Laundry & Dry Cleaning at Crown Palace Hotel Ajman.

Washing by weight is the cheapest way to keep a visiting family in clean clothes. A 6kg bag costs AED 60 and a 12kg bag AED 99, so the bigger bag works out cheaper per kilo. Back at Crown Palace folded within 24 hours.

Keep dry cleaning for clothes whose labels ask for it. Shirts and T-shirts are AED 15, a basic abaya AED 18, a normal dress AED 40, a men’s shalwar kurta AED 15 and a saree AED 40. Before noon in, same evening out.

Clothes you washed yourself only need the creases out. A shirt or T-shirt on a hanger is AED 9, trousers AED 12, a women’s shalwar kurta AED 15 and a saree AED 35. Pressed and returned within 24 hours.

For people who live in the Mushairef and Al Rashidiya buildings around the hotel, not for anything belonging to Crown Palace. A blanket costs AED 30, a large one AED 40, a pillowcase AED 7 and a towel AED 6. One or two days.

Children go through shoes fast on a visit full of parks and malls. Kids’ pairs are AED 35 to clean, sandals and espadrilles AED 45, trainers AED 55 and boots AED 85. Ready in two to four days.

School bags that need a proper clean before term starts again, and the tote that carried the beach towels. School and kids’ bags are AED 40, totes and backpacks AED 45 and a duffel AED 65. Three to five days.

Small repairs keep clothes going longer. A replacement jeans rivet or button is AED 15, a jeans length cut AED 40, a trouser hem AED 40 and a crotch repair AED 40. Done in two or three days.

For relatives who live in Mushairef and want the flat fresh before guests arrive, never for the hotel. Regular carpets are AED 20 a square metre and wool AED 26; curtains AED 20, or AED 25 with blackout. Three days.

Many family visits are timed around a wedding. A wedding abaya is AED 50 to clean, a wedding kandura AED 20, a bridal veil AED 55 and a standard gown from AED 250. Allow seven to fourteen days.

For party entertainers and shop promoters along Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road who wear costumes in the heat. A small mascot is AED 200, medium AED 230 and large AED 250, plus AED 30 per accessory.

A plush toy that went everywhere on the trip deserves a wash before the flight home. Small toys cost AED 55, medium AED 70 and large AED 120, washed gently and dried slowly. Two to three days.

Again for local households, not hotel furniture: relatives preparing the majlis for visitors. Regular sofa covers are AED 35, large AED 40, and cushion covers AED 10, AED 15 or AED 20. Two or three days.

Leather costs more to clean, so it is worth choosing carefully. Wallets and small goods are AED 100, a leather coat or blazer AED 130, a jacket AED 150 and leather shoes AED 180. Allow three to five days.