Is your dry cleaning filled with chemical-laced toxins?
By Ecoki Posted on February 24th, 2009 in Living Green, Must ReadsCancer runs on both sides of my family. When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, the second time, I was scared and decided my best defense was to be proactive; I had to minimize, in some small way, my risk of getting cancer.
I made (and continue to make) every effort to limit my exposure to toxins and watch what I ingest and allow into my environment (mainly the air I breathe). I certainly don’t want to help any cancer by leading an unhealthy lifestyle. This is why I buy organic food when I can, why I clean with natural, non-toxic products, and why I refuse to dry clean anything. Ever.
To illustrate my point, let me share a quick story. I went t
o visit my parents in January. They scrubbed the house from top to bottom and even had the comforter for the bed dry cleaned, thinking I would highly appreciate this, but it only made me anxious. How was I going to tell them they wasted $15 because under no circumstance was I going to wrap myself in that chemical-infused material for seven nights?
Is dry cleaning dry?
Dry cleaning is actually not an entirely dry process: perchloroethylene (commonly known as PERC) is one of the toxic liquid chemicals used in conventional dry cleaning, used by roughly 90 per cent of all dry cleaners in North America. The other commonly used solvent in the dry cleaning process is petroleum hydrocarbon (also known as DF-2000), which is classified as a hazardous air pollutant and unstable organic compound. In 1994, Environment Canada assessed that PERC was toxic to the environment (Section 11a of the 1998 Canadian Environmental Protection Act) and is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Toxic Air Contaminant that can contaminate soil and groundwater. The International Agency for Research in Cancer classifies PERC as a ‘probable human carcinogen’. Exposure to PERC can irritate your eyes, nose and throat and cause headaches and dizziness. It’s mind-boggling that people willingly expose themselves to these known toxins.
Thankfully, alternatives are available. In the 1990s, government and dry cleaning industry representatives realized alternatives were needed and requested by customers.
The three other methods used to dry clean clothes, recognized as green alternatives (methods that are safe and non-toxic to both humans and the environment), are as follows:
1. Silicon Cleaning
This process is called the GreenEarth Cleaning System. It uses a revolutionary silicon-based solvent (liquid sand). It’s patented and has no generic form.
2. Wet Cleaning
Wet cleaning is just a bigger version of what we can do at home with our washing machines, except it uses computer-controlled washing machines, biodegradable soaps and conditioners. The clothes are pressed after washing. Note that not all fabrics can be dry cleaned using this method – work is still being done to perfect the method for use on all fabrics.
3. CO2 Cleaning
The CO2 Cleaning Process is carbon dioxide-based; when pressure is added, CO2 turns into a liquid, which is an excellent solvent. All fabrics can be cleaned with this process. So far, there are only a few drycleaners in Canada that use the method (Hangers Cleaners in Edmonton, Alberta started using the method in 2003).
What can you do?
For starters, you can limit the clothes you buy to those that don’t require dry cleaning. If you need to buy fussy clothes, then do some research to find a green dry cleaner in your area. The Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention has an excellent tool on their website that will help you with your search; visit c2p2online.com and on the left hand side, you’ll see a link for green dry cleaners in Canada.
Another thing you can do is let your current dry cleaner know of your concerns and that you would support green initiatives on their part. Begin a dialogue. Ask questions to find out if they have any green alternatives available – many dry cleaners do even if they aren’t listed as 100% green.
For more information, please visit the following sites:
greenearthcleaning.com
greenontario.org
ecocleaners.ca
co2olclean.com
worldwatch.org/node/4131
Originally featured in Life Peak Magazine, September/October 2008
Written by: Alethea Spiridon
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Discussion Take a look at what is being said about this article.
Jess, on March 22nd, 2009 says:
I actually read this in Life Peak and am glad that I get the chance to comment. This really hits home with me; I, too, try to live chemical free because of cancer in my family. Great article – its time we educate others.
Jerry Pozniak, on March 29th, 2009 says:
Properly dry cleaned clothes do not have any chemicals left in the fibers after the process. Brand new clothes have been chemically treated (cotton for example is treated with Chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, APEO (alkylphenoloxylate, a hormone disrupter), EDTA (ethylenediamine tetra-acetate; binds with heavy metals in rivers and streams and activates them), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that react with sunlight to form ground-level ozone) and may have a higher chemical content than dry cleaned clothes.
There is no way to avoid chemicals in a modern society unless you process your own cotton and make your clothes.
Pebbles, on June 3rd, 2011 says:
I feel so much happier now I urndsetand all this. Thanks!
Rachel Rich, on April 8th, 2009 says:
Hi Alethea!
I enjoyed your article on alternatives traditional dry cleaning. I noticed that you didn’t mention Solvair Cleaning System, the latest environmentally friendly garment care option for consumers. We recently launched our consumer site which you can view here: http://greenclothingcare.com/
I’d be happy to send you more information about Solvair.
Thanks,
Rachel Rich
Rachel Rich, on April 8th, 2009 says:
I just noticed you are in Ontario – Solvair is operating at Parkers Custom Clothing Care in the Toronto area if you are close.
Laurie, on April 8th, 2009 says:
Somewhat close! Great to know, thanks for the tip!
Pick up and Delivery Dry Cleaning Service Atlanta, on March 9th, 2011 says:
Make your money do the talking and don’t trust the “organic” or “green” signs in the cleaners windows. If they claim to be either, have them prove it. Most will not be able to or they have their claim on a technicality. Most counter workers are trained to say the right thing but you won’t know unless they can prove it. This is the one area I would love to have our local government enforce certification to be able to claim green and organic cleaning. I would also love to make cleaners that use PERC be forced to have it posted right smack in front counter.