Written by Audrey Beim
Edited by Nicki Steinberger, PhD
EDITOR’S SUMMARY: That “Dry Clean Only” tag on your favorite blazer comes with more than a price: the cleaning process can leave behind chemical residue. From a spilled kerosene lamp in 1855 to today’s $89 billion industry, dry cleaning has long found ways to do what water can’t. At the center of that story is PERC, the chemical that’s dominated the trade for decades and is now being phased out nationwide. With concerns ranging from neurotoxicity and kidney cancer to a potential link with Parkinson’s disease, “fresh and clean” isn’t quite so simple. Safer alternatives exist, along with a few smart questions worth asking before your next drop-off.
Dry cleaning may leave your clothes looking spotless, but the process has long relied on chemical solvents that come with health and environmental concerns. What actually happens to your clothes after you hand them across the counter? For starters, “dry” cleaning isn’t dry at all: your clothes are immersed in liquid. And what that liquid contains has changed considerably over time.
A Brief History of Dry Cleaning
Efforts to clean clothing without soap and water date back over a hundred years. In 1821, Thomas Jennings became a pioneer in the field when he was granted a patent for a process called dry scouring. This method was advertised as removing dirt and grease from clothing while allowing garments to retain their original shape.
Over 30 years later, in 1855, Jean Baptiste Jolly, a French dye-works owner, reportedly noticed that his tablecloth became cleaner after his maid accidentally overturned a kerosene lamp on it. Kerosene and other petroleum liquids, like gasoline, quickly dissolved the grease and oil stains that water couldn’t handle. Impressed by the results, Jolly began offering a new service at his business: “dry cleaning.”
The concept spread, and early dry cleaners established a new type of business. In the 1900s, dry cleaners were popular mainly for items that were difficult to wash at home, including fashionable wool suits and heavy coats. However, because these establishments relied on flammable petroleum liquids such as gasoline and kerosene, they were considered serious fire hazards and were often heavily restricted or forced to operate outside residential districts. Given how dangerous the industry was, professional dry cleaning was largely considered a luxury service reserved for special-occasion apparel.
After World War II, the dry-cleaning process continued to evolve. Synthetic solvents were developed and benefited the industry by fueling its growth. These newly created compounds cleaned effectively and were also nonflammable and required less equipment and floor space, allowing the machinery to be used directly in retail locations and enabling quicker turnaround service.
The global dry-cleaning and laundry services market is estimated at $89 billion in 2026. This growth is driven in part by rising demand for a convenient option such as home pickup and delivery. The emphasis on hygiene and fabric care, especially post-pandemic, has also led consumers to place greater trust in professional services for thorough, deep cleaning. During dry cleaning, garments are immersed in a liquid solvent that removes dirt, stains, and oils without the use of water. The process is particularly useful for items that could shrink, distort, or otherwise be damaged by conventional washing.
The Health Risks of PERC
Over the decades, dry cleaners relied on a variety of toxic chemicals, including trichloroethylene and petroleum-based hydrocarbons. Of these, perchloroethylene, known in the industry as “PERC,” eventually became the dominant dry-cleaning solvent. When first introduced in the 1930s, it quickly became the dry cleaners’ best friend for its ability to get clothes clean, and by the 1940s, it had become the most frequently used compound in dry cleaning.
PERC is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC). VOCs are carbon-containing chemicals that easily vaporize into the air at room temperature. PERC has drawn growing scrutiny over its potential health risks and has been linked to a range of adverse health issues. Exposure may cause symptoms including:
- eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation
- damage to the liver and kidneys
- cognitive concerns including impaired memory and confusion
- dizziness
- headaches
- drowsiness
The 2025 study “Tetrachloroethylene Is Associated With Presence of Significant Liver Fibrosis: A National Cross-Sectional Study in US Adults,” published in Liver International, found that adults with detectable levels of PERC in their blood had more than three times the odds of significant liver fibrosis compared with those in whom PERC was not found. The association grew stronger as PERC concentrations increased.
Research has also found an association between exposure to PERC and Parkinson’s disease. PERC readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and, because of its fat-soluble nature, can accumulate in lipid-rich tissues, including the brain. A separate line of inquiry has examined the potential risks of living near dry-cleaning facilities, where exposure can involve different chemicals. The 2026 study “Nationwide Association Between Proximity to Dry Cleaners and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease” found that Parkinson’s risk was greatest among people living within 500 feet of a dry cleaner. The authors concluded, “Chemicals used in dry cleaning may contaminate nearby neighborhoods and contribute to Parkinson’s risk.”
A plan is now underway to phase out the use of PERC nationwide:
- June 16, 2025: An immediate ban is now in place on using PERC in any newly acquired dry-cleaning machinery.
- December 20, 2027: PERC may no longer be used in third-generation dry-cleaning machines or for related spot cleaning.
