What is Dry Cleaning? Clothing that Requires Special Attention! Mytour's Guide

Are you struggling to find a solution for cleaning stains on your expensive garments made of materials like leather, fur, wool, or silk? Worried that machine washing with water might ruin your beautiful outfits? In this article, Mytour introduces an effective solution: dry cleaning. So, what is dry cleaning? Let's find out together!

What is Dry Cleaning? 

Dry cleaning is a process of eliminating stains using solvent chemicals. Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), commonly known as perc, is one of the most common solvents in dry cleaning. However, this is a volatile organic compound and a highly hazardous substance, potentially causing cancer and environmental harm. Therefore, whether in an industrial setting or at home, caution is advised when using such compounds in the dry cleaning process.

Additionally, there are less common solvents like Hydrocarbon, Siloxane, or liquid carbon dioxide (CO2).

Pros and Cons of Dry Cleaning 

Currently, many people opt for the dry cleaning method due to its convenience. This method comes with the following pros and cons: 

Advantages of Dry Cleaning 

• Instead of cleaning with water and conventional detergents, clothes are cleaned with organic solvents that effectively remove stains without fading the fabric. 
• Water can cause fibers to swell, leading to shrinkage, wrinkles, or color fading in many clothing items. In contrast, solvents are far superior. They can tackle stubborn stains while preserving the quality and style of your clothes.
• Dry cleaning also prevents accessories attached to clothes from peeling, maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your outfit.
• Dry cleaning helps you save water on a daily basis.

Disadvantages of Dry Cleaning

• The solvents used in dry cleaning can be harmful to health, causing skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation, and increasing the risk of cancer.
• After completing dry cleaning, your clothes may carry a characteristic chemical odor. 

Which Clothes Should Be Dry Cleaned 

What is Dry Cleaning? Dry cleaning is a straightforward process that cleans clothes without the use of water. This has made it an efficient alternative for certain special garments.

So, which clothes should be dry cleaned? These include outfits with complex materials and designs such as woolen clothes, leather jackets, down jackets, fur, knitwear, suede, and silk, among others.

These are all premium fabrics that are sensitive to water exposure. Prolonged soaking can cause them to wrinkle and shrink. Moreover, laundry detergents or cleaning agents during water washing can alter the fiber structure, diminishing the inherent beauty of the clothing.

Home Dry Cleaning Process 

Hand washing and machine washing are two methods you can apply for home dry cleaning. Mytour will guide you through essential steps to ensure an effective home dry cleaning process.

Garment Classification

Before proceeding with dry cleaning, it's advisable to categorize your clothing. This helps you decide whether dry cleaning or wet washing is more suitable. As mentioned earlier, certain garments like fur items, leather goods, etc., necessitate dry cleaning.

Simultaneously, sorting clothes by color is also recommended. This not only aids in effective cleaning but also prevents damage to your garments.

Conducting Dry Cleaning

Hand dry cleaning is a simple and home-friendly method. Use a clean cloth soaked in warm water with a bit of solvent to wipe away stains. Afterward, either air-dry the garment or place it in well-ventilated areas, avoiding direct sunlight.

With the hand dry cleaning method, chemical solvents are typically not used to ensure safety for the person cleaning. However, for stubborn stains, it's recommended to use a dry cleaning machine for better cleaning efficacy. In this case, add the solvent to the solvent tray and select the appropriate cleaning mode.

Some popular types of dry cleaning machines today include LG Styler, Samsung Airdresser, and Electrolux UltimateCare 900.

Fragrance enhancement for clothes

You can place scented sheets or bags in your clothes before ironing or regular drying.

For machine washing, you can insert scented paper into the washing machine's tray. Your clothes will be infused with fragrance through the machine's automatic feature.

Common Questions About Dry Cleaning

Is dry cleaning effective?

Depending on the level of dirt, you can apply either the manual or machine method. Regardless of the method, dry cleaning effectively removes even stubborn stains. The solvent will efficiently dissolve long-standing stains.

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How to Dry Clean with a Washing Machine

Not all washing machines have a dry cleaning function. Therefore, you should carefully consider and pay attention before washing to avoid damaging your washing machine.

To dry clean with a machine, first, you should also classify clothes by material and color. Then, place the clothes in the washing machine drum and add the solvent to the solvent compartment. Select the appropriate washing mode.

After the cleaning cycle, the machine will switch to the spin mode, extracting the solvent from your clothes. Subsequently, the garments will undergo drying thanks to the appliance's unique feature.

Finally, you can take your clothes outside and hang them in well-ventilated areas.

In conclusion, the home dry cleaning process is a convenient and effective way to clean your clothes without using water. By following these essential steps, you can ensure a successful home dry cleaning experience.

Dry cleaning is an advanced laundering method, delivering impressive results. However, it's essential to be aware of potential drawbacks. We hope this article on what dry cleaning is and the accompanying process provides you with useful insights into laundry care! Don't forget to visit Mytour Blog for more updates and lifestyle knowledge!