Q: What exactly is dry cleaning?

A: John: Even though the name dry cleaning implies “dry”, dry cleaning is actually “wet”. The reason it’s called dry cleaning is the process is done with dry cleaning solvent as opposed to water. All dry cleaners have similar dry cleaning machines and the process is the same regardless of who the dry cleaner may be. The only significant difference is that there are different types of dry cleaning solvents being used in the industry. The solvent we use is called Hydrocarbon and it is environmentally friendly. This solvent is so safe that it is not even regulated by the EPA. Many dry cleaners use perchlorethylene, “perc”, a solvent that is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Dry Cleaning machines for lack of a better description look very much like a gigantic version of an industrial front loading washing machine. These machines have a large tank below the drum that holds the dry cleaning solvent. Garments of similar color and fabric type are loaded into the dry cleaning machine after being pretreated for stains. The garments are loaded based on the overall weight guidelines for the machine. (Typically 35 – 65 pounds in a single load). The machine is turned on and the load is immersed in the dry cleaning solvent that is pumped in the drum from the holding tank below. The drum contains paddles that will continually flip the garments back and forth in the drum for approximately 20 minutes. During this entire process, the solvent is continually being filtered through multiple charcoal filters to keep the solvent clean and pure. This process allows the dry cleaning solvent to permeate the fibers of the garments and release and flush out all of the dirt, grime, cosmetics, perspiration, etc. The load in the drum then goes thru a drain and extract process for approximately 5 minutes to remove as much solvent as possible from the load. The machine then goes in to vaporization mode for approximately 45 minutes to vaporize all of the remaining solvent. The garments are now dry cleaned and ready to be inspected for remaining stains. Most remaining stains are treated with pressurized steam to remove the remainder of the stains. The garments are now ready to be pressed.

(Check out the video of a dry cleaning machine in operation from any page on our website.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Are Easy On The Environment & On Your Wallet!

 

 

 

 

www.inthehamper.com

205-823-1265

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What exactly is dry cleaning?

A: John: Even though the name dry cleaning implies “dry”, dry cleaning is actually “wet”. The reason it’s called dry cleaning is the process is done with dry cleaning solvent as opposed to water. All dry cleaners have similar dry cleaning machines and the process is the same regardless of who the dry cleaner may be. The only significant difference is that there are different types of dry cleaning solvents being used in the industry. The solvent we use is called Hydrocarbon and it is environmentally friendly. This solvent is so safe that it is not even regulated by the EPA. Many dry cleaners use perchlorethylene, “perc”, a solvent that is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Dry Cleaning machines for lack of a better description look very much like a gigantic version of an industrial front loading washing machine. These machines have a large tank below the drum that holds the dry cleaning solvent. Garments of similar color and fabric type are loaded into the dry cleaning machine after being pretreated for stains. The garments are loaded based on the overall weight guidelines for the machine. (Typically 35 – 65 pounds in a single load). The machine is turned on and the load is immersed in the dry cleaning solvent that is pumped in the drum from the holding tank below. The drum contains paddles that will continually flip the garments back and forth in the drum for approximately 20 minutes. During this entire process, the solvent is continually being filtered through multiple charcoal filters to keep the solvent clean and pure. This process allows the dry cleaning solvent to permeate the fibers of the garments and release and flush out all of the dirt, grime, cosmetics, perspiration, etc. The load in the drum then goes thru a drain and extract process for approximately 5 minutes to remove as much solvent as possible from the load. The machine then goes in to vaporization mode for approximately 45 minutes to vaporize all of the remaining solvent. The garments are now dry cleaned and ready to be inspected for remaining stains. Most remaining stains are treated with pressurized steam to remove the remainder of the stains. The garments are now ready to be pressed.

(Check out the video of a dry cleaning machine in operation from any page on our website.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Are Easy On The Environment & On Your Wallet!

 

 

 

 

www.inthehamper.com

205-823-1265