Scott Robbins did that in Pgh, and his Manhattanite parents might have too. So if you're in contact with him, it could be worthwhile to ask.

Do they just use their own detergent, then? Do you give your name? Are you supposed to mark your own bag in some way?

the issue you might have with any service or dry cleaner is the losing of items they handle. See what you can find out about recovering lost items, or what kind of compensation you'd get if they didn't return something. (a detailed list of what you send in will help both you and the service)

Here is a story I overheard on the bus (coming from Bloomfield):

Dude #1: Yeah man, I was going to dress up. That's why I was in Bloomfield, to pick up my suit from the dry cleaner. But they're closed.
Dude #2: Really? It's 4:00 on a weekday!
Dude #1: No I mean they were closed for good. Out of business. And there's no phone number or any indication they're ever coming back. I have no idea how I am going to get my suit back...

I used to do that in Pittsburgh. I would (slowly, painfully) lug my laundry bag to the 'mat, and they would charge me some money, and then a few days later I would come back and (slowly, painfully) lug my washed laundry home. It was pretty good except for the slow, painful lugging.

In MV, my employer has (a) a wash-and-fold service and (b) free laundry machines. I have never used either. My apartment complex has pay laundry machines, and I'd rather pay in quarters than deal with the lugging.

Sometimes you can get a service that will pick up your laundry from your door. I've never used that, because it trades the lugging problem for the "seriously have to be at home and dressed when the delivery guy shows up or you don't get your laundry back" problem.

I do drop-off laundry. Mine will pick up and deliver but with no doorman it's not really worth it to deal with extra tipping for pick-up/delivery, plus the place is across the street. It is 100% worth it if you don't have laundry in your building, and still mostly worth it even if you do. I've never had anything lost that I have noticed.