10 Myths About Dry Cleaning
It’s hard to ignore those cautionary labels (even the misspelled ones). Do we dare wash a delicate garment at home and risk ruining the texture or shrinking it beyond recognition?
Warnings are warnings, but there are exceptions to every wash ‘n wear rule.
With the help of our blog readers, writers and the experts, we have put together a list of myths we are happy to debunk to save you some precious bucks.
1. Washing sweaters will ruin the texture!
“Hogwash,” says EcoSalon’s Caitlin Fitzsimmons, whose mama passed on the tried and true method. “You need to wash in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent,” she explains. “Then lay it flat on a towel with the arms folded in. Fold in the corners of the towel and then roll it up – this lets you squeeze out water, without destroying the shape of the sweater. Repeat with a second towel. Then lay it out flat to dry.”
Image: Moline
2. Dry clean wool because it will always shrink up in the machine.
This one’s for the dogs according to EB, who has been washing his own wool blazers and slacks with a front-loading washer wool cycle for years. “Wool is fairly hard to shrink and doing so requires changes in temperature and agitation from rubbing, scrubbing and wringing.” No washer for wool? He says use the same temp water for wash and the rinse, a friendly, wool-wash cleaner and minimal agitation. Squeeze dry, roll in a towel and lay out forming the correct shape on a flat surface. I heart this advice!
Image: Romeo’s Mom
3. Cotton really stiffens up when I clean it at home because of the hard water.
We all know hang drying is the most sound energy-saving way to go, but that can produce tough results, as well. Naomi tells us she cheats a bit by tossing her cotton into the dryer with a sheet for a few minutes before hanging dry and it does the trick. And don’t forget, there are some gentle water softeners on the market that won’t give you that Downy chemical rash!
Image: Luigi FDV
4. An “Eco Dry Cleaning” Sign Means the Business is Truly Green
Ask the cleaners about its process before checking in your garb. Both Canada and California have outlawed the solvent often used in conventional dry cleaning: perchloroethylene or “perc,” which is harmful to the environment and has been classified internationally as a possible carcinogen since 1979.
If a dry cleaners bills itself as “Eco” it should mean no dangerous chemicals are used – as in the case of sound companies like Eco Dry Cleaners in San Francisco, which uses the wet cleaning method (water-based solution of natural soaps and conditioners). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says this method is friendly and so is using Carbon Dioxide (CO2) cleaning (compressed liquid CO2 with detergents).
Image: Jeremy Brooks
5. Some petroleum-based products used by cleaners are organic.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientist (UCS), many so-called Green Earth cleaners are actually using questionable products. Canada.com says to look out for a hydrocarbon solvent called EcoSolv, made by Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. It isn’t really eco-friendly because the production of petroleum-based products contributes to toxic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Silks should never be put in water by novices.
I’m totally gun-shy about washing silk garments or bedding at home; it’s something I generally believe will get ruined if not dry cleaned. But experts at Silk Handicrafts insist many silks actually look better and last longer when we wash them by hand. But you should know inexpensive and poorly woven silks are the most vulnerable to fading and losing their sheen. First, do a wash test on the inside back hem. Then place the silk in a tub of lukewarm water with mild soap. Go to the site for the rest of the process.
Image: Totem Cow
7. Only dry cleaning can get out the really stubborn stains.
Most of us defer to professional help for red wine, chocolate, oil, blood, mustard and ink spots that mar that favorite garment. Often, timing is the key for successful removal, and not rubbing the spot prior to washing. Now that you have followed those rules, resist Shouting it out (I find it works but is way too toxic). Instead, check out Annie Bond’s list for natural alternatives at Care2Care. It includes cornstarch and talcum powders, CitraSolve and enzymes the Dutch have used such as Ox-gall soap.
