We all have that one special garment hanging in the back of our closet. The one suit, dress, or shirt we swear we’ll save for the right occasion but are terrified to wear sits unworn instead. What if I get a stain on it? What if I have to take it to the dry cleaner? What if the dry cleaner ruins it? Our fears seem justified because we’ve seen an episode of a sitcom where someone’s big day is ruined by a dry cleaning mishap. On the contrary, professional dry cleaners are the most trustworthy people to wash your clothes. Whether a garment is labeled as “dry clean only,” there is a mystery stain we can’t seem to get out, or the fabric is too delicate for home laundry units, professional dry cleaners know how to care for our clothes and have the best methods for stain removal.
Clothing manufacturers are required to provide care labels for garments they produce with few exceptions. Some items, such as gloves, hats, genuine leather or suede, or bed linens, likely won’t come with a care label, but there are specific industry protocols for these. Dry cleaners follow the provided instructions although sometimes what the manufacturer prints on the care label may be incorrect. In cases where a garment is damaged despite you or a professional following the provided care instructions, contact the store where you purchased the garment or the manufacturer.
The dry cleaning process itself is not all that different from the laundry you do at home. Rather than tossing clothes in a machine with soapy water, the cleaners toss them in a machine with a chemical solvent. Although the solvent is a liquid and your clothes do become damp, this technique is referred to as “dry” cleaning because it doesn’t use water. The solvent used most commonly in the industry is called “perc,” which is short for perchloroethylene. Your garments only need to be in the machine with the solvent for eight minutes in order to effectively remove stains. After your clothes go through the solvent cycle, the machine drains all of the fluid to be recycled and reused. The Environmental Protection Agency has specific regulations for the disposal of perc, which is deemed hazardous. The chemical can be toxic after extended exposure, but it won’t harm you or your clothing. Alternatively, there are organic, petroleum based solvents available, but they are often less effective and, thus, less commonly used. Once the solvent is drained, the machine tumble dries your clothes with warm air just like your dryer at home. Finally, the dry cleaner removes your clothes from the machine, irons and presses them, and prepares them to be returned to you.
Often, people take their clothes to the dry cleaner for spot treatment rather than whole-garment laundering. If you have an article of clothing that is labeled “dry clean only,” do not try stain removal on your own. The fabrics or dyes used in making these garments aren’t designed to be treated with a stain-removal stick or soap and water. Read the care label and act accordingly by taking these items to the dry cleaner for a specialized spot treatment. To prevent damage to your special-care garments, avoid lengthy sun exposure and washing garments too frequently.
Don’t be afraid to wear your favorite clothes just because you’re afraid to get them dirty. Dry cleaners are trained professionals who know how to handle your clothes the way the manufacturer intended. Ask your friends and family for recommendations on dry cleaners they trust in the area. Whoever you choose should be able to safely wash even your most delicate garments and return them looking brand new. Dry cleaning isn’t nearly as daunting or mysterious as it may seem. Treat yourself to the outfit you’ve wanted an excuse to wear, and leave your worries to the professionals. 
Alix Clise
Home & Yard Magazine
