Process

Dry cleaning (or dry-cleaning) is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using an organic solvent rather than water. Dry cleaning is necessary for cleaning items that would otherwise be damaged by water and soap or detergent. It is often used instead of hand washing delicate fabrics, which can be excessively laborious.

A dry-cleaning machine is similar to a combination of a domestic washing machine, and clothes dryer. Garments are placed into a washing/extraction chamber (referred to as the basket, or drum), which is the core of the machine. The washing chamber contains a horizontal, perforated drum that rotates within an outer shell. The shell holds the solvent while the rotating drum holds the garment load. The basket capacity is between about 10 and 40 kg (20 to 80 lb).