Non Toxic Dry Cleaning in Austin
Keeping the people and environment of Austin safe from harmful dry cleaning practices has been a priority of EcoClean from the start. We’ve been pioneering wet cleaning practices in Austin since our early beginnings as EcoMat in the mid 1990s, adopting greener alternatives to dry cleaning that are less harmful to the environment. We’ve kept up a promise to keep our dry cleaning methods as non-toxic and eco-friendly as possible, for the good of the Austin community that we serve and the city that we love.
Chemical Free Dry Cleaning
Wet cleaning is a non-toxic alternative to traditional dry cleaning that effectively washes clothing and
erases stains – all without the use of harmful chemicals. This chemical-free method of dry cleaning
doesn’t require the use of perchloroethylene, commonly referred to as “perc”, a chlorinated solvent that’s
been used since the 1930s. While perc has long been recognized as an effective cleaning chemical, it is
a likely carcinogen that poses serious health issues if improperly exposed. Its toxicity has long been seen
as a risk to human and environmental health, and in the 1990s was flagged by the Environmental
Protection Agency for its harmful effects on life. Since then, there’s been a push to bring greener dry
cleaning methods into the mainstream and push out perc. While great strides have been made to
abandon the use of perc in the dry cleaning world (it’ll soon be made illegal in California) it is still
prominently used in many traditional dry cleaning businesses.
That’s where wet cleaning comes in. Chemicals have been booted out, and instead of relying on harmful
detergents and solvents, the secret of wet cleaning relies within the sophistication of its technology. The
machinery is highly customizable and can be programmed to clean any type of textile, at any
temperature, load size, or detergent requirement.
It works by adding extremely gentle detergents (even milder than at-home laundry soaps) into
computerized washers that lightly agitate garments. There’s no rough and tumble washing happening at
any point, so even the most delicate fabrics can be put through the machine. They’re then dried in
programmable dryers for set periods of time with specific temperatures and humidity. This prevents any
over drying that could damage the garments fibers and shorten the lifespan of the piece.
The quality of the wash is just as good as traditional dry cleaning, if not better. If a garment can be dry
cleaned, it can be wet cleaned, too.
Environmentally Safe Dry Cleaning
Not only are chemical-free detergents good for the people, but they’re also great for the environment.
Here at EcoClean, we pride ourselves on keeping the environment at the forefront of all that we
do–including our adoption of Green Garmento bags to eliminate any reliance on plastic protective bags.
We’re constantly seeking the most sustainable, non-toxic dry cleaning methods to make our footprint as
small as it can be.
Our washers and dryers are incredibly energy efficient, and don’t require nearly as much electricity or
water as many other commercial cleaners. Each machine uses the exact amount of biodegradable
detergents and clean water it needs to thoroughly clean its load, eliminating any unnecessary extra waste
in the process. Since we never use perc, there’s no worry of the harmful chemical contaminating the air, the ground, or our drinking water. Wet cleaning is completely safe and non-toxic for the environment and
is at the top of most experts recommendations for eco-friendly dry cleaning.
When you think of non-toxic dry cleaning, we hope you think of us. Going chemical free keeps our clothes
(and the environment) clean and is better for us all.