Buy Less, Wear Longer: 15 Garment Care Answers to Get More Value from Every Wardrobe

New GreenEarth Cleaning Guide Breaks Down Care Labels, Dry Cleaning Methods and What "Eco-Friendly" Really Means

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Keeping clothes looking their best for as long as possible isn't always as simple as following the instructions on the tag. Knowing when a garment needs to be dry cleaned, which cleaning methods are best for different fabrics and what care symbols actually mean can go a long way toward protecting favorite pieces. With more cleaning options and "eco-friendly" claims than ever, a little garment care know-how can help preserve color, shape and quality for years to come.

At a time when economic pressures are high and prices are up, people are looking to stretch their clothing dollar as far as possible. Meanwhile, sustainability buzzwords have become a big part of the dry cleaning vernacular, underscoring consumer demand for products and solutions that are both affordable and safe. In response, GreenEarth Cleaning, an environmentally safe dry cleaning system, has developed a Q&A to help clothing lovers and thrifty shoppers get more value out of wardrobes.

15 Top Garment Care Questions, Answered

1. What do the symbols on a care label actually mean?
   Care labels provide recommendations for how a garment should be washed, bleached, dried, ironed or dry cleaned. The tub represents washing, the circle stands for dry cleaning, the square represents drying, the triangle refers to bleaching and the iron (you guessed it) represents ironing. Dots indicate temperature, while an "X" warns a process should be avoided altogether.
   
   
2. How can a good cleaning make clothes last longer?
   Textiles naturally deteriorate over time, particularly when they are not cared for properly. Certain fibers respond differently to washing, dry cleaning, drying, ironing and bleaching, so following care instructions is the best way to help prevent shrinkage, color loss, distortion and premature deterioration. Proper cleaning can also preserve a garment's original appearance, texture and structure over time.
   
   
3. What's the difference between washing, laundering and dry cleaning?
   Washing and laundering both use water and detergent to remove stains and impurities from garments. Washing typically refers to cleaning done at home, while laundering is a professional process; both are considered "wet" cleaning methods. Dry cleaning is a professional process, but uses a solvent rather than water as the primary cleaning method, meaning garments are cleaned without water.
   
   
4. How seriously should the "Dry Clean Only" label be taken?
   Very seriously. Care instructions are determined after textiles are tested for cleaning, and a "Dry Clean Only" label means the manufacturer tested the textile in both wet and dry cleaning, and it performed best in dry cleaning, sometimes even failing in wet cleaning. The fabric, dyes, trims or construction may be vulnerable to water or washing, which can result in shrinkage, color loss, distortion or other damage. Cleaning against the care label comes with a risk of damaging the garment.
   
   
5. Is it ever safe to wash "Dry Clean Only" clothes at home?
   A "Dry Clean Only" garment should not be assumed safe to wash at home because it can result in permanent damage. If a spill or stain happens, avoid attempting to lift the stain with at-home products and take the piece to a professional dry cleaner as soon as possible. Over time, stains can set and oxidize, making them more difficult to remove, even with professional cleaning.
   
   
6. What does dry cleaning entail, specifically? 
   Dry cleaning is a "full immersion" process. The garment is placed into the dry cleaning machine where it is fully bathed in solvent rather than water. The solvent lifts stains before being extracted, and the dry garment is then finished through steaming, pressing or ironing.
   
   
7. What fabrics should be dry cleaned?
   Always consult the care label. As a general rule, delicate fabrics like silk, velvet, wool and suede require professional cleaning as these textiles don't respond well to getting wet. Silk loses its slip (the slinky feel) and water rings can even appear on its surface. Wool often shrinks and distorts when washed, and leather and suede dry out and lose color.
   
   
8. Can dry cleaning remove ALL types of stains?
   Most common stains are treatable with professional cleaning, but no cleaning process is 100% guaranteed. Identifying known stains for a dry cleaner can help determine the appropriate treatment and maximize chances of success. It's best to get garments with stains to the dry cleaner as quickly as possible to prevent setting and oxidization, as oxidization damage can't be reversed.
   
   
9. What chemicals are used in dry cleaning?
   Historically, the most widely used solvent has been perchloroethylene, or PERC, and the EPA has mandated its nationwide phase out due to its hazardous nature. Others include synthetic petroleum, hydrocarbon or modified alcohol, which are often marketed as PERC alternatives, but come with their own environmental issues. On the other hand, GreenEarth, the silicone-based solvent, is non-toxic and breaks down into natural elements like sand, water and carbon dioxide.
   
