What do you most dislike about dry cleaning?
The Bite
For some it's the wire hangers ("Now what? Roast marshmallows? Hotwire cars?"), but for us it's the toxins - especially a chem called perc. Help move perc outta circ by avoiding DRY CLEAN ONLY labels and choosing a greener cleaner.
The Benefits
- Eco-friendlier. Classified as a "groundwater contaminant" and "hazardous air pollutant" by the EPA, 70% of perc used in dry cleaning ends up in nature.
- Healthier. Perc is a probable carcinogen.
- Clothes smell fresher - no weird science-lab-like smell.
Wanna Try?
Simple: look for clothes that don't need dry cleaning.
If you gotta do it, though... from most eco to least: 1. Wet cleaning (pro water cleaning that can be used on dry clean only apparel), 2. CO2 cleaning, 3. Silicone-based cleaning (ie. "Green Earth" dry cleaning, which uses a non-perc, silicone-based solvent that still causes cancer in rats), 4. conventional dry cleaning.
- Autrepeau - ladies: make fewer trips to the cleaners with form-fitting undergarments that keep your duds from smelling ($36-$44).
- Find CO2 - directory of CO2 cleaners.
- Earth911 - keeps updated lists of wet cleaners and where to recycle wire hangers.
[idealbite.com]
Comments