What is Green Dry Cleaning?

Chances are you have heard about dry-cleaning in the recent past. This refers to any cleaning process for clothing and textiles where chemical solvents are used instead of water. Thus, you won’t clean your sink and other metallic appliances using this approach.

In most cases, when one is doing his laundry, you can opt to choose water or use different chemicals to remove dirt and stains on your clothes.

Dry cleaning is usually preferred for cleaning fabrics that degrade in water. Also, it is ideal for those fabrics that cannot withstand the rough and tumbles of a washing machine.

One of the solvents that are used in dry cleaning is the Perchloroethylene (PERC). Most dry cleaners usually rely on it to clean different kinds of clothes. Although this solvent has proved to be very effective in the recent past, it has shown to cause cancer as well as kidney and liver damage in animal studies.

Besides this problem, it has shown to cause headaches, dizziness, and even unconsciousness. The Environment Protection Agency has classified Perc to be a toxic air contaminant. This has made green dry cleaning to become a viable alternative to traditional dry cleaning method.

Is Dry Cleaning Safe for your Health? 

Green dry-cleaning refers to any dry cleaning technique that does not engage the use of Perc. By reducing the use of Perc, you will be able to prevent health hazards and even environmental dangers.

Is Dry Cleaning Eco Friendly?

There are several methods of green dry cleaning that can help save the environment in the long run. These include the following:

1. Wet cleaning

This kind of cleaning normally involves the use of water and specialized detergents to clean clothes. You will note that these detergents are milder than most home laundry products. One advantage with wet cleaners is that they normally have computerized washers and dryers that can enable your clothes to look great.

Since there is no hazardous chemical used to clean clothes, this method is deemed to be one of the safest cleaning methods that one should consider when cleaning his or her clothes. Also, this method does not lead to air pollution, water, or soil contamination. This makes it ideal for most homeowners out there.

2. Liquid Carbon Dioxide Cleaning

This cleaning method usually uses liquid CO2 as the cleaning solvent along with a detergent. For the liquid CO2 to be formed, the nontoxic gas and non-flammable gas is usually placed under high pressure. This liquid CO2 is the same one used to preserve soft drinks out there and usually occurs naturally in the environment.

Here, clothes are usually placed in a traditional dry cleaning machine and then air is sucked out. Thereafter, the cleaning drum is usually injected with carbon dioxide in both liquid and gas form.

Here, clothes are normally rotated in a cycle that lasts 5 to 15 minutes at room temperature. The liquid CO2 usually dissolves all the fats, dirt, and oils in your clothes. Once the clothes have been cleaned, the liquid CO2 is then pumped back into a holding tank where it can be used again, if possible.

Since CO2 is captured as a by-product of an existing industrial process, this method of green dry cleaning is environmentally friendly. This is because very little or no CO2 will be released into the atmosphere.

As a result, there will be minimal global warming. The other advantage of this method is that it usually uses less energy than the traditional dry cleaning method. This is because there is no solvent to heat.

3. DF-2000 Hydrocarbon Solvent

DF-2000 is an ‘organic ‘solvent that is used by most cleaners out there. What you need to know is that DF-2000 is a solvent that is usually made from petroleum.

If this solvent is produced for a long period, it might lead to environmental concerns as greenhouses gases might increase in the atmosphere in the long run. However, this solvent works well in cleaning clothes.

4. Silicon-based solvent

Is Green Earth cleaning safe? Did you know that some cleaners usually use the Green Earth cleaning method to replace Perc? Liquefied sand (SiO2) is what is commonly known as Green Earth.

Here, it functions as a silicone-based solvent known as D-5 or siloxane. This solvent is similar to the base ingredients found in deodorants and shaving creams. When this solvent is discarded, it usually breaks down into the sand, carbon dioxide, and water.

One advantage of using this solvent is that no chemicals will touch your clothes. However, it is worth noting that the manufacturer of Green Earth usually releases carcinogenic dioxin during the manufacturing process.

What are the Benefits of Green Dry Cleaning?

1. No toxic chemicals

Nowadays, some chemicals have proved to be very effective in cleaning clothes but they are harmful to the environment. Also, these chemicals pose a great threat to the body. Some are even carcinogenic in nature.

To mitigate this problem, you should consider green dry cleaning methods today. By switching to environmentally friendly cleaning methods, you will be able to save the environment and remain healthy for longer.

2. Greener home

One way to make your home green is by reducing the extent to which you use harmful chemicals to do different activities such as cleaning and so on.

By considering the green dry cleaning method, you will have a green home. Your kids and pets will remain safe and thereby save you more money in the long run.

3. Fresher scents

If your cleaning products are made from an environmental-friendly material, they will not have powerful odors. In fact, you will note that plant-based cleaners rarely have strong perfumes as they are made from natural elements. As a result, you can trust that you will have fresher scents in your home.

4. No Irritation

Some cleaning solutions and products usually have irritants that can annoy the skin and even cause allergies. If you can use plant-based ingredients that do not have strong odors, you will be able to solve this problem.

Green dry cleaning companies usually focus more on using such ingredients to make cleaning solutions for your clothes. Therefore, you will not encounter such issues by going green.

Conclusion

Sound environmental practices will help prevent future environmental and health issues. By considering the green dry cleaning method for your clothes, you will be able to avert such issues and have a healthy home. Your environment will be clean and healthy to live in too. Consider this cleaning method today and you will not regret it. It is truly incredible.