How Does Dry Cleaning Work? The Whole Process Explained

How does dry cleaning work?

The traditional way of doing laundry is to toss your clothes into a washing machine or basin, add detergent and water, and wash. But what does it mean when your cloth’s care label says “dry clean only” or “dry clean preferred?”

We explain how dry cleaning works, when to dry clean, and everything else you need to know. Let’s spin through (pun intended).

What is dry cleaning?

As the name suggests, dry cleaning is cleaning clothes without water and detergent, as is the case with traditional laundry. Instead, a chemical solvent known as PERC (perchloroethylene) is used to remove stains and dirt from clothes.

In case you are wondering, perchloroethylene (PERC) is a liquid. However, the term "dry cleaning" is used because neither the solvent nor the cleaning process contains water, which is associated with "wet" cleaning. In addition, perchloroethylene evaporates from clothes during the drying phase faster than water.

The dry cleaning process: how it’s done

First, the dry cleaner inspects and pretreats any stains with suitable solvents. Then, the clothes are loaded into a dry cleaning machine and filled with a chemical solvent. The machine gently agitates the clothes in the solvent to clean them, after which the solvent is extracted, and the clothes are dried.

Let’s look at each step in detail.

Step 1: Inspection and tagging

When you drop off your clothes at the dry cleaner, the staff tag each item with an identification number to ensure you get the right items back. Next, staff examine each item, looking for stains, tears, or missing buttons. 

They also check the care labels to understand the fabric type and determine the best cleaning method. Any items left in the pocket, like pens or coins, are removed and kept aside to prevent damage during cleaning. 

If you have any special requests, like handling or treating specific stains, they are noted and attached to the clothes.

Step 2: Pre-treatment

The second step in the dry cleaning process is to pre-treat visible stains. Staff identify the type of stain, oil-based or protein-based, and apply a suitable solvent to break down and dissolve the stain. This step is crucial because it ensures that even the toughest stains have the best chance of being removed during the main dry cleaning process.

Some dry cleaners also cover any buttons or embellishments to prevent harm during dry cleaning, while others may even decide to remove them until the finishing stage.

Step 3: Dry cleaning

Next comes the main step: dry cleaning itself. The dry cleaner groups the clothes by fabric type and color to prevent damage or color transfer, then loads them into the dry cleaning machine. 

The machine is filled with a chemical solvent, usually perchloroethylene (PERC) (although other solvents like hydrocarbons or liquid silicone are used sometimes). Then, the machine gently agitates the clothes, dissolving oils, greases, and other soluble stains. 

After dry cleaning, the machine spins the clothes super fast and releases warm air to remove the solvent and dry the clothes completely. The used solvent is then distilled and filtered to remove impurities, allowing it to be reused for future “washes”.

Step 4: Post-spotting

After dry cleaning, the dry cleaner assesses the clothes for any remaining stains. The stain is carefully re-evaluated and treated with additional spotting techniques if found. This might involve steam guns, air dryers, and vacuums to ensure that every item comes out as clean as possible.

Step 5: Repairs and alterations (if needed)

Next, the dry cleaner checks for any damage that might have occurred during the cleaning process, or that was noted in step one. 

Repairs are mostly minor, ranging from sewing loose hems to reattaching buttons or fixing small tears. If you requested alterations, such as adjusting the fit or length of a cloth, these adjustments are made at this stage.

Step 6: Pressing and finishing

Finally, the clothes are steam-pressed or hand-ironed to restore their shape and remove wrinkles.

Each item then undergoes a final inspection to ensure it’s clean, properly pressed, and free of defects or remaining stains. Depending on your preference, the clothes are placed on hangers or folded and covered with protective plastic or paper to keep them clean.

When everything is ready, you’re notified that your clothes are ready for pickup, or if you opted for delivery, they’re prepared for transportation to you.

Dry cleaning can take between a single day and two weeks, depending on the fabric type, how busy your local dry cleaning shop is, and the type of stain. We break down different fabric turnaround times here: How long does dry cleaning take?

Does dry cleaning use water?

Dry cleaning does not use water in the cleaning process. Instead, it uses a non-water-based chemical solvent, usually perchloroethylene (PERC), to remove stains and dirt from fabrics. Solvents like liquid silicone are sometimes used, but dry cleaning is always non-water-based.

What is a dry cleaning solvent?

A dry cleaning solvent is a non-water-based liquid used in the dry cleaning process to dissolve oils, greases, and other stains. The most widely used solvent is perchloroethylene (PERC), although liquid silicon (D5) and liquid carbon dioxide are sometimes used.

Do dry cleaners wash clothes?

Dry cleaners wash clothes, but not in the traditional sense of using water and detergent. Instead, they wash clothes using chemical solvents like perchloroethylene and agitation in the dry cleaning machine.

Some dry cleaners also offer wet cleaning, which uses water and detergents for clothes that can be safely washed with water.  

The choice of method depends on the fabric type, care instructions, and specific cleaning needs of your clothing.

When to dry clean?

The golden rule is to follow care label instructions. If the label says "dry clean recommended" or "dry clean only,” you should dry clean it. In addition, delicate fabrics like silk, wool, and cashmere, as well as clothes with embellishments like beading, sequins, or embroidery, are best dry cleaned.

The following factors will also influence your decision to dry clean or not. 

Care Labels

As a rule of thumb, always adhere to the care label instructions on your clothes. If the label indicates "dry clean only," "dry clean recommended," or "dry clean preferred,” it is advisable to dry clean to maintain the quality and integrity of the fabric and prevent shrinkage and color fading.

Fabric Type

Delicate fabrics such as silk, wool, cashmere, and certain synthetics are sensitive to water and the agitation of traditional washing machines. If you don’t have time to hand wash these items, then dry cleaning is a good idea.

Additionally, it’s also best to dry clean clothes with intricate embellishments like beading, sequins, embroidery, or lace, as it avoids rough handling that could cause damage. Suits, blazers, and coats with linings and padding are also best dry cleaned to maintain their shape and construction.

Similarly, if you have pleated skirts and trousers with sharp creases, dry cleaning helps to maintain the shape and structure, as the solvents used in dry cleaning do not cause shrinkage or stretching.

Stains and Odors

If you have stubborn stains and persistent odors that water and regular detergents cannot remove, dry cleaning might be your best option.

Oil-based stains, grease, ink, and certain food stains dissolve more readily in dry cleaning solvents than water. Likewise, strong and lingering odors, such as smoke or body odor, are neutralized in the chemical solvent, ensuring that your clothes are fresh and clean without damaging the fabric.

Frequency of Wear

Formal wear, evening gowns, and special occasion dresses you don’t often wear are best dry cleaned to keep them pristine. Most special-occasion clothing are made with delicate fabrics and elaborate designs, so you want them to look their best when you wear them.

Similarly, seasonal clothing like winter coats, woolen sweaters, and holiday outfits should be dry cleaned before storing them. This removes accumulated dirt and stains and preserves the fabric during long storage periods.

When not to dry clean?

Avoid dry cleaning clothes that you wear often. Instead, use water and detergent to clean clothes and prevent chemical buildup. Durable materials like cotton, polyester, and nylon are safe for regular machine washing. Lastly, it's best to treat blood, sweat, and egg stains with water-based methods.

Get the best out of dry cleaning

Before you drop off your clothes for dry cleaning, inform the dry cleaner of any stains or necessary adjustments. Also, tell them about the cause of the stains so they can choose the appropriate pretreatment solution.

Finally, don’t try to clean your “dry clean only” clothes at home using household detergents. There's a reason they’re labeled like that. Let a professional dry cleaner handle them for you.