Dry Cleaning Explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 เม.ย. 2023
- Dry cleaning is the process of machine washing clothing with dry cleaning solvent. Dry cleaning solvents are clear liquids that look like water but have very different properties since most are hydrocarbons.
Maybe this will help clear things up: WATER = WET and DRY CLEANING SOLVENT = DRY
However DRYCLEANERS use more than just dry cleaning to ensure your garments are cleaned.
The first, and my favorite, are spotting boards which are used to work on specific stains that require additional love and care. Every spotting board has a few vacuum heads, a workspace, and a steam and air gun to ‘blow out’ stains (thats what we call it in the biz).
We also use lots and lots of wet, or water based, cleaning methods. If it were up to me we’d only use wet cleaning. For example almost all household garments and laundered shirts are only cleaned with water. This is where dry cleaning gets its name since water is wet and dry cleaning solvent is dry.
Dry cleaning is also commonly thought to be some kind of cleaning with powders, I guess cause they’re actually ‘dry’? However that is not the case. Most powders are used to restore and whiten garments.
Hope this helps! Happy cleaning -Z
For more cleaning tips and tricks throw me a sub here and a follow on IG and TikTok (@jeeves_ny). Plenty more long format content on the way too!!! - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I'm even more confused about dry cleaning now
Same, so it's still wet? 😂
Tell me why! I’d love to know what’s confusing you so I can answer your questions better
@@cleanfreakswhy is it called DRY cleaning when it’s wet- I assume is their question
@@cleanfreaksis the solvent soaked into the clothes like a washing machine? Is it gently tumbled into a small amount? Are the clothes dry but like solvent/lysoled? Is it like a tumbled mist??
I thought a part of dry cleaning was NOT making the clothes… u know like go round and round in a machine. Why do they do that?
I had zero questions about dry cleaning and now I have a TON of questions about dry cleaning
So non-water (which is why its called dry) solvent soaks the clothes, the solvent targets stains and such, then the machine removes all of the solvent without heat. Air is then run through the clothes to remove any remaining odors and bacteria.
@@aprilk1710thank you for explaining. What things aren’t dry clean friendly (usually)? And is fry cleaning okay for those with sensitive skin? I’m skeptical that the chemicals/solvent are entirely removed (but curious).
They pretreat with non water dilutive solution then use solvent it’s pretty simple 😂
It’s still a liquid tho right?
@@bushes4129 Yeah, instead of using water as a solvent like a normal washer would, "dry" cleaning uses a different liquid solvent called perchloroethylene. The term dry cleaning is a bit misleading honestly.
Dry cleaning is one of those things in life you never ask how it’s done you just expect it to be done
Like washing the dishes
@@archael18 Do you not know how to wash your dishes? Or do you not know how soap works?
@@Speed001 I never ask how the dishes get done, I just expect it to get done.
@@Speed001 My first comment was in reply to the op, as a joke. As in, you don't ask how the dishes get clean, you just expect your wife to do it while you're not looking.
@@Speed001 He (I presume), was being sarcastic!
This just raises further questions! Can we get a video series describing each machine and how it differs from what i have in my utility room?
I went from knowing what dry cleaning is, to not knowing.
😂😂😂
Same
He has a video of him cleaning some pieces on his channel
Wow...
I have never left a video even more confused
I legit have a few questions still 😂
That’s what this “creator” wants. It’s hate bait, wants to make you mad
I don't know why any of you are confused, especially the last guy.
Dry cleaning gets its name from the fact that it doesn't use water. It uses a different chemical. So not really dry, but you get the idea.
Some people think that steam and powders are where the "dry" name comes from, but they aren't really part of the main cleaning and just an extra thing for tough stains.
(Also dry cleaners have normal washers that do you water as well)
So non-water (which is why its called dry) solvent soaks the clothes, the solvent targets stains and such, then the machine removes all of the solvent without heat. Air is then run through the clothes to remove any remaining odors and bacteria.
I worked at a dry cleaner all throughout HS. I think knowing how it works has been one of my most frequent ice breakers.
To those who may still be lost:
In chemistry, when a mixture has water in it. It’s considered “wet” And when it’s being removed it’s considered “drying” I assume they took the terminology from chemistry, As this is a sort of chemical process(using the solvent rather than water. I believe they just also provide a general washing service with those other machines). hope that helps!
