With advances in technology it was just a matter of time before dry cleaning was something people could do from the comfort of their homes. Home dry cleaning kits were all the rage when they first debuted roughly a decade ago. Women were ecstatic that they would have a way to clean their delicate garments without having to drop a bundle on professional dry cleaning services. Others were thrilled by the convenience the kits offered, while still others were intrigued by the eco-friendliness of home dry cleaning kits, as they don’t feature any harmful chemicals.
While there are a number of companies offering home dry cleaning kits, most work the same way—-with the heat from your clothes dryer. Some of the most popular brands of home dry cleaning kits include Fresh Care from Clorox, Dryel from Procter and Gamble, and Custom Care from Dial. You can find the kits at local supermarkets or discount retailers such as Wal-Mart or Target.
When using the aforementioned products it is extremely important that you read the labels on the items you are cleaning before placing them in the kit’s garment bag. In most cases the home dry cleaning kits are only effective on fabrics that are labeled, “dry clean only.”
As I mentioned earlier, home dry cleaning kits do not contain toxic chemicals that could damage the environment and compromise your health. Rather, the kits contain natural cleaners that work to clean fabrics using heat from a dryer. They really aren’t designed to get out tough stains or to breathe new life into severely soiled and smelly garments.
For really tough jobs you might consider buying dry cleaning chemicals online. While it is not recommended, you can purchase professional-quality dry cleaning solvents on the Internet. Places like Chemical Supermarket sell percholorethylene, though it is typically marketed to researchers and college chemistry students. Another option is Guardsman Dry Cleaning Fluid, which is available on Amazon. The cleaner claims to rid heel marks and oil-based stains from fabrics that are dry clean only.