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"Wet" dry cleaning (also called wetcleaning) is a professional nontoxic, zero emission cleaning process that utilizes water as the solvent and biodegradable detergents. The specialized wetcleaning soaps, finishing agents, computer-controlled equipment, and washing techniques allow for a more thorough cleaning than standard home laundering and this option is safe for "dry clean only" items.

How to find cleaners that offer wet dry cleaning

Wetcleaning is effective for many materials including cotton, wool, silk, leather, suede, wedding gowns, highly decorated beads, and sequins. It's a cleaning method that's increasing in popularity, and with the directories below, you should hopefully be able to find a service provider in your area:

• US Environmental Protection Agency state-by-state listing: A pdf with a long list of wetcleaners throughout the nation.
• Earth 911 business locator: Enter your zip code or city and state information for a listing of wetcleaners in your area.
• Ecology Center EcoDirectory: Search using the keyword option "dry cleaning/wet cleaning."

However, if you're not lucky enough to have a wetcleaning specialist in your community you may be surprised to know that many run-of-the-mill dry cleaners offer wetcleaning although the service may not be explicitly advertised. So ask your local dry cleaners if they provide wetcleaning alternatives.

Before you take your dry cleaning

Although wetcleaning can be used with many types of fabrics, you should discuss the best option with your cleaner for garments with acetate linings, antique satin, gabardine, and highly structured garments.[1] With developments in the wetcleaning process and technologies more materials will be able to be effectively wet-cleaned.

Wet dry cleaning helps you go green because…

• You eliminate your direct exposure to perchloroethylene and other toxic dry cleaning solvents, and reduce the amounts of these hazardous chemicals that are released into the environment.
• Supporting wetcleaning will encourage more cleaners to invest in this environmentally sound option.

Standard dry cleaning, despite its name, is neither a dry nor "clean” process. Approximately 85 percent of commercial dry cleaners use perchloroethylene (perc) as the liquid solvent in their cleaning method. Perc, which is also known as tetrachloroethylene, has been known to cause short-term side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Prolonged inhalation exposure is linked to chronic kidney, liver and reproductive damage, and may also increase the risk of cancer.[2] An individual cleaner only uses about 140 gallons of perc per year, but when this is multiplied by 30,000 businesses it amounts to approximately 4.2 million gallons of perc that are used annually.[3]

All solvents, both industrial (e.g., dry cleaning) and non-industrial (e.g., paint thinners), release greenhouse gases. Dry cleaning solvents comprise approximately 6 percent of hydrocarbons emissions of overall solvent emissions and also contribute to carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.[4]

Wetcleaning is a zero emissions method of cleaning. The by-products produced by wetcleaning are non-hazardous and can safely be disposed of down the sink rather than incinerated by a hazardous disposal company.[5] The wastewater of a wetcleaner has been shown to be comparable to residential wastewater and did not have a significant concentration of metals or toxic chemicals. Trichloroethylene was however detected.[6]

Glossary

• trichloroethylene: An ingredient in adhesives and also used as a solvent, trichloroethylene can cause problems in human livers, lungs, hearts, and nervous systems.[7]

External links

• Pollution Prevention Center at Occidental College
• Center For Neighborhood Technology - Alternative Clothes Cleaning Projects: 1995-2000
• Earth 911 - Innovative Technologies: WetCleaning
• US Environmental Protection Agency - Case Study: Wetcleaning Systems for Garment Care