What are three types of dry cleaning?

Dry cleaning is a method of cleaning garments and textiles without using water, instead relying on chemical solvents. It is typically used for fabrics that cannot be washed with water or are unsuitable for conventional laundering, such as wool, silk, satin, and other delicate materials. In the traditional sense, dry cleaning replaces water with organic solvents, which dissolve oily stains and work in combination with mechanical action to achieve cleaning. Compared with conventional water washing, dry cleaning follows a process that uses no water or only minimal moisture, which is why it is called “dry” cleaning.

Dry cleaning methods available on the market differ significantly in terms of solvent type, process design, and environmental performance. In today’s industry, they are commonly classified into three main categories: traditional solvent dry cleaning, hydrocarbon solvent dry cleaning, and environmentally friendly alternative dry cleaning methods. These three approaches represent the evolution of garment cleaning technology—from early chemical solvent systems to more modern, environmentally conscious solutions. The following sections systematically introduce their principles, advantages, disadvantages, and suitable applications.

Traditional Solvent Dry Cleaning (Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning)

Principle and Process

Traditional solvent dry cleaning, also known as perchloroethylene dry cleaning, is one of the oldest and most widely used methods in the industry. Its core lies in the use of an organic chemical solvent—perchloroethylene (PERC)—as the primary cleaning medium. During the process, garments are placed inside a sealed rotating drum of a dry-cleaning machine, where a controlled amount of PERC is introduced. Through mechanical agitation and solvent circulation, PERC penetrates deep into the fibers and dissolves oily contaminants. After cleaning, the solvent is filtered, evaporated, and recovered, and the garments are dried before being removed.

One of the main reasons this method has been used for decades is PERC’s excellent ability to dissolve grease and oil-based stains. It is particularly effective for stubborn contaminants such as heavy oil stains, butter, cosmetics, and industrial grime. In addition, it causes relatively little distortion or color change in fabrics and avoids fiber swelling, shrinkage, or deformation that can occur during water washing.

Advantages

Strong cleaning performance: Highly effective at removing oil-based and greasy stains, including stubborn contaminants.

Low fabric distortion: Perchloroethylene does not cause natural fibers to swell, helping garments retain their original size and shape.

Mature technology: This method has a long history and well-established equipment and processes.

Disadvantages

Environmental and health concerns: PERC is a volatile organic compound, and improper handling or emissions may pose risks to the environment and human health.

Strict recovery requirements: Solvent leakage or improper disposal can cause pollution, increasing regulatory pressure and operating costs.

Although traditional solvent dry cleaning delivers excellent cleaning results, environmental and health concerns have driven the industry to seek safer alternatives.

Hydrocarbon Solvent Dry Cleaning

Principle and Solvent Characteristics

Hydrocarbon solvent dry cleaning uses petroleum-based hydrocarbon solvents composed mainly of saturated hydrocarbons. Compared with perchloroethylene, these solvents are chemically milder and generally considered less toxic, making them more acceptable in settings with higher environmental requirements.

Because their chemical properties resemble refined petroleum products, hydrocarbon solvents are sometimes referred to as “petroleum dry cleaning” agents. They can effectively remove stains while being gentler on textile fibers.

Cleaning Performance and Applications

In general, hydrocarbon solvents provide good removal of oily stains, although their cleaning strength is usually slightly weaker than that of PERC. Heavily soiled garments may require longer processing times or additional stain-removal steps. However, hydrocarbon dry cleaning offers improved safety and reduced environmental impact, making it particularly suitable for environmentally conscious consumers and high-end garment care.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

Gentle on fabrics: Less likely to damage delicate or sensitive textiles.

Improved safety profile: Lower toxicity and reduced health risks compared with stronger solvents.

Milder odor: Garments typically retain less residual solvent smell after cleaning.

Limitations

Lower cleaning strength: Less effective on heavily soiled or deeply embedded oil stains.

Flammability: Hydrocarbon solvents are combustible, requiring strict fire-safety and operational controls.

Hydrocarbon dry cleaning is often regarded as a transitional technology between traditional solvent cleaning and modern eco-friendly approaches and remains widely used in many high-end and self-service dry-cleaning facilities.

Environmentally Friendly and Alternative Dry Cleaning Methods

With rising environmental awareness and stricter regulations, eco-friendly dry-cleaning technologies have become a key focus of industry development. These methods typically use safer media with significantly lower environmental impact than conventional organic solvents.

Main Types of Eco-Friendly Dry Cleaning

Liquid Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Dry Cleaning

This method uses liquid carbon dioxide as the cleaning medium. Under high pressure, CO₂ becomes liquid and can effectively remove contaminants from fabrics. Liquid CO₂ is non-toxic, leaves no residue, is non-flammable, and does not damage textiles. It can be recycled through a closed compression system, making it highly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Silicone-Based Dry Cleaning

Silicone dry cleaning employs liquid silicone solvents such as D5. These solvents pose relatively low risks to both the environment and human health and offer excellent compatibility with a wide range of fabrics. Silicone systems provide effective cleaning while preserving fabric softness and color, making them a promising eco-friendly alternative.

Professional Wet Cleaning (as a Dry-Cleaning Alternative)

Although not technically “dry” cleaning, professional wet cleaning is often discussed as an alternative solution. It uses carefully controlled water-based processes combined with specialized detergents and precise mechanical action to clean garments labeled for dry cleaning. This approach eliminates traditional solvent use, reduces VOC emissions, and effectively removes many types of stains.

Advantages and Challenges

Advantages

Significant reduction in hazardous chemical use and emissions.

Improved air quality in workplaces and surrounding environments.

Well suited for environmentally sensitive garment care and premium textiles.

Challenges

Higher initial equipment investment.

Greater technical requirements for operation and maintenance.

Limited effectiveness for certain extremely stubborn stains.

Eco-friendly dry-cleaning technologies reflect the industry’s growing commitment to sustainability, health, and environmental responsibility.

Comparison and Selection of the Three Dry Cleaning Methods

Choosing the appropriate dry-cleaning method depends on garment type, contamination level, and user priorities:

Dry Cleaning Method	Cleaning Power	Fabric Impact	Environmental Performance	Cost
Traditional solvent (PERC)	High	Low–Medium	Low	Medium
Hydrocarbon solvent	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
Eco-friendly alternatives (CO₂, silicone, wet cleaning)	Medium–High	Very Low	High	High

Traditional solvent dry cleaning is suitable for heavily soiled garments and stubborn stains.

Hydrocarbon dry cleaning offers a safer and gentler mainstream alternative.

Eco-friendly methods are ideal for environmentally sensitive applications and high-value garment care.

Understanding these differences helps consumers select appropriate cleaning methods based on garment labels, fabric properties, and health or environmental considerations.

Common Misconceptions and Garment Care Tips

Although the term “dry cleaning” suggests a completely dry process, garments are actually immersed in liquid solvents during cleaning. The key distinction is that the liquid used is not water. After cleaning, the solvent is removed through evaporation and drying.

Reading garment care labels is also essential. Dry-cleaning symbols may indicate which solvents are permitted. For example, the letter “P” typically means perchloroethylene and hydrocarbon solvents are allowed, while “F” usually indicates hydrocarbon solvents are recommended.

As technology advances and environmental awareness increases, the dry-cleaning industry is undergoing significant transformation. From traditional perchloroethylene systems to hydrocarbon solvents and further toward liquid CO₂, silicone-based cleaning, and professional wet cleaning, these three major categories reflect different cleaning principles and value priorities. Understanding their mechanisms, advantages, and limitations not only helps consumers care for garments more effectively but also supports the industry’s shift toward safer and more sustainable practices.