Recent Press/News
EPA Outlines New Drinking-Water Strategy, Targets Perc
American Drycleaner — March 23, 2010
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlined a new strategy to protect the public from chemical contaminants in drinking water yesterday, as well as plans to revise its drinking-water standard for four chemical contaminants, including perchloroethylene. Read More
Illinois Moves to Phase Out Perc
American Drycleaner — March 15, 2010
A legislative proposal that seeks to phase out the use of perchloroethylene in drycleaning statewide by 2026 moved out of committee in Illinois' General Assembly last week. Read More
The Top 10 Toxic Products You Don't Need
HealthyChild.org — Feb 12, 2010
Here are ten toxic products, in no particular order, that you don't need. And, once you read about them, you probably won't want them either. Read More
S.F. takes green issue to dry cleaners
SFGate — Sept. 19, 2009
Your dry cleaner may claim to be "green" or "environmentally friendly," but San Francisco officials warn that the business is probably using a hazardous chemical solvent that could be harming you, your cleaner and the environment. Read More
Calif. air regulators ban dry-cleaning chemical
MSNBC — Jan. 25, 2007
By 2023, no more dry-cleaning machines that use the toxic solvent perchloroethylene, a potential carcinogen, will be permitted in the state. Read More
Eco-friendly dry cleaning expands in Seattle
Seattle PI — Dec. 26, 2008
I hate it when an interesting story gets buried in the crush of the holidays, which may have happened in the case of this story by my colleague Dan Richman about a Seattle dry-cleaning firm that's employing an new and supposedly eco-friendly process that uses carbon dioxide for its cleaning oomph. Read More
Finding an Eco-Friendly Dry Cleaner
The Wall Street Journal — Dec. 4, 2008
Recently we've spotted a growing number of dry cleaners hawking "organic" and "eco-friendly" services and wondered if they were up to par, or just engaging in green-washing of a different sort. Read More
Non Toxic Dry Cleaning Comes to Seattle
Public Broadcasting — Sept. 29, 2008
Washington is home to hundreds of traditional dry cleaning businesses that use toxic chemicals. Over the past few years, a number of them have switched to more environmentally friendly technologies. But a new company in Seattle says it's the city's first one hundred percent non-toxic drycleaner. Read More
Tech execs launching chain of toxin-free dry cleaners in the Puget Sound area
Puget Sound Business Journal — Sept. 26, 2008
Mark Callaghan might be best known as a co-founder of the company that later became part of Getty Images. And Jim Voelker might be better known as CEO of the internet search firm InfoSpace Inc. But the pair are teaming up to launch a toxin-free local dry cleaning service. Read More
Blue Sky Promises Green Dry-cleaning
Seattle Times — Sept. 26, 2008
Blue Sky Cleaners begins targeting downtown Seattle condo dwellers, office workers and hotel visitors with a pickup-and-delivery service promising environmentally friendly, nontoxic cleaning methods. Read More
The Messy Truth About Dry Cleaning
Washington Post — Aug. 10, 2008
When it comes to the environment, traditional dry cleaning is downright dirty. The liquid solvent used at 85 percent of dry cleaners, perchloroethylene, known as "perc," is unequivocally bad for people and the planet: It's a central nervous system depressant and respiratory irritant that the Environmental Protection Agency deems a "probable human carcinogen." Read More
Dry cleaning is getting greener, but some efforts are spotty
The Seattle Times — Sept. 6, 2008
Though still largely dependent on a hazardous chemical, the dry-cleaning industry has worked hard to clean up its act. Read More
CBS Early Show Explores Possible Risk Of Dry Cleaning Solvent Called "PERC"
CBS News — Feb. 23, 2007
Dry Cleaning's Dirty Trick
LiveScience — Jan. 30, 2007
In most big cities you will see drycleaners attempting to go green. For many, though, green refers to money, not environmental consciousness. There's a curious sign in the storefronts of many drycleaners boasting of a new "organic" cleaning technique that is non-toxic and environmentally benign. Clearly they are trying to capitalize on the consumers' pursuit of all things wholesome. Download as PDF
What Is Green Dry Cleaning?
The Associated Press — July 24, 2007
Dry cleaners looking for a chemical-free method have learned something from the domestic goddesses who run for the club soda to prevent a stain from setting. Simply put, carbonated water is related to what many are calling the most environmentally friendly way to get your clothes dry cleaned. Download as PDF
Do Green Dry Cleaners Exist?
UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS: ucsusa.org — August 2007
Contrary to what its name implies, dry cleaning involves washing clothes in a liquid solvent to remove stains. In about 85 percent of dry cleaning shops this solvent is perchloroethylene (or "perc"), a chemical that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers both a health and environmental hazard. Download as PDF
Coming clean on 'organic' solution
GLOBE AND MAIL: globeandmail.com — Aug. 10, 2007
Dry cleaners are touting a petroleum-based process as an alternative to harsh chemicals, but does that make it green? Download as PDF
Over 11,000 Americans Tell EPA to Clean Up Toxic Dry Cleaners
EarthJustice — March 23, 2006
Over 11,000 Americans have petitioned EPA to adopt stronger protections from toxic chemicals released by dry cleaners nationwide. Environmental groups, pollution experts and dry cleaners themselves agree that a phase out of the harmful chemical perchloroethylene (PCE, or "perc"), a solvent used primarily by the dry cleaning industry, is feasible and vital to reducing serious health and environmental threats. Download as PDF
What's IN, What's OUT: A Rating of Dry Cleaning Methods Currently in Use in the U.S.
Most of the nearly 40,000 dry cleaners nationwide are still using the toxic and environmentally dangerous solvent perchloroethylene (also known as perc) to clean clothes. However, safer proven alternatives are now available at as many as 3,000 cleaners across the country. It?s time for cleaners to eliminate perc, which it has depended upon for 40 years, and switch to safer methods of cleaning clothes. Download as PDF
Cancer Risk Seen in 'Green Earth' Dry Cleaning
Morning Edition — Jan. 10, 2005
Green Earth dry cleaning is a process billed as a nontoxic and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cleaning methods. But preliminary studies suggest D-5, the silicone-based solvent used in the process, causes cancer in rats and may also be toxic to the liver. NPR's Allison Aubrey reports. More Info