This fulfilled a question I always wondered that I forgot I had.
Valid
I am happy to help, let me know if you have any other questions regarding what dry cleaners do
Literally!!!! 😂😂
@@cleanfreaks I think we're gonna need you to please quickly walk us through the entire process of like, a jacket, so we can see the steps pleeze!?
💯
I have more questions now than I ever did before 😂
These are dry cleaning machines, they use a liquid that isn't water.
Here's machines that use water. I prefer to only use water.
????
@@jonskillings1258it’s easier and cheaper to use water, but some clothes can’t get wet, so they use non water liquids
It’s just hate bait
@@zachw566but why is it called dry cleaning then
@@lyss9 because the clothes do not come into contact with water
FYI in chemistry "dry" is is a term to refer to something without any water in it. Even though the solvents they use are liquids.
Ok now that makes more sense to me, like "dry" ice
I’ve literally never thought about it before. Just dropped whatever off and left with hopes it’d be clean when I came back for it. Now I have tons of questions.
worked in dry cleaning over 20 years, and this is a nice concise explanation of what it is. what most people are unaware of is at most dry cleaners, most of the clothing is washed and dried just like you would at home, unless it says dry clean only or has to be treated with chemicals to remove stains. Seriously, the care label is there for a reason.
Im glad I did a decent job explaining. Thanks for the love. and yes read the care label!!!
So we're paying dry cleaners for a normal wash
@@druryzymo8195 no, you're paying for your clothing to have stains removed if possible, be cleaned according to the label and be pressed by someone other than yourself.
@@rainz6845 Yea that's called a wash and fold service, laundromats offer that service for much less than a dry cleaner.
@@druryzymo8195 Partially, yes. But it's not a "normal wash" unless the article doesn't state "dry clean only" on the label. If it does, then they use the solvent washing machines instead of water ones to avoid water damaging fabrics. And then yeah, you're paying for a wash and fold service but with better equipment and knowledge than your local landomat.
When I was a kid, the dry cleaner that my parents used had a big rack that spun around, and I got the impression that it was some sort of conveyor belt that went through spraying or a heat treatment or something. Despite not seeing that same mechanism in smaller dry cleaners that I've used as an adult, I think that image has always stuck in my mind. Thank you for showing me the truth after all these years
I think that rack is just where they put the finished garments so they can find them when needing to return them up the customer 😅
@@PurpleNothing I've realized that in my adult life, but expect my five year old brain to figure that out
@spelldaddy5386 LOL I was an adult when I realized that. Basically lived 20 years thinking what u thought 😅
Today i learned 😅
Yes, that's what I thought too 😂
Kudos to you! I'm sure there's been great advances in the machines and solvents, but my mother in law worked in a dry cleaners most of her life and I saw what it did to her hands-- all the pressing, steaming and whatnot. The few times I'd visit it was brutally hot in there with everything running, I couldn't imagine working all day in that heat and humidity. Learned some great diy hacks from her, though.
Run a laundromat with Dry Cleaning service and everyone thinks we just toss their clothes in a washer and dryer and fold their clothes lol
I work in a dry cleaners, his facility is a lot more clean and organized it seems than my own place of work. Something to mention is that button up shirts in some places don’t go through the same steps as things like jackets or pants. At my place we have specific machines for shirts to be pressed and cleaned manually for things that require specific care requirements. Most cotton shirts are just treated normally while shirts with other things like rayon, polyester, linen, silk, etc are treated differently depending on dry cleaner to dry cleaner
I didn’t even know that I didn’t know what dry cleaning was.. now I really don’t know lol
I did some research while I worked on a story once, fell into a rabbit hole and ended learning the differences about dry and wet cleaning, so if some people are confused:
The main difference is that wet cleaning uses water, detergents, soaps and bleaches while dry cleaning doesn't use dry ingredients but chemical solvents, and not water.
"Wet cleaning can be done on very dirty clothing, rain wear and items with microporous structures. After wet cleaning, the garments should be thoroughly rinsed for detergent residues."
A wide range of fibers can be wet cleaned and it's much cheaper.
