They Zig.
Most dry cleaners today clean using petrochemical solvents. About 70% use perchloroethylene (perc), classified by the EPA as an air and water toxin and a likely human carcinogen. Dry cleaners do follow strict regulations to reduce emissions and control their health and environmental risks, but there is no getting around the truth – perc poses a real danger to people and the planet. It can also be hard on clothes, leeching dyes and wearing away surface fibers during the cleaning process. About 25% of dry cleaners use hydrocarbon solvents in addition to a petrochemical. While a big improvement over perc, hydrocarbon is classified by the EPA as a volatile air contaminant (VOC); it is also a neurotoxin and skin and eye irritant for workers. Hydrocarbon cleaners often advertise they are “organic”, which is scientifically true, but misleading; in describing chemicals the term “organic” refers to anything with a carbon of chain in it – you could make the same claim about cleaning with gasoline.
We Zag.
Ours is a kinder clean. We use the environmentally friendly GreenEarth® dry cleaning process because it takes better care of fabrics, the people who wear them, and the planet where we live. By replacing petrochemicals with pure liquid silicone, GreenEarth delivers an impeccable clean without exposing your clothes or the environment to harmful chemicals. Silicone is a clear, gentle, odorless solution. It is non-toxic and non-hazardous and the EPA sees no need to regulate its use. That’s because silicone is essentially liquefied sand. When released to the environment it safely breaks down into the three natural elements it is made from sand (SiO2) and trace amounts of water and carbon dioxide. GreenEarth silicone is safe for people too. If you wanted to, you could safely rub it on your skin. In fact you probably already do. Liquid silicone is the base ingredient in many of the shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and cosmetics we use every day.
You WIN
GreenEarth isn’t just gentle on the earth; it’s gentle on your nose and on your clothes. It is 100% odor-free and you can actually see and feel the difference GreenEarth makes. Unlike petroleum solvent, which actually wears away surface fibers during the cleaning process, liquid silicone is chemically inert – it doesn’t chemically react with fabric fibers, it just carries the detergent to your clothes and gently carries away soils. Colors stay bright and whites won’t yellow, even after repeated cleaning. Fabrics feel better too – smooth, silky, and supple. Because GreenEarth cleans without being abrasive or aggressive, leaching dyes or damaging trims, your fine silks, cashmere, wool, lace, beads, sequins and even garments labeled “Do not dry clean” are safe with us!