The best solvent for dry cleaning depends on your priorities, though Hydrocarbon and Liquid Silicone (GreenEarth) are the industry's preferred alternatives. Professional dry cleaners typically use one of three main solvents:
Dry cleaning relies on specialized chemical solvents rather than water to dissolve soils and stains from fabrics. While some harsh historic liquids have been replaced due to safety and environmental regulations, the industry relies on a few primary solvents depending on the specific cleaning method.
Caring for your Wool Blanket
Pendleton's traditional wool blankets should only be dry-cleaned. Washing will shrink the blanket and ruin it. These blankets will have a care label with “Dry Clean" on it. The exception is the Easy Care washable Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool® bedding line.
While there are several different solvent options that can be used during dry cleaning, the most widely used is perchloroethylene (perc), but liquid carbon dioxide and synthetic petroleum hydrocarbon solvent are commonly used. The solvent used is typically up to the direction and expertise of the dry cleaner.
Obsolete solvents
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is more aggressive (KB value: 129) than the chemically related PCE and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. It is no longer used as a main solvent in dry cleaning but it is still used as a stain remover by dry cleaners today.
1 cup warm water 1 tsp borax 1 tsp oxygen bleach 3 drops essential oil (I change this up for different scents on my clothes) When I have collected 3-5 garments requiring a cleaning I throw them in my old Dryel zipper bag with one of my DIY cloths.
No, Dryel does not contain trichloroethylene (TCE) or harsh dry cleaning solvents like perchloroethylene (perc).
8 Steps to Dry Clean at Home
Instead, most Amish families rely on clotheslines in the summer — and they still work in the winter, Williams said. According to appliance company Speed Queen, "Drying on a line in winter is actually a form of freeze-drying thanks to sublimation — or ice evaporating from a solid state.
In Japan, it is common to do laundry every day for couples or families. Single people typically do laundry 1 to 3 times a week. A family with small children will sometimes do it more than 2-3 times a day.
Wool is often dry cleaned to prevent shrinking and felting, but can also be to keep the garment colorfast. Hand washing in cool water is the only other way. Any agitation or warm/hot water may cause the wool felt and shrink.
Pendleton blankets are prized for their heirloom quality, rich cultural heritage, and exceptional durability. Woven in the Pacific Northwest since 1909, they serve as functional works of art that are routinely passed down through generations.
The best thing to do is hand wash you garment (and any other wool garments) in the sink using warm water (not at all hot) and a small amount of gentle dish soap like dawn or shampoo. Gently scrub using your hands and do not wring or pull, as that will stretch your garment.
Dry cleaning solvent, particularly professional-grade or volatile dry solvents (like petroleum-based or PCE), can be purchased online from industrial chemical suppliers and specialty retailers, while at-home kits are available at major retail stores.
A dry cleaning solvent is a water-free chemical liquid used in specialized machines to clean clothes and fabrics. It dissolves oils, grease, and dirt without swelling fibers or causing them to shrink or bleed, making it ideal for delicate materials like wool or silk.
In food processing and manufacturing facilities, dry sanitation prevents moisture from promoting microbial growth (like Salmonella or Listeria). The process relies on physical removal, HEPA vacuums, and alcohol-based sanitizers rather than water.
Yes, it is surprisingly common for Japanese couples—surveys suggest anywhere from 26% to 40%—to sleep in separate beds or separate bedrooms. Rather than a sign of marital trouble, this is viewed as a practical, healthy choice to prioritize uninterrupted sleep, personal space, and different daily schedules.
In Japanese, the number 42 is considered highly unlucky because its pronunciation, shini (死に), sounds exactly like the Japanese word for "to death" or "dying".
Brazil bathes the most globally. Driven by a warm, humid tropical climate and a strong cultural emphasis on personal hygiene, Brazilians average about 14 showers per week, which is essentially twice a day.
Amish men generally do not use condoms. Because the Amish view having children as a blessing from God, the use of artificial contraception is typically forbidden by their religious doctrine.
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.
Amish wedding nights prioritize community, tradition, and practicality over the modern idea of a private honeymoon. On their wedding night, the bride and groom typically return to the bride’s parents' home, where the newlyweds must wake up early the next morning to help clean the house after the large celebration.
To mimic dry cleaning at home, use commercial dry-cleaning kits (like Dryel) in your dryer for lightly soiled clothes, or hand-wash items in cool water with gentle detergent for a deeper clean. Always air-dry delicates to prevent shrinkage, and steam instead of ironing to smooth out wrinkles safely.
How to Reduce Your Dry-Cleaning Costs
The 5 Steps of the Dry Cleaning Process