Why Dry Cleaning Is Worth It
If you were to pop the question to a group of style mavens and couturiers about their love for getting their wardrobes professionally dry cleaned, you’d be met with a resounding “Absolutely!”. Dive a little deeper, asking them the ‘why’ behind their choice, and you’d likely hear, “To keep my threads in top-notch shape and because they deserve the VIP treatment”.
Then, throw in a curveball: “Alright, so how does dry cleaning actually work?” Cue the cricket sounds. Despite its reputation for adding a touch of luxury and meticulous care to our beloved garments, many of us are in the dark about what magic happens behind the dry cleaner’s doors.
Dry cleaning has its roots way back in 1821, thanks to Thomas Jennings, who mixed his love for tailoring with a bit of inventiveness to birth “dry scouring”. This was a godsend for clothes that frowned upon water. As the story of dry cleaning unfolded, safer and more effective solvents were introduced, notably perchloroethylene (PCE), which became the star of the show for its cleaning prowess and friendlier fire profile.
For the eco-warriors among us, you’ll be pleased to know that the dry cleaning world has cleaned up its act. Gone are the days of solvents freely partying in the atmosphere. Thanks to a nudge from health officials, those drying machines are now sealed tighter than a drum, keeping the PCE where it belongs.
And so, the beat goes on with dry cleaning, maintaining its core process while earning gold stars for garment care and environmental consciousness. But what exactly is this process?
Despite the “dry” in its name, your beloved pieces actually take a dip in a solvent bath, specifically PCE, lauded for its gentle yet effective cleaning mojo. For those stubborn spots, a special spotting solvent is brought out to pre-treat before the main event.
Imagine this: your clothes are having a spa day in a machine that’s a cross between your home washer and dryer. They mingle with the solvent, which works its magic, dissolving and dislodging dirt and grimes. After a thorough cleanse, a pure solvent rinse ensures no dirt gatecrashes the cleanliness party.
As the drying phase kicks in, it’s all about keeping things cool (well, warm actually) to ensure no harm comes to your garments while waving goodbye to any lingering solvent. And just before they hit the finishing line, a breath of cool air swoops in, leaving your pieces fresh and ready for their next outing.
Curious if your outfit is a candidate for this deluxe treatment? A quick glance at the care symbols on your garment’s label will spill the beans, guiding you on whether it’s ready for a dry cleaning adventure.
Thinking of giving Freshly Folded’s dry cleaning service a whirl?
– Already part of the Freshly Folded family? Just tag your dry cleaning items in a separate bag. We’ll equip you with a snazzy green reusable bag for next time.
– New to Freshly Folded? Whether it’s wash and fold or just dry cleaning you’re after, label your bag accordingly. You’ll get the whole color-coordinated bag ensemble – blue for washables and green for dry cleaning.
– Here for the dry clean only? Mark your bag, and we’ll make sure it gets the green bag treatment.
Dry cleaning isn’t just about cleaning; it’s about giving your garments a longevity and care that they truly deserve.
