Green Calgary

Clean and Chemically

Reader Question

Is there such a thing as “green” dry cleaning? If so, is it available in Calgary and how does it work?

Thanks,
Ryan

Ashley's Answer

Contrary to the name, dry cleaning involves soaking items in a liquid chemical solvent to remove stains and dirt. The solvent of choice is the highly toxic tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or “perc” and is regarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as both a health and environmental hazard. The EPA writes: “the main effects of [perc] in humans is neurological, liver, and kidney effects following acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure. Adverse reproductive effects, such as spontaneous abortions, have been reported from occupational exposure to [perc]”. Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, perc is designated a persistent, bio-accumulative chemical that is toxic to the environment, while the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified perc as a probable carcinogen to humans. Needless to say, perc is a toxic substance and we could all do with a little less exposure to it. Unfortunately, perc-free dry cleaning isn’t as easy to find as one would hope.

In Calgary, more than 95% of cleaners use perc and of the local cleaners that claim they are “green” or “eco-friendly”, most are reusing hangers and recycling their dryer bags – nothing else. A small number of dry cleaners have switched to non-perc cleaning techniques, using a hydrocarbon-based process instead. Hydrocarbon solvents are essentially a stable form of gasoline and the majority of hydrocarbon solvents used in dry cleaning are not yet regulated. The Canadian Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) has yet to conduct toxicity assessments for hydrocarbon solvents used in dry cleaning and Environment Canada’s website states, “Until an assessment is done, the federal government is unable to recommend hydrocarbon solvent cleaning.” Furthermore, it is evident from the US EPA’s findings that hydrocarbon-based solvents are not environmentally benign, as several of the common solvents have been classified as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to smog, while others have chemical additives that contribute to global warming.

Despite the lack of information on the process, hydrocarbon solvent cleaning has been touted as the “green” dry cleaning alternative and some cleaners have even called the process “organic”. This is a clear case of green washing. Organic, in this sense, refers to the carbon chains that make up everything that lives; that once lived; or that has been synthetically synthesized in a lab. Wool, oil, plastic, wood and pesticides are all organic, but the principles that most people associate with organic agriculture do not apply to this type of laundering – not in the least. To say that petrochemicals are organic is correct from a chemistry standpoint, but to apply “organic” to dry cleaning is to manipulate the common vernacular to sell the service. The truth is most solvents are toxic.

For a cleaning process to be truly “green” it should be free of harmful toxins. Wet cleaning, a process that the EPA considers this to be one of the safest professional cleaning methods, requires no hazardous chemicals and does not produce hazardous waste, air pollution, and, thus, reduces the potential for water and soil contamination. Liquid carbon-dioxide (CO2) cleaning, which was developed under an EPA contract in the mid-nineties, has been shown to effectively lift stains without shrinkage, discolouration, or adversely affecting texture but as is the case with wet cleaning, neither alternative is available in Calgary at this time. So what are Calgarians to do?

The simplest option is avoidance; if people avoid “dry clean only” clothes altogether, nobody loses sleep over how they’ll be cleaned. Piles of money and time will be saved by not having to go to visit the cleaners every few days. For people already dealing with a closet full of “dry clean only” clothes, may I suggest that you disregard the advice on the label? Experience shows that many garments with “dry clean only” labels may safely be hand washed in cold water with a mild soap and laid flat to dry. I’d recommend testing a small, hidden patch first, especially for delicate fabrics. Spot cleaning can also save a trip to the cleaners.

If a dry cleaner is absolutely necessary, it is important not to base decisions on “green” or “environmentally friendly” claims alone. Be skeptical of “organic” dry cleaning and be sure to ask what the cleaner is using in their process. Remember that hydrocarbon cleaning is not “green”, “environmentally friendly” or “organic” but it may be a slightly better alternative to perc. After all, it doesn’t get much worse than perc.

If you’d like the list of the half a dozen or so hydrocarbon cleaners in Calgary please send me an e-mail and I’ll get that list to you. Toxin-free cleaning alternatives exist but if it is a matter of supply and demand, Calgarians are going to have to start demanding that their clothes be a little less chemically if they hope to see a green cleaner in town anytime soon.

Spotlessly,
Ashley

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