When your favorite wool sweater or silk shirt needs cleaning, you may want to think twice before you take it to your regular dry cleaners. Traditional dry cleaners use the toxic petroleum-based chemical perchlorethylene, which the Environmental Protection Agency classifies as a hazardous neurotoxin and likely carcinogen. In fact, California plans to phase it out of the state's dry cleaners by 2011. The chemical has been found to cause problems for exposed workers, including eye and skin irritation, and it can contaminate nearby groundwater and air. Luckily, as the green movement progresses, a growing number of alternatives are available for green dry cleaning your delicates.
You have three options: a silicone-based solvent, "wet cleaning" and carbon dioxide cleaning. The most widely available option is the silicone-based solvent decamethylcyclopentasiloxane or D5. It's safer for you and gentle on your clothing, too. The solvent acts as a carrier to bring the detergent to your clothes and rinse away dirt and oils, but it won't interact with or damage fabrics. And while it's certainly better than perc (D5 is also found in shampoos, lotions and soaps), remember that it's still a chemical.
"Wet cleaning" is another green method, though it may seem like a strange alternative to "dry" cleaning. The process is similar to the way you clean your clothes at home, but it uses more sophisticated machinery and biodegradable detergents to clean delicate fabrics. However, some caution that shrinking, pilling and fading can still occur with this method.
Or, for truly organic dry cleaning, look for a location that cleans with carbon dioxide. Under high pressure, CO2 is converted into a liquid that's an effective solvent. With biodegradable soaps, it can clean clothes much like water and detergent. Once the clothing is cleaned, the CO2 returns to its gas form, and the majority can be reused.
To find cleaners that use one of the three methods above, visit NoDryClean.com, Find CO2 or GreenEarth Cleaning.
 | Laundry is an ongoing chore including collecting the laundry, sorting, washing, drying, folding, ironing, and storing. Organization can make your work run smoothly and save you time and effort. |
 | Dryer vent cleaning may seem like a tedious task, but a clean dryer vent can save you money and keep you safe. |
 | Knowing how to acid wash denim gives you fashion forward on the cheap. |
If you've been wondering how to wash a down comforter, you have good reason. Down comforters are expensive. |
If you know how to stone wash jeans yourself, you can save a few dollars on "distressed" jeans at the department store. |
