How Dry Cleaning Works

Posted on March 29th, 2008

Dry cleaning is an amazing technology, but do you know what actually happens behind the counter? Find out how dry cleaning works in this HowStuffWorks Video.

Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using an organic solvent rather than water.

The solvent used is typically tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), abbreviated “perc” in the industry and “dry-cleaning fluid” by the public. Dry cleaning is necessary for cleaning items which would otherwise be damaged by water and soap or detergent. It may be used if hand washing— needed for some delicate fabrics — is excessively laborious.

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