Wet Cleaning
Over 80% of the U.S. professional garment cleaning industry today uses the chemical perchloroethylene (see fact sheet in side bar) to clean clothes. Studies have identified ecological and human health hazards associated with perc usage. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has recommended that perc be handled as a human carcinogen, and the Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a possible human carcinogen.
Some dry cleaners use alternative garment cleaning technologies that do not involve perc. Many of these dry cleaners use a petroleum-based solvent, which introduces its own set of risks to worker health, consumer health, and the environment. Others use "wet cleaning", a machine-based process that uses water as the garment cleaning solvent. Finally, a technology that is brand-new to the market cleans clothes with liquid carbon dioxide.
TURI recently completed an alternatives assessment of 5 chemicals and their predominant uses in Massachusetts. Alternatives to perc in the dry cleaning industry were assessed in that report.
TURI is currently working with dry cleaners across the state to promote the use of wet cleaning. Educational and outreach efforts are underway to inform the cleaners about the harmful effects of perc and the benefits of converting to wet cleaning. A demonstration of wet cleaning equipment was held on October 14, 2007 in Lowell to allow the cleaners to see first hand how the equipment works. TURI has recently awarded a $17,000 matching grant to Silver Hanger cleaners in Bellingham, MA to eliminate their use of perc and become a dedicated wet cleaning facility. To read more, you can download the press release from the sidebar.
View the 5-minute video of a wet cleaning live demonstration. You may also view the video in Korean.
Information about TURI's efforts is included on this web site. You will also find reports and resources published by the Pollution Prevention Center at Occidental College in Los Angeles, which has been very successful in converting cleaners to alternative technologies.
This page updated Friday February 29 2008