Why You Should Avoid Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning clothing is not only costly to you, but also to the environment. Besides the expense of getting your clothes dry cleaned, the actual dry cleaning process uses toxic chemicals, leaves behind residue and can release toxins into the air.

Here are some reasons why should avoid dry clean only clothing and opt for clothes you can wash at home instead.

1. Dry Cleaners use Dangerous Chemicals

Dry cleaners us perchloroethylene (which is also known as tetrachloroethene, perc, PCE, C2Cl4, Cl2C=CCl2, or tetrachloroethylene) to clean clothing. According to TreeHugger.com, studies have linked this chemical to increased risks of cervical, bladder and esophageal cancer. Not only that, but it can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin and may reduce fertility.

When you pick your clothes up from the dry cleaner and take them home a small amount of this chemical can still be in the clothing. This chemical can be released into the air inside your home and have an impact on your indoor air quality. Not only that, but when you wear the clothing it can come into contact with your skin as well.

2. Residue from Dry Cleaning is Consider Hazardous Waste

The dry cleaning process produces a variety of different items which are considered hazardous waste by the EPA including a cooked powder residue, spent solvent, spent cartridges from the solvent, water contaminated by the solvent and waste from the lint traps.

If not handled properly, these by-products of the dry cleaning process can have a negative impact on the environment.

3. Dry Cleaning Can Release Toxins into the Air

The dry cleaning process can release toxins into the air. Residents who live next to or near a dry cleaner may be negatively impacted by these toxins.

4. You Can Save a Lot of Money

Dry cleaning is expensive. By cutting back on or avoiding dry clean only clothing all together you can save a lot of money.

Alternatives to Dry Cleaning

Can't give up your favorite dry clean only clothing? Try some alternatives to traditional dry cleaning instead.

Look for a green dry cleaner in your area. Although many dry cleaners still use traditional methods that rely on perchloroethylene, many have switched over to greener alternatives like liquid carbon dioxide, silicone solvent based cleaning or even wet cleaning which involves using water and biodegradable soap. Call around and see if you can find a greed dry cleaner in your area.

You can also try products that you can use at home such as Woolite Dry Cleaner's Secret®. By doing it yourself you'll save a lot of money and will be doing something better for the environment.

Sources:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/ask_treehugger.php