What Is Dry Cleaning?
It’s a question that you’ve likely asked yourself on numerous occasions, but haven’t gone out of your way to answer… until now. We're here to set the record straight and make the dry cleaning process a little less mysterious.
By Rinse TeamIn Care
In the simplest of terms, dry cleaning is a process of cleaning clothes without the use of water. The absence of water in the process is where the name dry cleaning comes from (one mystery solved). Instead, dry cleaning uses non-water-based chemical solvents to clean clothes.
In more complex terms, the dry cleaning process has quite a few steps to it: Inspection and Tagging, Pre-Spotting, The Dry Cleaning Process, Post Spotting, Finishing Touches.
The 5 Steps of the Dry Cleaning Process
Inspection and Tagging
This is one of the parts that you’re likely most familiar with. You take your garment to the cleaner's, and the dry cleaner creates a tag for your item. This is also when your clothes are examined for any stains, missing buttons, tears, etc.
Pre-spotting
Here is where things begin to get a little hazier for the average dry-cleaning customer. Once we’ve dropped off our garments, cleaners will typically go through a pre-spotting process where they’ll apply a chemical solvent (perchloroethylene), vacuum, or heat to stains on your garment, which helps to remove stains during the actual dry cleaning process.
Dry Cleaning
This is the part we never see. Once your clothes have been pre-spotted, your clothes are placed into a machine and submerged into a non-water-based solvent. The clothes are then rotated in a perforated cylinder where the cleaning solvent is released in a steady amount throughout the entire process. From there, the machine rapidly spins the clothes to get rid of any excess solvent and releases warm air. Your clothes emerge completely dry.
Post-spotting
Here your cleaner will inspect your clothes for any remaining stains and residue and remove them using the same process they did in the pre-spotting stage.
Finishing
Once your clothes have gone through the complete dry cleaning process, they are pressed, steamed, or ironed for presentation. This is the part we love because it makes our clothes look and feel amazing.
When To Dry Clean Your Clothes
There are times and fabrics when dry cleaning is not truly needed and others when it is the only option. Below is a list of occasions for each.
Do dry clean: delicate fabrics (such as silk, suede, leather, wool, cashmere), stains you do not know how to remove, garments that are tough to iron, expensive clothing that you do not want to risk in the washing machine or dryer.
Do not dry clean: fabrics such as cotton, denim, and synthetics. Always consult clothing care labels when unsure about the fabric.
Getting the Best Results from Your Dry Cleaner
Make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck when it comes to dry cleaning. Here are a few tips to achieve that:
Check your garment labels (we cannot stress this one enough!)
Don't clean your “dry clean only” garments with your at-home detergents – home dry cleaning is just not the same
Tell your dry cleaner about any stains so they can be targeted effectively
Clothes coming back from the dry cleaner should not smell of solvent (tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene). If they do, it might be time to find a different dry cleaner
Try Dry Cleaning for Delicates
Dry Cleaning can be beneficial for garments made from fibers that don’t react well when exposed to water, like silkand wool. It’s also good for garments that shouldn’t be exposed to the heat of a traditional dryer.
While the dry cleaning process is inherently opaque to the average customer since everything happens "behind the scenes," all in all, it’s pretty straightforward once you understand the steps.
You can also try a dry cleaning service that includes pickup and delivery, such as Rinse. We provide quality solutions, while also being environmentally conscious.
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Allow me to shed light on the intricate world of dry cleaning with the confidence of someone who knows the ins and outs of the process. I've delved into the details, and here's the evidence to back it up:
Inspection and Tagging: This is where the dry cleaning journey begins. The dry cleaner meticulously inspects your garments, creating a tag and examining them for stains, missing buttons, tears, and the like. It's a crucial step to tailor the cleaning process to the specific needs of your clothes.
Pre-spotting: Ever wondered what happens once you leave your garments at the cleaners? Here's the inside scoop. Cleaners engage in pre-spotting, applying a chemical solvent like perchloroethylene, vacuuming, or using heat to target stains effectively before the actual dry cleaning process.
Dry Cleaning: The mystery behind closed doors. After pre-spotting, your clothes enter a machine and undergo a non-water-based solvent submersion. The rotating perforated cylinder ensures a steady release of cleaning solvent, followed by a rapid spin to remove excess solvent. Warm air is then released, leaving your clothes completely dry.
Post-spotting: No stain left behind. Your cleaner inspects the clothes again, ensuring any remaining stains and residue are tackled with the same precision as in the pre-spotting stage.
Finishing: The grand finale. Your freshly cleaned clothes are pressed, steamed, or ironed to perfection, making them not only clean but also visually appealing.
Now, let's touch on the practical aspects discussed in the article:
When to Dry Clean Your Clothes: Delicate fabrics like silk, suede, leather, wool, and cashmere, as well as stains you're unsure how to tackle, are prime candidates for dry cleaning. On the flip side, fabrics such as cotton, denim, and synthetics may not need the dry cleaning treatment.
Getting the Best Results: Check garment labels, avoid cleaning "dry clean only" items with at-home detergents, communicate stains to your dry cleaner for targeted treatment, and be wary if your clothes smell of solvent post-cleaning.
Benefits of Dry Cleaning for Delicates: Dry cleaning proves advantageous for garments made from fibers that don't react well to water, such as silk and wool. It's also a safe option for garments that can't withstand the heat of a traditional dryer.
In essence, while the dry cleaning process may seem shrouded in mystery, understanding the steps demystifies it. And for those seeking convenience, services like Rinse, with pickup and delivery options, provide a quality solution while being environmentally conscious. If you're ever in doubt, these insights should guide you through the world of dry cleaning with confidence.
