Green Dry Cleaning; Do You Know The Benefits?
- Date: 2007-09-30 - Word Count: 494
Share This!
Perchloroethylene, better known as perc, is used by 80 percent of dry cleaners in the United States as a solvent to wash clothes that are "dry clean only." Despite its effectiveness, the use of this chemical has been linked to a range of health side effects and has recently come under heavy public scrutiny. With heavy regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency, professional dry cleaners are seeking the use of a safer chemical-liquid carbon dioxide-to provide a green laundry alternative. At-home dry cleaning kits such as Dry Cleaner's Secret are providing the option of affordable & environmentally safe dry cleaning, that cuts down the energy-burning, waste producing processes that the professionals use.
The first step to green dry cleaning is replacing harmful chemicals with natural cleaning products. Perchloroethylene (perc) is a synthetic chemical that is made from a reaction between ethylene and chlorine. Like many synthetic chemicals, it poses a threat to our health. Perc is a central nervous system depressant. Exposure to it can occur in the workplace or in the environment when it is released into air, water, land, or groundwater. It can also occur when people use products containing perc, spend time in dry cleaning facilities that use perc, live above or adjacent to these dry cleaning facilities, or bring dry cleaned garments into their home before they are properly aired out. Short-term contact can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, while long term exposure poses greater threats, including liver and kidney damage and cancer.
Liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) appears to be the most practical green dry cleaning solvent to replace perchloroethylene. It is cheap, abundant, naturally occurring and can even be recycled from the industrial wastes from the manufacture of chemicals such as ammonia. Most importantly, exposure to carbon dioxide has no health side effects. The only drawbacks for dry cleaning with CO2 are that it does not clean as well as perc does and the machinery needed to use it is very expensive, thus a higher price is past on to the consumer.
A virtue of environmentalism is moderation. That being said, green dry cleaning is best achieved if you do not dry clean at all or limit the use of professional dry cleaning by using at-home dry cleaning kits for garments with smaller spots and stains or that need to be freshened. Professional dry cleaning is a large process that uses a lot of energy and produces a lot of waste in the form of powder residue, sludge and wastewater. If the dry cleaner is still using perc (it is still allowed in most states), these substances are hazardous. At-home dry cleaning involves no more than a Dry Cleaner's Secret cleaning cloth and your dryer. There are no harmful chemicals involved and no waste.
While perc remains the most effective dry cleaning solvent, the use of natural cleaning products and at-home dry cleaning can only be beneficial to our health and our environment.
~ Ben Anton
The first step to green dry cleaning is replacing harmful chemicals with natural cleaning products. Perchloroethylene (perc) is a synthetic chemical that is made from a reaction between ethylene and chlorine. Like many synthetic chemicals, it poses a threat to our health. Perc is a central nervous system depressant. Exposure to it can occur in the workplace or in the environment when it is released into air, water, land, or groundwater. It can also occur when people use products containing perc, spend time in dry cleaning facilities that use perc, live above or adjacent to these dry cleaning facilities, or bring dry cleaned garments into their home before they are properly aired out. Short-term contact can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, while long term exposure poses greater threats, including liver and kidney damage and cancer.
Liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) appears to be the most practical green dry cleaning solvent to replace perchloroethylene. It is cheap, abundant, naturally occurring and can even be recycled from the industrial wastes from the manufacture of chemicals such as ammonia. Most importantly, exposure to carbon dioxide has no health side effects. The only drawbacks for dry cleaning with CO2 are that it does not clean as well as perc does and the machinery needed to use it is very expensive, thus a higher price is past on to the consumer.
A virtue of environmentalism is moderation. That being said, green dry cleaning is best achieved if you do not dry clean at all or limit the use of professional dry cleaning by using at-home dry cleaning kits for garments with smaller spots and stains or that need to be freshened. Professional dry cleaning is a large process that uses a lot of energy and produces a lot of waste in the form of powder residue, sludge and wastewater. If the dry cleaner is still using perc (it is still allowed in most states), these substances are hazardous. At-home dry cleaning involves no more than a Dry Cleaner's Secret cleaning cloth and your dryer. There are no harmful chemicals involved and no waste.
While perc remains the most effective dry cleaning solvent, the use of natural cleaning products and at-home dry cleaning can only be beneficial to our health and our environment.
~ Ben Anton
Related Tags: natural cleaning products, at-home dry cleaning, green dry clean
Want a free sample of our eco-friendly all natural cleaning product? Visit our at-home dry cleaning website for more info. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Prada Sunglasses: Your Reasons To Choose One!
Prada sunglasses are the most fashionable range of eyewear today. Prada, the brand, has been widely - Put Your Best Face Forward With Some Help From Becca Cosmetics
While there's absolutely nothing wrong with going without makeup - in fact, some women look better w - Keep An Eye On The Time With A Versatile New Sport Watch
If you play sports or work out, you should consider purchasing a sport-infused timepiece. Keep readi - How To Shop For Sports Watches
Are you confused on where to go to purchase a sports watch? You are not the only one with this probl - Getting The Best Deals On Your Sports Watches
If you are physically active and involved in sports on a regular basis, you are probably looking to - Why You Should Opt For Slimline Vibrators
If you are looking for an arousing experience, quality vibrators can surely come in handy and if you - Moda Sunglasses: Add To Your Style
Moda Sunglasses are your ultimate option to enhance your physical get up. Don it up and see how thin - Henna Can Give Different Hair Shades
Henna is one of the most commonly used natural ingredients for dyeing hair. It is a very famous hair - Silk Scarf: Strategy To Make You Fabulous
Each woman need to own about a half dozen scarves to select from. However doesn't always keep these - Know About Home Made Hair Care Recipes
Most of us spend hundred of dollars on buying synthetic hair products to improve and style our hair.
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Domestic Goddess Aprons
Become a domestic goddess, or look like one in a Jesse Steele vintage style domestic goddess aprons - Finding Wholesale Nike Air Jordan Shoes
In the mid 1980s the Nike shoe company came out with several new shoe designs, most particularly cre - Printed Pictures Beautify Some Type Of Tote Bags
It is very noticeable that many women who are strolling in malls, workplaces, colleges and the like - A Review of Estee Lauder Cosmetics
You have to take care of your appearance because you only have one. That is unless you're some sort - Plus Size Bras Give You All The Support You Need And A Flattering Shape!
You have to choose a bra that fits correctly. It should provide your bust a flattering shape and th - Women's Sleepwear Speaks About Fashion Statement
Women's sleep wear are also called nightdress, nightclothes, or nightwear. It is a clothing created - Do You Know Where The Purse Comes From?
The birth of purses dates very far back. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics illustrate pouches that wer - Why Women Love Handbags!
Most women absolutely love handbags - something which is a bit of a mystery to men! Some women spen - Underarmor Gear - What is Under Armor All About?
Under Armor is a brand name of clothing that is the ultimate in protection for the skin. It is made - Boots Made for Walking - What to Look for in Military Boots
While combat boots have become a favorite foot accessory in today's ever evolving fashion trends, th