I had been intrigued with the Green Earth alternative method of dry cleaning, which promises to be safe to the envirionment, clothes, and people wearing the clothes.  Green Earth hasn't been around long enough to complete conclusive research to back up their claims, however, there are preliminary studies indicating that chemicals in Green Earth can cause cancer in rats.  Closer to home here, I've had extensive conversations with the owner of one of the most respected cleaners in the world, Hallak, who as the president of the National Cleaners Assoc. is also very knowledgeable on the subject, and he is adamant that the traditional cleaning method using the PERC solvent remains a safe approach and provides the most effective cleaning results.   

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4256304

Last edited by Marc Grayson (2007-07-01 10:44:05)

There is another technique that purports to be the be-all, end-all for safe cleaning using carbon dioxide, but Hallak's experience is that the results are also inferior.  Given that Hallak has invested in "old" dry cleaning techniques using PERC, the skeptic in me questioned their objectivity as to the inferiority of the new techniques, but, in the end, they are very honorable people and when they assure me that, as parents, they would not expose themselves and their families to dangerous chemicals, I have to place my faith in them.

What did they do in the 19th century to clean suits?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_cleaning