An environmentally-friendly alternative to dry clean only instructions, wet cleaning, could soon be showing up on our care labels. 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in an effort to reduce environmental and social health impacts, will hold a public roundtable discussion on March 28, 2014 about the expansion of clothing care labels to include wet cleaning.

“This suggests that the vast majority of garments currently labeled ‘dry clean’ or ‘dry clean only’ could be labeled with a wet cleaning instruction,” the Coalition for Clean Air says.

What is better about wet cleaning?

Professional wet cleaning services actually use less water than dry clean methods, and save on energy, detergents and soaps. Plus, delicate fabric like wool, silk and leather can still undergo professional wet cleaning processes.

More over, dry cleaning is a dirty businesses full of toxic chemicals. The most dangerous being perchloro ethyele used throughout all dry cleaning businesses.

“Perchloro ethylele, which is sometime called perc, is a very highly toxic substance,” says Mark Myles, Training Manager of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell. “And yet it is the most commonly used substance by dry cleaners.” In fact, the EPA recently approved a ban on the use of perchloro ethylele, in the state of California, effective by 2020.

Currently, professional wet cleaning services do not comply with the Care Labeling Rule due to lack of standardization. But since 2000, when the FTC first denied the expansion, “standards-setting organizations and other interested participants in this proceeding appear to have been working independently to resolve these outstanding issues,” said the FTC in a detailed report.

Now with greater pressures from environmental organizations, and the growing expansion of wet cleaning services as an environmentally friendly alternative to dry cleaning, the FTC will revisit the issue.

Under the Care Labeling Rule, “manufacturers and importers [are required] to attach labels with care instructions for dry cleaning washing, bleaching, drying and ironing of garments and certain piece goods,” says the FTC. If the rule were to change, the FTC would add professional wet cleaning services as an alternative to dry cleaning.

Opening up the conversation

“In our members experience, a dry clean label is interpreted to mean ‘do not wash’ by many, if not all, consumers,” the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute wrote in comments to the FTC.

But just because a label says dry clean only doesn’t mean you can’t get the garment wet. The labeling even deters some customers from purchasing certain clothing so as not to deal with dry cleaning.

“There is a subset of consumers that will not buy anything with a dry clean label. If all methods of care are required to be on the label, this consumer might be willing to purchase the item,” the group said.

Before the FTC moves forth into a decision they want to ensure customers have access to such facilities before changing the labeling.

“We want to know the extent to which professional wet cleaning is available to consumers,” FTC attorney Robert Frisby said.

The discussion on March 28th, 2014 will focus on the economic costs of implementing wet cleaning instructions, what instructions and details need to be on wet cleaning labels, the availability of wet cleaning and consumer awareness around alternative.

Take part in the discussion by filing a comment to the FTC.

Related on Ecosalon

Wet Cleaning Vs. Dry Cleaning

Dry Clean Only? An Eco Expert Tells Us When It’s Safe to Ignore Labels

9 Ways To Wash Your Delicates Without Dry Cleaning

10 Myths About Dry Cleaning

image: Juliette Donatelli

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There are better ways to take care of those delicate garments. Here are nine greener alternatives to dry cleaning.

Part of being a conscious consumer is to know how to properly care for your things. This way, you can ensure that they last longer. When it comes to clothing, you should make a habit of looking at the labels and trying to follow the instructions on them. But what about when they say “dry clean only?”

We all know by now that dry cleaning is not a good thing. Conventional dry cleaning is a highly toxic process. Most dry cleaners use the chemical perchloroethylene (perc), which has been linked to various forms of cancers, eye, nose, throat and skin irritation and reduced fertility. Thankfully there are better ways to take care of those delicate garments.

1. CO2 Dry Cleaning
In recent years, eco-friendly dry cleaners have started to pop up in major cities. This may be a good option for those favorite pieces you just don’t want to experiment on. Look for cleaners that uses liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of that toxic perc. Type in your zip on NoDryClean.com and you can find one near you. An added advantage is that the CO₂ that’s used is captured as a byproduct of existing industrial processes, which decreases the amount of this greenhouse gas going into the environment.

2. Wash Cold
Many clothes that are labeled “dry clean only” really aren’t, retailers just lazily label them that way. Some synthetic textiles like rayon and acetate, as well as knits like wool and cashmere should never be washed, but otherwise it’s almost always safe to run them on the cold, delicate cycle in the washing machine. About 90% of the energy required to do a load of laundry comes from heating the water up, so washing cold helps you tread lighter on the earth too. Just pre-treat stains with a good (eco-friendly) spot remover.

3. Hand Wash
Sometimes, the answer can be just as simple as getting your hands a bit dirty (and wet). Hand washing is often the best way to clean delicate knits made from wool and cashmere, but works for just about anything. Just fill any water-tight receptacle with water, place dirty clothes in the water until they are saturated and use friction to remove dirt from the clothes. An added bonus is that you burn calories while doing this while eliminating the energy usage associated with washing machines.

