At Rinse, we feel strongly about the care we provide for your clothing. It’s our job! We thoroughly vet all of our cleaning partners to ensure you are receiving the highest-quality care possible.

We feel just as strongly about the environment and the health implications involved with some of the cleaning services we provide. We have a strict policy that all of our cleaning partners use environmentally friendly cleaning processes. The green revolution is the best solution!

What is perc and how am I exposed to it?

Historically, the dry cleaning industry has been known for using the solvent perchloroethylene (“perc”), which is a known carcinogen and potentially hazardous. While we do not partner with any cleaners that use perc we believe it is important for us to provide you with further insight on perc and green dry cleaning.

If your clothes are being cleaned at a dry cleaner that uses perc you most likely are exposed to it through inhalation or skin exposure. Common side effects include dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, nausea, and skin and respiratory irritation.

Yikes! Needless to say, it is important to find out if your dry cleaner is using perc or not.

Going green!

The majority of our cleaners offer a hydrocarbon-based solvent, which is one of the preferred alternatives to perc. This type of solvent is non-toxic, has no documented risk of causing cancer, and is environmentally safe.

Many cleaners outside California still use perc and our decision to work with non-perc cleaners everywhere is accelerating much-needed change in the industry.

If all of this talk about toxic solvents has you a bit worried about dry cleaning your clothes there may be an alternative for you. Wet cleaning!

What is wet cleaning?

Wet cleaning is a water-based alternative to dry cleaning that is safe for use on dry-clean-only items. It uses special machinery to maintain the size of the garment and feel of the fabric while cleaning the garment with water and detergents. We only work with cleaning partners who have demonstrated a great quality and consistency in the wet cleaning process.

It is recommended for water-soluble stains on dry-clean only materials since it will have greater cleaning efficacy while maintaining the look and feel of the fabric. However, we do not recommend wet cleaning for all your dry-clean-only clothes. In summary, it is both safer for you (our customers) and the environment to go green and avoid perc.

We strongly suggest that you find out if your current dry cleaner is using perc or not. Or just schedule a pickup with us and we’ll make sure your items are cleaned using environmentally friendly cleaning processes. We guarantee it!

If you are still hesitant don’t just take it from us. Here is a “Smart Science” segment on green dry cleaning from who else? That’s right! The Weather Channel.

Ah, the holidays! It’s the time of year spent with loved ones, a time to be thankful, a time to give, and a time of year that is rooted in rich tradition. One of the more popular traditions is the hanging of Christmas stockings. Many of us proudly hang our stockings over a fireplace mantel, a staircase, a bedpost, or a windowsill. While there are no definitive written accounts that explain this tradition, there are legends that shed light on the origin of this custom.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Jolly Old Saint Nick is not just a nickname or a Christmas carol, it is believed to be the true inspiration behind Santa Claus. St. Nicholas of Myra (which is believed to be modern-day Turkey) was a rich man who lived during the 4th century and was known for his charity. He took interest in one particular villager and his three daughters, as the man could not afford dowries for his eldest daughter.

Legend has it that one night Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the man's chimney knowing that he would never accept the gift willingly. The gold slipped into a stocking that was hanging to dry over the fireplace. And thus, the man could now afford gifts for his oldest daughter and the legend of Santa and the Christmas stocking was born!

Nicholas continued acts of charity throughout his life and attempted to stay out of the spotlight while doing so. Eventually, he became a Saint for his selfless acts.

While many still speculate about the origin of the Christmas stocking this story is widely accepted as the humble beginning of what is now an essential holiday tradition.

The Evolution of the Christmas Stocking

The stocking ritual has evolved a lot from that legendary night where gold found its way into a freshly laundered stocking. People started to use larger stockings such as high-knee socks or long white socks (probably borrowed from dad's sock drawer). And why not? This meant more gifts! Today, many use boot-size stockings that are often labeled for each member of the family (and pets!) and customized with quirky designs.

The Bigger The Better 

Fun Fact! The largest Christmas stocking (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) was measured at 168 feet and 5.65 inches. The bigger the better! At least if you want more gifts to fit inside!

As you proudly display your stocking arrangement and eagerly await Santa’s arrival feel free to show off your stockings by tagging @Rinse on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #Rinsemas.

