Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dry Cleaning — But Were Hesitant to Ask

Although dry cleaning continues to grow in popularity, not everyone fully understands the service. Misconceptions about whether it’s truly worth the cost often leave people guessing. Some think it’s an unnecessary expense, while others believe it’s only for luxury items.

If you’ve ever felt nervous asking questions at the dry cleaner, this guide is for you. We’ll answer the questions you’ve always wondered but didn’t feel comfortable bringing up. The goal is to help you feel secure about trusting your garments to the dry cleaning process.

When you drop off your garments at a cleaner, the process doesn’t just start and end with the press of a button. Each piece goes through a careful series of steps designed to identify problems without damaging its fabric. The real dry cleaning process is a combination of science, skill, and craftsmanship that protects your clothing while extending its life.

To understand the journey your clothes take, let’s break down the major steps in the process.

Step 1 | Inspection and Tagging

Every garment is checked for stains, missing buttons, loose threads, or damage. Items are tagged so nothing gets misplaced.

Step 2 | Spot Treatment

Cleaners use specialized solutions to pretreat stains like oil, makeup, or wine before the main cleaning cycle.

Step 3 | The Cleaning Machine

Clothes go into a large drum (similar to a washing machine), but instead of water, a liquid solvent circulates through the fibers to dissolve stains and soil.

Step 4 | Drying Phase

After cleaning, the solvent is extracted, and garments are dried inside the same machine with controlled heat and airflow.

Step 5 | Finishing Touches

Clothes are pressed, steamed, or reshaped so they come back looking crisp, neat, and ready to wear.

By the time you pick up your clothing, it’s gone through a professional routine designed to keep each fabric type safe. This behind-the-scenes care is what sets apart dry cleaning from at-home washing.

The name itself confuses a lot of people. After all, what is dry cleaning if it still involves liquid? The word “dry” doesn’t mean there’s no liquid; it simply means no water is used. Instead, dry cleaners use solvents that remove stains without the swelling and distortion water causes in certain fibers.

To get a better sense of what “dry” really means, let’s look at the common solvents used and how each delivers results:

1 | Tetrachloroethylene (PERC)

The industry standard for decades, very effective at dissolving oil and grease, though concerns exist about its health and environmental impact.

2 | Hydrocarbon Solvents

Gentler on fabrics, petroleum-based, and often used as a “safer” alternative to PERC.

3 | Liquid Carbon Dioxide

Considered one of the more environmentally friendly options, works well but requires expensive equipment.

4 | Silicone-based Solvents

Mild and effective on delicate clothing, often used for specialty garments.

The “dry” in dry cleaning simply means these solvents replace water, giving your clothes a deep clean without risking shrinkage, fading, or misshaping.

For many people, laundry at home feels like enough, but how dry cleaning works is very different from throwing clothes into a washing machine. Washing relies on water, laundry detergent, and agitation. Dry cleaning, by contrast, uses solvents and controlled temperatures to clean fabric fibers without soaking them.

Washing vs. Dry Cleaning

These differences explain why a wool coat or silk dress labeled “dry clean only” should never be tossed into the washing machine. It's about protecting the structure, shape, and look of the garment.

Another common question people have about the dry cleaning process is whether the chemicals are safe. The truth is, most solvents are tightly regulated, and professional cleaners use advanced machines to capture and recycle solvents instead of releasing them. Still, it’s worth understanding the different options so you can make an informed choice.

Here’s a quick breakdown of safety considerations.

Solvent Safety and Environmental Concerns

1. PERC (Tetrachloroethylene) – Very effective but linked to environmental and health concerns when mishandled. Many cleaners are phasing it out.
2. Hydrocarbons – Lower toxicity but petroleum-based, so not the most sustainable option.
3. Liquid Carbon Dioxide – Safe, effective, and environmentally friendly, but less common due to high costs.
4. Wet Cleaning – A water-based process with biodegradable detergents that’s safe for both people and the planet.

Today, many dry cleaners highlight whether they use “green” or environmentally friendly processes. If safety is a priority for you, ask your cleaner which method they use before handing over your clothes.

Some clothes can handle the washing machine, but others truly need professional care. If you’ve ever wondered what dry cleaners do that makes them necessary, the answer lies in how certain fibers and stains respond to solvents instead of water. As such, knowing when to rely on dry cleaning can save you from costly damage.

Garments and Situations That Require Dry Cleaning

• Delicate Fabrics – Wool, silk, velvet, and garments with special dyes that could bleed in water.
• Structured Clothing – Suits, blazers, or dresses with linings that would lose shape in a washing machine.
• Tough Stains – Grease, ink, or blood stains laundry detergent simply won’t remove.
• Special Items – Wedding dresses, eveningwear, or tailored coats that deserve extra care.
• Care Labels – Anything marked “dry clean only” is best left to the professionals.

Dry cleaning is a way of protecting your clothing investment. Choosing it when necessary keeps your wardrobe looking sharp and lasting longer.

Now that you've learned about how dry cleaning works, why it matters, and the real benefits it brings to your wardrobe, you can take it a step further with Swiss Dry Cleaners! Our GreenEarth® cleaning is an eco-friendly, silicone-based process that skips the harsh chemicals found at most cleaners. 

It’s odorless, non-toxic, and gentle enough for everything from your silk dresses to your wool suits. Choosing Swiss Dry Cleaners means protecting your clothes, your health, and the planet, all while avoiding the frustrations of faded colors, lingering odors, or damaged fabrics.

Schedule your first Dry Cleaning Service with Swiss Dry Cleaners today and experience the difference of a family-owned cleaner that’s been serving Dallas for over 40 years. With complimentary Pickup and Delivery Service, tighter quality control from our fully in-house team, and a genuine commitment to recycling and community care, there’s never been a better time to start.

Call us now, stop by our store, or sign up online to get started!

Swiss Dry Cleaners – Dallas, Texas

📍 3030 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas, 75205

📞 214-987-0665

🕒 Hours: Kiosk 24/7 | Attendant 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

📍 Located between CVS and Starbucks at Mockingbird & Central, just steps from the SMU Bookstore.