Dry cleaning
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Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using a solvent other than water. The term is a misnomer, as most dry cleaning is done with chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, one of the most popular of which is perchloroethylene, commonly referred to as "Perc".
A dry cleaning machine is somewhat similar to a domestic washing machine, with the exception that it's significantly larger, and that all the dry-cleaning solvent is captured, filtered, and re-used during the cleaning cycle rather than flowing down the drain.
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History
Early dry cleaners used solvents such as gasoline and kerosene. After World War II, carbon tetrachloride and Trichloroethylene were popular before giving way to Perc.
Environment
Perc is toxic and some believe that long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage, though no study has conclusively proven that. There are other solvents that have not been associated with this negative publicity, including:
- wet cleaning with biodegradable soap and water.
- silicon and liquid CO2 solvents.
- alternative hyrdocarbon solvents.
See also
External links
- How stuff works article (http://science.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning.htm) on how dry cleaning works.
- How stuff works article (http://science.howstuffworks.com/home-dry-cleaning.htm) on how home dry cleaning works.
- Dry cleaning chemicals (http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/02-10/dry-cleaning-alternatives-eco.htm) that are more environment friendly.
- http://www.dryandlaundry.com Search engine of this sector.