Garment Liability & Care Terms

Washermann Africa Ltd · Effective date: September 1, 2026

1. Scope

These terms govern the care of your garments and the liability of Washermann and the independent Vendor for loss, damage, or unsatisfactory results. They form part of the Terms of Service.

2. Your responsibilities before pickup

You must:

  • empty all pockets and remove valuables, cash, jewellery, and electronics;
  • disclose stains, delicate fabrics, embellishments, or special-care needs;
  • ensure items are suitable for professional cleaning and that you own or are authorised to submit them. Washermann and the Vendor are not liable for items left in garments, undisclosed defects, or damage arising from following the garment's own care label.

3. Garment counting

Garments are counted and logged at pickup/handover. The logged count is the record for the order. Please confirm the count at pickup; raise discrepancies immediately, as later count disputes are harder to substantiate.

4. Inherent risks (no liability)

Some outcomes are inherent to cleaning and are not the responsibility of Washermann or the Vendor, including: pre-existing wear, weak/aged fabric failing, colour bleeding or fading, shrinkage consistent with the fabric/care label, damage to items without care labels, and minor variations. Following the manufacturer's care label is deemed proper care.

5. Liability for loss or damage (and the cap)

Where a garment is lost or damaged due to the fault of the Vendor (or Washermann's handling), the remedy is, at our reasonable option: re-cleaning, repair, or compensation. Compensation is capped at the lesser of:

  • 10× the cleaning charge for that item, or
  • the item's depreciated value (accounting for age and wear), or
  • ₦50,000 per item and ₦200,000 per order in aggregate.

Higher-value items require the optional declaration in §7.

6. Proof and valuation

Claims must include the order reference, description, and evidence (photos, and where available proof of purchase/value). Compensation reflects depreciated not replacement value unless the law requires otherwise. We may inspect the item.

7. High-value items

Items worth more than ₦50,000 (e.g. designer wear, agbada/lace, bridal, leather, fur) must be declared before pickup. Undeclared high-value items are treated as ordinary items and subject to the standard cap. We may decline high-value or specialist items.

8. Claim window

Report loss or visible damage within 72 hours of delivery (or of the delivery attempt). For damage that is not reasonably visible on delivery, report within 7 days. Claims outside these windows may be declined, as garments cannot be reliably assessed later.

9. Uncollected / abandoned garments

Delivered garments that cannot be handed over due to your unavailability may be re-attempted or returned to a holding point, and we will try to contact you. We will send at least two notices. Items that remain uncollected 30 days after the first notice may be treated as abandoned and, subject to applicable law, stored at your cost, donated, or disposed of. Where we sell abandoned items, any net proceeds (after our reasonable costs) are held for you for a reasonable period.

10. Process

Claims are handled under the Refund, Cancellation & Dispute Policy. Remedies may be paid as WP credit or, where appropriate, cash.

11. Relationship to Vendor liability

The Vendor is primarily responsible for garments in its possession (see the Vendor Agreement); Washermann facilitates resolution and may recover substantiated amounts from the Vendor.