   
10. Are today's dry cleaning solvents safe?
    Some are, and some aren't. PERC, which is being phased out nationally, is proven to be hazardous to human health and the environment. Classified by the EPA as a neurotoxin, it has also been linked to cancer, respiratory issues and Parkinson's disease. Alternatives like hydrocarbon are arguably safer than PERC, but are still listed as a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), with negative impacts on the environment and people. The pure liquid silicone used in the GreenEarth Cleaning system, however, is also a base ingredient for common cosmetic and personal care products, giving it a long history of research and evidence of safe everyday use.
    
    
11. Why is PERC bad for the environment?
    PERC is not only hazardous, it's also resistant to natural degradation, leading to widespread ground contamination. With environmental clean-ups from PERC sites costing anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, in 2024 the EPA put a stop to it and mandated a 10-year nationwide phase out in consumer, commercial and industrial uses. As a result, the dry cleaning industry is investing in safer alternatives.
    
    
12. Is it important to look for "eco-friendly" or "green" dry cleaning verbiage? 
    The terms "eco-friendly" and "green" do not by themselves indicate which solvent or cleaning technology a dry cleaner uses. They're also terms which, across all industries, often get mis-used. The best practice is specifically asking which solutions are being used, as the safest bet is GreenEarth, or silicone-based dry cleaning.
    
    
13. What criteria is important when choosing a professional dry cleaner?
    Look for a dry cleaner who can speak openly, and specifically about its process. Consumers should be aware of vague terms like "organic," "eco-friendly" or "natural." For example, lead is an organic material and asbestos is natural, but both are incredibly harmful to humans and the environment. The only dry cleaning solvent which is proven safe for land, water and people is 100% pure liquid silicone – like GreenEarth Cleaning – also used in personal care products like shampoos and moisturizers.
    
    
14. What are safe and effective alternatives to chemicals, like PERC?
    Liquid silicone is the only alternative that's safe for both humans and the environment. And, due to its unique chemistry, it cannot trigger reactions causing degradation and visible damage to textiles. Even after extensive cleaning with liquid silicone, fabrics last longer and maintain their color, shape and overall quality.
    
    
15. What is the best way to ensure a safe, sustainable cleaning process?
    Talk to the dry cleaner and ask what solvent it uses. Only certified GreenEarth dry cleaners use liquid silicone, rather than hazardous PERC or hydrocarbon solvents. Consumers are encouraged to use the store locator tool to find the closest dry cleaner who can safely clean their favorite garments without harsh chemicals.

"Consumers deserve to know the truth about what's being used to clean their clothes," said Dan Chaon, president of GreenEarth Cleaning. "Green, natural and eco-friendly have become easy labels to throw around, but they don't tell the whole story. As the industry moves away from PERC, we need to talk honestly about the environmental tradeoffs of the alternatives replacing it, because PERC-free does not automatically mean safe or sustainable. Asking what cleaning method and solvent a cleaner actually uses is one of the simplest ways consumers can cut through greenwashing and make informed choices to protect their clothes and the environment."

For more information about garment care, cleaning methods and what to look for when choosing a professional cleaner, visit greenearthcleaning.com. Consumers can also use the store locator to find a cleaner using the GreenEarth Cleaning system in their area.

About GreenEarth Cleaning
GreenEarth Cleaning is the only 100% environmentally safe dry-cleaning system. Cleaning with liquid silicone derived from sand, GreenEarth is a non-toxic solvent that breaks back down into sand, water and carbon dioxide. GreenEarth exists to take the poison out of garment care and give the earth back what we borrowed. Founded in 1999, the company's process is used at more than 6,000 retail locations in over 40 countries and is supported by $30 million in independent scientific research. Following the EPA'sS 2024 ban on perchloroethylene, GreenEarth serves as a transition partner for dry cleaners, and as a sustainability standard for fashion, retail and hospitality brands, as the industry moves beyond petroleum-based solvents. GreenEarth affiliates deliver brighter colors, softer fabrics and odor-free results without hazardous waste. Learn more at greenearthcleaning.com, or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE GreenEarth Cleaning