DRy Cleaning

Date 30 March 09

What is dry cleaning?

It's a process that cleans clothes without water. The cleaning fluid that is used is a liquid, and all garments are immersed and cleaned in a liquid solvent -- the fact that there is no water is why the process is called "dry''. The solvent that they used are actually organic solvent.

History about dry cleaning

Early times --> After world war 1 -- > After world war 2 -- > Modern

Used petroleum based solvent --> chlorine type of solvent -- > tetrachloroethylene (perc) -- > glycol ethers, etc.

However, perc was also the first chemical to be classified as a carcinogen by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (a classification later withdrawn). In 1993 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted an airborne toxic control measure (ATCM) to reduce perc emissions from dry cleaning operations. The dry cleaning industry is now beginning to replace perc with other chemicals and/or methods.

Since its a dangerous solvent, many other solvents are used to replace it. Those dry cleaners that are still using perc have to handle it properly.

Why dry cleaning is needed?

Dry cleaning is necessary for cleaning items which would otherwise be damaged by water and soap or detergent. Some stains and soil from fabrics or clothings are easier to remove through dry cleaning.

[ Sources from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_cleaning , http://science.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning.htm ]




Happy birthday erdi. haha! Just got my laundry from the laundry shop. That's why I decided to write a little about this.

My sis took her GINGERBREAD man for cleaning. I think you all should know roughly how does the gingerbread man looks like. After the cleaning, her gingerbread man looks like POOH BEAR. haha!

I didnt mean the colour. Its the shape that makes it looks like pooh bear. Its some sort become a little rounder. And everything just went out of shape. Its quite funny. I tease her by saying it looks like her. haha! I wanted to take a picture of it but she doesnt allow me to do so.

Just imagine how it would look like. haha!