepaired. The gentleman offered to complete the repairs within an hour. Seeing my new boots dirty on the floor after waiting a week, only to find out that nothing had been done, was quite an experience. I would not recommend visiting this store for reliable shoe repairs. Ulrike from DC read more

I came in about a week and a half ago to get my dress dry cleaned. About a week after I dropped off, the dry cleaners text me and tell me they can't dry clean my dress and I have to come in and pick up. I tried calling multiple times to get an explanation of why my dress couldn't be dry cleaned, but never received a straightforward explanation or was hung up on multiple times. After multiple calls trying to figure out why my dress couldn't be dry cleaned, and why it took them a whole week to tell me my dress couldn't be dry cleaned, I gave up and asked if they could just press my dress instead. They said yes and that it would be ready by the following Monday. Monday rolls around and I hear nothing, so I give the place a call. They say they've pressed it and it's ready for pickup. I come by and pick up my dress, which they don't charge for. I ask about the pressing fee, but they say they didn't charge for pressing. There's also no pressing service on the list of services they give me, only an indication that the dry cleaning service was rejected. I look at the dress and it's wrinkled to hell, and obviously hasn't been pressed. They were clearly lying about having pressed the dress, but I was so fed up with having to come back and forth to the dry cleaners that I just left. NEVER BRING YOUR SERVICE HERE. read more

I decided to check out this cleaners since it was a block away from my job but they prices are way too high in my opinion and it takes entirely too long. For 3 items (a hoodie, pants and a blazer) it was $64. Just to dry clean. It took 4 days. I can literally go to zips cleaners close by my house in Maryland and the same service would be 1.99 each and I would have had it the next day. I will say they were friendly but this is not in my budget. read more

Shoe repair and cleaning is run separately from dry cleaner and alterations. Shoe repair is good, fast, not super cheap, but I think fairly priced. I am so happy to have zippers and soles replaced here to keep my favorite shoes and boots in good form. Dry cleaning is fine. No complaints Place desperately needs better ventilation given all the chemicals essential to these businesses. For the worker's health. . Alterations and clothing repair are not good, I got a skirt mended and it was a messy repair with thread hanging off every where and when I asked to clean up how it looked the person was huffy and did the bare minimum. If I was only rating that, they would get one or two. The repair has held since I cleaned up the additional stray threads myself. There are so few cleaners left prob due to downtown rent and less ppl getting their clothes dry cleaned, I don't know that there's much competition. read more

While staying at the Henley Park I sent out a pair of Dockers for cleaning. I wrote "Pants have oil from salad dressing above right knee" on the ticket. The pants came back with the stain still there. When I arrived home, I pre-treated the stain with Spray n Wash and some Kirkland detergent. I washed the Dockers and the stain was gone. One would think that a professional cleaners could do at least as good a job as I did. read more

I travel to DC a few times per year and I always stop at Imperial Valet for a shoe shine. It is hard to find good places for a shoe shine around the country but this place does it very well and the service is prompt. read more

Imperial Valet is one of the drycleaners I used when I first moved to DC in 2016. I've washed my fall jackets and dresses here, the price is always reasonable and they are always professional. So when I need someone to help me on our wedding day with regard to dry clean and alteration, I looked at no other places but Imperial Valet especially since it's near my office. I have never left a review until today (2021) because Emma their seamstress saved my wedding day! I had my wedding gown custom made in Indonesia but for whatever reason the belly area WAS so stiff and it barely could fit. The wedding was on Friday and I brought my white gown on Monday. I came for first fitting on Tuesday which required a little extra alteration because the dress was still too tight, but the most important thing when I picked up on Wednesday afternoon the dress fits like a glove and it looked really nice on me. This whole 'fancy dress' alteration only costs me $42. She worked really fast and in a professional manner. I also dry clean my then fiancée wedding suit here (3 pieces - pants, shirts, and the suit) it was only $17. Most of the worker, including the shoe guy, here are really nice and friendly as well. They always smile and greet customers. Only a lady with short hair and glasses who usually sits by the computer is not. But I don't think she has a customer-facing responsibility, so you should be fine. Attached are our wedding outfit cleaned and altered by Imperial Valet! Keep the quality, price, and service up! read more

Imperial Valet - My dress was altered here and my fiancé's suit was cleaned here. - Shoe Repair Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

