Most consumers know very little about how dry cleaning works. You drop off a bundle of crumpled, soiled clothes and several days later those same clothes are neatly hung up and look almost new. So what happens in the meantime?
What is Dry Cleaning?
Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles that uses solvents rather than water. The solvent used is typically tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) or PERC for short.
Dry cleaning is actually similar to home laundering. Your clothes are sorted according to color, stains are pretreated and clothing is thrown into a washing and drying machine. But while your washer uses soap and water, dry cleaning machines are filled with chemical solvent that can leave a pungent smell. And they don't clean clothes thoroughly - even dry cleaners must use water to remove water-based stains like sweat.
These solvents can also cause serious damage. The petroleum-based solvents used by about ten percent (10%) of dry cleaners are toxic and highly flammable. PERC, used by ninety percent (90%) of dry cleaners, can damage the central nervous and reproductive systems, according to recent studies by the EPA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in US. PERC is also a suspected carcinogen.
The use of PERC can be safe if dry cleaners take the necessary precautions, like keeping machines in pristine condition so that minimal PERC residue is left in clothing. There is, however, NO WAY to completely eliminate this. Operators should also store, transfer and dispose of PERC responsibly in order to minimise its release into the environment.
However, there is a sore lack of enforcing these practices in Malaysia. While used PERC is a scheduled waste that comes under the Department of Environment, laundries and dry cleaners fall under local authorities. The usage of PERC itself, however, does not seem to be monitored as such. Bigger laundry operators seem to self-regulate, while the smaller outfits simply do so on an ad hoc basis.
Workers and those who live near dry cleaning plants are the most likely to experience PERC-related health problems. But many more may be affected when their dry cleaned clothes release PERC into their homes, or when they are exposed to contaminated air or water. One of the most prevalent contaminants in urban air, PERC is designated as a hazardous air pollutant by the Federal government in US.
There is still disagreement over the degree of danger PERC poses to our families and communities. In spite of evidence to the contrary, some industry representatives maintain that the health effects of PERC are limited, and that new equipment reduces PERC emissions and eliminates any risk.
Amidst all this debate, one thing is for sure: developing and converting to non-hazardous cleaning methods will be better for both dry cleaners and their customers. Plus, growing evidence that the primary chemical solvent used (PERC) to dry clean can cause damage to our health and environment is making many people think differently about dry cleaning.
What is Wet Cleaning?
Wet cleaning is a water-based alternative to dry cleaning. Wet cleaning processes include professional, labor-intensive cleaning techniques and high-tech washing and drying machines that use soap and water to clean clothes.
Unlike dry cleaning, where nearly every garment is treated the same, wet cleaning can customise treatment for each garment. The first step in wet cleaning is a close inspection of a garment for dirt and stains. Then, depending on the item's fabric and soiling, the cleaner decides how to treat it. A garment may be spot-cleaned, steamed, hand-washed, or some combination of those processes. Or the garment may be washed in a computerized washing machine that regulates water temperature and agitation.
Wet-cleaning involves immersing garments in water (instead of a chemical bath) and uses biodegradable soaps but does so with a method that ensures your clothes will retain their shape and texture.
A complete wet-cleaning process strives to control the elements most responsible for shrinkage - water temperature, agitation and drying. Wet-cleaner's expertise will enable them to customise treatment effectively to specific fabrics and stains.
Wet-cleaning machines may be programmed for many variables, such as mechanical action, water temperature, detergent volume and spinning speeds. This flexible programming technology provides cleaners with the customised results which suited to the fabric's specific needs.
Cleaners also choose from several methods of drying, including drying cabinets and computer-controlled dryers that carefully monitor the moisture content of garments so as to limit shrinkage. After cleaning, garments are pressed and finished with techniques similar to those used by dry cleaners.
The results of wet-cleaning are equal to dry-cleaning, but without all the poison.
Why Clothes Shrink?
Contrary to popular perception, water alone does not shrink clothes. It's the combination of mechanical action, high temperatures and water that causes fibers to contract. Excessive drying can also shrink clothes. High-tech washers and dryers with computerized controls limit the risk of shrinkage in modern water-based cleaning.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Wet Cleaning
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
| Effects on Clothes | No chemical smell. Whiter whites. Water based stains easier to remove. | May shrink some garments. Grease stains more difficult to remove. |
| Environmental Effects | No hazardous chemical used. No hazardous waste generation. No air pollution. Reduced potential for water and soil contamination. | Increased water usage. |
| Cost | A larger portion of the cost of cleaning clothes is associated with workers' salaries rather than chemical production and hazardous waste disposal. | Increased labor costs associated with pressing and finishing. |
| Types of Clothes | Cotton, wool, silk, leather/suede, wedding gowns, highly decorated beads and sequins. | Concerns with some acetate linings, antique satin, gabardine and highly structured garments. |
| Availability | All cleaners have the capacity to wet-clean some items with their existing equipment and skills. There are a growing number of wet-cleaning shops with specialized equipment and trained personnel. | In order to wet-clean the widest range of garment types, knowledge of fibers and fabrics is required along with specialized cleaning and finishing equipment that many cleaners may not yet possess. |
