Explicitly told them it was dry-cleaned before leaving New York (8)

I believe the answer is:

declared

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'explicitly told' is the definition.
'declared' can be an answer for 'told' (declaring is a kind of telling). I'm unsure of the 'explicitly' bit.

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for declared that I've seen before include "Announced, proclaimed" , "Closed an innings" , "Stated emphatically" , "Spoke or said dramatically" , "Announced publicly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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