Home Dry Cleaning Solutions

The cost of dry cleaning drives some to search for alternatives.

Home dry cleaning kits are marketed as an alternative to professional dry cleaning. Many clothes are labeled as dry clean only, but they actually do not all require dry cleaning. Some clothes can be hand washed, and others can be dry cleaned at home. Home dry cleaning cannot eliminate all dry cleaning visits, but it can help them become a less frequent occurrence.

Considerations

Home dry cleaning kits do not have as much power as dry cleaning businesses, because they do not use the same chemicals to remove dirt and stains from the clothing. Stains from oil, sweat and dirt are not completely lifted from clothing dry cleaned at home. At best, most home dry cleaning kits are supplemental to real dry cleaning. However, the kits are perfect for clothing that does not come into direct contact with the skin, such as suit coats.

Warning

Some clothing may become damaged from home dry cleaning, such as garments of leather or wool. If you have an item that you do not want damaged in any way, continue to take it to a professional dry cleaner. Also bring your blankets and curtains to a professional cleaner.

Benefits

The benefit of a home dry cleaning kit is the ability to freshen and clean some of the minor stains and contaminants that make an item unwearable. You can clean an item with little wear three or four times at home before taking it to the cleaners--and save money. Home dry cleaning uses fewer chemicals than the professional cleaners, which is beneficial for those with sensitive skin.

Dry Cleaning Kits

Three main brands, Dryel, Custom Cleaner and Fresh Care, are sold at most stores. These kits come with a pretreating stain remover, a dryer sheet infused with the dry cleaning solution and a bag to place the items in.

Process

The bag that holds the clothes is made from nylon with a Velcro seal. The dryer sheet contains a little water, an emulsifier and a fragrance. When the dryer heats up, water and emulsifier are released into the bag. Mixing with heat causes the cleaning. The steam removes wrinkles from the clothes, but is not enough to cause the clothes to shrink.

References

• How Stuff Works: How Home Dry Cleaning Works
• Diva Village: Wet Cleaning Vs Dry Cleaning
• How to Clean Stuff: How to Wash Dry Clean Only Clothing