Instead of using water to clean clothing and materials, dry cleaning uses a chemical solvent. It is a useful technique for cleaning fragile materials that can’t tolerate the abrasive conditions of washing machines and dryers. How did dry cleaning, nevertheless, come by its name? Let’s examine the beginnings and development of dry cleaning in more detail.
Early civilizations used a variety of cleaning techniques to keep their clothing clean, and dry cleaning has been around for decades. While the Chinese utilized petroleum-based solvents to clean silk clothes, the ancient Romans used ammonia and clay to clean their woolen togas. However, dry cleaning did not develop into a profitable industry until the 19th century.
A Frenchman named Jean-Baptiste Jolly opened the first modern dry cleaning shop in Paris in 1845. Jolly discovered that a particular kind of petroleum solvent known as “benzene” could thoroughly clean garments without causing damage to them. He created a store that provided a novel service known as “nettoyage à sec,” or “dry cleaning.”
The phrase “dry cleaning” swiftly spread, and both Europe and the US saw an increase in demand for the service. Early dry cleaners employed a variety of hazardous and very combustible chemicals, such as gasoline, kerosene, and benzene. The safer solvent “perchloroethylene” (also known as “PERC”) was created in the 1930s, and it is still the most often used solvent in dry cleaning today.
What about tumble drying, then? Whether washing by hand or in a washing machine, tumble drying is a different process that follows washing. Heat and air are used in tumble dryers to dry wet clothing by removing moisture, leaving them dry and ready to wear.
Those who operate in dry cleaning are referred to as “dry cleaners” or “dry cleaning professionals.” To ensure that clothing are cleaned fully and safely, they are trained to handle delicate textiles and utilize specialist equipment.
And lastly, is dry cleaning preferable than washing? It depends on the cloth type and the sort of blemish or dirt. Some textiles, like silk or wool, need to be dry cleaned since they are too delicate to be machine washed. Dry cleaning is particularly useful for getting rid of tough stains that might not be removed by conventional washing, like grease or oil. However, washing is usually sufficient and more economical for common textiles like cotton or polyester.
In conclusion, the term “dry cleaning” refers to the process of cleaning clothing without the use of water. Although the procedure has been used for centuries, it wasn’t until the 19th century that it started to be used commercially. Dry cleaning is still a crucial service for today’s delicate fabric cleaning and spot removal.
Employees of dry cleaners are frequently referred to as dry cleaners, dry cleaning technicians, or garment care specialists.