Dry cleaning

Dry cleaning, use of liquids other than water to clean fabrics. In the United States, perchlorethylene is used in addition to petroleum solvents. Trichlorethylene is favored in other countries. The garments are placed in a washer along with the solvent, which removes grease and oil. Dust, dirt, lint, and other insoluble particles are removed by agitation and are carried away in the cleaning fluid, which is filtered and recycled. Solvent is removed in a centrifuge, and the fabric is dried. Spots and stains are removed by a specially trained “spotter,” who uses chemicals appropriate for the type of fabric and stain. Finally, the garments are pressed with a steam press.