What Is Dry Cleaning? Everything You Need to Know About the Process and Benefits

When you hear the term “dry cleaning,” you might imagine a process that skips liquids altogether, but that’s not quite the case. Dry cleaning is a unique method of cleaning clothes and fabrics without using water. Instead, it relies on liquid solvents to remove stains and dirt, making it ideal for delicate materials like silk, wool, and suede.

This process is especially effective for tackling tough stains like grease or oil that water-based methods struggle to remove. By using lower temperatures and specialized techniques, dry cleaning protects your garments from shrinking, stretching, or damage. Whether it’s a wine-stained dress or a velvet jacket, dry cleaning ensures your items stay in excellent condition while extending their lifespan.

What Is Dry Cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a cleaning process that uses liquid solvents instead of water to clean fabrics and delicate garments. This method works effectively for materials that can shrink, stretch, or get damaged when exposed to water, such as silk, velvet, wool, and suede.

According to the CDC, the process involves treating garments with specialized solvents, like tetrachloroethylene (commonly known as perc), which evaporate quickly to prevent damage. Unlike detergents used in home washing machines, these solvents are gentler on fabrics while effectively removing stains, including grease, oil, and wine.

Additionally, dry cleaning maintains the shape and texture of your garments by avoiding high temperatures and agitation often associated with traditional washing techniques. It offers a safe option for cleaning intricately embellished clothes and preserving the quality of delicate fabrics, ensuring they look their best over time.

How Does Dry Cleaning Work?

Dry cleaning uses liquid solvents instead of water to clean your garments. Clothes are placed in a specialized machine where they tumble in a solvent designed to dissolve stains and dirt without damaging the fabric. Unlike water-based cleaning, these solvents clean the surface of the material without penetrating the fibers.

The process begins with an inspection to identify stains, missing buttons, or any pre-existing damage. Once identified, stains are pretreated using the appropriate solutions based on their type, such as oil, wine, or coffee. After pretreatment, sometimes, garments are loaded into a dry cleaning machine filled with solvents like perchloroethylene (perc) or hydrocarbon solvents according to Harvard School of Public Health.

During cleaning, dirt and oils are broken down by the solvents. The garments are then spun in the machine to remove the solvent, which evaporates quickly due to its chemical properties. Finally, the cleaned garments are steam-pressed or ironed to restore their crisp appearance while maintaining their shape and texture.

The Dry Cleaning Process

Dry cleaning involves a series of steps designed to safely clean and preserve garments. Each stage ensures optimal care for fabrics, from inspection to final finishing, maintaining their integrity.

Inspection and Tagging

Your garments are thoroughly inspected to identify stains, missing buttons, tears, or any pre-existing issues. Each piece is tagged with a unique identification number to avoid mix-ups and ensure proper handling. This crucial step allows dry cleaners to address specific concerns and note the condition of your items before cleaning.

Pre-Treatment and Spotting

Stains are treated before the main cleaning process begins. Dry cleaners use stain removal agents or steam guns to target specific areas based on the type of stain and fabric. Grease and oil-based stains, as well as wine stains, are addressed effectively during this stage, ensuring better results in the subsequent cleaning process.

Dry Cleaning

Garments are placed in a specially designed dry cleaning machine. Unlike traditional washing, this process uses solvents like perchloroethylene or hydrocarbon instead of water. These solvents dissolve oil, grease, and other residues while safeguarding delicate fabrics. Items are tumbled in a perforated basket with a continuous flow of purified solvent, which cleanses and refreshes the garments without causing shrinkage or stretching.

Post-Treatment and Finishing

Once garments are cleaned, they undergo a second inspection for any remaining stains. Post-spotting techniques are applied to remove water-based stains that weren’t addressed earlier. Finally, the cleaned garments are steamed or pressed to restore their original shape and appearance. This step ensures your clothes look crisp and ready to wear.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning offers effective care for delicate and specialty garments, but it also comes with certain limitations. Understanding these advantages and disadvantages helps you make informed choices.

Advantages

Protects Delicate Fabrics: Dry cleaning ensures safe cleaning for materials like silk, wool, and suede that can get damaged by water-based methods. For example, embellished fabrics and costumes maintain their intricate details through this process.
Preserves Garment Shape: The process avoids excessive agitation and high temperatures, maintaining the structure of tailored clothing, lined outerwear, and formal wear.
Removes Tough Stains: Solvents effectively dissolve oil-based stains such as grease that water cannot remove, offering better results for specific stain types.
Sanitizes Garments: High dry heat in the process helps in eliminating bacteria and germs, achieving superior cleanliness.
Eco-Friendly Options Available: Safe, green solvents ensure reduced environmental impact compared to traditional chemicals like perchloroethylene.
Higher Costs: Dry cleaning can be more expensive than home laundering methods, which might not suit every budget for regular cleaning needs.
Limited Material Compatibility: Not all materials, especially fabrics containing plastics, can undergo dry cleaning without damage.
Incomplete Odor and Stain Removal: While effective for oil-based stains, water-based stains like sweat and certain odors might persist.
Chemical Usage: Even with regulations, conventional solvents like perc can pose potential hazards, though alternatives mitigate the risks.

