Is There Such a Thing as Natural Dry Cleaning?
If you’re looking for more natural, green, eco-friendly options for your laundry, you’re in the right place. Here we look at what your options are for natural dry cleaning and we introduce ourselves at Love2Laundry and show you what we’re all about.
What is green dry cleaning?
Yes, there are ways to be more natural and eco-friendly when it comes to dry cleaning. If your dry cleaner claims to be eco-friendly, make sure to ask about specific non-toxic dry cleaning methods and chemicals they use.
Green dry cleaning is the use of non-toxic chemicals and eco-friendly methods to be kind to the environment and reduce waste. Methods such as hydrocarbon cleaning isn’t natural or green cleaning method as it is a petroleum-based solvent and carry environmental concerns. Some dry cleaners use products like these so if you’re looking for an alternative it’s always best to check.
Don’t do your own dry cleaning, not because there aren’t ways to use more natural dry cleaning methods but because large-scale dry cleaning has the ways and means to be able to do it in a more eco-friendly manner and have the expertise in finding the right natural dry cleaning products for you. Not to mention the fact that laundry takes a long time and many dry cleaners are inexpensive.
Your eco-friendly cleaning options
Here are some eco-friendly options to try or to ask your dry cleaner about. Remember that every dry cleaner works differently and may have other methods of using more natural, eco-friendly methods.
Wet cleaning
Wet cleaning machines use water and special detergents that are far milder than your home laundry products. Wet cleaners work at much lower temperatures than traditional dry cleaning machines so they’re much more gentle on the fibres and better for the environment. They have a computerised washer and dryer settings based on the fabrics being washed, to help your clothes look their best.
Wet cleaning machines are considered one of the safest professional cleaning methods and an example of environmentally-preferable technology that can effectively clean laundry without the use of high temperatures and harsh chemicals.
Liquid carbon dioxide cleaning
Carbon dioxide cleaning uses liquid CO2 as the cleaning solvent along with detergent. The gas is formed by placing the non-flammable and nontoxic gas under high pressure. This method is non-toxic and a great method to use for anyone looking at more natural methods of cleaning.
Clothes are placed in a traditional dry cleaning machine and the air is sucked out. The cleaning drum is then injected with carbon dioxide in both gas and liquid form. Once the clothes are lovely and fresh, the liquid CO2 is then pumped back into the holding tank to reuse for the next load.
This is considered one of the most environmentally friendly and natural options because the CO2 is reused and often captured as a by-product of existing industrial processes. Check with your dry cleaning service if they use these machines because although the CO2 is inexpensive, the machines themselves are extremely expensive so it’s likely that smaller dry cleaning businesses won’t have them.
Alternative solvents
Some dry cleaners will use their own natural and environmentally friendly solvents and cleaning solutions so it’s always best to check with your dry cleaners to find out what they use and and what their methods consist of.
Get the most out of your dry cleaning
Speak to your dry cleaning service about using greener, more natural options when doing your dry cleaning and ask specifically about some of the methods mentioned above. Not just this, but by getting your dry cleaning done professionally, you may already be leaning towards being more eco-friendly because they have the ways and means to do your laundry with less energy than you probably have at home.
For example, many dry cleaners use industrial sixes washing and drying machines that take fewer spin cycles than a typical household washing machine and need less detergent due to the special cleaning products the dry cleaners use. Fewer products, less effort and depending on the machine, less water being used too.
Here are some top tips to get the most out of your dry cleaning, including green, natural and eco-friendly methods:
- Let the professionals do the hard work. Don’t try to remove stains yourself. Not only can some home stainers make things worse but they’re often toxic and can take more product and water than it would if the professionals did it.
- Make special requests upfront. Ask the questions you want to about green products and methods or point out any special or vintage garments that need extra care and attention.
Frequently asked questions
Now you know the basics of natural dry cleaning, here are some top questions people ask about professional dry cleaning services.
How long can clothes stay in the cleaners?
We all remember a situation when we planned to pick something up and something else came up which means you’re late. If you’re doing your own laundry at home and this happens, it might sit wet in the washing machine overnight or even for several days which means it would need rewashing.
If you choose to use a professional dry cleaning service they can keep your clothes for you until you’re ready to pick them up, adding to the convenience of the service.
Do dry cleaned clothes last longer?
Yes, dry cleaning can actually make your clothes last longer! The solvent used in dry cleaning is lighter than water, so the fabric is treated in a more delicate way. Whereas, water can cause some fabrics (such as wool) to shrink, lose their colours, or become frayed.
Additionally, when a garment is machine washed, it will twist and spin around in the washing machine, which can disrupt and damage the fibres in the fabric. This can result in the garment stretching or having bobbles on it, so the garment does not last as long. In contrast, the garment would not twist and spin when you have it dry cleaned, as this is a much gentler cleaning method.
Even when we hand wash garments, we often wring and scrub them, to make sure the washing powder is penetrating enough to remove dirt and stains. However, with dry cleaning, harsh movements such as wringing and scrubbing do not occur.
What’s more, in your household washing machine, the grime from your dirty clothes and the residue left behind from laundry detergent can cause mould and mildew to build up in the washing machine. This means that your clothes will not be thoroughly cleaned after a machine wash, which often results in harsher scrubbing to get rid of those germs. Again, repeated washing can cause wear and tear to the fibres in garments.
Can dry cleaning remove tough stains?
Harsh stains such as armpit stains can be difficult to get rid of yourself without ruining your garment. Yes, you will be pleased to know that professional dry cleaning can remove armpit stains, in most cases.
Even though the garment isn’t being washed with water, the chemical solvent used in the dry cleaning process will expertly lift any stubborn armpit stains and eliminate foul smells.
The dry cleaning agent will break down the oils and residues that are causing the armpit stains to form in the first place.
Love2Laundry
We are a dry cleaning service based in London, offering services across certain locations across the UK. Founded in 2014, we followed a dream and we aim to serve our customers in a way that far exceeds expectation. Being one of the leading laundry service providers, we know our customers’ mindset. It is not easy to come home from a hectic day at the office and rush to the nearest laundry service with your clothes.
We have a handy laundry app for dry cleaning where you can book your time slot. Let us know what you want cleaning and we will pick it up and drop it off for you at a time convenient to you.
