Dry Cleaning Uses Solvent Not Water

Dry cleaning is not actually dry at all, because it washes clothes with a liquid solvent instead of water. In a typical process, cleaners load garments into a machine that looks like a large washing machine and then circulate a chemical solvent through the fabric to dissolve oils and stains. Because it does not use water, this method helps garments keep their shape and avoid shrinking or warping in ways that regular washing can cause. After the solvent cycle, the machine removes the liquid, dries the clothes inside the drum, and returns them looking clean without ever going through a traditional water wash.

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