Most of us own at least a few pieces of dry clean only clothing in our wardrobes and are familiar with the hassle and price of taking them to the cleaners. However, few people are actually aware of how dry cleaning works and the hazards associated with it. With a little bit of work, many garments labeled dry clean only can actually be treated at home.


Cleaning with Chemicals

Dry cleaning is actually a misnomer as the process isn't actually "dry". Clothing is put into commercial washers similar to home washing machines but instead of water, they are immersed in chemical solvents. The solvents evaporate much faster than water and require lower temperatures, lessening the chance for warping in fabrics. The problem lies in that most dry cleaners use the chemical tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or "perc", as the dry cleaning solvent. Exposure to perc can cause kidney and liver damage, and it is considered to be a potential carcinogen to humans as well as a hazardous air contaminant by the EPA. While, most of the perc solvent evaporates in the cleaning process, residues do remain in clothes and people sensitive to chemicals may experience allergic reactions. In addition, dry cleaning machines produce a waste called "muck" that contains solvent, filter material, and other hazardous materials that can be damaging to the environment when not properly disposed of.


Avoiding Dry Cleaning

Many garments marked dry clean only can actually be cleaned at home either with a washing machine or by hand. Do a bit of research online to the particular composition of fabric in the garment before washing it and as a general rule, only use cold water with mild detergents. Polyester and cotton is usually machine washable unless they are delicates. Materials such as wool and rayon distort and warp easily and are apt to shrinkage, so extra care must be taken if these are washed at home. In addition, rayon is prone to water spotting and if the label says dry clean only, it should be obeyed. If they label says dry clean suggested, the garment is usually safe for washing. Linen, silk, leather, and suede do require additional attention and can be damaged if washed at home so they should be taken to a dry cleaner when necessary.

Often, dry clean only clothing is brought to the cleaners not because they are soiled, but because they are wrinkled. Overcoats, suits, and blazers require less cleaning than clothing they touches the body and require less frequent cleanings. Instead of bringing them to the cleaners to be cleaned along with other clothes, opt to have them just be pressed or do it yourself at home. While most dry clean only garments are labeled as such due to their sensitivity to heat and cannot be ironed, they can usually be steamed out. A home steamer is relatively inexpensive and can do much more than an iron in removing wrinkles as well as odors.

Another alternative to commercial dry cleaning is home dry cleaning kits such as Dryel. These kits use your dryer to activate a steam pad to clean and freshen dry clean only labeled clothes. They won't remove heavy soil but can save you many unnecessary trips to the dry cleaners for light soiling and wrinkle removal. They cost a fraction of what commercial dry cleaning does and do not use any hazardous chemicals. However, they often use fragrances in their cleaning pads and those with sensitivity to perfumes should avoid these.


Organic Dry Cleaners

Going to the dry cleaners is unavoidable for some clothing but that doesn't mean you need to subject your clothes to harsh solvents and chemicals. Although they are a relatively new business, organic dry cleaners are opening up in many large cities. These cleaners forgo the use of perc solvents in favor of a liquid silicone solution that is non-toxic. Be aware, however, that some dry cleaners use hydrocarbon based solvents, which are not as hazardous than perc but do have adverse impacts on the environment in contributing to smog with volatile organic compounds (VOCs).