That very specific smell that you get in a dry cleaners, that stays in your clothes for weeks, is not pleasant – I don’t know anyone who likes it – but we’re pretty much held to ransom because some of our nicest and most delicate clothes demand it. It is, in fact, the main chemical in the dry cleaning process referred to as ‘perc’ but its official name is “tetrachloroethylene” or “perchloroethylene”. It is a solvent that is classified as carcinogenic, needs a licence, creates hazardous waste and is banned (for example) in central Paris already and by 2023 will be in California.
Whichever way you look at it ‘perc’ and dry cleaning is a bit “last century” as there are cleaner, better smelling, less harmful alternatives and they are starting to get traction.
Back in 1991 Miele, the German appliance manufacturer, and Kreussler, a respected German chemical company, got together to create the process that they refer to as WetCare. It uses Miele’s commercial machines and Kreussler chemicals (that are so harmless that they go down the plug) in a wash system that uses cool water, as low as twenty degrees. The result is a fresh smelling, water-based system that isn’t harmful to the operator or the environment and, it’s said, can wash a far wider range of products than dry cleaning (like suede boots, leather, handbags, silk, etc.) The obvious question, of course, is why aren’t we all using it?
Well, in London and other major cities new WetCare cleaning centres are popping up and forward-thinking dry cleaners are investing to upgrade to the new system. The ones that have already changed over say their customers prefer the finish, prefer the smell and prefer the fact that they are doing their bit for the environment.
Like anything, there is a little more to the subject than can be described in a blog; the real skill is in the fabric knowledge. The ‘spotting’, which is the art of using a suite of spotting chemicals to dab and brush on to tough areas and stains prior to the wash and the ‘finishing’: the art of reforming the clothes using presses, trouser toppers, formers (of course) and ironing tables. A good dry cleaner has all of these assets and is ideally placed to bring WetCare on, and we’re delighted that more and more are seeing the sea change in the capital and upgrading.
To find out more about WetCare products and services get in touch via our website, send us an email or pick up the phone and call the team.
