Dry cleaning of clothes. How does it work?

Dry cleaning refers to cleansing of textiles in non-aqueous (non-water) solvents. Highly vapourising organic solvents are commonly used as dry cleaning fluids. Many dirt, soil or stains producing substances on the fabric are organic in nature (sticky oily compounds). In dry cleaning, cleansing is achieved by the action of a solvent, which dissolves out the sticky matter due to its like nature. Dry cleaning fluids serve as a vehicle to carry away the soil. Camphene, naphtha, benzene, benzol, petrol, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene are some of the frequently used dry cleaning fluids.

Dry cleaning neither changes nor alters the colour of the garment but retains all the finish and all of its new appearance, whereas the wet method makes the garment fade, flimsy, soft, loose and out of shape. Dry cleaned garments facilitate the subsequent pressing of many types of garments that are exceedingly difficult and tedious to press after they have been washed in water. In spite of these advantages, dry cleaning is not widely undertaken, as the solvents used are costly and extremely combustible.