Located along the shores of Lake Washington, Seattle blends the urban environment with nature. The city is known for its iconic Space Needle and a thriving technology industry.
What exactly is dry cleaning?
When you drop your clothes off for dry cleaning, it is important that the service is of high quality and that the garments are returned looking their best. Fortunately, the majority of local dry cleaners can produce these results reliably.
Most dry cleaning seattle operations use a solvent called perchloroethylene (PERC) to clean fabrics. PERC is hazardous, and exposure to it can cause cancer and other serious health effects.
However, newer dry cleaning technologies are safer and more environmentally friendly. PERC-free solvent alternatives are available, and many shops are transitioning to these safer solvents.
In King County, a recent survey found that over 20% of dry cleaners are using these new solvents. Most are hydrocarbon solvents, like ExxonMobil’s DF2000, but a few use a process called System K4.
A new dry cleaning solvent, Solvon K4TM, is marketed by Kreussler GmbH as an alternative to PERC and other hazardous solvents. It is composed primarily of butylal, which is a diether acetal that is reportedly stable at pHs between 4 and 14.
PERC has been regulated in the US since 1988 with occupational exposure limits for workers, including an 8-h time-weighted average (TWA) of 100 parts per million (ppm). In addition, EU enforceable limits are lower with 20 ppm for a full shift and 40 ppm for a 15-min TWA.