Does dry cleaning damage clothes? Four myths

Dry cleaning is the part of our work customers understand least, and a few myths keep coming up at the counter. Here are four, with plain answers.

The first is that dry cleaning is dry. It is not. Garments are cleaned in a liquid solvent instead of water, in a machine that looks much like a washing machine. The solvent dissolves oil and grease that water cannot, and it does not swell fibres the way water does. That is why it suits silk, wool and tailored jackets, which shrink or lose shape in water.

The second is that it weakens fabric. A well-run machine with clean, filtered solvent and the right cycle is gentle. Damage usually comes from too much heat in pressing, harsh stain removers or cleaning a garment too often. A suit that is worn weekly needs dry cleaning only every five or six wears; brush it and air it between.

The third is that dry cleaning removes every stain. Some stains, such as old turmeric, sweat marks on silk and ink, may lighten but not disappear, especially after they have been ironed. That is why we photograph doubtful stains and message you before cleaning. The fourth is that the chemical smell is normal. A garment should come back with almost no smell. A strong odour means the solvent was not filtered or the garment was not dried properly. If you ever notice it on anything from us, tell us and we will clean it again at no charge.