8. Dry Cleaning is affordable.
In terms of what most things cost today (dining out, schools, clothes, movie popcorn) perhaps racking up $200 at the dry cleaners is no big deal. Still, dry cleaning adds up quickly making us question, “Could we buy a new wardrobe for what we are paying to have clothes cleaned?” It’s another argument for DIY natural cleaning at home.
9. Dry Cleaning is convenient.
Unless you are as organized as my friend Jodi (keeping schedules is her side career), it could take several months to pick up your stuff at the cleaners. Parking can be hard unless you walk or take public transportation in the city (Carrie Bradshaw did it by cab). And very few cleaners pick up and deliver anymore. It’s just simpler to do most jobs at home.
Image: Flickr
10. Dry cleaning always extends the life of your clothes.
If your clothing can only be sustained by monthly trips to the cleaners, then you are buying the wrong kind of clothing. Our fashion editor, Amy DuFault, is a guru of stylish alternatives and you can follow her resources in the fashion section. Meantime, no one has proven that Perc or other solvents with enzymes are protecting the life of your garment. The truth is, if you are following the guidelines of frugal wash n’ wear experts, your clothes should last as long as they would when doused with toxins and sealed in plastic – perhaps, even longer.
Image: Coolslaw
Main Image : Wm Jas
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8 Comments
September 21st, 2009 at 11:01 am
I have to point out one of the benefits of my neighborhood cleaners is the alterations service. Many cleaners have trained seamstresses who are very skilled. Just wish they would all clean up their chemical act!
September 21st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Whether you dry-clean your clothes or hand wash them, one thing is certain. You should never put them away dirty – unless you want to invite clothes moths to come and munch holes in them. I speak from experience.
September 21st, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Good tip, Caitlin. It’s the topic of another post, too, keeping those moths away the natural way! I use cedar.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 am
Great Post. I have been a dry cleaner for 25 years and a GREENEARTH dry cleaner for the last 8 years. Almost all fabrics can be washed and we do wash a lot of garments that we process. What causes damage during washing is the excessive mechanical action ( agitation) and high water temperature. In addition you have dyes that will bleed in water and conditioners (sizings) that will dissolve in water. Dry cleaners do have access to sophisticated washing machines that wash with almost no agitation and special soaps, softners and sizings that allows us to wetclean without causing a lot of change in structure of the garment. In addition in our plant we use equipment to stretch back the garment to its original shape and size. I agree not all dry cleaners can do this but there are some of us who can. You should be an informed consumer and ask what type of cleaning solution your dry cleaner is using, do they wetclean and then do they use tensioning equipment to shape the garment back to its original shape. Do they regularly train and retrain their staff on new fabrics, fashions, cleaning and finishing techniques?
Simply put Greenearth is a form of silicone (liquid sand) breaks up into CO2, water and sand. It is the most studied dry cleaning solution in the market today. http://www.greenearthcleaning.com is a great resource if you want to learn more. For the most part almost all “Organic” dry cleaners are green washing. All solvent is organic chemically including CO2 but they are not “Organic” the way FDA classifies food.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
Alot of our cusotmers here at J&O Fabrics inquiry about cleaning methods for their fabric purchases. Now with more and more dry cleaners ‘going green’ and consumers wanting to help ’save the planet’, educating the public on the misconceptions of both methoods of cleaning is great. Thanks for the info!
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Interesting post, but as someone who works at a dry cleaner I feel I should point out the validity of these points will vary by facility. With model cleaning machines, most dangerous chemicals are recycled. We use so little solvent I think it could easily be argued that consumption of home laundry detergent is a bigger environmental threat.
I do agree most so called ‘organic’ cleaners are greenwashing at best, and being outright deceptive at the worst.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Anything remotely delicate I just hand wash. I’ve never had a problem. It saves money and keeps chemicals out of the environment (and off of my skin!). A man’s suit is one exception, I suppose.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Yes, you are all so astute. And I agree James, cleaners to vary for sure. That’s why we have to be our own advocates and ask.
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