In people's minds, dry cleaning is the cleaning process for their sensitive &/or expensive garments. The irony is that a lot of times, the garments come back ruined or not clean at all. As we all know, the process involves some hazardous chemicals known as PERC. See www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts18 . However, the term "wet cleaning" sounds scary too. People worry that the clothes may come back shrunk.
The earliest form of garment cleaning was offered by Saville Row Tailors. A suit would be carefully measured, linings and interfacings would be removed. The garments would carefully be handwashed in cold water and mild detergent. It would be rinsed in cold water, blocked to it's original shape and air-dried. Then the linings and interfacings would be put back in.
Today, the wet cleaning process is similar. The difference is, the lining need not be taken off. The clothes are not agitated or beaten down (unlike in a regular washing machine). The solvent used to clean have very low ph levels, therefore making them very mild. To finish the garment, it is put in a tensioning machine that mildly stretches the fabric a little bit so as bring it back into it's original shape.
Sound good?
Environmentally friendly? Oh yes. No hazardous chemicals, - (notice the environmental tax you pay at the cleaners?), no air pollution, no water or soil contamination. Think about it, you don't have to wear the clothes that smell of chemicals. Imagine how bad that can be for yourself?
Stop dry cleaning your clothes. Let's stop polluting the environment. Google the wet cleaners in your area.
