'green earth' dry cleaning - anyone tried it?

Hattysattic

Hattysattic

VFG Secretary
\'green earth\' dry cleaning - anyone tried it?

I must come acress as being a bit obsessed with all things steaming and cleaning related! (and it's probably true as I am constantly cleaning clothes, and thinking about cleaning them.. :BAGUSE:)

I notice that my local cleaners now offer the a 'green earth' service, which is in use in the US and was introduced to the UK in 2004.
'GreenEarth® is a cleaning process utilising siloxane based solution rather than the traditional perchloroethylene (perc) - a chlorinated solvent. This gives a number of benefits to the customer, an absence of the characteristic “dry cleaned” odour, a fuller, softer handle to clothes and an assurance of no colour loss or colour fading after repeated cleans.'

Any one use it/tried it/recommend/advise against it? I'm back with the wedding dresses again, have steamed all I can (with sock, thank you Marie!) and now am on to the ones that could really use a professional clean but am nervous about delicate fabrics.
 
Interesting, Harriet, but I've never heard of this in the US, and I live in an urban area. I'd certainly be interested in using such a thing for my personal garments. How do the costs compare?

Jody
 
Amazingly the costs over here are the same as for traditional dry cleaning, at least that's what it says in the little promo thing I read. Link to the US website is here:

http://www.greenearthcleaning.com/

and it has a list of participating dry cleaners searchable by area. I'm not sure whether or not the costs will be the same on the US, but I'm sure they would tell you and don't see why not.
I spoke to the lady at the cleaners here on the 'phone earlier, and she is happy to handle vintage, so will take a cotton day dress with a rhinestone trim down later in the week as an experiment and report back :)
 
There nearest one is 2 hours from me, so it looks like I won't be trying it soon unless we go overnight somwhere :(

Let us know how it works Harriet.
 
(what was i saying about appearing disorganised!! - months later i get around to it!)

took a number of 'tester' items in today to try this out, will pick them up thursday pm and let you know the outcome - but here's a little blurb that has given me hope!

"GreenEarth® is a far more gentle cleaning process than the current dry cleaning solutions and will clean all types of fabrics and ornamentation without risk of damage. Independent tests have been carried out on a number of speciality fabrics which were identified as more challenging for the dry cleaner. These included metallic yarns, applied glitter, rhinestones, coated and flocked fabrics, leather and fake fur."

i've taken in a big flouncy, heavily appliqued dress, and one that looks suspiciously like the colours would run..and a moss crepe. fingers crossed! :)
 
Oh please do let us know.....

I have worked at several of the dry cleaners place when I was in high school and after seeing how they do things, I refuse to take things to dry cleaners. I have a bunch of things that I can't clean and would love another source for cleaning them.........
 
Harriet. thanks for posting this! I've heard of this, but had no clue what it was, or how exactly it differed from standard cleaning! Yes, please let us know how your pieces come out! I have that beaded crepe dress studded with rhinestones that needs cleaning, and I cannot bring myself to take it to the cleaners yet, as i am worried about it being compromised. I'd like to try this other process if it works well!
 
Just had a pretty good result with this - all sequins intact, and crepe cleaned up really well.

So pretty much a thumbs up - not quite as aggressive as I would imagine dry cleaning to usually be which is good, but some spots remained (although lessened) that I'd hoped would disappear.. but isn't that always the way. Ok for 'decorated' items though I think, and have taken a few more pieces so shall see how they manage with those.

Oh, and I've finally entrusted the same place with re-pleating my green dress - I pick it up tomorrow so please cross your fingers for me! (thread here http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/public/viewthread.php?tid=3627#pid29543 ) :D
 
I want a full report when you pick it up :)

Maybe if you used green earth for a second round the spots would disappear. But perhaps that is just as good as it will get. At least perhaps they are at a level where the garment is now wearable if not perfect..
 
That's my thought - I'll spot treat what I can, and I found cotton dresses came up much better when I handwashed them myself than the ones I had drycleaned (so I'll only bother dry cleaning where I am pretty sure the colours would run if wet) .

Full report will be prepared! I am really so nervous about it, how daft - I will get it later on tonight, as they also have my butterfly salymil original which I am also completely enamoured with (I just rang and the rest of my things are not ready just yet. Think they think I'm a bit odd :BAGUSE: )
 
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