How Does Dry Cleaning Work? - Science ABC

Dry cleaning is a process of cleaning clothes that uses a solvent instead of water. The solvent is usually a petroleum-based chemical, and the clothes are tumbled in the solvent to remove stains. The solvent is then removed from the clothes, and the clothes are pressed to remove wrinkles.

When people drop off their clothes at the dry cleaner, they don’t tend to hang around and ask the workers what sort of magic they wield to eliminate tough stains from the most delicate fabrics. Most customers simply come back 2-3 days later, expecting a perfectly pressed and cling film-covered outfit that is crisp and ready to wear. However, dry cleaners are not magicians, and the process of dry cleaning is surprisingly simple. The question is, how does it actually work?

Short Answer: Rather than using water, dry cleaning relies on a different non-water-based solvent to remove stains, followed by additional processing and pressing to keep delicate clothes looking brand new.

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