Are Dry Cleaning Chemicals Toxic?

You love the ease of dry cleaning, yet you can’t help but feel a pang of worry whenever you drop off and pick up clothes. You’re afraid that dry cleaning chemicals might be toxic, posing a threat to the environment and your family. Standard dry cleaning chemicals are indeed toxic, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop wearing dry-clean-only clothing. Instead, you can bypass standard dry cleaning companies and choose an eco-friendly dry cleaner. Learn more about the toxicity of dry cleaning chemicals and how you can find “organic, eco-friendly dry cleaners near me” to handle your needs. Then, you can enjoy the benefits of dry cleaning without the risk.

Perc – A Toxic Chemical You Can Avoid at the “Best Organic Dry Cleaners Near MeBest Organic Dry Cleaners Near Me

Most traditional dry cleaners use perchloroethylene (perc). This chemical has been the subject of numerous studies, and researchers have found a likely link between exposure and different types of cancers, including multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Even with the research, traditional dry cleaning companies continue to use perc to clean clothing, putting their employees’ lives at risk.

Perc and the Environmental Impact

Dry cleaning companies that use perc are also responsible for harming the environment. The toxin can escape through the ventilation system and pollute the outdoor air. It can remain in the air for weeks before breaking down into various types of chemicals. Some of those chemicals are toxic and might accelerate the depletion of the ozone layer.
Perc can also make its way into the ground via leaks and waste that isn’t disposed of properly. When that happens, it can damage plant life and harm ecosystems. It’s hard for ecosystems to recover after exposure.
Finally, it can seep even further into the ground and make its way into the water system. Marine life is then exposed to toxic chemicals. Also, it can end up in your drinking water. These issues are some of the reasons that green dry cleaning is so important.

Perc and Clothing – What Happens When you Take Garments Home?

While much of the research focuses on worker and environmental safety, a study also discovered that perc remains on clothing long after being dry cleaned. It will stick to the clothing after a single cleaning, and the amount of residue then increases after subsequent cleanings. That means if you regularly dry clean clothing, it could contain a large amount of perc residue.

You will then be exposed to the toxin every time that you wear the clothing. It’s even worse, though, when you consider that researchers also believe that the chemical vaporizes on the clothing. Then, it’s released into the home environment, putting your loved ones at risk.

That’s a reason to consider searching for “environmentally friendly dry cleaners near me” instead of sticking with a standard dry cleaning company. Choosing an alternative to traditional dry cleaning is a critical step to staying safe.

N-Propyl Bromide – Another Chemical That Green Dry Cleaners Avoid

Some traditional dry cleaning companies also use a toxic chemical called N-propyl bromide. This toxin is responsible for acute and chronic health issues, according to the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI).

Acute or short-term effects include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and headaches. People can also experience irritation to their throats, lungs, eyes, and nose.

The long-term effects are more frightening. Chronic health effects include damage to the reproductive system, liver, and developing fetus. Studies indicate it can damage the peripheral and central nervous system and might cause cancer. These side effects provide ample incentive to choose eco-friendly dry cleaners instead.

N-propyl bromide can also leak into the environment in a way that’s similar to perc. When that happens, it poses a threat to the air, ground, and water system. It can also harm marine life.

Organic Eco-friendly Dry Cleaners Near Me – The Solution to the Problem

Because of the toxicity of standard dry cleaning chemicals, you’re likely looking for another option. You want something that can still remove stains and make your clothing look sharp without the environmental impact. That’s caused you to search for “environmentally friendly dry cleaners near me.”

Environmentally friendly dry cleaners use liquid silicone to clean clothing. Also known as decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, or D5, this product is non-hazardous and non-toxic. It is also biodegradable and odorless, making it the ideal product for dry cleaning.

The product isn’t just safe. It’s also effective. It does an excellent job of penetrating fabrics and removing the dirt. In fact, the low surfaced tension makes it even more effective than traditional dry cleaning chemicals. Also, because it doesn’t have a chemical reaction to dyes or textile fabrics, you don’t have to worry about the colors bleeding or fading when you get your items dry cleaned.

Finally, the lack of chemical reaction means your clothing won’t shrink when you use an eco-friendly dry cleaning facility.
These benefits make eco-friendly dry cleaning a smart choice. You can protect yourself, your family, the environment, and your clothing with this option.

Choose Environmentally Friendly Dry Cleaners Near Me

You can use an organic dry cleaner in Skokie or Chicago, IL, that offers free delivery service. Then, the eco-friendly facility will drop off your dry cleaning when it’s done. You don’t even have to be home for the drop-off to take place.

If you live outside of the coverage area, you can use a mail-order service. That way, you can get top-notch green dry cleaning services, no matter where you’re located.

You can begin the process by entering your zip code online to find out how much your dry cleaning will cost. Then, you can place your order. You’ll end up with clean clothing and a clear conscience since you did your part to protect the environment.

Sources:

https://www.ehso.com/drycleaningfaqs.htm
https://www.sgs.com/en/news/2017/08/safeguards-12417-green-dry-cleaning-solvents