The answer is no. There may be dirt cleaned off of the sleeve of a jacket or sauce removed from your dress shirt, but what actually goes onto your clothing during the dry cleaning process?
The chemicals involved in dry cleaning are very harmful. Here is why.....
Perchloroethylene is a solvent that is traditionally used to clean the clothing. It works really well in removing any dirt or smells but, it stays in the fabric for days or even weeks. The toxins are not only absorbed through your skin when you wear dry cleaned clothes, but if you hang the clothing in your bedroom you are breathing in the vapors while you sleep. Because Perchloroethylene is a central nervous system depressant, short-term exposures at low concentrations have been found to cause behavioral changes, impairment of coordination, headache, and drowsiness. Chronic inhalation can cause cognitive and motor skill dysfunction, cardiac arrhythmia, and liver and kidney damage. The vapors, once inhaled and absorbed into the blood, are able to cross the placental barrier of expectant mothers and infiltrate the breast milk of nursing mothers.
The State of California listed Perchloroethylene as a known carcinogen in 1988 and has more recently mandated that its use will be phased-out for commercial dry-cleaning by 2023.
Don't wait for government regulation to catch up with the dangers of Perchloroethylene while you and your family are wearing shirts and jackets soaked in toxins.
How to avoid the chemicals.....
Call around and look online for dry-cleaners who employ less toxic paraffin-based cleaning agents.
If you can, specifically seek out cleaners that use liquid CO2. It is effective, nontoxic, and easy on the environment.
Even dry cleaners that claim to be "green" may still use harmful chemicals. Always ask about their cleaning methods and what substances they use. If you're unfamiliar with their process, do some research of your own to see if the toxicity is questionable.
Go to http://nodryclean.com to find some alternative dry cleaning options in your area.
You might find that you can carefully hand wash many of your "dry clean only" clothes. Use a gentle soap and cool water, and always allow to air dry.
If you decide to stick with conventional dry cleaning, make sure that you allow each garment to air out so that the Perchloroethylene can evaporate thoroughly. Remove the plastic bags and allow your clothes to hang in a well-ventilated, open area, such as the garage or even outside. Two or three days might be enough, but if you still smell the chemicals, you might want to give it a full week to air out. Try wearing a thin layer of clothing between your body and your dry cleaned clothes, which will not only help keep the Perchloroethylene away from your skin, but will also keep your clothes cleaner longer.