4. Wonder Wash
This clever thing uses a patented pressure system that forces detergent into the fabric at high speed for a fast, efficient, economic and very easy way to gently wash your clothes. In just a few minutes you can clean up to a five pound load. When I lived in a building without access to laundry facilities I used mine all the time. The Wonder Wash uses a lot less water, and is ideal with delicates like woolens, silks, knits and cashmere garments.

5. Soap Nuts
Soap nuts are made from wild-harvested dried berries which contain saponin, a natural cleaner that has been used for laundry for hundreds of years. It works as a surfactant, breaking the surface tension of the water to penetrate the fibers of your clothing, lifting stains from the fabric and leaving dirt suspended in the water that is rinsed away. Soap Nuts are gentle on both clothes and skin, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin, eczema, allergies and psoriasis. But don’t expect these shells to foam up like commercial soaps, which have artificial foaming agents. Foam simply does not represent cleaning power.

6. Non-detergent Laundry Ball
These laundry balls by SmartKlean naturally maintain the softness, elasticity and color of fabrics. It’s much gentler on your clothes and will make them last longer. The ball, which washes 365 loads without soap or detergent, contains active components derived from earth minerals and leaves zero residues behind. It’s ideal for sensitive skin (and delicate clothes) and helps conserve both water and energy.

7. Remove Stains with Pantry Staples
To remove tough stains like coffee, grass or wine, a few basic items that you already have in your pantry can do the trick. Sprinkle salt or baking soda on fresh stains to absorb as much of it as possible. Then apply vinegar. On more stubborn stains, make a paste made of vinegar and baking soda and rub in into the fabric like you would any stain remover. To remove those pesky yellow underarm stains, soak the garment in white vinegar for at least 10 minutes before washing.

8. Wool Dryer Balls
To dry clothes more gently, toss those toxic dryer sheets and try these reusable, handmade, wool dryer BaaLLs that kill static and soften clothes without the toxins. Made (in the U.S.) from 100% certified organic wool, they reduce drying time by 40% for a full load, saving you money and energy, and softens, and reduces static cling on clothes without using any chemicals or leaving any residue.

9. Use Better Detergent
Most conventional laundry detergents contain surfactants like nonylphenol ethoxylate, which are known hormone disrupters and can pollute our waterways, and artificial fragrances, which can be among the most toxic components of any home or personal care product. Brands like Ecos, Seventh Generation, Ecover, Method, Berryplus and Biokleen offer eco-friendly laundry detergents, some even biodegradable, that clean without toxic ingredients.

Image: lisalaible

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Okay, take the green glove test in your house. Are you still using a laundry list of surface cleaners with harsh chemicals? Are you lifting carpet stains with products that give off ugly fumes? We told you about the good stuff that’s out there, but maybe you forgot when you scrubbed those dishes with conventional soap from the factory. But it is time to say no to convention and get your green on, even if you hate housework as much as we do.

As long as you are stuck with the dreaded chore, here is a refresher on green cleaning products that will make you feel so darn good about responsible mopping and dusting, you will whistle while you work!

Spot-On Eco Carpet

Did you blunder with your color choice and select a neutral beige instead of graphite grey or chocolate? We can dig it. It’s just a drag to be a slave to that carpet, insisting visitors remove their shoes, yelling at loved ones for trekking muddy boots along the stairs up to their rooms. If you are able to go the DIY carpet cleaning route and avoid professionals who charge a lot and use chemicals to lift the stains, review our post on the natural way to rinse a rug.

9 Great Eco Cleaners

You’re walking down the aisle, perusing the products, taking in the odors, confused about what to buy. Why not make a list with these great cleaning solutions, from Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid for squeaky green plates to Sun & Earth Concentrated Laundry Detergent for non-irritating socks? Brighten your abode with ingredients like coconut and vegetable oils.

Adding Greener Laundry Products to the Fold

The wash and fold has always been fairly routine, but staging a laundry space that is up to green standards will make this job healthier for you and the planet. Among the best apparatus in this room – natural drying racks that allow you to cut down on the electric appliances by hang drying your garments when possible. Reusable bags also help the schlepping of clothes from hamper to machine and back to the drawers. Other scoops for the natural laundry maven can be found by perusing this post on eco laundry supplies and tips.

Easy Eco-Friendly Bathroom Cleaning

Scrubbing toilets makes us feel flushed but using chlorine-free, biodegradable cleaners is number one when performing this dreaded task. Shower surfaces, too, need a gentle touch to remove grime and even old soap residue. Where to find plant-based ingredients on the grocery shelves? Look no further.

10 Myths About Dry Cleaning

The labels say “dry clean only,” but we have found there are some garments that can be delicately handled at home. How do you know how to separate the fragile sweater and tough trousers? Learn about the myths of dry cleaning from the green soldiers who have braved hand washing and found it can clean even better than many of those pricey dry cleaning companies.

