What Are the 5 Steps in Dry Cleaning?
Dry cleaning is a process that requires a series of steps. First, identify and treat any stains. Next, you apply a stain removal agent or use a steam gun. You will need to recover the solvent after the cleaning process.
Stain treatment
Pretreatment of stains by dry cleaning is an important step in removing stains. Long-lasting stains can be extremely difficult to remove, so pretreatment can greatly increase the chance of removing the stain. There are several types of pretreatment, including sprays, lotions, and powders.
You can steam pretreat fabrics. Pretreatment with steam does not affect productivity and can be used either before or after dry cleaning. However, if the stains are stubborn, a pretreatment treatment may not be necessary. The dry cleaner will use steam or water to remove the stain.
Different types of stain require different pretreatment products. Some stains are permanent, while others are temporary. Stains that are greasy or contain wax are easier to remove using a pretreatment laundry stain remover. If the stains are more stubborn, they should be treated with a bleach or oxygen bleach solution. Then, the fabric can be cleaned using a solvent.
Identification of water-based stain types
There are two main types: oil-based stains and water-based stains. Water-based stains are easy to remove, but oil-based stains spread easily and can leave permanent marks on your clothes. Common examples of oil-based stains are sunscreen, lotion, petroleum, and food grease. They also include butter, mayonnaise and salad dressing. You can also find a wide variety of liquid food stains that are not as difficult to remove.
Some stains are invisible but heat can make them visible. Drycleaning will not remove them. They may not be able to be completely removed in some cases. If this is the case, you should have your dry cleaned clothes pre-treated with water and steam to remove the stain before exposing it to the solvent.
Application of stain removal agent or steam gun
Dry cleaning uses a stain-removal agent to clean clothes. You can use either aqueous or not-aqueous solvents to dry clean your clothes. However, aqueous solutions can cause textile fibres shrinkage, and even wrinkles. Non-aqueous solvents, on the other hand, are less likely to cause clothing to swell and can remove oily staining at low temperatures. This is in contrast to aqueous processes, which require a high-temperature colloidal suspension to remove stains.
Recovering solvent used during cleaning
Perchlorethylene is used in dry cleaning. The solvent was once seen as cheap and harmless. It’s now being used to clean clothes in the most eco-friendly way. It isn’t as simple as it was once. The method requires multiple filters to collect the solvent and remove the non-biodegradable chemicals and dirt from the garments.
Dry cleaning can also be done with hydrocarbon solvents. Hydrocarbon solvents are petroleum-based and do not pose the same fire and toxicity risks as perc. However, they contain volatile organic compounds that contribute to smog. It is important to choose the right solvent.
Using a dry cleaning bag
When dry cleaning your clothes, the bag should have a zipper closure or drawstring to prevent the clothing from falling out of the bag during the cleaning process. The dry cleaning process is harsh on clothing and using the right bag will help keep your clothes clean and in good condition. Choose a bag made from durable plastic.
There are many types of dry cleaning bags. One type of dry cleaning bag made from polythene is durable and non-toxic. It can also be reusable. This type of dry cleaning bag features a shoulder shape with a hole at the bottom. This bag is ideal for dry cleaning, clothing stores, closets, and other uses. To store your clothes, you can also use a dry cleaner bag. A typical dry cleaning bag is approximately 47 inches in length and is made from clear material.