Dry Cleaning. How and/or Where?

Mahatma · Post: # 42903Post **Mahatma** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:35 pm

I have coats and rugs that claim to need to be dry cleaned. I'm not entirely sure what dry cleaning even consists of. Surely I can do it myself, right?

If anyone knows how I should clean these kinds of items or knows of a company that offers a good, green service please let me know.

Wombat · Post: # 42931Post **Wombat** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:18 am

G'Day Mahatma,

"dry" cleaning uses solvents instead of water, although a bit of water goes for the water soluble stuff. The professionals use a chlorinated hydrocarbon called perchloethylene (perc), which is somewhat toxic to the liver and if memory serves may even be carcinogenic. You can buy small bottles of dry cleaning fluid (here anyway!) that is a hydrocarbon base - like mineral turps or lighter fluid. This is less nasty but still difficult to deal with. You don't want to breathe it in, you don't want to get it on your skin and the hydrocarbon is flammable - one of the things that perc has going for it is that it is non-flammable.

The isssue is also what do you do with the solvent once you have used it to clean your garment? In industry they are set up to recycle it, but at home you may be stuck with litres of the stuff.

I am a big fan of doing things myself, but I could not reccomend you having a go at this and keep a clear conscience!

Nev

PS I am an ex-industrial chemist and current OHS professional.

Mahatma · Post: # 42979Post **Mahatma** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:35 pm

Oh brilliant, that's for the heads up! I would habe been the shortest lived new member of the site :)

Shirley · Post: # 42983Post **Shirley** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:54 pm

Good information there Nev!!

I don't bother with dry cleaning... if it says that on the label then I don't buy it...

Exception to the rule.... my suede coat. I bought it on Ebay a couple of years ago and it could do with a clean... I took it to the dry cleaners and they quoted me almost Ã‚Â£50 to get it done!!!!!!! I didn't bother.

Any tips for cleaning a suede coat with a faux fur lining?? (and I wouldn't buy faux fur now after reading about how it's made)

Mahatma · Post: # 42999Post **Mahatma** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:51 pm

Uh ha, my 3 year old coat doesn't smell so great

Wombat · Post: # 43034Post **Wombat** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:22 am

Ahh yeah! When I left CSR they gave me a very nice coat with suede sleeves and I had to get a quote for dry cleaning and if I went ahead I would have to mortgage one or both of the kids.

Haven't got an answer for that one yet myself - sorry!

Nev

Shirley · Post: # 43049Post **Shirley** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:55 am

Reckon I'll just wear it til it gets too smelly and then wear it some more

pskipper · Post: # 43050Post **pskipper** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:14 am

Don't know if this is any good...

http://www.theleathercare.co.uk/suedetc.html

Shirley · Post: # 43051Post **Shirley** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:26 am

That looks interesting!! Thanks mate

Wombat · Post: # 43070Post **Wombat** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:51 am

Does look interesting!

Mahatma · Post: # 43103Post **Mahatma** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:38 pm

I'm not home yet but when I am I'll see exactly what the fabric is.. thanks