Happy Holidays and Happy Rinsing!

Introduction

When you have clothing that needs to look sharp, like a suit, dress, sweater, or dress shirt, chances are you take it to the dry cleaners. But many nice articles of clothing don’t need to be dry cleaned – often, having your clothing laundered and pressed is a better choice.

The Basic Difference Between Laundry and Dry Cleaning

The short answer – water. However, there are other differences such as the cleaning process, chemicals used, suitable fabrics, effectiveness in removing certain stains, impact on the environment, and cost of service.

Dry Cleaning:

When your clothes are dry cleaned, non-water-based solvents (such as perchloroethylene) are used to remove stains and odors, before they are crisply pressed. In general, dry cleaning is ideal for delicate fabrics, with some garments having "dry clean only" instructions. Note that the cost of dry cleaning is considerably higher on a per-piece basis, and requires specialized equipment.

Laundering: 

With laundered items, water and detergent are used. Your clothes are soaked and agitated in a commercial-grade washing machine, emerge slightly damp, and then are individually pressed. Laundry cleaning is suitable for most clothing fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, denim, and linen.

Why Launder & Press?

So what's the benefit of using Launder & Press?

• It's ideal for removing sweat, oils, and dirt: Laundering is more effective than dry cleaning at removing sweat and oil from fabrics, so it is typically the best choice for dress shirts and cotton blouses. After clothes are laundered, they are pressed and hung for that crisp, fresh-from-the-cleaner look.

• It's generally more sustainable: While laundering still consumes water and energy, there are eco-friendly detergents that can be used to mitigate the impact on the environment. Modern consumer appliances or commercial-grade ones are constantly becoming more efficient. Dry cleaning traditionally uses solvents that are toxic to the planet and can cause a reaction to sensitive skin.

• It's more cost-effective: Whether washing laundry at home or not, the cost of cleaning each garment is much lower than if done by dry cleaning. Water and detergent are much cheaper than perchloroethylene, and that is before considering the cost of the equipment needed for dry cleaning.

• It's gentle on fabric: The chemicals used to dry clean your clothes can cause fabrics to deteriorate over time. Laundering, on the other hand, removes stains and everyday grime using water and gentler detergents.

High-quality laundry services like Rinse read the care label on your clothing and make the call between chemical dry cleaning and laundering to maximize the life of your clothes. When you’re the one making the call, read the label: if it doesn’t say “Dry Clean Only,” ask for Launder & Press. Your clothes will thank you!

Why Dry Clean?

You may be thinking – why on earth would anyone choose to dry clean when Launder & Press is just as effective (if not more in some cases) and gentler on fabrics? Well, the truth is, it depends on the fabric and the piece. 

• It's ideal for clothing made of natural fibers, like silk, cashmere, or wool because water can hurt the fabric. Water can cause the fibers in the fabric to become rigid and can lead to shrinkage.

• It's a way to ensure the longevity of your clothes: Dry cleaning eliminates the risk of your clothes bleeding, fading, stretching, or becoming distorted in the washer or dryer. 

• It's how to remove certain odors: Some smells, such as smoke or mildew, are not fully removed during a traditional laundry wash. Dry cleaning is more effective in this department.

• It's often the only way to get out certain stains: When an item is dry cleaned, it also goes through the “pre-spotting” process where an experienced cleaner will examine each garment to locate stains and determine the source so that they can treat the stain with the appropriate non-aqueous solvent. It’s not uncommon for a pre-spotter to have decades of experience!

A helpful tip to extend the life of your clothes: If you know the source of any stain on your garment, let your dry cleaner know. Be it ketchup, wine, or a splash from a puddle, your dry cleaner will use that information to choose the right solvent and minimize the risk of damage.

Have laundry or dry cleaning to do?

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Learn More About Rinse

There’s a reason both dry cleaning and launder & press are offered today – each serves a different, valuable purpose. Both are aptly named and both keep you looking sharp!

We have you covered at Rinse as we offer both Dry Cleaning and Launder & Press solutions! Sign up here and try any one of our award-winning services.

In addition, you can learn more about How Dry Cleaning Works from our COO James. He grew up in dry cleaning!

Contact us at Rinse today to see our skill in action.