Dry cleaning is a cleaning process used for fabrics and garments that are sensitive to water and cannot be safely washed with traditional methods. Despite its name, dry cleaning is not entirely "dry" in the sense that no liquid is used. Instead, it involves the use of a solvent to remove stains and dirt from the fabric.
Here's how the dry cleaning process typically works:
Pre-treatment: Before dry cleaning, the professional cleaner examines the garment for stains and spots that need special attention. These areas may be pre-treated with specialized cleaning agents to help break down and dissolve the stains.
Cleaning in a solvent: The garment is placed in a large drum-like machine specifically designed for dry cleaning. The machine is filled with a solvent, commonly perchloroethylene (perc), hydrocarbon, or, in some cases, liquid carbon dioxide. These solvents are effective at dissolving and removing oil-based stains and dirt without damaging delicate fabrics.
Agitation and circulation: The machine agitates the solvent and circulates it through the clothes, allowing it to penetrate the fibers and lift away the dirt and stains.
Filtering and reusing: After the cleaning cycle is complete, the solvent is filtered to remove any impurities or particles. The filtered solvent can be reused for subsequent cleaning cycles, making the process more environmentally friendly.
Post-treatment: If any persistent stains remain, the garment may undergo further spot treatment to address them before being dried.
Drying: After the cleaning process is complete, the machine uses warm air to evaporate the solvent from the clothes. This is why the term "dry" cleaning is used, as the solvent evaporates without leaving the clothes soaking wet.
Finishing: Once the clothes are dry, they are inspected for any lingering stains or imperfections. Professional cleaners often use steam or press machines to give the garments a smooth and polished appearance.
It's essential to take delicate fabrics, heavily soiled garments, or those with challenging stains to a professional dry cleaner. The dry cleaning process requires specialized equipment and solvents, and attempting to dry clean at home without the proper knowledge and tools can lead to damage to the clothing.