WARNING: This dry cleaner will apply permanent barcodes to your clothing!! I used to cuff the bottom of my pants, but not anymore! There is no way to remove them without leaving a residue on your clothing. You CAN request no barcode, but they don't tell you that. When I called to inquire I was given no apology, just that "most dry cleaners do this". I'm sorry, but in all my time using dry cleaners, I've never had anyone apply a permanent barcode. I'm disgusted that this dry cleaner has ruined several of my clothing items with their branded barcode. read more

Imperial Valet - Shoe Repair Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Just brought a pair of old shoes that I found laying in my closet that I thought were trash to the is store across the street from my job. Imperial Valet Dry Cleaners that apparently does everything. My shoes look amazing and look new again. I received new heels and soles and to top it off a finish touch Shine to them. Very impressed thanks a million See you again Soon !! read more

Imperial Valet - Just received New Heels & New Soles with a nice Shoe Shine on top of that.. A+ looking new again - Shoe Repair Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I will only use Imperial Valet/ Sterling cleaners, solely because of Marianne. She is a true asset to that company. I own a lot of designer clothing, and I am very meticulous of the dry cleaning services I select. I have used many dry cleaners in the past, and this is by far the best cleaners I have ever used. Marianne exemplifies exceptional customer service. She is gracious, warm and friendly. It was the little details that makes this company truly exceptional. The individual foil on the buttons of my suit jacket as added protection, not puncturing any tags on the garment, the clothing colors looked vibrant. My shirts were so pristinely pressed, it was if I had just purchased it from the clothing store. They also do pick up and delivery! I can not recommend these cleaners enough! Thank you all for everything you do! read more

I needed a quick sole repair on my dress shoes. The gentleman here did an excellent job. Very high quality and fast!

Went to them for heel repair on some leather booties. Very reasonable price and quick turnaround. Not only did they repair my heels, they also patched some scuffed up leather on the toe of one of the boots. Will return for future repairs. read more

Amazing and fast service. I didn't expect I would receive such a professional service at the dry cleaners. My purse got broken on the way to work , and I stopped by at this dry cleaners to repair it. They did an amazing job with that, and it was fast. I came back after that to dry my cloth as well, and everything was perfect . read more

Imperial Valet - Purse repaired - Shoe Repair Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Was expecting a 24 hour turnaround - I am now on Day 9 and still have not received my clothes. Terrible customer service.

I needed my leather purse repaired and took it here after getting a ridiculously high estimate down the street. The man who works at the shoe repair counter was courteous, skilled, and charged a very reasonable price. And he did the repair quickly while I waited and it looks great. I will be back! read more

Because of course I found a great dry cleaner and shoe repair a few weeks before I started a new job in Ballston. My dry cleaning karma is that weak. I'm hard on my shoes, okay? I walk like an ogre, all heel-y and uncoordinated, and it takes a lot of damage for me to get my heels resoled. So when I finally stumbled in, I had a few pairs of heels and a pair of boots in dire straits. The shoe guy looked over my weary soles with a pained expression and said what he'd do to each pair and how much it would cost. Then I brought out my beloved boots that had been scuffed, scraped, impaled, rock-salted, and otherwise maimed within inches of their life. Now, any other shoe guy would have gladly taken my boots, replaced the heels, and polished them so they looked fine until I wore them. But this guy just sadly handed the boots back to me and said he couldn't fix them. They weren't worth the money. We had a little moment of silence together. It was touching. I've taken several dresses here, including a silk number from Pakistan I swore would be ruined the moment I crossed a dry cleaners' threshold with it, and all have come back better than I left them (which is great, because that's why I pay for dry cleaning). I also had a piece of decorative fabric hemmed. That only turned out okay, so I wouldn't come here for alterations. I've never had lost shoes, items unfinished when I picked them up, or overcharges. Everything has been reasonable, professional, and prompt. I actually still make the trek here when I need drycleaning, despite working in Arlington and living in Columbia Heights. So! Bring them your tired, your yearning masses of soles waiting to be heeled, and be marveled at the reasonable prices and promptness. Or don't. More room for my heels. read more

Great place to repair shoes if you work downtown. Just drop it off and pick up when ready. I have brought my shoes/boots/sandals to fix numerous times. The job was done perfectly. Last time I brought booties that were in a really bad condition, but guys there did some miracle work!!! Waiting for spring to come! Prices seem reasonable for the location. read more

