Dry Cleaning vs Wet Cleaning

Since clothes were washed in the river, laundry processes have come a long way. In our previous blog, we told you about the laundry process; today, we'll tell you about the dry-cleaning process. We will also discuss the differences between dry cleaning and wet cleaning.

An Overview of Dry Cleaning

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What exactly is it? According to Wikipedia, it is a method of cleaning garments that does not involve the use of water. Many people still believe that dry cleaning is a "dry" process, which is not true. Your clothes are soaked in tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), also known as "perc," the solvent most commonly used by dry cleaners.

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Chemical used in the chemical cleaning process

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Benzene, camphene, kerosene, and gasoline were among the hazardous and flammable solvents used in early dry cleaning. It was the most popular solvent until the introduction of tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), or perc, in 1930 because it was non-flammable and had good cleaning power even on delicate clothing. Perc, on the other hand, is a toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemical. Bringing in dry-cleaned clothing can expose you to such chemicals.

Perc enters the body through inhalation and can be stored in adipose tissue. Short-term Perc exposure causes neurological, kidney, and liver damage, whereas long-term exposure can result in spontaneous abortion and leukemia 

What exactly is wet cleaning?

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Let's move on to wet cleaning now that we've given you a quick overview of the dry-cleaning process and the solvents used. It's the chemical-free, non-toxic way to clean your clothes. The first step is to soak your clothes in a water-based solution containing environmentally friendly detergents and other biodegradable ingredients.

Your clothes are then dried properly to avoid over-drying and to keep their shape. Finally, your garments are taken to the finishing area where they are ironed and steamed to relax the fabric. Ta-da! Your clothes are clean and ready to wear.

You may be wondering if certain garments with the "Dry Clean Only" care label can be cleaned with water. That depends on your cleaning prowess. You should ensure that your cleaner has more resources and is familiar with the fabrics and stains on your clothes. Most garments labelled "dry clean only" can be wet cleaned. Many people believe it is best to dry clean them if the care label on them says so. The majority of garments labelled "dry clean only" can be wet cleaned. Many people believe it is best to dry clean their clothes if the care label says "Dry Clean Only." So, my advice is to reconsider.

Wet cleaning is gentle, softens your clothes, and does not have any of the negative effects that dry cleaning may have. Have you ever smelled the smell of your clothes after bringing them back from the dry cleaner? You should not; it's an unsightly relic of perc that you don't want to "live" in.

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Conclusion on dry cleaning vs. wet cleaning

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Dry cleaning employs chemicals that are hazardous to the environment, as well as to you and your loved ones. Wet cleaning employs safe and environmentally friendly solutions, resulting in softer, fresher clothing. What do you think is the best way?

We conclude that wet cleaning appears to be the superior option. We just hope that other dry cleaners figure out a better way to avoid Perc. We do not provide dry cleaning at Soak N Relax. We care about our employees; we care about the environment and we care about the safety of our customers. As a result, we provide premium services that use water-based, eco-friendly solutions and a wet cleaning process. It is now up to you to decide what kind of cleaning process you want to use on your clothes.