Here are some additional posts to make the most out of winter cleaning, from polishing metals for upcoming parties to keeping a ship-shape kitchen for everyday cooking and dining.

Non-toxic Tips for Cleaning Household Metal

Top 10 chemical-Free Cleaning Tips; How to Reinvent Spring Cleaning

Orange Knockout

Flying Saucers Did My Laundry

Main Image: Kimberly Robyn

The post The Green Glove Test: EcoSalon’s Round Up of Healthy House Cleaning appeared first on EcoSalon.

It’s hard to ignore those cautionary labels (even the misspelled ones). Do we dare wash a delicate garment at home and risk ruining the texture or shrinking it beyond recognition?

Warnings are warnings, but there are exceptions to every wash ‘n wear rule.

With the help of our blog readers, writers and the experts, we have put together a list of myths we are happy to debunk to save you some precious bucks.

1. Washing sweaters will ruin the texture!

“Hogwash,” says EcoSalon’s Caitlin Fitzsimmons, whose mama passed on the tried and true method. “You need to wash in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent,” she explains. “Then lay it flat on a towel with the arms folded in. Fold in the corners of the towel and then roll it up – this lets you squeeze out water, without destroying the shape of the sweater. Repeat with a second towel. Then lay it out flat to dry.”

Image: Moline

2. Dry clean wool because it will always shrink up in the machine.

This one’s for the dogs according to EB, who has been washing his own wool blazers and slacks with a front-loading washer wool cycle for years. “Wool is fairly hard to shrink and doing so requires changes in temperature and agitation  from rubbing, scrubbing and wringing.” No washer for wool? He says use the same temp water for wash and the rinse, a friendly, wool-wash cleaner and minimal agitation. Squeeze dry, roll in a towel and lay out forming the correct shape on a flat surface. I heart this advice!

Image: Romeo’s Mom

3. Cotton really stiffens up when I clean it at home because of the hard water.

We all know hang drying is the most sound energy-saving way to go, but that can produce tough results, as well. Naomi tells us she cheats a bit by tossing her cotton into the dryer with a sheet for a few minutes before hanging dry and it does the trick. And don’t forget, there are some gentle water softeners on the market that won’t give you that Downy chemical rash!

Image: Luigi FDV

9. Dry Cleaning is convenient.

Unless you are as organized as my friend Jodi (keeping schedules is her side career), it could take several months to pick up your stuff at the cleaners. Parking can be hard unless you walk or take public transportation in the city (Carrie Bradshaw did it by cab). And very few cleaners pick up and deliver anymore. It’s just simpler to do most jobs at home.

Image: Flickr

10. Dry cleaning always extends the life of your clothes.

If your clothing can only be sustained by monthly trips to the cleaners, then you are buying the wrong kind of clothing. Our fashion editor, Amy DuFault, is a guru of stylish alternatives and you can follow her resources in the fashion section. Meantime, no one has proven that Perc or other solvents with enzymes are protecting the life of your garment. The truth is, if you are following the guidelines of frugal wash n’ wear experts, your clothes should last as long as they would when doused with toxins and sealed in plastic – perhaps, even longer.

Image: Coolslaw

Main Image : Wm Jas

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When I was 21, I used to think that the definition of a proper grownup was someone who took their dry-clean-only clothes to the dry cleaner. I now know otherwise.

Under U.S. law, manufacturers can only label an item of clothing “dry-clean only” if they have evidence that it would be damaged by washing.

I have to say, my experience is different. The washing machine is fine for most of my clothes, even though many of them say “dry-clean only”. Delicate clothes such as silks, satins and woolens require washing by hand. In fact, I’ve found that hand-washing is gentler on clothes than dry-cleaning. Just use a gentle laundry detergent and avoid water that is too hot as it can cause the color to run.

There are some items I will take to a dry-cleaner, especially if the item needs pressing and would be tricky to iron, or if I’m not confident about hand-washing. The trick is to find an environmentally-friendly dry cleaner. The most common dry-cleaning agent is perchloroethylene – a toxic chemical. The alternatives include liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) (Hangers Cleaners), silicone-solvent based (GreenEarth Cleaning), and wet (or soap and water) cleaning methods.

The one thing I never do with my clothes is tumble dry them. It’s terrible for your clothes, your electricity bill and the planet. When I lived in Sydney I had the benefit of a warm climate and a back yard with a clothes line and I must say there’s nothing quite like the fresh smell of sun-dried clothes. Drying our clothes outside is normal for Australians and, contrary to what many of my American friends seem to think, you don’t get your clothes stolen. In the 26 years I lived in Australia that never happened to me. Now, I live in London and still I’m perfectly happy with the indoor clothes trellis – my clothes dry overnight even in winter and I don’t have to deal with static, shrunken clothes and guilt.

Image: piddy77

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