P2: Dry Cleaning Basic Operations

The dry-cleaning process and the waste that may be produced for each step has been compiled in a Dry Cleaning Operations Map, from the Pollution Prevention Regional Information Center.

Pre-wash garments if possible to remove dusts and oils.

• Increases solvent and filter life.

Turn on equipment over a staggered period of time

• Reduces peak electricity demands.
• Contact local utility companies about how to further reduce utility bills by reducing peak demand charges.

Monitor solvent mileage.

Mileage = pounds of clothes per gallon of solvent

• Keep track of the amount of clothes washed per week and the amount of solvent used per week. Much like the mileage of your car tells you about the condition of your engine, solvent mileage tells you about the condition of your equipment.
• Any changes in mileage can indicate leaks in your equipment.
• The mileage can also help you estimate the payback period of new equipment.

Size the garment loads according to machine manufacturer recommendations.

• Overloading leaves excess solvent in garments.
• Overloading reduces the effectiveness of solvent recovery equipment.
• Under loading the machine decreases solvent mileage.

If your equipment does not automatically dispense detergents or solvents, post a chart near the equipment to remind users of the correct amount of each product required per garment load.

Use low temperature laundering instead of dry cleaning when possible.

• Reduces use of cleaning solvent.

Dry clothes of all remaining solvent by monitoring the drying temperature.

• If your equipment does not have a sensor, use the temperature to indicate when the clothes are dry. In the lint trap, 135 degrees F generally indicates that the clothes are dry.
• Monitoring the drying temperature instead of drying garments for a set period of time can save energy and reduce electricity bills.

Open the machine only as long as necessary to clean traps.

• Decreases solvent losses through evaporation when cleaning button and lint traps.

Monitor the water temperature rise across the condenser coil.

• The temperature change only needs to be 10 degrees F. If the change is more than that, you are wasting water. Install a valve downstream of the condenser, and adjust the flow of water to obtain a change in temperature of 10 degrees F.
  

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