Imperial Valet - Shoe Repair Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I brought some work boots here to be repaired. The soles were coming apart due to being old and the glue coming apart. They took care of me and got me back in action. $10 a pair isn't bad at all. I'll be back. read more

This business is actually called Imperial Valet, not Sterling Cleaners...there is another Yelp listing for it there. I brought a pair of shoes here about 6 months or so ago. I came back a few days AFTER when they said it would be done (over a week past drop off date). They actually couldn't find the shoes at all, so I had to leave without my shoes. Eventually they found my shoes, which were not even started on...so almost 3 weeks later I finally got my shoes repaired. The repair was not great, but better than other places I had been in DC. They didn't shine the shoe, didn't touch the insole, nothing. For $70 I expected a little bit more than just fixing the heel. And the fix didn't even last too long. Because the shoes weren't the best, and I had such bad experiences with other shoe shops in DC, I figured I'd give them one more chance. I brought a pair of cowboy boots there to get a new heel and half sole. They quoted me $70, which is reasonable, assuming they fix it up, polish it, replace the insoles, etc. -- which they said they would do this time. Again, a week goes by, I come back for my shoes (they should have been done by then), and surprise!: they haven't even started on them yet. I asked for my boots back. When I got them, they poked a hole straight through the leather upper with a safety pin to pin the tag on it. Seriously? What the hell?? So not only did they not fix my shoes, they damaged them more. Furious. They suck. I'm sticking to online shoe repair companies now. Had decent luck with Resole, but they are a little slow, so I'm trying Zabellos next. Fingers crossed. read more

Staff at Eldon Luxury Suites recommended STERLING when we were guests at the hotel. We had a blouse with a combination of Indian curry and lipstick stains, and we were leaving town in one day! Sterling did pickup and drop off and an amazing job at cleaning the blouse. read more

I don't even really understand how many businesses are involved here, or how they relate. I've taken my shoes in to be shined and have the heels touched up a few times. The first few times went well. I spoke with the shoe repair man and all went well. I was very happy with the shine and repairs. There is another shoe shine man, it seems, who says I can also drop shoes off for him, but I actually don't know who shines my shoes when I drop them off. A little confusing. As I said, the whole setup is baffling. The last few times, something has always gone wrong. I dropped off some dry cleaning, but when I went to pick it up, they said they couldn't find it because the computer was down, so they gave me some and told me to come back for the rest. I guess, but I prefer that dry cleaners be able to return my stuff. Then I went in to pick up some shoes, and there was a whole crowd there, but I guess none could help me. Instead, they shouted for a woman from the back, who shouted back that she wouldn't come out because she was doing payroll. They told me to come back after 11? I commented that I've never before seen a business where no one will help you, and she did come out and, after some trouble, find and return my shoes. Shoes are expensive, and being told you can't have them back is disconcerting. I find my experiences there just...odd. So, great work, very weird business model, and baffling customer service. Clothes and shoes are expensive items, so I'm not really comfortable dropping them off anymore after the last few visits. Which is sad, because they really do great work on the items themselves. read more

I'm leaving a review for the Shoe Repair shop inside the cleaners. Recommended by a colleague. I've taken at least 15 pairs of shoes here for work spanning from simple heel cap replacement and tip protectors, to resoling, to complete overhaul. Easy drop off and pickup. Mr. Hernandez performs quality work with great integrity and professionalism at very reasonable prices. Highly recommend. read more

Shoe Repair I dropped off 2 pair of boots to have them stretched. I was going to pick them up in 2 days. They were there a week. When I went to picked them up, they weren't even stretched yet. I had to wait while he did it and there was no difference in the toe area. I said that to the man behind the counter. He looked at me as if I didn't say anything. They were suppose to be shine too. He quickly buffed them, if you can call that shining. I will never go there again. read more

I'm typically not the person to add a review but due to the terrible service, I had to sign up for the yelp website and say something. I do not recommend this place at all. This company is partnered with the building in which I live and the service is fraudulent and customer service is the worst I have ever seen. Basically, I dropped off an expensive tuxedo jacket and they returned the WRONG jacket to me. After multiple complaints and voice mails, they completely stopped answering my call or texts. After I finally got a hold of senior management, they said they can not do anything for me because the jacket that I dropped off was the one I received back. The WRONG jacket was from a tuxedo rental company in D.C. which I have never even heard of. The conversation fell off the tracks from there and they hung up the phone on me. I do not recommend anyone use this company for their valet services. read more

