P2: Dry Cleaning Process Change

In the last ten years many leading alternatives to perc have been developed including professional wet cleaning, CO2 and ultrasonic cleaning. Those businesses that do opt for the newer technologies have been able to maintain their level of service, attract many new customers, and avoid having to comply with certain regulations applicable to Perchloroethylene. Additionally, an independent study by Consumer Reports found that alternative methods of professional cleaning often produced superior results. Following are some of the newer technologies:

Professional Wet Cleaning (pdf) – a non-toxic water-based cleaning process that uses biodegradable soap, steam and computer controlled washers and dryers as a leading alternative to dry cleaning.

Benefits:

• Safer for the environment
• Higher quality and performance for wide variety of garments
• Both equipment and operating costs are lower than perc dry cleaning.
• Garments do not fade and no "chemical smell"
• A large portion of the cost of cleaning goes to pay employees, rather than producing chemicals and disposing of hazardous waste

Obstacles:

• Skilled and experienced cleaners needed
• Special pressing equipment or more time for pressing is required
• A few garments will still need solvent cleaning

Professional Wet Cleaning Demonstration videos
Courtesy of UEPI

Dry Cleaners: Switch to Wet Cleaning Process
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Case Study

Wet Cleaning: Alternative Clothes Cleaning Projects

Silicone-based Cleaning – Known as siloxane, or D-5, which is used in machines specifically modified to work with this solvent.

Benefits:

• Marketed by Green Earth as an environmentally friendly process
• Can reduce labor and energy costs

Obstacles:

• Regulations by EPA are still being considered
• EPA is undergoing further testing

Siloxane D-5 Fact Sheet
EPA Design for the Environment (DfE)

Carbon Dioxide Cleaning – a non-toxic technology using a rotating basket with a pressure chamber and a detergent system.

Benefits:

• Non-flammable and non-corrosive
• Easily recyclable

Obstacles:

• Must be operated at extremely high pressures
• Use exceptionally strong/well-sealed chamber
• Not widely used in the U.S.

Ultrasonic Cleaning – the use of pressure sound waves directed at a garment through a soap and water solution. The pressure then removes the stains from the garments.

Benefits:

• No hazardous waste or air emission

Obstacles:

• Still being researched and developed
  

continue to Dry Cleaning Recycling and Waste Exchange

Other Dry Cleaning sections:

 

return to P2 Business Sectors