What chemicals are used for dry cleaning?
To clean clothes, a specialized detergent is added to the working solvent. It is essential for the proper functioning of a dry cleaning machine, as it emulsifies hydrophobic soils and helps them from redepositing on the garment. Dry cleaning solvents generally contain perchloroethylene (PCE) and other less toxic hydrocarbons. PCE and trichloroethylene are the most common solvents used in dry cleaning. The origin of dry cleaning is believed to be in the UK when a servant accidentally spilled the contents of a lamp on a tablecloth. The cloth dries without any stains. It was possible to determine that the liquid used was camphene, a derivative of the chemical turpentine. Later, it was used to clean complete clothes by hand. The Laundry service London technique eventually spread throughout Europe and became known as the UK or chemical cleaning. Dry Cleaning Industry Despite these health risks, the dry cleaning industry is the second largest contributor to ozone depletion. According to the...