Sammy asked:
When you get wool, cashmere, or other such fabrics wet, they shrink. The label states they should be dry-cleaned. However, I learned that dry cleaning is in fact a process where the clothes get wet. Why does that not cause shrinkage? Just curious.
Terry
When you get wool, cashmere, or other such fabrics wet, they shrink. The label states they should be dry-cleaned. However, I learned that dry cleaning is in fact a process where the clothes get wet. Why does that not cause shrinkage? Just curious.
Terry
yes they get “wet” but not by water. they use chemicals that dont mess up the fabric. its a stupid term in my opinion
Hi Sammy,
You are correct - “Dry Cleaning” is a misnomer.
They actually use a cleaning fluid but it doesn’t harm delicate fabrics the way water would.
The way prices for “Dry Cleaning” are going it will soon be cheaper to throw the clothes away and buy new.
We have found a lot of our clothes that say “Dry Clean Only” can actually be washed in cold water and dried on the “Delicate Fabrics” setting on our dryer.
Norm
The clothes get wet, but it is not with water: it is with a solvent. The most common (and best) is called “perk”, for perchloroethylene; which is hydrophobic so will dissolve grease. Liquid carbon dioxide (under pressure) is also used.
it only means they don’t use water
Dry Cleaning is a marketing term that means its still dirty