DO NOT TAKE YOUR SHOES HERE!! LOST SHOES - NO REFUND. After last summer, I brought 2 pair of sandals and a few heels to be re-heeled at this place. Similar to Megan B., each time I returned to this place, I was told that my shoes were not ready. After receiving the shoes piecemeal, I was finally told that they had lost my last pair of shoes. They told me that they could not give me any money but offered to repair 5 pair of shoes for free and wrote me out a voucher on a business card. When I returned a month later to redeem this offer, the same shoe guy who wrote out the offer told me that the card was for the PREVIOUS owner and that he could not honor the offer. When I insisted, he PRETENDED NOT TO KNOW ENGLISH... and just grinned while I tried to explain to him that we had discussed this on all of my previous visits. I plan to file a COMPLAINT with the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. Am currently looking into larger shoe repair chains to avoid repeating this regrettable waste of time and money. read more

Very disappointed in this cleaner. Dropped items off on a Tuesday morning and clearly stated that they needed to be ready for Thursday afternoon in preparation for a business trip. Cleaners said they could do it. Unfortunately, they were only able to clean some of my items and the rest are still being cleaned and I won't be able to bring them with me on my trip. Very confused how they were only able to clean some items and not all. Okay if you're not in a rush, but I would go elsewhere if you need a rush job. read more

I ve taken my shoes there a couple of times to put new heels and shoe plates. The shoes came out nicely. The service is okay, you can always communicate what you need, they will listen to you and give advice. Once I took my bag there and they told me it would be a waste of money to get it fixed. So I would say pretty honest. I would recommend this place. read more

Extremely disappointed in customer service. I came for shoe repair for 3 items. From the start, the customer service was sub-par. We were not greeted and the shoe repairman was too busy shining a pair of shoes to even acknowledge our presence. The experience was downhill from there. I had 3 orders for shoe repair. One order, he "accepted". Another order, he stated was not possible (which by the way, another shoe repair shop nearby was able to take care of, no problem...). Lastly, he said he could do the last order but did not recommend it. I told him I understood the risks but wanted to go ahead with the order anyway-he argued with me in a very rude manner while I was trying to give him business. Finally, I gave up and told him I would have the 3rd order done somewhere else since it was an issue for him. He then rudely refused to even do the one order he was capable of! Stay away from this place! There are more capable shoe repairman without an attitude to waste your time here. read more

I truly love this cleaners , They do an excellent job with my clothes and shoes . Alena is exceptional excellent customer service skills , she take pride in her work and I'm always leaving there happy. I've been going there for 3 years and never had a problem. Also Victoria is AWESOME, there is no problem is can't handle and always nice and professional . These two lady are the best at what they do . The guy that repair shoes is also the best always greet you with a smile . I recommend this place to anyone who want their clothes and shoes done right . read more

Thank you for the kind note from management, but to clarify, my review was not based entirely on the fact that the place has a strong smell from the shoe shining. It was also based on the fact that I brought a jacket in for a rather simple sewing repair and was turned away. I was surprised that this place was not willing to help. I went to another dry cleaner a few blocks away and the repair was done for $15. I will update again if/when I use the dry cleaning service. read more

