There are many questions about dry cleaning, most of which are concerned with how effective it is in cleaning our clothes. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about dry cleaning.

How Does Dry Cleaning Work?

Dry cleaning is a cleaning method for textiles using solvents. The technique is the same as wet washing (laundry) but instead of using soap and water, it’s replaced with cleaning solvents. For more information about how dry cleaning works, see our blog post on the dry cleaning process.

Will Dry Cleaning Remove Stains?

A majority of the time, yes, dry cleaning will remove stains. However, that depends on what type of stain it is and how long the stain has been there for. 

Will dry cleaning kill germs?

Yes. The solvents work well to penetrate and get rid of dirt, and the heat from the machines and steamer will effectively get rid of germs and bacteria.

Is Dry Cleaning Better Than Washing?

That depends on the type of fabric you’re dealing with. What ever washing instruction is illustrated on the care label, that is the best option to go with when cleaning your garment. If you want to compare the differences between the two cleaning methods, check out our laundry vs dry cleaning blog post.

How Long Does Dry Cleaning Take?

In general, dry cleaning usually takes between 24-72 hours. With Laundryheap, dry cleaning takes up to 24 hours for clothing items and some home essentials such as pillow and duvet covers, and 72 hours for home and bedding items. 

Does Dry Cleaning Shrink Clothes?

No. Since there is no combination water involved, it is not possible for the dry cleaning method to shrink clothes.

Does Dry Cleaning Remove Odour?

That depends on how strong the odour is. Dry cleaning does well in removing dirt and bacteria but might not be as effective in removing odour. 

Is Dry Cleaning Safe?

With green dry cleaning, yes. There are now many dry cleaners that use eco-friendly cleaning solutions like liquid co2 instead of perc, which is safe for the environment and for the skin.

Can You Wash Clothes That Need To Be Dry Cleaned Only?

Ideally, no, you shouldn’t. Clothing made from fabrics that have to be dry cleaned only do not react well to washing in water. Consequences are that clothes will usually distort in shape or damage the fabric.

Can You Do Dry Cleaning At Home?

Yes, you can. You can purchase home dry cleaning kits. However, it might not be as effective as professional dry cleaners.

 

If you have any dry cleaning questions that aren’t on here, feel free to ask in the comments section and we’ll try to answer them for you.