Dry cleaning prices may rise over hanger dispute

We might be paying more for dry cleaning in the near future. The culprit: wire hangers. They are a major expense for dry cleaners and the price could be edging up.

The reason: The United States is imposing new trade penalties on Vietnam, from where last year we imported $31 million worth of hangars.

The Department of Commerce charges Vietnam with unfairly subsidizing wire hangar exports.

Many dry cleaners say they will probably pass the increase on to consumers.