Being green shouldn’t mean sacrificing your good fashion sense just so you can avoid clothes labeled "dry clean only." There's some good news for the eco-friendly fashionistas out there: an organic, non-toxic alternative to the old-school, chemical-drenching dry cleaning process exists. And it may be available right in your neighborhood.
Dry cleaning involves the use of PERC (perchloroethylene), a chemical solvent that the Environment Protection Agency has stated is hazardous to the health of humans, wildlife and the environment.
Wearing these chemical-drenched clothes can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea and irritation to skin, eyes, nose and throat. What is even worse is the impact when PERC seeps into the soil, contaminating our food and water supply. In those cases, it is linked to liver damage, kidney damage and cancer. As for wildlife, PERC is toxic to fish, plants and marine animals, and most certainly a health hazard to other species that feed or drink from these contaminated water systems.
Fortunately, you no longer need choose between "dry clean only" and protecting the health of your family and the environment. Organic dry cleaning has become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy, safe alternative to the necessary evil of regular dry cleaning.
The secret to its success relies on the use of carbon dioxide, which normally exists as a gas at room temperature. However, a non-toxic dry cleaning technique uses high pressure to turn a food grade level of CO2 into a liquid to which biodegradable soaps can be added. Not only is it non-toxic, but the machines can operate at much lower temperatures than conventional dry cleaning methods, saving on energy too.
Though the cost of organic dry cleaning generally runs 20 to 30 percent higher than what you may be used to, it’s a small price to pay for doing your part to save the planet and yourself.
Contact your local dry cleaners and ask if they offer an organic alternative. Just be sure to confirm that they use the carbon dioxide method and not the hydro-carbon solvent, DF-2000. Though less toxic than PERC, it’s not organic as it is made from petroleum.
