The Dirt on Dry Cleaning

Get this: dry cleaning isn’t really dry. Nope, we’re not pulling your (dry-clean-only trouser) leg. Although no water is involved in the process (hence the name), liquid solvents are, and the main one, perchloroethylene, is nasty stuff. Better known as perc, it’s a likely carcinogen linked to a host of other health problems that also contaminates our soil and water.

Greener alternatives include wet cleaning (a kind of high-tech version of hand-washing) and liquid-CO2 dry cleaning.

Of course, the simplest (and probably cheapest) solution is to avoid clothes that require dry cleaning in the first place. These days, there are even machine-washable suits (look for ones that haven't been treated with wrinkle- or stain-repellents, which often use formaldehyde). And many cotton, linen, and silk clothes can be safely hand-washed in cold water even if they say "dry-clean-only."

Comments

[Lynne Eldridge M.D.]

Thank you for this post! Wet-cleaning has been used for many years in England with satisfactory results.

Perc has been listed as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency on Research for Cancer.

While we do not know what risk wearing clothes cleaned by raises to us individually, we do know that those who work at dry cleaning establishments that use perc have a significantly elevated risk of cancer, especially esophageal cancer. I certainly would not want to put someone at risk of cancer simply to clean my clothes for me!!! Thanks!

Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com

[Carpet Cleaning]

I alwasy try to avoid dry clean only clothes. I'm already busy and broke so having to run somewere to et my clothes cleaned does not make sence to me.

[Sarah]

I have been continuously disappointed that the dry cleaner doesn't get my clothes CLEAN (you know - the grey on the cuffs from normal wear) - so I got very brave and threw a very good, expensive suit in my front load washer on delicate. It worked!!! I now regularly wash my suits and hang them to dry. Sometimes, I even throw them in the dryer on very low heat and hang them up the second they are done. I take them to the dry cleaner only if they need pressing, which is rare. Give it a try!

[Gale Bromelmeier]

What about Dryel, the dry cleaning product that you use in your own dryer? It is very inexpensive and I find it works well for things that simply need refreshing. You can remove spots with the process, as well.

[Victor Kral]

Living in California, where sun is plentiful, I have found that hanging clothes to dry, is saving almost thirty percent on my gas and electric bill. I am surprised more people are doing this, in these times of super high energy bills.

[UK Cleaners]

Thank you for this very informative post. This has helped people be aware of how dry cleaning works. Also, this gives a suggestion to people to buy clothes that are not very hard to maintain.