Dry cleaning is often used for textiles that shouldn't be washed with water like wool or silk but the clothes can get a strong chemical smell and the chemicals are less environmentally-friendly. Perc is a strong, widely used solvent.*
Water is gentler on fabric and can extend a garment's life, but solvents can enhance the original brightness, color and sheen of the garment.
Wet cleaning removes water-based stains better (like tea, sweat, blood etc), while dry cleaning removes grease and oil-based stains better.
With wet cleaning, clothes might stretch or shrink if it's improperly done, while dry cleaning is stronger and might also do irreparable damaged if it's not advised on the label.
So, wet cleaning is used for everyday use while dry cleaning is for specific instances where wet cleaning is not recommended.
*Also, I wanted to talk about the perc (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene, they're synonyms) that is widely used in dry cleaning. To me, it is at least certain that it is very dangerous for the environment. However, a lot of sources say it's also dangerous for us humans and the French wikipedia page for the solvent says it's a carcinogen and can cause neurological, kidney and liver problems. But the English Wikipedia page says it's an excellent, highly stable and very low in toxicity solvent, even though the official pictograms say "health and environmental hazard". The English page doesn't even call out the environmental issues but the French page says substitute solvents such as certain siloxanes (also used in paints, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other stuff) are just as bad and siloxanes are a big concern.
In the end, all this seems ambiguous. If you're interested in this, do your own research, find sources with different points of view and make up your own mind. Regarding clothes, some people say they've lived a great life only wet washing them so that's possible. 🤷♀️
Sorry, it was rather long. My sources are Textile Learner, Wikipedia, and other articles to cross-check what I was writing. Have a nice day!
Your central premise is absolutely correct. I AM too old not to have understood this! Guess even us old dogs can learn new tricks. Education much appreciated, Sir!
I always assumed that the tumbling motion was why some clothes are dry-clean only, like, the tumbling would damage the clothes or mess with the lining. But it looks like most of the clothes are tumbled so that must not be the case
There are clothes that are damaged by the tumbling motion, but they're marked hand-wash only instead,
No, the tumble motion is not an issue here, but rather how fabrics react to water. Dry cleaning is just washing without water, but other solvent instead
@@MsMoniss tumbling is an issue for some clothing and they are usually marked as dry clean hand wash only. So they would follow what the lable says. If they don't they would likely be held liable for any damage. A lot of places really inspect the fabric they get and will even deny washing some. If they know it will bleed color out really bad or it looks like it might fall apart they just say no. But, just saying "dry clean only" does not mean they will fall apart easily, you are definitely correct there.
Check out the episode of chemistry for your life on what dry cleaning is, we give a more detailed explanation!
Some fabrics like certain linens shrink and/or lose shape when in contact with water so that's why they are dry clean only
Drying cleaning is when you pay someone way too much to say: Sorry, we couldn't get the stain out.
My grandparents used to pick up their dry cleaning every week on Friday from a dry cleaners not even two blocks away from their music store in a little town in North Carolina. Sometimes I would walk down there as a kid and pick them up and I always remember how everything smelled so clean and fresh.
If you can afford the dry cleaning bills, it's well worth it.
Been working dry cleaning since I was 16, probably just gonna get an iPad and play this on loop for customers asking if the process is same as water
So basically we still don’t know what dry cleaning is.
They use dry (non water) liquid chemicals instead of water and soap.
Water is also a solvent, so stuff dissolves in water and is washed away. Some fabrics can't handle being immersed in water to dissolve stains, so they use "dry" liquid solvents besides water. Acetone, Xylene, Toluene, etc are example of dry solvents. Modern dry cleaning uses safer less harmful chemicals... but they still have to be used in sealed systems where the solvents are totally recovered.
They also use extra gentle specialty machines for delicate but not water sensitive clothes like cotton shirts
Mitch heaberg "this jacket is dry clean only.... which means its dirty." Loved that dudes comedy.
I like this guy. He seems really jazzed about his profession that most of us know nothing about.