This was by far and away the worst Dry Cleaning store I have ever been to. Over the phone I was quoted a price of $1.85 per button down for dry cleaning. I dropped off a significant number of shirts (~14), 1 pair of pants, and 1 suit coat. They produced many different tickets for my order. When I came to pick up my clothes several days later, they could not find all of my items. Several employees scrambled to find the items but still could not and said the remaining would be ready the next day (even though they should all be ready by now). The items they did have ready had new ticket numbers, they said they had to create new ones because they lost the old. They wanted me to pay and pick up the shirts that were ready that day. When they rang me up, the ticket numbers did not match and they charged me for 16 items but there were only 12 items ready. When I caught this, they said it was ok I should just pay for them and pick up the others tomorrow. I said no because that is not what I was picking up, and the ticket numbers were all wrong so I wouldn't be able to verify what I have and what I don't. This whole process took over 30 minutes. I told them I would come back the next day to pick everything up. I came back two days later and when I was picking up they still had a difficult time finding all of my items. There was still one item missing and they said it was being worked on now. So I waited for another 20 minutes and they brought the last piece out. When I looked at the shirts I realized they were not pressed. When I asked them they said they only did laundry on everything. I told them I stated I wanted dry cleaning when I dropped the items off, and they replied they thought I said laundry which is why they charged me $1.85 per shirt (I can only imagine how much dry cleaning is). I was upset enough I just said ok. When they produced the final bill it was much more than the quoted $1.85 and I had to correct them. They also would not produce a ticket that was itemized with specific item quantities and prices. Finally I left. The spot on my pants I asked them to fix, looks worse than before. I have worn four of the shirts I dropped off for "dry cleaning" since I picked them up. However, I have had to take the shirts off when I get to work because of how BAD they smell. They smell like mildew! I can only imagine all of the other items smell just as bad. Of these four shirts, two have also shrunk considerably. This is the WORST dry cleaning establishment I have ever seen. If you read this, please for your clothes sake and yours, find another dry cleaners to go to. read more

Love the Seamstress from Eastern Europe. She took care of me and my pants. And the shoe guy fixed my timberland insoles. Will always remember this place read more

Went here to get a very oversized coat taken in. Was immediately rushed to the back, no real greeting and the women there are kind of rude/not customer service friendly. The alterations cost $50 which pained me because it was more than the coat. To my surprise, when I picked up the coat, there was still so much excess fabric in the shoulder area and I could tell she removed the original belt loops but then replaced them too low so now it sits awkwardly and when I tie it to close the coat it doesn't sit right on the waist. I also had to manually add safety pins underneath the lapels to hold back the excess fabric and make it wearable. Waste of money. Could see if it was cheap but for the price and what is supposed to be an "upscale area", I was very disappointed. Don't bother here. read more

Great customer service! I've been going here for a few years already and know most of the there team. They have a great seamstress Alicia, she can fix everything, their manager Victoria always was very attentive to my needs.The front counter girl very polite and nice. My clothes always ready on time. Thanks guys read more

The (Russian) girl at the reception desk is extremely rude. I left a dress to be altered. I took it home the dress I fit the same. While I can't prove it...my guess is that the alterations were never done. Unfortunately for me, I lost my ticket/receipt so it would have been hard for me to ask them to address the problem. Anyway, the cobbler did a great job with my shoes, so I chalked it up as a wash. I will never go back. read more

Fantastic service! They can sew and alter unique items. Alena is incredibly friendly, too.

I recently brought in a pair of worn out hiking boots that I love and were no longer made by North Face. The shoe repair man, whose name I do not know, told me the truth about how the glue would not hold, but that he could repair the holes in the fabric. I returned the next day and had a new pair of hiking boots! The gentleman had gone far beyond what he told me he could do. It was touching, actually, to see an artist take pride in his work. I, of course, plan to bring any and all leather and shoe repairs to him. They also do a great job shining shoes. And they are very courteous. Not once did he look at his smart phone!! read more

There service is very reliable. Great customer service. There great for get spots out. The shoe repair job is excellent. read more

Imperial Valet - Shoe Repair Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

First things first the guy who does shines at this facility is good and I recommend him. The shoe repair guy who also does shines is another story. I dropped off three pairs of shoes for shining on a Monday and was told they'd be ready by Wednesday. On Friday afternoon, they were not only still scuffed but the guy started trying to sell me on new heels, etc-- something he's done before. Not that it was any of his business, but I wasn't sure any of these shoes still fit me and I wanted them shined to donate them to a charity. He claimed that he had forgotten to call me, which is BS - he just wanted to upsell me. He then told me he could shine the shoes in 10 minutes. I'll find somebody else to do the shines before I donate them. Unfortunate he's got plenty of business despite his horrible attitude towards customers. Time waster and obnoxious to boot. Now I know why one of his colleagues was trash talking him at drop off! read more

After being turned away by several other shoe repair shops, the cobbler here did a fantastic job of fixing two pairs. One was a ripped suede boot - you can't even see where the hole was before. He even matched the stitching color! Reasonably priced and excellent work. read more