Dry washing, more accurately called dry cleaning, involves cleaning clothes using a solvent instead of water. Here's a breakdown of the process:
Dry cleaning uses mechanical action to clean the clothes. The solvent is then removed from the clothes and dried, completing the cycle. The clothes are then ready for pressing.
Here's a more detailed look at the steps involved in dry cleaning:
- Pre-treatment: Garments are inspected for stains, and some stains are pre-treated with special solutions to help remove them during the cleaning process.
- Cleaning Cycle: Clothes are loaded into a machine similar to a large front-loading washing machine. Instead of water and detergent, the machine uses a solvent. The most common solvent is perchloroethylene (perc), though other solvents like hydrocarbon are also used.
- Mechanical Action: The machine agitates the garments in the solvent, loosening dirt and grime. This is the "washing" part of the dry cleaning process.
- Solvent Extraction: After the cleaning cycle, the solvent is drained from the machine and spun to remove excess liquid from the clothes.
- Drying: The garments are then dried inside the machine using warm air to evaporate any remaining solvent. The evaporated solvent is then collected, filtered, and reused, making the process relatively environmentally friendly.
- Post-Cleaning: After drying, the clothes are pressed, steamed, and finished to restore their original shape and appearance. They are then inspected again for any remaining stains or imperfections.
Important Note: Because dry cleaning involves specialized equipment and solvents, it is generally done by professional dry cleaners and not at home.