Man, that spot board is such a fantastic invention. Especially with the vacuum 😮 how handy that would be in my laundry room with my boys who are just one big perpetual grass mud dirt blood stain magnets 😂😂😂
I worked at a dry cleaners front of house for like 2 or 3 years in high school and I never questioned what it actually was 😂 the part of the warehouse I saw was just the normal washers. We were a cheap dry cleaner in an affluent area so lots of business people dropped off basically all of the laundry for us to do regardless of it having a dry clean only label
Can you do a part 2 on how the assembly racks work and how you guys track everything? Thanks!
100%
There’s a computer with a program made for dry cleaners. When I worked in one, a lightning storm fried the computer and the owner had to buy a new one. It cost him $5,500 for that ugly thing. That computer prints out a barcode with a number to identify the order and itemizes the garments on it. Then, there is a revolving rack that’s controlled with a switch. Those racks are split in sections, each section has a barcode. Each section has about 10 teeth or hooks. Clothes are tagged with numbers on each that match the itemized ticket. That ticket is stapled to the plastic that covers the clothes when they are cleaned. That ticket is scanned and then assigned to the rack number by scanning the section of the rack. Hope that answers that lol.
Can you do it on the rack, like hanging from it?
My mom did clothing alterations which is a common service also paired with dry cleaning. So I spent alot of time in various dry cleaners. I guess I never thought it was that special.
I also spent a lot of time at dry cleaners. My mom presses and starches jackets/uniforms. She still does. Most of her bosses are Korean so I grew up knowing some basic Korean words lol not to mention getting to experience Korean food :)
This dry cleaner is more advanced than most dry cleaners
As a 36 year old woman who hasn't been dry cleaning for ... ever, I appreciate this. When my mom got things dry cleaned when I was younger, I thought they just blasted air at everything and I have a blow dryer at home. hahaha.
I honestly do not even know what I thought dry cleaning was. I’m 26.
Swear to god😂😂
There's also a filter type deal that you need to check regularly which requires you to wear a mask when you open it, because of the chemicals.
The only people who have ever tried to tell me what goes into dry cleaning are people who have no idea what happens past the counter and literally never have anything dry-cleaned. I knew the gist was "chemicals are applied that make the stains disappear," but nobody had been able to actually tell me what and how. Given that I like to make clothes using silks and wools which tend to call for dry-cleaning, I appreciate the brief glimpse into and explanation of the process.
i’m too poor to need to know what dry cleaning is
Oof I feel it
I refuse to buy anything that is dry clean. But then i'm in the UK and clothes like that are the exception not the rule.
You should make one about the differences between your washers and regular residential ones
yeah If I wonder how long those washing machines last before they need maintenance? especially since they are being used all the time
Oh definitely the price, commercial washing machines are expensive and they also have a lot more functions like:
1. Wedding gowns
2. Wools
3.silk
4. Warm water
5. Dark cold
6. Rinse
8. Comforters
9. Hot water
11. Starch only
„That’s Abby“ 😂😂😂
I’ve been thinking about dry cleaning recently, this was super helpful
I have more questions now
😂 right!? This only made me more confused!
All I know is that my jacket won’t end up totally frigged with the filling redistributed if I pay $18 to dry clean it every year instead of throwing it in the washer (the tags request this so it’s only fair)
I think it has to do with the like characteristics of the fabric. Some dyes/materials/etc get damaged by water, so they have to use other mixes
throw some ping pong balls or tennis balls in the drier so the filling fluffs up
I can give you a little trick for that in case your jacket can also be washed, after washing it cold water don’t throw it in the dryer right away but instead hang it somewhere and let it air dry overnight and then you can dry it, 15 min medium temperature and maybe 10 min cool down (cold air) that’s what they do at some dry cleaners :)
I love the dry cleaners! They make my jackets look 💣 💯 🧑🏻💼
I didn’t even bother trying to get a red wine stain out of my white bridal shower dress. Took it straight to the dry cleaner and now you’d never know it was there!!! I’ve even taken a leather purse that had a coffee spill on the inside liner. It’s really affordable too more people need to utilize dry cleaners
Can you do a video of the process from drop off to pick up?
drop off and pickup places are typically independent from the actual dry cleaner
@@merren2306 ??? So I drop it off at one place and they send it to another?
@@jesmiller5243 yes, in particular because dry cleaners are typically in industrial areas due to the chemicals they use and it's not particularly convenient for customers to drop off clothes there.
