July 31, 2022 by Mulberry Maids
While we provide the best deep cleaning services in Windsor, we also pride ourselves on our general knowledge of all things cleaning in your home. While dry cleaning can be really convenient and effective, it is not always the greenest option for those of us who care deeply about the environment.
Luckily there are some easy alternatives for those times when you need a dry cleaner for your special clothing garments and accessories.
Keep reading on to learn more!
Why is dry cleaning bad for the environment?
In the past we have talked about eco-friendly ways to deal with your laundry from hand washing microfiber cloths to reduce lint buildup, to using your own homemade all natural laundry detergent. This can be beneficial to the environment to reduce the use of dry cleaners who use toxic agents in the cleaning process. Dry cleaning often uses perchloroethylene, which is not only bad for the environment, but can be harmful to the workers who use it in their jobs. While the use of this chemical should decrease moving forward, natural alternatives to dry cleaning remain the safest option.
PERC has been known to contaminate the air, soil, water, as well as wildlife. It is also a likely carcinogenic agent, that is also a respiratory and skin irritant, and a reproductive toxin, among other things.
The best way to avoid and decrease exposure is to use alternatives to dry cleaning, some of which can simply be done at home.
What are some at home alternatives to dry cleaning?
One of the easiest and most basic dry cleaning alternatives that can be performed at home is hand washing. To do this with most “dry clean only” garments, such as sweaters, silk, and other delicate fabrics, simply fill a laundry sink or bucket with water, and add a mild detergent to it. When washing the clothing, do not wring it, but press the detergent solution into the fabric gently. Rinse it in a similar gentle way, without wringing or twisting the material.
To dry the garment, roll it in a towel to press out the moisture, and either dry the garment laying flat on a towel or drying rack, or hang dry it if the material will not get damaged or stretched in that way.
Another similar method to hand washing your clothes is to use wash bags. These bags help to protect the garment in the washing machine from the abrasive properties of a laundry cycle. To use the bags, simply put the garment in the bag, and run the washing machine on an express cycle or gentle cycle to help further protect the clothing. Use a mild detergent, and air dry the clothing afterwards as you would after hand washing them.
What are some other alternatives to look out for?
If you are not interested in cleaning your clothes at home, there are a couple other alternatives that you can look into. One of these options is to look for a professional wet cleaner. They will use mild soap and detergent, along with water and steam to clean your clothes and remove stains.
Another option to look out for is liquid carbon dioxide cleaning (CO2 cleaning), which unfortunately may be hard to find at this time. It is considered to be the one of the safest methods of dry cleaning, and works by cleaning your clothing in a large drum void of any air. Once the air is removed, the CO2 is injected into the drum to do the cleaning, where the high pressure of the drum turns the CO2 into liquid. It is a non-abrasive and residue free method to clean, making it ideal for delicate garments.
Simply the best deep cleaning services in Windsor!
Here at Mulberry Maids, we pride ourselves on offering the best cleaning services in Windsor CO and the surrounding area. From move out cleanings to regular recurring services, we are here for all your residential home cleaning needs. With 100% satisfaction guaranteed, there is nothing to worry about, aside from which coffee shop you want to relax at while we take care of your home cleaning!
Give us a call, or use our online booking form to get your next home cleaning scheduled. We look forward to helping you out soon!