Is dry cleaning good for clothes? Disadvantages of dry cleaning for clothes

　　Effects of dry cleaning on clothes on human body healthy impact

　　At present, 90% of laundry shops in my country use tetrachlorethylene, and 99% of dry cleaning machines operating in the country use tetrachlorethylene. Tetrachlorethylene, also known as perchlorethylene, is a colorless liquid with a slight ether smell at room temperature. Tetrachlorethylene can pass through the respiratory tract, digestive tract and skin absorbed into human body； Since tetrachlorethylene is easily volatilized at room temperature, it is mainly absorbed through the respiratory tract.

　　High concentrations of perchlorethylene can cause local irritation and central nervous system nerve Systemic anesthesia can cause liver and kidney damage. Repeated skin contact may result in dermatitis and eczema。

　　Dry cleaning of clothes causes more serious damage to the environment

　　As a dry cleaning solvent, tetrachlorethylene has been used in the dry cleaning industry for more than 60 years due to its relatively low toxicity, good thermal stability, strong oil removal ability, and recyclability. It is recognized as a relatively good dry cleaning solvent in the laundry industry. However, as people's health awareness increases and humans pay more and more attention to the environment, they pay more and more attention to the side effects of perchlorethylene. But so far, no ideal alternative has been found.

　　Germany, the United States and Japan have surveyed hundreds of water wells and discovered that perchlorethylene contaminates groundwater. In the United States, tetrachlorethylene has become one of the five most widely distributed pollutants in groundwater. The highest concentration of tetrachlorethylene in groundwater in the Netherlands reached 22 μg/L. In many European industrial cities with a long history, the concentration of tetrachlorethylene in the groundwater is still higher than the EU drinking water standard (10 μg/L) even after 20 years of intrusion into the water layer. In addition, tetrachlorethylene, as a chlorinated olefin substance, has been confirmed by scientific research to destroy the ozone layer in the atmosphere.

　　Dry-clean clothes before wearing them

　　Studies have shown that when dry-cleaned clothes are packaged in plastic bags, more PCE is likely to remain. Therefore, consumers need to take advantage of the easy volatilization of perchlorethylene and ventilate and dry the dry-cleaned clothes returned from the laundry before wearing them, especially underwear.

　　In addition, relevant studies have shown that developing infants and young children are particularly sensitive to the toxic side effects of perchlorethylene. A US study confirmed that tetrachlorethylene was found in human milk. Therefore, from a safety perspective, infants and perinatal women should stay away from PCE as much as possible.

　　Dry cleaning of clothes is very harmful, both to health and the environment. Therefore, dry cleaning of clothes should be avoided as much as possible.