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The Dangers of and Alternatives to Dry Cleaning

Sprol, a website that looks at the "visual macroscopic effects of the decisions and behavior of our society," recently reported on the town of Martinsville, Indiana, once known as the "City of Mineral Water." Today, the city's water supply has been contaminated with dry-cleaning solvents.

Green Clean's Laundry chapter details some alternatives to dry cleaning, and describes the effects of dry cleaning chemicals: "Most dry cleaners use a petroleum-based solvent called perchlorethylene, which can adversely affect the central nervous system; can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat; and is a possible human carcinogen. Perc, as it’s frequently called, has become one of the most common contaminants in groundwater."

Many cities now have eco-friendly dry cleaning franchises, which sometimes call their process "wet cleaning." And many "dry clean only" garments can be carefully hand-washed at home.

Posted by GreenClean at 01:46 PM

Summer Stain Busters

Green Clean features more than 25 hints for solving specific stains without using harsh products. Here are a couple of summer stain fighters:

Grass
Clothing and linens: Do not use ammonia or degreasers — they can make stains permanent. Blot with a little rubbing alcohol, then rinse with water. Apply liquid dish soap to the stain, rinse with water, and allow the garment to air dry. Launder as usual. If discoloration remains, soak the garment in warm water with a stain remover for 30 to 60 minutes. Relaunder in hot water. Upholstery and carpet: Pour a small amount of mild laundry detergent onto the stain and let it stand for two hours. Blot the soap away using a damp towel.

Ketchup
Clothing and linens: Rinse with cold water, then let the garment soak in a solution of liquid laundry detergent or soap and cold water. Rinse, apply a stain remover, and launder as usual. If stain remains, try treating with a one-to-one solution of distilled white vinegar and water, reapplying stain remover, and relaundering. Upholstery and carpet: Make a thick paste of borax and water. Apply directly to the stain and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Wipe the paste away and blot with a damp towel.

Posted by GreenClean at 03:29 PM