Laundry & Dry Cleaning at Le Méridien Al Aqah.

Rash vests, swim shirts, shorts and the T-shirts worn on the boat all go in together. Up to six kilos costs AED 60, up to twelve AED 99, and every kilo above that AED 12. Everything returns to Le Méridien Al Aqah folded within 24 hours.

Most divers pack one smart outfit and wear it twice. A shirt or polo is AED 15, trousers AED 18, a dress AED 40 and a blazer AED 40. Hand it over before noon and it can be back the same evening.

Clothes that spent the drive from Dubai folded in a dive bag only need an iron. A shirt on a hanger is AED 9, a T-shirt AED 9, trousers or jeans AED 12, and a basic abaya AED 10, all back within a day.

Your own beach and pool towels, not the resort's, washed at AED 6 each, bathrobes at AED 16 and bath mats at AED 10. Useful for divers who bring their own drying robes and towels for the boat.

Sand gets into everything on Al Aqah Beach, shoes most of all. Sandals and espadrilles are AED 45, sports sneakers AED 55 and kids' shoes AED 35. They need two to four days, so book early in a longer stay.

The duffel or gym bag that carries fins and masks to the boat picks up salt and mildew. We clean a duffel for AED 65, a backpack for AED 45 and a tote for AED 45, in three to five days.

A broken zip on a shorts pocket or trousers that need shortening before a wedding at home. A plain hem is AED 40, a small zip replacement AED 50 and a waist adjustment AED 40, finished in 48 to 72 hours.

This is for people who live along the coast, not for resort rooms. Regular carpets are cleaned at AED 20 a square metre, wool at AED 26, and curtains from AED 20 a square metre, with three days door to door.

Couples who marry on the east coast often come back for an anniversary. A standard bridal gown is cleaned from AED 250, a beaded one from AED 450, a veil for AED 55 and a groom's three-piece suit for AED 50.

For organisers running a children's event or a brand day on the coast. A small mascot suit is AED 200, medium AED 230 and large AED 250, plus AED 30 for each accessory, returned in three to five days.

Children who spend the morning at the kids' area while parents dive still bring their favourite toy everywhere. A small soft toy is AED 55, medium AED 70 and large AED 120, cleaned in two to three days.

For coast residents and owners of holiday flats near Dibba. Regular sofa covers are AED 35, large ones AED 40, and cushion covers AED 10 to AED 20 by size, returned in two to three days.

A wallet that went overboard in a pocket, or leather shoes caught in the spray. Small leather goods are AED 100, leather shoes or boots AED 180 and a leather jacket AED 150, taking three to five days.