Dry cleaning isn’t dry. It’s just a process that doesn’t use water in cleaning favorite formal wear from the spaghetti and red wine that got spilled on it during the company party. It enables us to remove stains from delicate fabrics that cannot survive the movement in a washing machine.
One might then exclaim with no mind to proper sentence construction, “So, dry cleaning, how does it work?” Although dry cleaning is widely used, not many people are aware of the science behind its efficacy. Our article will explore the technology, physics, and chemistry of the process.
The Beginning
In the early 1800s, the idea of dry cleaning was born when a French dye-works owner named Jean-Baptiste Jolly discovered that a tablecloth got cleaner after his maid unintentionally spilled kerosene on it. A cleaning technique that employed solvents rather than water was developed as a result of this accidental discovery. Modern dry-cleaning came to be with the introduction of more efficient solvents as the process developed.
Water Isn’t Always the Answer
Water works well as a solvent for a lot of things, but it can’t be used to clean some fabrics. There are synthetic materials like rayon and natural fibers like silk that warp or shrink when immersed in water. Because colors can bleed and create stains, it’s not a good idea to use water for heavily soiled garments, especially when they’re made of delicate cloth. Chemicals that don’t react with textiles are the best way to clean them.
The Role of Solvents
Is dry cleaning effective? With the use of solvents known to dissolve stains and oils, the answer is yes, most definitely. The most widely used chemical for dry cleaning today is perchloroethylene or “perc.” It’s an effective cleaning agent that can remove the most persistent dirt or blemish without causing fabric damage.
Stain pretreatment is the first step. Before the garment undergoes treatment, dry cleaners find stains and use cleaning solutions on them. The clothes are then submerged in a solvent inside a special washing machine to get into the fibers and rid them of the oils and grime. Any remaining impurities are removed with fresh solvent.
The Physics
Dry cleaning uses specific solvents to melt stubborn stains that water cannot remove. First, your pre-treated clothes are put in a revolving drum, and the solvent is pumped into it to give them a thorough wash. Then, they’re rinsed with fresh solvent to wash away all the contaminants. Next up, the machine is drained of the solvent and impurities. Finally, warm air circulates in the drum to evaporate any leftover solvent.
The Chemistry
Different types of stains call for different cleaning strategies. The experts understand the science behind stains, and they use the right cleaning agents tailored for the blemish. This customized cleaning approach makes dry cleaning effective and reliable.
With protein-based stains like blood or sweat, they’ll use enzymes that break the molecules down. On the other hand, oil-based stains from your favorite meal are dealt with using non-polar solvents that dissolve them. As for water-based stains of coffee or red wine, there are special detergents that wash them away.
Stains to Spotless
To answer the question “dry cleaning, how does it work?” The way is with the combination of physics, chemistry, and engineering. The delicate wardrobe can be scientifically cared for with dry cleaning. VIP Cleaners offers such a service. Call us at (310) 271-3088.
