What is Green Earth?

Today most dry cleaners use hydrocarbon solvent. While a big improvement over perc, hydrocarbon is classified by the EPA as a volatile air contaminant (VOC); it is also a neurotoxin and skin and eye irritant for workers. Hydrocarbon cleaners often advertise they are “organic”, which is scientifically true, but misleading; in describing chemicals the term “organic” refers to anything with a carbon of chain in it – you could make the same claim about cleaning with gasoline.

We use the environmentally friendly GreenEarth® dry cleaning process because it takes better care of fabrics. By replacing hydrocarbons with pure liquid silicone, GreenEarth delivers an impeccable clean without exposing your clothes or the environment to harmful chemicals. It is non-toxic and non-hazardous and the EPA sees no need to regulate its use. That’s because silicone is essentially liquefied sand. When released to the environment it safely breaks down into the three natural elements it is made from: sand (SiO2) and trace amounts of water and carbon dioxide. GreenEarth silicone is safe for people too. If you wanted to, you could safely rub it on your skin. In fact you probably already do. Liquid silicone is the base ingredient in many of the shampoos, conditioners, lotions and cosmetics we use every day.

Unlike hydrocarbon solvent, which actually wears away surface fibers during the cleaning process, liquid silicone is chemically inert – it doesn’t chemically react with fabric fibers, it just carries the detergent to your clothes and gently carries away soils. Colors stay bright and whites won’t yellow, even after repeated cleaning. Fabrics feel better too – smooth, silky, and supple. Because GreenEarth cleans without being abrasive or aggressive, leaching dyes or damaging trims, your fine silks, cashmere, wool, lace and even garments labeled “Do not dry clean” are safe with us!