Wet cleaning

Wet cleaning is a non-toxic, environmentally safe alternative to dry cleaning, utilizing computer-controlled washing machines, biodegradable soaps and conditioners, and various types of pressing equipment that may be specialized for many different fabric and fiber types.

Modern wet-cleaning technology was developed by Miele in 1991. ["The Miele Wet Cleaning System". Available: http://www.wetcleaning.com/intro/wetcleaning_intro.html. Last accessed 2008 January 3.] An earlier form of wet cleaning was offered by Saville Row bespoke tailors: a suit would be carefully measured, linings and interfacings would be removed, and the garments would be carefully hand washed in cold water and mild detergent, rinsed in cold water, and blocked to its original shape and air-dried; then the linings and interfacings would be put back in. Fact|date=January 2008

The traditional way of cleaning a kimono is similar: The garment is held together by coarse basting stitches, as are used by a tailor in the early stages of constructing a suit. To clean the kimono, the stitches are ripped out, then the fabric is washed in cold water and mild soap or detergent, rinsed in cold water, then stretched and air-dried. It is then stitched back together with the same coarse stitches as before. [Dalby, Liza (2001). "Kimono: Fashioning Culture". Washington, USA: University of Washington Press. ISBN 0-295-98155-5.]

For professional cleaners, wet-cleaning offers several advantages, such as lowered costs for start-up capital, supplies, equipment and hazardous waste disposal, as well as less reliance on skilled labor. [(2007). "EPA Fact Sheet - Wet Cleaning: An Alternative to Dry Cleaning that Is Safe For You, Your Clothes and Your Cleaner". Available: http://www.deq.state.va.us/osba/factsheets/wetclean.html. Last accessed 2008 January 3.] Dry-cleaners are beleaguered by the spiraling costs of energy, labor, insurance, etc.Fact|date=January 2008

Professional wet cleaning is an environmentally preferred Perchloroethylene (or "PERC") alternative, however the chemicals used by many wet cleaners to pre-treat clothing have been found to be as equally toxic as PERC. According to a report released March 2007 [Spotting Chemicals: Alternatives to Perchloroethylene and Trichloroethylene in the Textile Cleaning Industry, January 2007; see also: "Evaluation of New and Emerging Technologies for Textile Cleaning," available: [http://www.wrppn.org/irta/Emerging_Technologies_Textile_%20Clea.pdf] ] , the spotting agents used even by so-called “green” dry cleaners account for close to 40,000 gallons, or 242 tons, of trichloroethylene (TCE) and about 150 gallons, or 1 ton, of PERC being used annually in the state of California. PERC and TCE are carcinogens and both are listed on Proposition 65; wastes even from professional wet cleaners using these chemicals are classified as hazardous. One company, SF GreenClean, in San Francisco, CA, has perfected a system of wet cleaning garments, which uses no hazardous chemicals at any stage of the cleaning process, and, in addition, produces close to zero environmental waste of any form. This method has been successfully used to clean a wide range of garment types and fabric textures, including those traditionally considered to be "Dry Clean Only." Fact|date=September 2008

Tailors have generally recommended that garments be returned to them once a year for wet cleaning and dry-cleaned in between. Fact|date=January 2008 These tailors are also careful to choose materials that will not be destroyed by water, even if they later sew in the usual "Dry Clean Only" label. Fact|date=January 2008 Some clothing manufacturers may mislabel their clothing "Dry Clean Only", even though there is no "reasonable basis" for making the claim that the garment will be harmed if it is not dry cleaned. [(2001). "Don't Say 'Dry Clean Only' If It Can Be Washed". Available: http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/textile/alerts/dryclean.shtm. Last accessed 2008 January 3.]

References

External links

* [http://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/ppc/cleaner_near_you.htm Find a greener cleaner near you!] - Wet cleaner search from Occidental College's Urban & Environmental Policy Institute.
* [http://www.sfgreenclean.com company home page, SF GreenClean LLC]
* [http://www.wrppn.org/irta/index.cfm Western Region Pollution Prevention Network]
* [http://www.baaqmd.gov/ Bay Area Air Quality Management District]
* [http://www.epa.gov/oppt/dfe/pubs/#garm US EPA, garment and textile care publications]