It is believed that the invention of dry cleaning was the result of an accident. The story says that a petroleum-base fluid had accidentally spilled on greasy fabric. The fluid quickly evaporated, taking the stains with it thus giving rise to a new method of cleaning garments - dry cleaning.

Contrary to common belief, dry cleaning is not completely a 'dry' process. Dry cleaning process uses a cleaning fluid in which all garments are immersed and cleaned in a liquid solvent and not in water. The fact that there is no water is the reason why the process is termed ‘dry cleaning'. It removes dirt and stains in a more effective way than water does. The process of dry cleaning involves pretreatment of stains or spots using special cleansing chemicals. The second step of cleaning begins as the garments are loaded into a machine. Throughout the cleaning process the fluid is filtered to ensure its clarity.

The dry cleaning industry is fairly new and has evolved only during the last 75 years. Initially solvents like gasoline and kerosene and other volatile synthetic solvents such as carbon tetrachloride and trichlorethylene were used. These petroleum solvents were flammable and required adequate fire-prevention steps for safety. There was also a need for higher temperatures to dry and deodorize the garments, which made shrinkage and re-deposition of soil into the clothes more likely. These solvents were replaced by perchlorethylene (perc), which was not only non-flammable and non-combustible but was also of relatively low toxicity and can be efficiently reused and recycled and did a better job of cleaning. Perc is now the leading solvent for the dry cleaning industry.

Dry cleaning has the ability to dissolve grease and oils in a way that water cannot. It is an effective way to completely wipe out dark, fatty otherwise irremovable stains, without affecting the shape of the garment and altering the texture and the color of the fabric and prevents shrinkage, finish and fabric distortion. It enhances the look and life of items and kills dust mites and bacteria, giving you a safer and cleaner home environ. Dry cleaning is suitable for delicate fabrics and natural fibres such as wool and silk. These materials dryclean beautifully but can lose color, shrink or distort when washed in water. Synthetic fibres like polyester also respond well to dry cleaning.

Often we tend to ignore the wash care instructions on our garments. This may result in the garments losing color, shape and texture. A circle 'O' on the wash care tag of any garment designates 'dry cleang. A cross over the circle means the garment is not to be dry-cleaned. For best results garments should be handed over to professional dry cleaners.