Drycleaners are annoyingly inconsistent about what
they tell you. They say one thing one month and something
completely different the next month. Clearly, some cleaners just
don't care what they say, when they say it, to whom they say it, or
in what forum they say it. So long as it serves their business
interests and reinforces their current point of view or
marketing strategy.
Here's one case that proves my point ...
One metro Phoenix area cleaner has cleaned in synthetic
petroleum solvent (aka DF
2000 or EcoSolv) since he opened his doors in 2005.
Synthetic petroleum is a hydrocarbon solvent that's a by-product of
the manufacture of gasoline and is produced by Exxon Mobil and
Conoco Phillips.
Since that date, he's aggressively promoted synthetic petroleum
as an "organic", "non-toxic", "green" and "environmentally
friendly" solvent. He's also aggressively argued that synthetic
petroleum is the best substitute for "cancer causing"
perchloroethylene (aka perc). And to reinforce his position he even
named his business Organic Cleaners (about a year ago he changed
the name to OrganiCare Fine Drycleaning and Laundry, and, then,
about six months ago he changed it again to OrganiCare Fine
GarmentCare Centers).
All this despite the fact that perc is
technically "organic" (because it contains carbon) in the same
way that synthetic petroleum is
technically "organic" (because it, too, contains carbon).
Despite the fact that one of his two locations doesn't even
clean in synthetic petroleum. That location cleans in perc even
though he swears that he only cleans in synthetic petroleum. (You
can confirm this fact by calling the Maricopa Air
Quality Department at 602-506-6201. On request, they'll email
you a copy of their 2 permits.)
And despite the fact that both perc and synthetic petroleum are
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), are classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as Toxic Air
Contaminants, and are strictly regulated at the federal, state and
local levels -- both in how they're used and how they're disposed
of.
This cleaner has also promoted himself as the "original organic
cleaner" and as an industry visionary whose mission is to "change
the drycleaning industry one store at a time."
All this despite the fact that the Phoenix-based Prestige
Cleaners and Delias Cleaners (about 20 locations in total) and
thousands of other cleaners nationwide have been cleaning in
synthetic petroleum for years before he even opened his doors. And
despite the fact that one of his two locations actually cleans in
the "bad solvent" - perc.
Now the rhetoric has escalated to the absurd.
For the past 4 years this cleaner has been promoting synthetic
petroleum as an organic, non-toxic, green and environmentally
friendly solvent and evangelizing against the use of "cancer
causing" perc. Now he's singing a different tune.
Apparently he's finally realized that he's pressed this
falsehood far enough and that he can no longer claim that synthetic
petroleum is organic, non-toxic, green and environmentally
friendly. And he's also recognized that he can no longer deny that
he cleans in both perc and synthetic petroleum.
So now he's claiming that carbon dioxide and wetcleaning are the
only real green technologies and he warns you not to be fooled by
cleaners who claim to be organic cleaners. Even though he still
drycleans in perc and synthetic petroleum (both are
technically organic) and the sign over his front doors say
"Organic Cleaners".
Here's the takeaway from this post: As a consumer of drycleaning
services, it is important to look beyond the (false) slogans and
(false) claims. You'll need to do your homework. In many cases,
you'll find that the emperor has no clothes.
How can I help you?
Full Disclosure
RAVE FabriCARE does not compete directly with Organic
Cleaners/OrganiCare Fine Dry Cleaners & Laundry/OrganiCare Fine
GarmentCare Centers. Their nearest location is 8 miles from our
facility, and our prices are 3 to 4 times higher.