How Clean is Dryclean?

Let’s face it. If you like to wear nice clothes you are going to need to find yourself a quality dry cleaner. Suits, evening gowns, silk shirts and blouses are just a few examples of things that cannot be cleaned safely in a regular washing machine.

Why not just throw these items in the machine at home? Standard cleaning solutions will dissolve silk, wool, and other hair fibers, such as camel or cashmere. Diluted solutions of bleach will cause yellowing and stiffening of these fabrics as well, which eliminates it as a possible stain remover. The churning motion of most machine washers and dryers would destroy delicate items such as evening gowns that may have delicate clasps, sequins, beads, or buttons if given the chance. Some of your clothes may have sentimental value such as a wedding dress. Consider the cost of your clothing, not only the purchase price, but the time invested shopping, fitting, or any alterations you may have made. It is just not worth the risk.

If you are convinced keep reading. It may not be in your best interest to go out and find the nearest dry cleaner. Your clothes are an investment and a poor quality dry cleaner could jeopardize this by damaging, or even worse, losing your favorite outfits. In most cases you get what you pay for. High quality cleaners will even pickup and drop off your clothes, saving you valuable time. These cleaners will return your items on time in cleaned, pressed, and ready to wear in garment bags hung on high quality wood hangers.

Recent research has shown there may be health issues regarding standard dry cleaning practices. Most cleaners use a solvent called perchloroethylene, often called PERC, to remove stains. PERC is a colorless, clear liquid that has a sweet smell. This chemical is toxic and can cause major health problems with prolonged exposure. Some examples are nausea, dizziness, and reproductive problems, including miscarriage and infertility in men, as well as disorders of the central nervous system. Clothes cleaned with these solvents will be left with a toxic chemical residue on them. Some experts go so far as to recommend you remove the plastic garment bags your clothes are returned in before you enter your house. The danger here is thought that you may be spreading toxic residue throughout your home, and exposing your family, children and pets to an invisible health hazard.

As an alternative you may want to seek out an organic dry cleaner. This fairly recent technology is on the rise in almost all major cities. Some techniques called wet cleaning use water and sensitive biodegradable solvents, and a combination of computer controlled and hand washing. However wet cleaning may still put certain items at risk of shrinking. Another alternative method uses carbon dioxide and other organic compounds. Consumers have reported this method gives the best results based on garment shrinkage, color and texture preservation, even up against standard PERC methods.

Keep in mind the specific needs of your garments when selecting your cleaner. Although wet cleaning methods are the absolute safest and most environmentally friendly, in the case of an expensive custom tailored wool jacket or a brightly colored rayon blouse, CO2 cleaning might be the best choice, while a silk shirt will do fine with wet methods. The best cleaners will be able to provide the best methods for your specific garment needs without you having to ask.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of wood hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.