It will give them a longer shelf if you want to dry clean your clothes. But we rarely notice how effectively our shirts, pants, and uniforms are dry-cleaned. Are your dry cleaners doing it thoroughly? You must consider it when you give your clothes to the dry cleaners.
Dry cleaning is not like traditional laundry. It is not what you do with the water and detergent. Dry cleaners do not use water to clean the clothes; they use organic solvents that remove the stains. It does not damage delicate fabric like wool, velvet, and silk. So to keep your expensive fabric safe and secure for many days, you can give them for dry cleaning. Find out all the important details you have to know about dry cleaning.
A brief history of dry cleaning
Thomas Jennings, a tailor in 1820s New York, invented a method to clean his customer’s clothes without damaging the delicate materials. Then after a year, he received a patent for “dry scouring.” This patent made Jennings the first African American man to hold a patent in the USA. But it was destroyed in 1836. But modern-day dry cleaning is from this great invention only.
In 1825, Jean-Baptist Jolly a dye worker in France also made a similar discovery to cleaning his costumer’s clothes. His maid spilled kerosene on one of the paint stained clothes so he found a way to remove the stain. He noticed that when the kerosene evaporated the stains in the clothes were also gone. So he knew this would help people get rid of tough stains from their clothes without using water.
Further, the dry cleaners found that using petroleum-based chemicals such as kerosene was not good. It was flammable and not safe to work with. Then the first non-petroleum form of dry cleaning solvent was used. But mostly Perchloroethylene is used by many dry cleaners. It is not considered very safe for the environment. So its use is highly regulated.
What are the main processes in dry cleaning?

- Garment tagging
When you drop your clothes at the dry cleaners, it gets a unique number for identification. It helps busy cleaners to track their customers’ outfits. So wrong items are not delivered, and it aids in good organization.
- Inspecting and pre-treatment of stains
Firstly all the garments are inspected visually for stains and dirt. Then the stains are marked and pre-treated to remove them. The process of pre-treatment is done with special chemicals for a specific fabric. The cleaners cover the buttons and designs so they can protect them from damage. Some dry cleaners even remove the embellishments and return them back after cleaning.
- Clothes put in the dry cleaning machine
The soiled clothing is put in the dry cleaning machine. They use the organic solvent of their choice is put it in the machine during the wash. These types of machines are larger than the washing machines in our homes. Plus, they are set to spin much slower and have good temperature control
- Second inspection
When the dry cleaner cycle is over, the garments are inspected again to ensure that all stains are gone. Then all the buttons, embellishments, and seams will be inspected to ensure they are good. The removed ones will be reattached.
- The last touch
The dry cleaner will press, iron, or steam the garment based on the type of fabric to remove the wrinkles. Many cleaners use a form finisher for this process. The form finishes are the kind of machines that will iron a garment using steam or air. It helps the clothes to be smoother and gives them a pristine finish. Then they offer the garment a final inspection, and they cover it in plastic. Later it is given to the owner.
What are the different types of dry cleaning?

There are many types of chemicals and solvents used in dry cleaning. Here are some of them commonly used for dry cleaners.
- First of all, synthetic petroleum is a product of gasoline. It is often provided as an environment-friendly alternative to perc. Plus, it is categorized as a neurotoxin.
- Siloxane is, also known as Green Earth, is a type of cleaning agent used in dry cleaning. It can safely degrade sand, water carbon dioxide. It does not have color and does not have an odor, either.
- The liquid form of carbon dioxide is a non-flammable and nontoxic solvent. It is put into use for many cleaning cycles. This method creates no form of carbon dioxide, so it is a cheap solvent. But the drying machine for using it is very expensive.
- Wet cleaning is a method that uses water for cleaning. But the washing machine is set to specific spinning modes and temperatures. It is not a safe form for the garments and fabric.
How to do dry cleaning effectively?
- You have to check your garment label to ensure it is fit for dry cleaning. Your clothes will have a circle symbol which shows that it is suitable for dry cleaning.
- Before you drop your clothes at the dry cleaners, you must tell your cleaner about the stains. So they can focus on it and clean it properly. Before putting them in the machine, those stains will be pre-treated. Also, tell what led to the stain; for instance, common stains are tea, coffee, curry, oil, wine, juice, and more.
- Don’t clean your clothes only with detergents at home. Some garments only have to go through the dry cleaning process. Plus, some tough stains can only get removed completely through professional solvents.
- Clothes coming back from dry cleaners should not have the smell of solvent or perc. If it does, it is a sure sign that the dry cleaners did not do their job properly.
Conclusion
Dry cleaning can help your clothes to stay clean, fresh, and pristine. You can take good care of your expensive clothes if you dry clean them.