Every dry cleaner has a dry cleaning solvent or
fluid bias.
Most dry cleaners prefer
perchloroethylene (aka perc), a chlorinated solvent known for
it's grease cutting properties. They'll argue that other dry
cleaning solvents and fluids - synthetic petroleum, siloxane,
liquid carbon dioxide and hybrid glycol ether/liquid carbon dioxide
- don't "clean as well as perc." And they'll vigorously rebut any
claims that perc is a "cancer causing carcinogen."
Other cleaners favor
synthetic petroleum (aka DF 2000 or EcoSolv), a hydrocarbon
solvent. They argue that perc is way too aggressive. They decry the
use of perc as harmful to the health of their customers and
employees alike. And they (deceptively and misleadingly) position
their solvent as "organic", "green", "non-toxic" and
"environmentally friendly."
Truth is, this battle of solvents - my solvent's better than
your solvent - is nothing more than a battle over dry cleaning
dollars.
Here are some of the givens:
- 97% of cleaners clean in either perc or synthetic
petroleum.
- The overwhelming majority of cleaners are ordinary, bang and
hang cleaners.
- Their quality of product is mediocre at best.
- Their prices are low to competitive.
- They offer same and next day service. Many offer 3 days pickup
and delivery service.
- Overall dry cleaning industry revenues are significantly
down.
So why the battle of the solvents? Because these ordinary
cleaners are battling for every dollar and, in many cases, the only
differentiating factor amongst them is the broadness of their
smiles and the type of dry cleaning solvent they use.
Like perc and synthetic
petroleum cleaners, I too have a bias. I clean in siloxane (aka
Green Earth). That's because caring for bespoke,
made-to-measure, designer, high fashion, specialty and couture
garments imposes certain obligations on a cleaner. One such
obligation is to use a dry cleaning fluid that's extremely gentle,
non-dye stripping and odorless. A dry cleaning fluid that leaves
your whites, creams and pastels brilliantly bright. Your colors
intense and vibrant. All with the softest, silkiest feel. And zero
solvent or fragrance odor.
Quite frankly, my choice of siloxane as a dry cleaning fluid for
RAVE FabriCARE was a no brainer. I wouldn't want to be responsible
for cleaning your bespoke, made-to-measure, designer, high fashion,
specialty or couture garments in either perc or synthetic
petroleum.
So where does this leave you, the consumer of dry cleaning
services?
I believe that you have an obligation - to yourself and to your
fine garments -
to identify the specific dry cleaning solvent or fluid used by your
cleaner. And to form an independent opinion whether that
specific solvent or fluid is appropriate given your investment in
your wardrobe.
I also believe that dry cleaners have an obligation to disclose
to you the specific dry cleaning solvent or fluid they use. Clearly
and unambiguously.
All dry cleaners have biases. What's your cleaner's bias?
How can I help you?