Despite the name, dry cleaning isn’t really a method that makes use of water alone to dry clothes, bed sheets or other forms of fabric. Technically, dry cleaning simply means using a dry garment that has been thoroughly dry-cleaned in a machine. Contrary to what you may think, it’s a fairly common practice and there are a number of benefits to dry cleaning clothes. For instance as mentioned by this giant eagle with best dry cleaning, many kinds of fabric can’t go into the dry cleaners, for one reason or another. Some fabrics can’t be air-dried, for another. However, there are dry cleaners out there that can dry pretty much any type of fabric.
If you’re confused by dry cleaning, it’s because you may have never used an air dryer before. A dry cleaning machine works by using hot water mixed with a cleaning solvent. The cleaning solvent is often a simple citrus solvent, like lemon juice or borax. These solvents are strong enough to lift the dirt and grime from your clothes, but not strong enough to actually damage the garment. Once the garment is cleaned using the solvent, it’s then put in a dryer on low.
Over time, these solvents can become toxic. While nearly all solvents can be safely used on fabric, some kinds of solvents, including some homemade versions, can cause adverse effects. For instance, homemade bleaches can bleach fabric, causing it to fade and becoming threadbare. Commercial bleaches can also be toxic, especially if the bleach is stored in open or partially open bottles. In these cases, it’s best to keep the bleach out of the reach of children.
Dry cleaning methods make it easy to remove stains from your clothing without damaging the fibers of the fabric. Dry cleaning methods can also remove dust, mold, grease, soil, and pet hair. If you’re looking to get your house clean without damaging your home’s interior decor, consider using dry cleaning methods for stains on your upholstered furniture, draperies, and carpeting. You might also use this method on delicate fabrics that you want to avoid staining or bleaching.
Perc – Percachide is a bleaching agent derived from citrus fruits. It was actually once called Peroxide. Perc basically comes in two forms: dry or wet. You can mix dry perc with tap water to make a very light wash, and you can soak up the water and spray it directly on stains. Perc can also be added to a detergent for easy washing.
Phosphate-based cleaners – They’re often called phosphate cleaners. These types of soaps and detergents are milder formulas that won’t hurt your clothing or fabric. However, these do not work very well for items that have a lot of iron oxides or ferrous iron in them. Iron oxides and ferrous iron stain will only be removed by iron oxide bleach. You can either wash these items in the regular way, or by using the phosphate-based dry cleaning tips.
Phosphate-based solvents – The most common one in dry cleaning units today is the Phosphate solvent. It has a light acid base and comes in both powder and liquid forms. It doesn’t bond well to fabric, but it does have mild effects on fabric. It’s not advised to use this solvent on colored fabrics as it may cause bleaching.
We hope these dry cleaning tips will help you make the best choices for your clothing and other items. We wish you well with your clothing. When you shop online, you’ll find many more tips to help you preserve the integrity of your clothing and your household items. You’ll also discover how to protect your household items from damage done by your laundry. Good luck and happy washing!
