The Difference between Drycleaning Laundry

You bring your clothes to your professional cleaner or get them picked up, then they're returned one to three days later, looking as good as new. So what happens to get them looking so good?

Professional cleaners employ a number of techniques and a number of processes to ensure your clothes are as clean as they can be. We can break them down into three general categories: dry cleaning, wet cleaning, and laundering.

Dry Cleaning The dry cleaning process involves utilizing fluids to remove soil and stains from fabric. Little or no water is used during this process and the cleaning fluids do not penetrate the fibres in the same way as other methods, which is why it is called dry cleaning.

One of the many advantages of this process is how grease and oil can be dissolved and eliminated more effectively than with water on many materials, from natural to synthetic. Water can also distort, shrink and discolour fabrics made of natural fibers such as wools and silks, making dry cleaning the preferred care method.

The dry cleaning process starts with a pretreatment of any existing spots and stains, using special cleaning agents designed for the job. Then, the garments are placed into a machine resembling an oversized front-loading home washer to be agitated so that embedded dirt can be loosened. The cleaning fluid is filtered or distilled to ensure its clarity at each step.

Wet Cleaning Wet cleaning may be most suitable for some garments, depending on the care label and the expertise of your professional cleaner. According to the 1972 Care Label Rule, clothing manufacturers need only list one method of proper care, even if there are other safe methods. If a garment's care label says Washable, it may or may not dry clean satisfactorily.

The wet cleaning process is similar to the dry cleaning process, in that it begins with the pretreatment of spots and stains using special cleaning agents. The main difference between the two methods is that water and additives are then used to clean the items. Precautions are taken to prevent shrinkage, loss of colour, and fabric distortion.

Laundering Shirts and other items that are stated as Washable can be laundered. This process uses special detergents, additives, and finishes that are different from home laundering methods to achieve cleaner collars and cuffs. The last step of this process also includes professional pressing to create a crisper finish.

If you request a method of cleaning that is not listed on the care label, your cleaner may ask you to sign a consent form showing that you accept the potential risks of cleaning the garment.