Pollution Prevention Center

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PPC Projects

Garment Care


Introduction

The California Environmental Garment Care Project of the Pollution Prevention Center (PPC) at Occidental College conducts research and provides education on pollution prevention alternatives to perchloroethylene (PCE or Perc) based dry cleaning.

A number of alternatives to PCE dry cleaning have emerged since 1990 in response to increasingly stringent regulations. The two leading environmentally preferable technologies available today are CO2 dry cleaning and professional wet cleaning.

To get information about our project grants and the financial incentives provided for professional cleaners to convert to wet or CO2 cleaning, visit our grant info and professional cleaner web pages.


CO2 Dry Cleaning Technology

The CO2 process is a sub-critical carbon dioxide based garment cleaning process that has been developed for use by commercial and retail dry-cleaners. CO2 is a non-flammable, non-toxic, colorless, tasteless, odorless naturally-occurring gas that, when subjected to pressure, becomes a liquid solvent. The CO2 used in the garment cleaning process is an industrial by-product from existing operations, such as the production of ethanol by fermentation and anhydrous ammonia (fertilizer) production. This process does not produce any new CO2 and, thus, does not contribute to global warming.

Description: CO2 Dry Cleaning

The laundry is placed in the washing chamber of the machine. The chamber is emptied of air. The pressure in the washing chamber is raised by injecting gaseous CO2. Then, liquid CO2 is pumped into the washing chamber. Agitation is achieved by jet streams and/or a rotating basket. The cleaning cycle lasts about 5 to 15 minutes and the whole process takes place at ambient temperature. The liquid CO2 goes into the fibers and dissolves dirt, fats, and oils. During the washing cycle a filter cleans particles from the liquid. At the end of the cleaning process, the liquid CO2 is pumped back into the storage tank, lowering the pressure in the cleaning chamber. On its way to the storage vessel, the gas is chilled and once again condensed into its liquid form. When the pressure is low enough, the remaining CO2 is vented to the atmosphere. The CO2 is regularly cleaned by distillation.

Professional Wet Cleaning

Professional Wet Cleaning is the most commercially available non-toxic alternative to dry cleaning. It is an aqueous process for cleaning a full range of garments using state of the art technology, biodegradable detergents and additives, followed by appropriate drying and restorative finishing procedures.


Professional Wet Cleaning: The Cleaning Process

Professional wet clean washers use a computer to control the rotation of the cleaning drum in order to minimize agitation while providing sufficient movement for effective garment cleaning. Wet clean washers are also equipped with a computer programmed detergent injection system, which allows the cleaner to specify the amount and type of wet clean detergent used for each load.

Biodegradable wet clean detergents have been formulated by detergent manufacturers to maximize cleaning power while minimizing color change and shrinkage.

Wet clean dryers include computer controls to assure that garments retain a proper amount of moisture after the dry cycle is complete.

Specialized tensioning pressing machines are used to enhance the restoration of constructed garments, such as suit jackets, suit pants, and tailored items.

Both equipment and operating costs are lower in wet cleaning compared to PCE dry cleaning. Cleaners who have switched are still able to process the same range of garments and materials as they did in the past.

THE Impact Project

THE Impact Project

THE Impact Project is a community- academic action research partnership focused on reducing international trade’s impacts on health and community life.

Read more about THE Impact Project!