Dry cleaning is a specialized process used to clean clothing and fabrics that are delicate or cannot be cleaned with water. Here's how it typically works:
1. **Pre-treatment:** Before the actual cleaning process begins, stains and spots on the garment are treated with specialized solvents and chemicals to help dissolve and loosen them.
2. **Cleaning:** The garment is placed in a large machine that resembles a washing machine, but instead of water, it uses a chemical solvent as the cleaning agent. This solvent is usually a liquid, such as perchloroethylene (perc), or a greener alternative like hydrocarbon or liquid silicone. The machine rotates the garment in the solvent, which helps to dissolve dirt, grease, and stains.
3. **Rinsing:** After the cleaning cycle, the solvent is drained from the machine, and a rinse cycle is initiated using a fresh solvent to remove any remaining dirt and cleaning agents.
4. **Drying:** Once rinsed, the garment is spun in a machine to remove excess solvent. Then, it's placed in a separate drying chamber where warm air is circulated to evaporate any remaining solvent, leaving the garment dry.
5. **Finishing:** After drying, the garment may undergo additional finishing processes, such as pressing or steaming, to restore its shape and appearance.
6. **Inspection:** Finally, the garment is inspected for any remaining stains or damage. If necessary, further spot treatments or repairs may be done before the garment is ready for pickup or delivery.
Overall, dry cleaning is an effective method for cleaning delicate fabrics or garments that cannot withstand the agitation and water immersion of traditional washing machines. It's particularly useful for removing oil-based stains and preserving the quality and appearance of clothing items.