But how does dry cleaning work and what does it really do to your clothing?
Read on to learn more about the process and follow a garment’s journey from start to finish.
What Is Dry Cleaning?
The Spruce / Michele Lee
Dry cleaning launders clothes and fabrics using a chemical solvent containing little or no water.
Some clothes can’t be washed in water.
For example, non-washable wools will shrink or lose their shape in water.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
Water temperature and agitation can damage or fade delicate fibers or embellished items, or cause colors to bleed.
Cleaners then used petroleum-based solvents like gasoline and kerosene which proved highly flammable and dangerous.
By the 1930s, cleaners began using perchloroethylene, commonly called “perc.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
“Perc has a distinctive chemical odor and is classified as carcinogenic to humans.
However, the switchover to more environmentally friendly solvents has been slow.
Your local dry cleaner usually transports laundry to a central cleaning facility.
This is more cost-efficient than having machines at every drop-off location.
Similar soiled garments from different customers are cleaned together.
The tagging process ensures that your clothes are returned to you.
These items are returned to customers and problems are noted before cleaning.
At this stage, a cleaner should also remove or cover delicate buttons and trim to prevent damage.
The clothes are gently agitated in the solution to loosen soil.
Post Spotting
All garments are reviewed for remaining stains.
The stains are treated with steam, water, or a vacuum to remove the remaining traces.
However, dry cleaning cannot always remove all stains.
Finishing
The final step includes getting the garment ready to wear.
This includes steaming or pressing out wrinkles, reattaching buttons, or making repairs.
Items are hung or folded to return to the customer.
The plastic bags provided protect your clothes.
Take the bags off clothes immediately when you get home because any trapped moisture may damage clothing.
However, double-check you feel comfortable having your clothes cleaned with these newer processes.
Tip
Consider using adry cleaning kit at home.
Clothing is tumbled in dry heat which can aid in the sanitization of clothing.
Dry cleaning isn’t better or worse than washing your clothing at home.
Some materials can deteriorate when dry-cleaned, including fabrics made with plastic, PVC, or polyurethane.
Going Green in a Post-Perc World.American Drycleaner.
2021;87(14):e03002-20.
