Types of dry cleaning: which one is needed right now?

Every year, more and more people turn to professionals to remove difficult stains. There are different types of dry cleaning. They differ in the method of implementation (dry and aqueous), as well as in the type of solvents and cleaning agents used.

What is dry cleaning?

Dry cleaning is the professional cleaning of textiles using organic solvents. Dry cleaning uses special chemicals that are not available to ordinary consumers. They dissolve fat, blood, sweat, fruit and coffee stains without disturbing the integrity of the fabric (skin, fur). The procedure is much more effective than regular washing and helps remove even old stains. This treatment method is especially in demand when products that are undesirable to be wetted and washed are contaminated: fur coats, hats, wedding dresses, coats, sheepskin coats, leather jackets, down jackets.

Dry cleaning is carried out in several stages:

1. Reception of clothes. Before cleaning with chemicals, it is important to identify the type of contamination and whether it has been treated with something previously. On this basis, the dry cleaning worker gives or does not give a guarantee for the work performed. If the product is damaged, the client is first sent to the studio. All jewelry, belts, buckles and other elements are removed from clothing.
2. Sorting. Clothes received at the dry cleaner are sorted according to material and color. As with regular washing, colored and white items are treated separately with chemicals.
3. Pre-cleaning. To improve the quality of dry cleaning, difficult stains and heavily soiled areas are first treated with specially selected reagents. Things are cleaned on special tables with good lighting. They are also equipped with guns that supply compressed air and steam.
4. Dry cleaning. The basic process of cleaning clothes. The items are placed in a machine that resembles a washing machine. But instead of powder, a special solvent is used, and all processes in the device are individually configured. During dry cleaning, contaminants are pulled out of the fabric fibers. Next, drying is carried out at a temperature of 25–50 degrees.
5. Finishing operations. At the final stage, the clothes are looked at on an ironing table or mannequin. For this purpose, presses, professional irons and steam generators are used. If stains remain, they are treated again with reagents or the clothes are sent for repeated dry cleaning. If after 2-3 cycles the contamination does not disappear, the specialist makes a corresponding note on the receipt.

The first dry cleaner was opened in 1825 in Paris. Then turpentine was used as a solvent. A little later, petroleum products - gasoline and kerosene - began to be used for cleaning. But due to their easy flammability, American specialists soon invented the relatively safe Stoddard solvent. Today it is known to the general public under the name white spirit.

Types of dry cleaning of clothes

Dry cleaning most often means dry cleaning with chemicals, that is, without the use of water. However, not so long ago the so-called water cleaning, aqua-cleaning, which is considered more gentle, became popular. Many people classify it as a type of dry cleaning, although this is not entirely correct.

According to the international standard “ISO 3758:2012. Textile products.Care labeling using symbols”, if chemical treatment is permissible, clothing is marked with a circle icon with a specific letter: P, F, A, W. If the circle is crossed out, dry cleaning is prohibited; if it is underlined, delicate treatment is required.

Dry cleaning

Dry cleaning is called cleaning, which is carried out with organic solvents without the use of water. This is the most common type of dry cleaning.

Depending on the solvents used, there are 3 types of dry cleaning:

• Perchloroethylene (P). Perchlorethylene is a commonly used, affordable type of solvent. Particularly effective in removing grease stains. It cleans even heavily soiled clothes. At the same time, the chemical does not change the texture of the product - the item retains its shape and softness. But this type of dry cleaning cannot be called gentle. During processing, moisture-repellent and protective impregnations may be damaged - they will then have to be restored. There is also a risk of color loss.
• Hydrocarbon (Flammable, “F”). A more gentle method of dry cleaning. After treatment with hydrocarbon chemicals, fabrics and leather become soft. The items are guaranteed to retain their color brightness and have no foreign odor. However, this type of dry cleaning is not suitable for heavily soiled items or clothes with stubborn stains.

The main advantage of dry chemical cleaning is the ability to clean clothes without water. Things do not shrink, stretch or deform. Dry cleaning is especially in demand for materials that are afraid of getting wet: fur, wool, leather, suede and others.

The symbol “A” in a circle means that the clothing can be treated with any solvents (Any). However, it is considered obsolete, and new clothes are not marked with it.

Aqua cleaning

Water dry cleaning involves the use of professional detergents that dissolve in water. At the same time, wet cleaning is not an analogue of washing in a laundry. The cleaning procedure for products occurs in several stages, as with the classic dry method.

After pre-treatment, the clothes are processed in a special machine. The device is designed in a special way: due to the large volume of water, smooth rotation of the drum and precise settings, it is possible to achieve minimal mechanical impact on the fabric.

Water cleaning is a worthy alternative to dry cleaning. It is in demand for cleaning wedding and evening dresses, clothes made of expensive and delicate fabrics. Works best on water-soluble stains: stains from coffee, juice, tea, etc.

Which type of dry cleaning is best?

It is impossible to say for sure which type of dry cleaning is more effective. The method of treatment is negotiated individually and depends on the material of the clothing and the type of contamination. The most important selection criteria are the manufacturer’s recommendations for caring for the product. The relevant information can be found on the label on the reverse side of the garment. The symbols determine the admissibility of a particular processing method.

In addition to cleaning clothes, dry cleaners provide a number of additional services: greasing (restores shine and softness to the skin), tinting, removing pellets, restoring the pile effect, water-repellent coating and others.

Thus, today there are two options for professional cleaning of clothes - dry and water cleaning. Each method has its pros and cons. When choosing the type of dry cleaning, they are based on the characteristics of the fabric and the composition of the stains. It is important to understand that chemical treatment is not a panacea.It does not restore the original appearance of worn-out clothes and is unable to cope with stains that they tried to remove on their own. When treating contaminants with home remedies, they change their composition and are less dissolved by chemicals.