- December 19, 2034: The final deadline banning all PERC use in dry cleaning nationwide.
Through the efforts of industry groups such as the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI), dry cleaners were given a longer timeline than many other industries to eliminate PERC from their process.
“So, the bottom line is, from our perspective, while there is a ban, we have a 10-year phase-out. We’re not disappointed,” says Jon Meijer, DLI’s director of membership.
Some states moved ahead of the national program. California, for example, prohibited the use of PERC in dry-cleaning operations entirely as of Jan. 1, 2023. In New York, owners and managers of PERC dry-cleaning facilities must be certified, operators must complete approved training, and facilities must comply with reporting and recordkeeping requirements. And in 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibited the use of PERC in dry-cleaning facilities located in residential buildings.
Exposure doesn’t necessarily end when you leave the dry cleaner. PERC and other chemicals may not fully evaporate by the time you bring your dry cleaning home. Scientists at Georgetown University found residual PERC in several types of dry-cleaned fabric. More troubling still, the researchers found that it accumulated in some fabrics with repeated dry cleaning, leaving higher concentrations after each successive cycle.
If you live near dry-cleaning operations that use PERC, you may face greater exposure. These chemicals can also contaminate soil and groundwater, potentially reaching drinking water supplies. One study found an association between residential proximity to PERC dry cleaners and kidney cancer, concluding:
“Living near a dry-cleaning facility using PERC increases the risk of PERC exposure and of developing kidney cancer.” The EPA has similarly stated that “PERC presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health,” noting that exposures cause severe and potentially irreversible health effects, specifically neurotoxicity and cancer.
Dry-cleaning workers can experience some of the highest levels of exposure to PERC, particularly those who operate or maintain the equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states:
“There is still a need to reduce employee exposure to the chemical to reduce any possible health effects that could result from long-term exposure to the chemical.”
The study “Mortality and End-Stage Renal Disease Incidence Among Dry Cleaning Workers,” which followed more than 1,700 dry-cleaning workers, found increased risks of cancer and end-stage renal disease associated with employment in the industry and occupational exposure to PERC.The National Cancer Institute reported that individuals with high solvent exposure were at increased risk of death from cancers of the bladder and kidney, hematologic malignancies, and heart disease.
Safer Alternatives to Traditional Dry Cleaning
If you want to reduce your exposure to PERC and other chemicals used in conventional dry cleaning, there are several alternatives to consider. Here are three options for “Dry Clean Only” items:
Liquid Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
This method combines CO₂ with specially formulated detergents under high pressure to lift dirt from fabrics. When the pressure is released, the carbon dioxide evaporates. The process is considered nontoxic, nonflammable, noncorrosive, and environmentally safe. The tradeoff: CO₂ cleaners can be hard to find, due to the high cost of the specialized machinery and maintenance required.
Professional wet cleaning is considered one of the safest alternatives to PERC-based dry cleaning. This process uses water combined with detergents and conditioners designed for delicate fabrics. Garments are laundered in computer-controlled washers and dryers that precisely control agitation, heat, and moisture to prevent damage. The tradeoff: it produces wastewater and requires specialized equipment and training.
This method uses a liquid silicone solvent known as D5 (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane), a clear, odorless alternative to PERC. Silicone-based dry cleaning is gentle on fabrics and may help reduce shrinkage, color fading, and fiber damage. It may also help preserve garments with embellishments such as sequins. Plus, the process leaves no lingering odor. The tradeoff: some research has raised concerns about long-term exposure to D5, including possible links to tumor development in animal studies, though the potential risks to human health remain uncertain.
So if your garment is made of a fabric that’s too delicate for a standard washing machine, such as silk or lace, too heavy, such as a comforter or winter blanket, or at risk of shrinking, such as wool or cashmere, and you’re concerned about PERC exposure, these safer cleaning methods may be worth considering. Before your next trip to the dry cleaner, consider asking what cleaning process they use. These questions can help guide you:
- What do you use in your machines to clean clothes? (This helps you determine whether they use PERC.)
- If you’re PERC-free, what alternative do you use?
- How is the cleaning fluid filtered or purified between uses? (This can help reduce impurities that might otherwise be recirculated during cleaning.)
Whether you’re a regular dry-cleaning customer or only use the service for special items, asking your dry cleaner about their methods can help you make more informed choices. You can also factor dry-cleaning needs into decisions when buying new clothing. Choosing washable fabrics such as cotton, linen, and hemp, along with some washable wool, can reduce how often you need professional cleaning. Always check the garment’s care label, since fabric blends, dyes, linings, and construction can affect how an item should be cleaned.
Ultimately, knowing how your clothes are made and cared for gives you more control over the chemicals you bring into your home and what ends up hanging in your closet. Choosing a different cleaning process, checking a care label before buying, or simply asking a few more questions at the counter can help reduce unnecessary exposure.
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Published on September 10, 2026.
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