100% Organic Chemical Free Cleaning

The definition of “organic” is somewhat unclear when it comes to dry cleaning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certifies agricultural businesses as organic based on a list of requirements. Dry cleaning is not FDA-regulated, and in the world of chemistry, “organic” means anything with carbon in its molecular makeup. This definition includes all petroleum-based products — even perc.

If your cleaner claims to be Earth-friendly, be sure to ask about the specific methods and chemicals she or he uses. Many dry cleaners will advertise as “green,” “organic,” or “environmentally friendly” when they are anything but safe for the Earth.

Hydrocarbon cleaning methods are not green at all. Hydrocarbon is petroleum based solvent and only slightly less toxic than Perc and carries all the environmental concerns of petroleum, including the fact that it’s a jamor source of greenhouse gases.

When it comes to drycleaning, only 100% chemical free from solvents to detergents and conditioners can be claimed as true ‘Organic’ and ‘Eco-friendly’

Quotes From Other Resources

“A number of dry cleaners claims that Hydrocarbon technology is natural, green, or earth-friendly but hydrocarbon solvents are petroleum based, so they still emit volatile organic compounds.” – Sierra Club

“It can be tricky to unravel the various claims of the “organic” cleaning industry, and vast majority aren’t as nontoxic as you might think. “ – New York Times

“The hydrocarbon dry cleaning is not Eco-friendly at all. It is only slightly less toxic than perc.” – State of New York Environment Protection Bureau

“Wet cleaning is the safest professional method of garment cleaning. It does not use hazardous chemical, it does not generate hazardous waste, nor create air pollution and reduced potential for water and soil contamination” – EPA

“The reason to choose a wet-cleaning system over dry-cleaning is obvious. It’s safer. For you, for me, for our children and the environment” – Eartheasy.com

“Two alternatives rise to the top in terms of environmental and health impacts— professional wet cleaning and liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) cleaning” – GreenAmerica.com

“The new method (wet cleaning ) cleans just as well or better than the dry cleaning — and it’s better for the environment” – NPR.org

“Chemical-free dry cleaning: A sound proposition” – Chicago Tribune