How Does Dry Cleaning Actually Work? Laundry Experts Explain the Process!

How Does Dry Cleaning Actually Work? Laundry Experts Explain the Process!

Have you ever wondered how your clothes get so clean and fresh when you take them to the dry cleaner? The dry cleaning process can seem like a bit of a mystery, but it’s actually a specialized cleaning method that uses chemical solvents instead of water to remove dirt, stains, and odors from fabrics.

To shed some light on this cleaning technique, we spoke to several laundry and dry cleaning experts to get the inside scoop on how does dry cleaning actually work. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the dry cleaning process, from start to finish.

What is Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a specialized cleaning process for certain types of fabrics that can’t safely wash in a regular washing machine using water. Instead, dry cleaning uses liquid chemical solvents to dissolve and remove dirt, oils, and stains from the fabric.

“The term ‘dry cleaning’ is a bit misleading, as the process does in fact use a liquid chemical solvent,” explains Katarina Avis, a laundry and fabric care expert at The Spruce. “However, it’s called ‘dry’ cleaning because the fabrics don’t get soaked in water like they would in a regular washing machine.”

The chemical solvents to use in dry cleaning are non-water-based liquids that can more effectively break down and remove certain types of stains and soils that water-based washing can’t handle as well. These include things like oil-based stains, grease, makeup, and perspiration.

“Dry cleaning is better suited for delicate fabrics like silk, wool, and acetate that could damage by the agitation and moisture of a regular wash cycle,” says Avis. “The process is gentler on these fabrics and helps preserve their shape, finish, and color.”

Common dry cleaning solvents include perchloroethylene (perc), hydrocarbon, and liquid carbon dioxide. Perc is the most commonly to use solvent, as it’s very effective at dissolving a wide range of stains and soils.

How Does Dry Cleaning Actually Work by Step-by-Step: – 1

Now that you understand the basics of what dry cleaning is, let’s take a closer look at the step-by-step process that your clothes go through at the dry cleaners. Here’s how it all works:

1.Inspection and Pretreatment

When you drop off your clothes at the dry cleaner, the first thing they’ll do is to inspect each item for any visible stains, spots, or areas of soiling. The staff will then pretreat these problem areas using specialized spotting solutions and techniques to help lift out the stains before the main dry cleaning cycle.

“Pretreatment is a crucial step that helps ensure the stains and spots are removed as effectively as possible,” explains Jane Bingham, a laundry expert and owner of a dry cleaning business. “The staff will carefully inspect each garment and use their expertise to select the right spotting agents and methods for that particular fabric and type of stain.”

Typical pretreatment steps might include spraying stain-removing solutions, applying a mild abrasive, or gently scrubbing the affected area. This helps break down and lift out stains that would be difficult to remove during the dry cleaning cycle alone.

How Does Dry Cleaning Actually Work by Step-by-Step: – 2

2.The Dry Cleaning Machine

Once the garments have inspected and pretreated, they’re to load into a specialized dry cleaning machine. These machines are similar in appearance to a regular washing machine, but they use a closed-loop system to circulate the liquid solvent instead of water.

“The dry cleaning machine has a large, airtight drum that the clothes are placed in,” says Bingham. “A liquid solvent is then pumped into the drum and circulated through the fabrics to dissolve and remove the dirt, oils, and stains.”

The machine also has built-in filters and distillation systems that help purify and recycle the solvent so it can reuse. This makes the dry cleaning process more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective for the business.

How Does Dry Cleaning Actually Work by Step-by-Step: – 3

3.Drying and Finishing

After the main dry cleaning cycle is complete, the garments remove from the machine and go through a drying process. This typically involves tumbling the clothes in warm air to evaporate any remaining solvent and ensure the fabrics are completely dry.

“The drying phase is important because it helps remove any lingering solvent residue from the fabrics,” explains Avis. “You don’t want any solvent left behind, as that could potentially cause damage or irritation to the skin.”

Once the clothes are dry, they’ll undergo a finishing process. This might include pressing, steaming, or light ironing to restore the proper shape and appearance of the garment. The staff may also inspect the items again and perform any necessary spot-cleaning or touch-ups.

Finally, the cleaned and finished garments carefully hang or fold and prepare for pickup. Many dry cleaners will also offer optional services like starch, sizing, or plastic garment bags to help protect the clothes during storage.

The Science Behind Dry Cleaning:

So what makes the dry cleaning process so effective at cleaning clothes? It all comes down to the unique properties of the chemical solvents used.

“The solvents used in dry cleaning are non-polar, meaning they don’t have a positive or negative electrical charge,” explains Bingham. “This allows them to effectively dissolve and lift out non-polar soils and stains, like oils, grease, and sebum – things that water-based washing struggles with.”

The solvents also have a low surface tension, which means they can more easily penetrate and reach deep into the fabric fibers to dislodge and remove embedded dirt and grime. And because they don’t contain water, there’s no risk of the fabrics becoming saturated, swollen, or misshapen.

“Dry cleaning solvents are also better at preserving certain fabric finishes and dyes that could be damaged by the heat, agitation, and moisture of a regular wash cycle,” adds Avis.

The downside is that dry cleaning solvents can’t effectively remove water-soluble stains and soils, like coffee, juice, or mud. That’s why the pretreatment process is so important – to address any problem areas that the main dry cleaning cycle may not be able to handle on its own.

Environmental Concerns and Advancements:

One potential drawback of traditional dry cleaning is the environmental impact of the chemical solvents, particularly perchloroethylene (perc). Perc is a synthetic, chlorine-based solvent that can be harmful to the environment and human health if not properly contained and disposed of.

In response to these concerns, the dry cleaning industry has been working to develop more environmentally-friendly alternative solvents and cleaning methods. Some examples include:

• Hydrocarbon solvents: These petroleum-based solvents are less toxic and have a lower environmental impact than perc.
• Liquid carbon dioxide (CO2): CO2 is a non-toxic, non-flammable solvent that can effectively clean clothes without the same environmental concerns.
• “Green” or “wet” cleaning: This process uses computer-controlled washing machines and biodegradable detergents to clean delicate fabrics, eliminating the need for chemical solvents altogether.

Many dry cleaners are also upgrading their equipment and facilities to improve solvent containment, filtration, and recycling, further reducing the environmental footprint of their operations.

“The dry cleaning industry has made a lot of progress in recent years when it comes to sustainability and eco-friendliness,” says Avis. “Consumers are increasingly looking for dry cleaners that use greener methods and solvents, so the industry has had to adapt to meet that demand.”

So while traditional dry cleaning does still rely on chemical solvents, the process is continually evolving to become more environmentally responsible. Consumers who are concerned about the impact can look for dry cleaners that use alternative solvents or “green” cleaning techniques.

Conclusion:

Dry cleaning is a specialized cleaning process that uses liquid chemical solvents to effectively remove a wide range of stubborn stains and soils from delicate fabrics. It’s a gentler alternative to regular water-based washing that helps preserve the shape, finish, and color of garments.

The step-by-step dry cleaning process involves inspection and pretreatment, washing in a solvent-filled machine, drying, and finishing. The solvents used are non-polar and low in surface tension, allowing them to deeply penetrate fabrics and dissolve non-water-soluble stains.

While traditional dry cleaning does raise some environmental concerns, the industry is making progress in developing greener solvents and cleaning methods. Consumers now have more eco-friendly dry cleaning options to choose from.

So the next time you drop off your dry cleaning, you can have a better understanding of the specialized process your clothes are going through to come back looking and feeling refreshed. It’s a bit more complex than just tossing them in the washing machine!