New dry-cleaning alternative uses significantly less energy and is environmentally friendly
The next time you pick up your dry cleaning, you might notice that 'dry cleaner smell'. The odor comes from a commonly used solvent known as perchloroethylene, or PCE. In fact, the term “dry clean” means that solvents are used in lieu of water to wash clothes. For the past fifty years, most professional dry cleaners have used PCE, but that is about to change in California, particularly here in Sacramento.
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is offering help to local dry cleaning businesses to convert to a new water-based process that uses computer-controlled washers and dryers and specially designed biodegradable, non-toxic, environmentally friendly detergents to clean sensitive and delicate garments. The process also includes specialized finishing equipment to restore shape and form. The equipment is more energy efficient and operating costs are lower with wet cleaning compared to PCE dry cleaning, and the process also uses less water. Cleaners that have switched to professional wet cleaning have been able to process the full range of garments they had previously dry cleaned.
Professional wet cleaning was tested in real-world situations by SMUD through its Customer Advanced Technologies (CAT) program. CAT is a SMUD research and development area that helps bring nascent but potentially viable energy-saving technologies to market.
Country Club Cleaners at 2612 Watt Avenue participated in an initial CAT pilot program and is now a full-fledged professional wet cleaner. The owner is happy and impressed with the transition and says her customers are as well. Country Club Cleaners owner Sarah Lee says clothes come out cleaner and she doesn’t have to worry about exposing her customers to chemicals. She loves the fact that the process is environmentally safe.
Although PCE does a good job cleaning garments, it has been classified as a “probable human carcinogen,” and there are some serious health risks for chronic prolonged exposure. Recently, the California Air Resources Board issued a mandate phasing out the use of PCE in dry-cleaning machines. For many dry cleaning businesses, the deadline is July 1, 2010. Under this ruling, professional cleaners who wish to continue to do business in California must switch over to alternative methods. Currently, there are four alternatives to PCE – wet cleaning, and petroleum, silicone and CO2 dry cleaning. However, all but wet cleaning use more energy in their processing or in controlling the pollution they produce.
By offering rebates, SMUD hopes more dry-cleaning businesses will consider professional wet cleaning. Monetary grants may also be available through the California Air Resources Board. More information about professional wet cleaning may be found on SMUD’s Business Customers Web page under “Rebates and Incentives.” The direct link is at www.smud.org/wetcleaning. Rebate information may be obtained by calling 1-877-622-7683.
About SMUD
As the nation’s sixth largest publicly owned utility, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for more than 60 years to Sacramento County (and a small portion of Placer County). SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. The utility is on track to become the first large California utility to receive 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources. For more information, visit smud.org.