Beyond Cleaning: How Systems and Chemicals Affect Health and the Environment  

Most people never think about what happens to their clothes inside a dry cleaning
machine. They just want them back clean. Fair enough.
But there’s something worth knowing — because the chemicals used can make a
real difference to your clothes, your health, and the environment.

1The Old Way — Still Widely Used

For decades, most dry cleaners used a solvent called PERC (perchloroethylene). It
works well. It removes tough stains and cleans effectively.
But it’s also a relatively harsh chemical — on fabrics, on the people working with it
regularly, and on the environment.
Despite this, it is still used by a large proportion of dry cleaners worldwide, largely
because it is familiar and cost-effective. The cost and investment required can
discourage many from upgrading to newer systems.

2What Modern Machines Can Do

Newer dry-cleaning machines are built differently. They can run cleaner, more
modern alternatives — hydrocarbon-based solvents, silicone-based systems, or
professional wet cleaning methods.
These are gentler on fabrics, more comfortable for working environments, and
designed with lower environmental impact in mind.
The technology exists. The real difference is whether a cleaner has chosen to
invest in it.

3What It Means for Your Clothes

Harsher solvents clean — but over time they can dull colours, stiffen fabrics, and
cause garments to age faster than they should.
Gentler modern systems clean just as effectively while helping to preserve the look
and feel of the fabric.

4A Simple Question Worth Asking

Next time you use a dry cleaner, just ask:
What cleaning system do you use?
A good cleaner will answer that without hesitation.