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 technically "dry" because liquid solvents perform the cleaning, but little water is used, thus the term "dry."
Dry cleaning machines are similar to washing machines. A large tumbling basket facilitates the cleaning process. Garments are placed in this basket, which is partially filled with solvent, and tumbled to drop through the solvent. This agitation and the flushing action of the solvent do most of the cleaning.
A dry cleaning system requires certain elements. These include a rotating wash cylinder, a tank for storing solvent, a pump to circulate the solvent, a dryer, filters, a distillation system, and, of course, the solvent itself. Optional components include vapor absorbers or a refrigerated condenser for capturing solvent vapors, a moisture injection system, computer or card controllers, and others.
The solvents most widely used are perchloroethylene and hydrocarbon. The cleaning solution consists of approximately 98% pure solvent, 1% water, and 1% sizings and detergents. If impurities make up any more than an additional 1% of the solution, the cleaning quality can be compromised by odor and dinginess.
More difficult stains require removal with chemical agents, water, steam, air, and vacuum, applied on what is called a "spotting board." Cleaners perform this technique both before and after cleaning to remove stains individually.
< Back
© Copyright 1999-2010 Meurice Garment Care, New York Dry Cleaners
