Dry cleaning: 6 tips to minimize the risk

Birdseye — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:46:00 GMT

The list of adverse health effects of dry cleaning is extensive. As Joanna Evans explains in this month’s WDDTY, perchloroethylene – the most widely used chemical in the dry cleaning industry – can cause anything from headaches and dizziness to cancer and liver damage.

The article offers these six tips for minimizing the health risks of dry cleaning.

If your dry-cleaned items have a strong chemical smell when you pick them up, don’t accept them until they have been properly dried.
If your items are returned to you with a chemical odour on subsequent visits, find a different dry cleaner.
Remove the plastic wrapping and hang the dry-cleaned garments in a garage or covered porch for a few days to allow volatile solvents to dissipate.
Avoid purchasing ‘dry clean only’ clothing.
Some items labelled ‘dry clean only’ can be handwashed using special detergents such as Woolite.
Use a clothes brush or spot-clean your clothing to freshen them up.

Have you suffered from the effects of dry cleaning, or do you know somebody who has? If so, you can share your experiences directly by commenting on this post below.

Birdseye: Health Tips from the Blogosphere : perchlorethylene

Dry cleaning: 6 tips to minimize the risk