| Source
Newsletter summer 1996 |
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Alternative Aqueous Cleaning Systems for
Dry Cleaners
- by Cindy McComas
Aqueous or "wet cleaning" holds
tremendous promise as an alternative to traditional dry cleaning
for the garment-cleaning industry, the consumer and the environment.
As the name implies, wet cleaning uses water
and detergents instead of perchloroethylene (perc), a hazardous
solvent. Wet cleaning is done in a new line of computer-controlled
washing and drying machines. These machines can accommodate
most "dry-clean-only" garments because they reduce
agitation during washing, increase extraction of water prior
to drying, use specifically formulated wet-cleaning soaps
and spotting agents, and closely monitor heat and moisture
content during the drying process. Wet cleaning may be preceded
by spotting, steaming or handwashing.
Uses
and Benefits
The wet-cleaning system may be a viable alternative to
perc dry cleaning in the following situations: |
| • |
Multiple cleaning needs and machines. |
| • |
Perc not allowed by building or mall
owner. |
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Store-front building with apartments
above. |
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New cleaning unit is needed. |
The wet-cleaning system may be operated
in tandem with a perc cleaning unit to meet cleaning needs
and to help operators gain confidence in the wet system's
cleaning abilities. A wide range of garments can be run in
the wet-cleaning unit, including: wedding gowns, wool suits,
silks, cottons, leather and bead-trimmed garments, comforters
and some rayon-acetates. Customers and shop owners report
good cleaning, brightness and fresh-smelling clothes, with
few customer complaints.
Most dry cleaning industry analysts agree
that wet cleaning is a key part of the future of professional
garment cleaning. It is estimated that 300 of the nation's
more than 300,000 (0.10 percent) dry cleaners are using wet-cleaning
systems for 25 to 100 percent of the garments taken in. These
dry cleaners view wet cleaning as an asset to any cleaning
operation.
Wet cleaning can do the following for your
business: reduce environmental regulatory burdens by eliminating
use of perc, maintain quality cleaning, and increase customer
satisfaction from the environmental benefits.
Purchase
Costs: A new
wet-cleaning machine ranges from $22,000 to $37,000 depending
on the size of the machine.
Perc Use
Reduction: From
25-100 percent, depending on how long the wet-cleaning system
has been used.
Additional
Costs: Labor
time usually increases with wet cleaning because more pressing
and finishing is required. In addition, shrinkage has been
a problem with rayon-acetate blends and some other fabrics.
The machine costs less than a conventional perc machine, but
electrical costs may be higher. Essentially, lower capital
costs are offset or balanced with higher operational and labor
costs.
Regulatory Compliance
Existing dry cleaners must comply by September 22, 1996, with
the perc National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAP) under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA). Incorporating
wet cleaning into your shop can help reduce the regulatory
impact of this CAAA requirement. In addition, wet cleaning
as a partial or full substitute for perc helps keep perc levels
in your shop under the 25 ppm level during an eight-hour period
for Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Division (MNOSHA)
requirements.
More Information
and Assistance
If you are a Minnesota dry cleaner
and want to consider wet cleaning or reduce perc use and costs,
call Cindy McComas at MnTAP at 612.624.1300 or 800.247.0015.
MnTAP provides free, non-regulatory technical assistance to
help Minnesota dry cleaners reduce their perc emissions and
associated costs.
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