As the weather turns colder in the morning and evening, we reach for thicker clothing. Washing these bulky items at home can be challenging, leading many of us to use dry cleaning services frequently. It’s a common belief that the more expensive an item of clothing, the more it needs to be dry cleaned. However, this is not always the case! As we transition into a new season, it’s time to learn how to manage our wardrobes wisely.
The Principle of Dry Cleaning Without Water
When washing clothes at home, there’s a risk of damaging the fabric or causing color and shape changes. Consequently, many people opt for dry cleaning for clothes made of materials like wool and leather. Dry cleaning dates back to the 1800s when a French dye works owner accidentally discovered that kerosene was effective at removing stains. This led to the first dry cleaning process using colorless oil derived from pine trees.
Dry Cleaning Specific Detergents
Dry cleaning-specific detergents, known as organic solvents, are excellent at removing oil-based stains from clothing. The most common solvents include petroleum-based solvents like Solvent and mineral turpentine and chlorine-based solvents like trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. Most laundries use petroleum-based solvents, with ‘Solvent’ being the most popular.
Clothes That Should Not Be Dry Cleaned
Clothing can be divided into categories based on their washing needs: machine-washable, hand-wash only, and dry clean only. For example, it’s better to hand wash winter garments like down jackets filled with duck or goose feathers rather than dry clean them. This is because the dry cleaning solvents can reduce the natural oils in the feathers, diminishing their insulation capabilities and potentially altering the jacket’s shape.
Hand Wash Outdoor Clothing
Outdoor clothing made of high-performance materials like Gore-Tex and Windstopper will inevitably lose some functionality after several washes. Dry cleaning is a big no-no for these garments because the solvent can damage the Gore-Tex membrane and impair its water repellency. Therefore, it’s recommended to hand wash these items in warm water (about 104°F) using a wool shampoo.
Too Frequent Dry Cleaning is Not Good for Clothes
It’s Harmful to the Fabric
Dry cleaning too frequently can damage your clothes. In particular, high-quality suits have delicate and sensitive materials, so it’s advised to avoid wearing them on rainy days and to dry clean them only once per season. Instead of frequent washing, maintaining cleanliness and regular care can keep your suit looking sharp for a long time.
Remove the Plastic Wrap from Dry Cleaned Clothes
The organic solvents used in dry cleaning are highly volatile, so it’s essential to remove the plastic wrap to eliminate the solvent after dry cleaning completely. The organic solvents on the clothes will easily evaporate once the plastic wrap is removed. If you’ve been storing your clothes still wrapped in plastic, it’s time to unwrap them!
Air Out Clothes Outdoors
After picking up your clothes from the laundry, it’s a good idea to air them out for 3-4 hours outdoors after removing the plastic wrap. If you have a balcony, open a window and expose the unwrapped clothes to sunlight. Volatile organic compounds move more quickly into the air as the temperature rises from sunlight exposure.
How to Dry Clean at Home
Home dry cleaning is a wet cleaning process where you hand wash individual items in low-temperature water using a specific detergent. Home dry cleaning, which uses water to remove stains, is much more effective. It’s great for washing small, single-color items like blouses, knits, suit pants, and skirts. Materials like wool, silk, and rayon tend to shrink, so it’s better to take these clothes to a professional cleaner.
Making Home Dry Cleaning Specific Detergent
You can easily buy home dry cleaning-specific detergent from the internet or supermarkets, but you can also make it yourself. Mix 200g of baking soda, 200g of washing soda, 160g of citric acid, 10ml of EM original solution, and 5ml of plant-based surfactant in a bowl. After mixing thoroughly, let it sit for a day before use. Store the remaining detergent in a well-ventilated, shaded area and use about a shot glass’ worth per wash. While it’s effective against light stains, remember that as a natural detergent, it may not altogether remove all stains.
The Advent of Dry Cleaning Using Water Instead of Oil
Dry Cleaning Has Arrived
Dry cleaning uses organic solvents to dissolve and wash away stains. This process generates heat, leading to the release of volatile organic compounds that are harmful to the human body. To address these issues, the domestic laundry market has introduced ‘wet cleaning,’ which uses water instead of oil. This method is gaining attention for its benefits, including health and environmental protection, as well as the use of biodegradable special detergents that reduce clothing shrinkage and friction, thereby protecting the laundry.
By. Jeon Shin Young
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