Dry cleaning solvent is a liquid that I used to clean fabric without the use of water. It is usually used on sensitive fabrics and for curtains and upholstery.
Dry cleaning is sometimes necessary if you have clothes that cannot be washed in a normal washing machine or you have large upholstery items. There are no specific chemicals used in dry cleaning solvent and different brands will use different ingredients.
Dry cleaning solution is applied to the surface of clothes and other fabrics and it evaporates once it has cleaned away any dirt or stains. No water is used during the dry cleaning process.
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How Dry Cleaning Works
Most dry cleaners will carry out the following steps when cleaning the items that you drop off
- Items checked over and tagged
- Items are pre-treated (any obvious stains may be targeted by other methods first)
- Items enter a dry cleaning machine where the solvent is used to clean them
- Clothes are then checked over to see of Amy stains remain
- Items are pressed, steamed or ironed, depending on the size
Dry Cleaning Solutions
When dry cleaning was first introduced in the 19th century flammable solvents such as kerosene, benzene and turpentine was used. When it comes to modern dry cleaning there are still some strong chemical used which is why it is left to professionals rather than making your own solution.
There are, however, dry cleaning solvents on the market that can be used at home.
In the US, most dry cleaning solution uses perchloroethylene, also known as PCE or tetrachloroethylene, which is non-flammable. This chlorinated solvent is able to remove Dort and stains without using water so as not to ruin delicate clothes.
If you do buy a home dry cleaning solvent at home you should take care as they can be detrimental to your health. As dry cleaning solvents are toxic and extremely flammable you should take caution where you are using and avoid getting the solvent on you skin or in your eyes.
Using solvents in a well ventilated room and wearing gloves is advisable and you should always read the full instructions on the bottle.
When using dry cleaning solvents apron items in your home it is important to check a small section of the item first before spraying the solvent all over.
[amazon box=”B00JIRB0FU,B07KR5VH84,B0776JLNJG” grid=”3″]There are alternatives to percholorethylene including:
- Silicone
- Carbon dioxide
- Wet cleaning
While these are effective in removing stains they will not work for all stains and may not be suitable for a particular item, which is why you should check the washing label on each item.
Home Dry Cleaning Kits
While there are some dangers to using dry cleaning kits at home, when used safely they can be an effective way to clean clothes that cannot be wet cleaned or are too large to be put in a washing machine.
Home dry cleaning kits are used in your standard clothes dryer and can be bought in most grocery stores. The most common dry cleaning at home kits are:
Dryel
This at home dry cleaning starter kit is the best for when you want to get rod of
[amazon box=”B003EMOE8U” template=”vertical”]Woolite
This is the best home dry cleaner kit for curtains, in our opinion. You can also buy a Woolite carpet and upholstery stain remover which is great for cleaning spills.
[amazon box=”B00H3R1JTY” template=”vertical”]These products can be used for freshening up curtains and soft furnishings or for cleaning clothes that cannot be washed in a conventional washing machine.
Using Home Dry Cleaning Solvent for Upholstery
Water-based cleaners can be used on upholstery but if the item that needs cleaning is marked as dry-clean only then a dry cleaning at home solution can be used.
Purchasing a home dry cleaning kit, such as Dryel or Woolite, is a good option if you do not have a professional dry cleaner nearby or your upholstery cannot be taken a dry cleaner.
When cleaning upholstery with home dry cleaning solution you should follow these steps:
- Vacuum the area as much as possible. If you have a hand vacuum aim to get in all of the nooks and crannies. This ensures the area is smooth and dust free which means the solution can work more effectively
- Before applying the solution test a small area in a place that will not be visible if it harms the fabric. If you see any signs of discoloring of the fabric then you should not proceed and will need to find another way to clean your fabric
- Ensure that you read the instructions on your home cleaning solution fully and apply the necessary amount on to your fabric. Please make sure that you use gloves when applying the solvent so that you do not irritate the skin
- Some solutions may advise you to allow the solution to sit in the fabric for a few minutes most, however, will ask that you wash it off straightaway
- Blot the area with a towel to remove the solvent
- Ventilate the area well and refrain from using the upholstery for a short time
Using Home Dry Cleaning Solvent to Carpet
If you have a spill or a stain on your carpet or rug most traditional ways of cleaning should suffice, for example blotting, using soap or detergent or gently scrubbing with a soft brush.
If, however, you find that no amount of cleaning is getting rid of your stain then you can use a home dry cleaning kit. This is likely to be the case with oil based stains or red wine, for example.
To remove stains on carpets you should follow the below steps:
- Use traditional methods to remove as much of the spill or stain as possible.
- Before applying the solution test a small area in a place that will not be visible if it harms the fabric
- Ensure that you read the instructions on your home cleaning solution fully and apply the necessary amount on to your fabric. Please make sure that you use gloves when applying the solvent so that you do not irritate the skin
- Some solutions may advise you to allow the solution to sit in the fabric for a few minutes
- Blot the area with a towel to remove the solvent
- Ventilate the area well and refrain from using the upholstery for a short time
Homemade Dry Cleaning Solvent
It is not generally recommended that you mix your own chemical solutions at home as it can be both a fire hazard and a risk to your health.
However, if you are looking to clean your clothes, carpets or upholstery with a more gentle solution then you can make a homemade dry cleaning solution which ends up very similar to Dryel but can be much cheaper.
You may have some of these ingredients at home or you can buy in most grocery stores and hardware stores.
Ingredients
- 1 teapsoon of dry oxygen bleach
- Washcloth
- Pillowcase that can fully close (zip top)
Instructions
Once you have all your homemade dry cleaning solvent ingredients you need to follow the below steps:
- Add all of the wet ingredients to the bowl making your you stick to the correct quantities
- Add the correct amount of dry ingredients.
- Mix together thoroughly
If you use this solution on a regular basis you can make up a larger batch by scaling up the ingredients. The mixture can then be kept in an airtight container to be used as and when needed.
You need to ensure that the mixture if kept away from children and pets, as you would with your other cleaning solutions.
Using your homemade dry cleaning solution
You can use for all of the steps advised above, whether it be removing stains from upholstery, cleaning spills from carpets up removing dirt from soiled clothes that cannot go in the washing machine.
This homemade dry cleaning solution also works for refreshing clothes that are not really dirty but are smelly or they have simply not been worn for a while. In this instance you should follow these steps:
- Soak a clean cloth in the dry cleaning mixture and wring it out.
- Place the cloth in a bag with the clothing that you want to freshen up
- Place in your clothes dryer for 15-20 minutes.
- Take out and hang up
Summary
Dry cleaning uses a lot of strong chemicals and is best used by professionals. If, however, you are unable to access a professional dry cleaner or you want to use less harsh chemicals you can dry clean at home using a store-bought solution or a homemade solution.
Dry cleaning is commonly used for upholstery, curtains, carpets and clothing items that cannot be washed in a regular washing machine. So that you do not ruin the fabric that you want to dry clean you should always check the label and test a spot before proceeding.