By Lori Bongiomo
Is it true that dry-cleaning
my clothing is a health hazard and can
harm the environment? If so, are there
any eco-friendly alternatives?
The solvent used by most dry cleaners, perchloroethylene (a.k.a. perc), does pollute the
environment. There’s also a long list of potential health effects ranging from headaches and
dizziness to liver and kidney damage. The EPA calls it a “probable” human carcinogen. Given
that, it’s not a bad idea to limit your exposure. Luckily, there is a range of options for you,
from easy and inexpensive to those requiring more effort and commitment. Below is a
three-tiered system of solutions I call Green, Greener, Greenest.
Green: If you do go to a traditional dry cleaner,
minimize your exposure to perc:
Remove your cleaned clothes from their
bags and air them outside or in a wellventilated
area before storing them in your
closet. Open car windows when driving
home with your dry-cleaning.
Greener: Try a cleaner that uses an alternative
method. Wet cleaning uses water and
nontoxic soap. It’s best for items made of fabrics
that you would consider hand washing
at home, such as silk or linen. Another option
is carbon dioxide dry-cleaning, which uses
liquid CO2 to clean clothes in high-pressure
machines: Hangers (hangerskc.com) is a national
chain of CO2 cleaners, or you can visit
findco2.com to find a local option. These are
the only two processes considered environmentally
preferable by the EPA.
Greenest: Cut down on professional
cleaning. Here are some suggestions: Buy
fewer clothes that require dry cleaning; spot
clean when possible; invest in a steamer;
hand wash all appropriate clothes or use the
delicate cycle on your washing machine;
and air out garments after wearing, only
sending out stained and soiled items. You’ll
save time, money, and the environment with
fewer trips to the dry cleaners.
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