When Should You Choose Dry Cleaning?

Opt for dry cleaning when dealing with garments made from delicate or specialty fabrics. These include silk, wool, cashmere, and suede, which can lose their integrity or shrink if exposed to water. Dry cleaning uses chemical solvents instead of water, protecting these fabrics from damage.

Choose dry cleaning for clothes with tough stains, such as oil, grease, or ink, that water-based methods struggle to remove. The solvents used in dry cleaning dissolve these substances without compromising fabric quality.

Select dry cleaning for intricately designed or embellished garments like beaded dresses or sequined jackets. Water and agitation can loosen embellishments, but the gentle mechanical action of dry cleaning machines avoids this risk.

Use dry cleaning for structured items like blazers, suits, and coats. These garments rely on their tailored shapes, which dry cleaning preserves by avoiding the warping effects associated with washing machines.

Consider dry cleaning for items that specify “dry clean only” on their care labels. Ignoring these instructions risks damaging the fabric, fading colors, or diminishing the garment’s lifespan. Always check garment care labels for precise recommendations.

Conclusion

Dry cleaning offers a reliable solution for maintaining the quality and longevity of your delicate and specialty garments. By using advanced techniques and specialized solvents, it ensures your clothes remain in excellent condition while tackling tough stains and preserving intricate details.

Whether you’re caring for silk, wool, or embellished items, dry cleaning provides the care and protection these fabrics need. Understanding its process and benefits helps you make the best choices for your wardrobe, keeping your garments looking their best for years to come.

For those who prefer professional laundry care, Clotheslyne provides an ideal solution. Through the app, you can hire Clotheslyners for expert laundry services, including washing, drying, and folding of clothes and bulky items.

Choosing Clotheslyne ensures your laundry is handled with care and expertise. It’s convenient for those who value their time and prefer professional laundry services.

To use Clotheslyne, download the iOS Apple App or Google Play Store Android app to schedule your laundry pick up.

You can also schedule your laundry pick up through our web portal.

Fill up a tall kitchen bag full of clothes. A Clotheslyner in your community will pick it up and deliver it back to you washed, dried, and folded in 48 hours. It’s that simple.

Got a question for us? Head over to our contact us page and make a custom request by email or by phone! We’re here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dry cleaning, and is it truly “dry”?

Dry cleaning is a method of cleaning garments using liquid solvents instead of water. While it avoids water, it’s not completely “dry,” as liquid solvents like perchloroethylene (perc) are applied to dissolve stains effectively without harming delicate fabrics.

Why is dry cleaning necessary for delicate fabrics?

Delicate fabrics like silk, wool, and suede can be damaged by water-based detergents and rough washing. Dry cleaning is gentler, removes tough stains like grease, and maintains the fabric’s integrity, shape, and texture for a longer lifespan.

What types of stains can dry cleaning remove?

Dry cleaning is particularly effective in removing oil-based and grease stains, which are challenging to clean with water. It’s ideal for tough, set-in stains that require special solvents to dissolve without damaging fabrics.

Is dry cleaning safe for embellished or structured garments?

Yes, dry cleaning is designed for handling intricately embellished or structured garments. It uses gentle solvents and avoids aggressive agitation, preserving the garment’s design, embellishments, and structural integrity.

What are the main advantages of dry cleaning?

Dry cleaning protects delicate fabrics, removes stubborn stains, preserves garment shape, and prevents damage. It also sanitizes clothes, and some dry cleaning services offer eco-friendly solvent options for sustainability.

Are there any downsides to dry cleaning?

The drawbacks include higher costs, potential incomplete stain or odor removal, limited compatibility with all fabrics, and concerns about chemical usage. However, advances in eco-friendly methods are addressing some of these issues.

How often should I dry clean my clothes?

Clothing care frequency depends on wear and type, but generally, dry-clean-only garments should be professionally cleaned every three to four wears. Proper care between cleanings also helps extend garment longevity.

What happens if I wash “dry clean only” garments?

Washing “dry clean only” garments at home can lead to shrinkage, color fading, or fabric distortion. Always check care labels to avoid costly repairs or damage to your clothing.

Can dry cleaning remove all odors and stains?

While dry cleaning effectively removes many stains and light odors, it may not completely eliminate deep or persistent smells. Some garments may require additional treatments for complete odor removal.

How does dry cleaning handle pre-existing stains?

During the dry cleaning process, garments are inspected and stains are pre-treated with specific agents. This step targets stains directly, ensuring effective cleaning without harming the garment’s fabric.