@@merren2306 The actual drycleaner (like the dude in the video) still has a process they go through though. So it seems like a valid question.
That process may vary from store to store because some dry cleaners do everything on premises but others might send their stuff to be cleaned somewhere else but ofc most costumers don’t know about it. But from what I know, after you drop off, someone is gonna tag your clothes and double check to make sure that you don’t have anything in your pockets then they would check to see if your garment is dry cleaning only or if it can be also wet cleaned, I know a store that will dry clean then wet clean some garments to get better results whenever that’s possible. I’ve seen miracles done with coffee and blood stains lol
I stopped buying clothes that needed dry cleaning years ago. Couldn't take that smell.
Same I avoid anything that requires dry cleaning and only buy dry clean only suits for business trips and make work pay for it via the hotel. Lol
@farisasmith7109 Ha, dry cleaning owner here. If you get the clothes back and they smell (usually like a wet dog), then the cleaners needs to change their carbon and non-carbon filters! They filter the chemicals to REMOVE the smell. That smell makes my skin crawl, so I totally understand! 🤢
If your dry cleaned clothes smell bad, you need to take them to a different dry cleaner.
@elisemallette3402 jfc, everyone should be told this! Teach it in school or have parents sit their kids down and talk it through with them.
I've NEVER been even near a dry cleaners that doesn't stink. They each just put out advertising on their "special" formulas/chemicals and make it seem like they're the better option.
All along, all any of them had to do was fix their filters!?!?!
Edit:grammar.
@@tscimb dry cleaning is so retro I'm surprised people still do it
Hello from drycleaner from Russia! Amazing short,
I was looking at my suit that needs cleaned the other day and wondered how it's done. Thank you for answering an old question I've always had.
the smell of the dry cleaners was part of my childhood. dad had a corporate gig and mom would pick up his shirts from the dry cleaners.
Where the shirts just got washed
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but prepared for cancer from ingesting those fumes.
This is cool, I’d love some more shorts with more detailed info
Loved picking my dad's suits from the dry cleaners who had their machines behind the counter. Not sure what it was but the smell was amazing.
this has been recommended to me about 100 times now
“I’m going to answer your questions”
I have more questions now than I did prior.
Damn homie. I be getting my clothes hella clean at the laundromat.
My dry cleaner told me it was magic and that makes a lot more sense than anything you just said.
Ya know, I've actually been wondering for a really long time. I'm glad this video was recommended to me. Now the great mystery has been solved.
Not gonna lie I'm 37 and didn't know what the process of dry cleaning was until now 😂
Hey, I'll be 38 in November, and I'm right there with ya 😂
Were is the meth lab
under it, duh
lmaoo
I worked at a dry cleaner’s ages ago- the single dry cleaning machine was in a small room and we loaded the solvent by pumping a big button by the door. I’m jelly of that stain board with the vacuum lol we mostly had regular washer/dryers and a steamer. No one ever forgets a steam burn 😅🔥😆😂💀💀💀❤️
My dad owns a dry cleaners so I have been explaining this my whole life. Very relatable
You guys are a godsend. I'm a cosplayer and a few of my costumes are dry clean only, and I've never had any mishaps with the local dry cleaners.
Whats a cosplayer?
So the cleaning process is the same as a regular washing machine except a cleaning solvent is used instead of water?
Correct, but the clothing is also dried in the same machine to reclaim the solvent
@@cleanfreakshow is that more gentle on the clothes than water? What causes something to be dry clean only? What happens if you put a dry clean only clothing in the regular wash? Are your wet cleaning machines functionally any different than a home washer?
@@dixienormus8I’m sure you can find at least 2 of those on google lol
@@dixienormus8it’s not more gentle. Dry cleaning is recommended for fabrics that react funny to water washing like silk and certain hydrophobic synthetics. It’s recommended for fragile items that can be water washed to go to dry cleaners because they’re experts at cleaning fragile items without damaging them and restoring the finish.
Business shirts are dry cleaning recommended because the solvent cleaner is amazing for getting BO stink out of them and dry cleaning gets a nicer finish on the collars, sleeves and cuffs.
