You probably make choices every single day that are influenced by what’s best for the environment. 

You take time to separate your recyclables, spend extra money on energy-efficient light bulbs, and maybe even grow your own vegetables in your backyard. 

But even some of the most eco-conscious among us have one regular habit that’s bad for our health and the environment…

Dry cleaning is so commonplace that most people don’t even think twice about buying a piece of clothing that has a “dry cleaning only” label on it or dropping off an armful of suits at the local dry cleaner’s.


After all, many high quality garments would be ruined if we threw them into the washing machine. 

But what are the negative consequences of this convenient service?  Unfortunately, they’re not very widely known.  And what’s more, few are aware of the fact that there are effective alternatives out there that are both healthier and greener.

What You Didn’t Know

Dry cleaning has actually been around since the 1800s and, since that time, has gone through several different changes.  Nearly 200 years ago, cleaners were using gasoline, kerosene and chlorinated solvents to clean clothes without water.  But as these cleaning agents were dangerously flammable, by the 1930s, most cleaners had switched to using a chemical called tetrachloroethylene. 

Tetrachloroethylene and perchloroethylene, both of which are referred to as PERC, may have caused fewer fires, but they were also the very first chemical that the Consumer Product Safety Commission classified as a carcinogen.  The potential danger of these chemicals also got the attention of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which studies and regulates use and exposure of the chemical.

Dangers to Health

A study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety in 1996 found that PERC has harmful effects on the dry cleaning employees. Long term exposure, according to the report, had vastly increased the risk of cancer and other diseases related to respiratory, digestive and heart health.

These harmful effects were not limited to workers in dry cleaning operations alone. It turns out other studies conducted on consumers who wear dry cleaned clothes on a regular basis have also experienced similar symptoms.

Environmental Risks

It seems very logical that a substance that is considered lethal for human beings would also be substantially harmful to the environment. Indeed, PERC does have a significant effect on the atmosphere and the Environmental Protection Agency regulates the use of this solvent in the industry. The PERC released by dry cleaners is labeled as “hazardous waste” by the EPA, which means there are restrictions on the quantities they can use. 

Healthier Options

While the EPA does seem to be looking at regulating the chemical more tightly than it is now, the industry is improving as better options become available.  California, for example, wants to phase out the chemicals in dry cleaning by 2023. And there are many national chains and local companies that offer greener and cleaner alternatives to make such a transition viable. 

When it comes to dry cleaning your clothes, you should know what your options are.  It’s especially important to note that the label “organic” may not mean much since the term is so loosely regulated. It turns out any solvent with carbon molecules in it can be labeled organic. This includes PERC, since carbon is a minor element present in most chemicals.

There are several different alternatives that tout themselves as eco-friendly or green, but experts now agree on the two best options for dry cleaning in a more sustainable and practical manner - wet cleaning and liquid CO₂.

While wet cleaning has been around for centuries and is considerably less polluting than other options, it may not be ideal for all types of garments. Also, to minimize the effects on the environment, the detergents used have to be biodegradable and the water temperature must be closely regulated by automated computer systems.

Liquid carbon dioxide, on the other hand, has the fewest drawbacks of all.  Before you worry about adding more carbon emissions to the atmosphere, you should know that the CO₂ used in dry cleaning is actually captured from other industrial processes and recycled, so it doesn’t contribute to global warming, but rather prevents some CO₂ from entering the atmosphere. 

With this technology, clothes are put into a machine where CO₂ in gas form is added. The machine is pressurized and the gaseous carbon dioxide is compressed and cooled to form liquid CO₂, which acts as the solvent to rid garments of dirt and oils.  After the cleaning cycle, the liquid CO₂ can be recaptured for additional cleaning cycles, making this the most cost effective and green cleaning methods for garments.

The next time you’ve got a pile of delicate clothes that need to be cleaned, think twice about taking them to your usual dry cleaners. 

If the idea of cleaning your wardrobe with carcinogenic chemicals makes you uncomfortable, look into green options in your area.  And remember not to be duped by words like “green” and “organic” –inquire into the methods they use so you can be sure that your new choice is the best choice for your family and the planet. 

Author Jon Wikstrom is a frequent guest blogger on a variety of environmental and business sites, where he enjoys sharing his passion for green technology.  He is also the founder of Cool Clean Technologies, a leader in developing liquid CO₂ cleaning for a wide variety of industries.