Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning (or dry-cleaning) is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using a chemical solvent rather than water. The solvent used is typically tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), abbreviated "perc" in the industry and "dry-cleaning fluid" by the public. It is often used instead of hand washing delicate fabrics, which can be excessively laborious.
How Dry Cleaning Works:
Doing laundry has been a common household activity for years. Whether the techn­ology­ was­ beating the garments on rocks by the river or pushing buttons on programmed washing machines, this process depends on water and a mechanical action usua­lly assisted by soap or an alkali. The purpose of an alkali is to saponify the oils and dislodge ordinary soil and other matter. More often­ than not, the soapy agent holds soil in suspension as it becomes loose during the wash cycle, and is subsequently flushed away during the rinse cycle and centrifugal spin.The drying process for doing laundry at home is either hanging clothes on a clothesline or tumbling them in a gas- or electric-heated dryer.Dry cleaning, on the other hand, is different. It's a process that cleans clothes without water. The cleaning fluid that is used is a liquid, and all garments are immersed and cleaned in a liquid solvent -- the fact that there is no water is why the process is called "dry." In this article, we will take a behind-the-scenes look at the dry-cleaning process so that you can understand what happens to your clothes after you drop them off at the.
Drycleaning & Laundry Institute.
The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) has been the premier international trade association for garment care professionals since 1883. Representing retail drycleaning and laundry facilities in the United States and around the world, DLI is the leading professional garment care organization. DLI's balanced representation of cleaning entities, both large and small, makes it the industry voice.Through legislative & regulatory policy development, education, professional training, information, garment analysis, research, and textile testing, DLI offers solutions to help member businesses remain on the competitive edge.DLI President Charlie Smith, Village Square Cleaners, Reston, VA In addition, DLI provides consumers and consumer advocacy groups with the most accurate fabric and clothing care advice, based on our analysis and research expertise.