How does dry-cleaning work?
- Thread starter Hollis
- Start date
Hollis
bloody furious
Stage III - The nuts and bolts - dry cleaning
"As the clothes rotate in the perforated basket, there is a constant flow of clean solvent from the pump and filter system. The solvent sprays into the basket and chamber constantly -- not only immersing the clothes, but gently dropping and pounding them against baffles in the cylinder as well. The dirty solvent is pumped continuously through the filter and re-circulated free and clear of dirt that gets trapped in the filter.
As an example, a typical machine might pump perc through the clothes at a rate of perhaps 1,500 gallons (5,678 liters) per hour. Perc is about 75 percent heavier than water. If a cycle lasts for eight minutes, the clothes would be doused during mechanical action with 200 gallons (757 liters) of solvent. This is more than adequate to thoroughly clean the clothes.
"As the clothes rotate in the perforated basket, there is a constant flow of clean solvent from the pump and filter system. The solvent sprays into the basket and chamber constantly -- not only immersing the clothes, but gently dropping and pounding them against baffles in the cylinder as well. The dirty solvent is pumped continuously through the filter and re-circulated free and clear of dirt that gets trapped in the filter.
As an example, a typical machine might pump perc through the clothes at a rate of perhaps 1,500 gallons (5,678 liters) per hour. Perc is about 75 percent heavier than water. If a cycle lasts for eight minutes, the clothes would be doused during mechanical action with 200 gallons (757 liters) of solvent. This is more than adequate to thoroughly clean the clothes.
Hollis
bloody furious
A particularly interesting fact..
"In home laundry, most wet-type stains come out during the washing process. Grease does not. The opposite is true in dry cleaning -- it will leave the wet-side stains intact after the cleaning cycle. On the other hand, the solvent removes grease and oils during the cleaning cycle. "
"In home laundry, most wet-type stains come out during the washing process. Grease does not. The opposite is true in dry cleaning -- it will leave the wet-side stains intact after the cleaning cycle. On the other hand, the solvent removes grease and oils during the cleaning cycle. "
Hollis
bloody furious
Why dry cleaning may fail..
"A conscientious cleaner will remove the overwhelming majority of soil and stains, but there is always a small percent of very stubborn stains that may not be entirely removed for a variety of reasons, such as:
Tannin stains set by heat and time
Original dye stripped or faded
Bleached-out spots or sun-faded materials
Foreign dye deposit "
So there you go.. don't always blame the guy in the shop - he or she is human too you know..
"A conscientious cleaner will remove the overwhelming majority of soil and stains, but there is always a small percent of very stubborn stains that may not be entirely removed for a variety of reasons, such as:
Tannin stains set by heat and time
Original dye stripped or faded
Bleached-out spots or sun-faded materials
Foreign dye deposit "
So there you go.. don't always blame the guy in the shop - he or she is human too you know..
Hollis
bloody furious
Acknowlegements..
Don't thank me!! Thank Nate !!!!!
"Nate Marks has been in the dry-cleaning industry since 1940. He has served dry cleaning organizations on local, state, and national levels as an owner, operator, and allied tradesman. Nate says he feels privileged to have worked with many of the pioneers in the dry-cleaning industry and to participate in its growth. "
Cheers Nate!!
Don't thank me!! Thank Nate !!!!!
"Nate Marks has been in the dry-cleaning industry since 1940. He has served dry cleaning organizations on local, state, and national levels as an owner, operator, and allied tradesman. Nate says he feels privileged to have worked with many of the pioneers in the dry-cleaning industry and to participate in its growth. "
Cheers Nate!!
Hollis
bloody furious
Finding out more..
Explore the world of dry-cleaning further here:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning9.htm
And remember what you've learnt next time you pass the dry-cleaners!!!
take it easy
Explore the world of dry-cleaning further here:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning9.htm
And remember what you've learnt next time you pass the dry-cleaners!!!
take it easy
sheothebudworths
Up the bum - no babies!!!
<suspicious>
Do you mean to tell me that there are 'fluids' that are NOT 'liquid'?
<tries to think of one>
Hollis said:
Do you mean to tell me that there are 'fluids' that are NOT 'liquid'?
<tries to think of one>
sheothebudworths
Up the bum - no babies!!!
sheothebudworths said:
sheothebudworths
Up the bum - no babies!!!
Bah!
I thought 'Plasma' was just a made up word - like 'Pentepeptides' ( <--- I love that one ). 
And how can a solid be 'fluid, to an extent'?
I'm not fucking having that Hollis!
I thought 'Plasma' was just a made up word - like 'Pentepeptides' ( <--- I love that one
). And how can a solid be 'fluid, to an extent'?
I'm not fucking having that Hollis!
The main chemical used in dry cleaning is Perchloroethylene or 'Perc'. It is a liquid but not being water they call it 'dry' cleaning even though the Perc wets the cloth. However it vaporises quickly so that the garment becomes dry very rapidly.
It is of course the elves and pixies that do all the hard work and there is some concern for their health as it is thought that Perc may cause cancer. Sometimes if you check your newly cleaned clothes you may find a small elfin hat or boot in one of the pockets.
If this happens take it back to the shop but make no comment. Let's just keep this a secret between those of us on the internet and those in the trade.
Hocus Dryeye
It is of course the elves and pixies that do all the hard work and there is some concern for their health as it is thought that Perc may cause cancer. Sometimes if you check your newly cleaned clothes you may find a small elfin hat or boot in one of the pockets.
If this happens take it back to the shop but make no comment. Let's just keep this a secret between those of us on the internet and those in the trade.
Hocus Dryeye
