Q.
My dermatologist tells me
I'm sensitive to dry cleaning liquid. I have a ton of dry clean
only garments in my closet. What can I do?
Elizabeth
Des Moines, Iowa
A.
Hi
Elizabeth. Thanks for the question.
Clients often tell me that they are sensitive to dry cleaning
solvents and fluids.
The problem, however, is a little more complicated than
that:
- Are you sensitive to the virgin dry cleaning solvent or
fluid itself?
- Are you sensitive to all the accumulated soluble
impurities in the dry cleaning solvent or fluid?
Specifically, are you
sensitive to the soluble impurities, such as bacteria, body oils,
oily-type creams and lotions and food fats, that your garments and
household textiles absorb when cleaned in dry cleaning solvent or
fluid that has not been continuously purified?
- Are you sensitive to the fragrance or perfume that's
added to the dry cleaning solvent or fluid?
Specifically, are you
sensitive to the fragrance or perfume that many dry cleaners add to
their dry cleaning solvent or fluid to "disguise" or "neutralize"
the odor associated with cleaning in dry cleaning solvent or fluid
that has not been continuously purified?
My experience tells me that most individuals are not
sensitive to crystal clear, virgin dry cleaning solvent or fluid.
Instead, they're sensitive to the impurities in the dry cleaning
solvent or fluid and/or to the fragrance or perfume that's added to
the solvent or fluid to "disguise" or "neutralize" those
impurities.
Of course, you'll never have to worry about any of these issues
at a true quality cleaner, especially if that cleaner is using siloxane
dry cleaning fluid.
That's because siloxane is dermatologically friendly,
non-chlorinated, non-hydrocarbon, fragrance-free, perfume-free and
completely odorless. At RAVE FabriCARE, we call it Free & Clear
Cleaning. It's ideal for the chemically-sensitive who are unable to
tolerate dry cleaning solvents like
perchloroethylene and synthetic petroleum -- the dry cleaning
solvents used by more than 97% of all cleaners. Or for the
chemically-sensitive who are unable to tolerate the fragrances or
perfumes that are part of the ordinary cleaner's bag of tricks.
By the way, any cleaner, medical expert, indoor air quality
expert or green expert that tells you that you can mitigate the
problem of odors in your dry cleaned garments by airing them out in
your garage or on your patio for a few days should be dismissed
with the contempt they deserve.
That approach doesn't work because it fails to address the
underlying problem -- impurities and/or fragrance in the dry
cleaning solvent or fluid.
If you have a question for Stu, send it to questions@ravefabricare.com.
How can I help you?