@@dixienormus8
Water is called the “universal solvent” for a reason, it will dissolve almost everything including small amounts of the dyes in fabrics and other compounds in the clothing. Using a different solvent thats less aggressive than water prevents the loss of color and other issues that happen with washing in water.
my grandpa kinda pioneered this industry 😭😭 funny seeing a short over dry cleaning
Thank you for this.
Didn't realize I didn't know any specifics about dry cleaning other than dry cleaning exists yet I have never seen it, nor tried it
After this I now know enuff becoming curious & intrigued
Thank you because idk if I’d have the courage or strength to ask someone this irl 😭
Wow I’m mystified by dry cleaning, I had no idea so much was involved!
Ok I’m hooked 😂 subscribed ✅
yes every fabric and every stain must be pre treated differently and I can’t tell you how easy it is to damage some garments 🫨
This. This is why the internet is amazing. Thank you.
I worked at a dry cleaners and didn’t understand most of how it worked this vid made a lot of sense lol 😂
Thank you so much!!!!
Very informative! Thank you for sharing! Please take extra care of your lungs and the health of your employees...the solvent fumes are scary! Please be attentive to ventilation systems...I say it in charity..
Dry cleaning makes clothes look amazing. I brought in a raw silk blazer once and it came back looking better than when I bought it new.
Thanks to this video, whenever I think of getting something dry cleaned, I will just put it in the washing machine with water.
not only did he not explain what dry cleaning is... im now convinced its just the same as throwing it in the washer 😂
Oh man, the memories. Those Electrolux washers. My dad is a repair tech
I honestly didn’t know what it was, and have a good basic understanding now. Thank you
As a European, I have never ever been to dry cleaners and would have to Google if we even have one here. But I've seen people talk about it in films and stuff. Interesting to see, thanks for showing the behind the scenes.
actually I've wondered this my entire life and never looked it up! Thanks!
Hmm. I hadn’t really thought of it. I definitely learned something today. Thank you.
Hey OP, if you're confused as to why so many people are confused now, it's not your fault. It's just that you beought up the complexities of the subject and now everyone's got thinking what really goes into it lol.
Lotsa fun questions tho and that's always lovely to see :D
Which of these machines is concealing the entrance to the secret underground lab? 😂
my grandpa ran a drycleaners when I was little. I can S M E L L this video! XD
This was actually very informative.
Dry cleaning has never been a part of my world, but now you've made it so. The consequences will be felt for generations
Literally almost googled this 3 days ago and forgot, thank you sir!
That's actually really cool😮 thank you for showing us !
I worked for 2 years for a cleaners that had a locked fur vault. It was climate controlled and 18 feet high to hold the racks of furs. The woman who did the spotting was amazing. She was like a spot magician!
i’ve actually wondered about this in the past and looked it up. funny seeing this post.
Forget everything you know about dry cleaning.
Now, have a good day.
Do another one! We want it. Just with more clear steps and details of the process.
I saw that dryell cleaner kit on your table. I love dryell!
I always imagined it as someone just steaming clothes one piece at a time lol, this is very different 😂
You’re not wrong tho, every item has to be pre treated aka spot cleaning for best results and after they are cleaned someone has to iron (steam press) the garments one piece at a time :))
I have ALWAYS wondered how it worked but refused to Google it to keep the mystery alive. 😂
Dry cleaning has always been so mysterious for me.
So you’re saying it’s something I can just do at home and I won’t ruin my clothes. Got it.
i kinda thought “this really didn’t tell me anything” and felt very validated when i looked at the comments.
Tell me what youre confused about so I can clarify! I'm learning too
I work for chemical company that dilutes chemicals for those types of Electrolux washers. Thank you for not stuffing the clothes all the way to freaking top. It drives me crazy personally. I get so many complaints that the washers or chemicals suck at cleaning when all they have to do is reduce the load amount so the washer can do it’s job.
Bro answered the questions we never thought to ask cuz we thought we already knew
This gives a better idea as to what dry cleaning actually looks like, but now I don't know what dry cleaning actually is--process-wise 😅
Some years ago in our shop they installed a solvent machine to clean metal, i remember the technician told us that the dry washing machines was very similar to ours, but with a diferent chamber
Thanks bro, I needed that👍