Quick answer
Dry cleaners mainly use four kinds of solvent: perchloroethylene (perc), mineral turpentine oil (MTO), modern hydrocarbon, and liquid silicone such as Green Earth. Perc raises cancer and groundwater concerns, MTO is flammable and leaves a kerosene smell, hydrocarbon is cleaner but still petroleum-based, and Green Earth silicone is odour-free and gentle on fabric. Swan Clean is Green Earth Cleaning certified.
Key takeaways
- The solvent decides how safe, gentle and odour-free your dry cleaning is.
- Perc cleans aggressively but is classed as a likely carcinogen and is being phased out in several countries.
- MTO is cheap and common in India but flammable, smelly and often reused without distillation.
- Green Earth uses liquid silicone, which is odour-free and gentle on fabrics and embellishments.
- Ask your cleaner which solvent they use before handing over wedding wear or silks.
The four solvents at a glance
| Solvent | What it is | Smell | Fabric care | Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perc (PCE) | Chlorinated solvent | Sweet chemical smell | Aggressive; can dull some trims | Likely carcinogen (US EPA), groundwater contamination, being phased out |
| MTO | Petroleum distillate, kerosene family | Kerosene smell if not dried | Greying when solvent is reused | Flammable; skin and breathing irritation |
| Hydrocarbon | Refined petroleum solvent for modern closed machines | Low when properly dried | Gentle | Petroleum-based; needs closed machines and distillation |
| Green Earth (silicone) | Liquid silicone solvent | Odour-free | Very gentle on silk, wool, sequins and zari | Needs licensed, certified equipment and process |
Why Swan Clean chose Green Earth
We wanted garments to come back soft, bright and without a chemical smell, and we wanted a process that is kinder to the people who handle them and to the environment. Green Earth Cleaning does that, and it is especially good for wedding wear, embroidered garments and silks. It runs at our own plant in Sector 82, Mohali, on German Seitz equipment.
