Margaret’s
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Frequently Asked
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- F.A.Q : Dry Cleaning Questions
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- 10.
What is dry cleaning?
- Dry cleaning is a method of removing stains and dirt from garments and fabric by using little or no water. Actually, dry cleaning is not "dry" as solvents, or liquids, are used to perform the cleaning, but with little water thus the term "dry".
Dry cleaning machines are similar to washing machines in that a large tumbling basket is used to facilitate the cleaning process. Garments are placed in this basket which is partially filled with solvent and tumbled in a manner in which they drop through the solvent. This agitation and flushing action of the solvent are responsible for the majority of the cleaning.
Certain elements must be present in a dry cleaning system. These include a rotating wash cylinder, a tank for storing solvents for both light and dark colored garments, a pump to circulate the solvent, a dryer, filters, a distillation system to keep the solutions clear, and of course the solvent itself. Other components which may or not be found include vapor absorbers or refrigerated condenser for capturing solvent vapors, moisture injection system, computer or card controllers, and others.
The solvents most widely used are percloroethylene and hydrocarbon. The cleaning solution is comprised of approximately 98% pure solvent, 1% water, and 1% sizings and detergents. If impurities comprise any more than an additional 1% of the cleaning solution, the cleaning quality can be detrimentally affected by odor and dinginess.
Some of the more difficult stains are removed with the use of chemical agents, water, steam, air, and vacuum on what is called a "spotting board". This technique is performed both before and after cleaning and the stains are removed individually.
- Updated: March 29, 2006
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