What Is PERC-Free Dry Cleaning and Why Does It Matter?

What Is PERC, Exactly?

Perchloroethylene, commonly called PERC, is a chemical solvent that has been the standard in dry cleaning since the 1930s. It is highly effective at dissolving grease and oils, which is why it became the industry default. PERC is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet, ether-like smell that many people associate with freshly dry-cleaned clothes.

Health and Environmental Concerns

PERC is classified as a likely carcinogen by the EPA and a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Dry cleaning workers exposed to PERC over long periods have higher rates of certain cancers, liver damage, and neurological issues. PERC also contaminates soil and groundwater when improperly disposed of. Many cleaners still run PERC today because replacing the equipment is expensive, which is why it is worth asking your cleaner what they actually use.

How Organic Dry Cleaning Works

Organic or PERC-free dry cleaning uses alternative solvents that are biodegradable and non-toxic. These eco-friendly, PERC-free solutions clean just as effectively as PERC for most garments. In fact, they are often gentler on delicate fabrics because they do not strip natural oils from fibers the way PERC does. The result is clothes that feel softer, smell fresher, and last longer.

The Difference You Can Feel

Garments cleaned with PERC-free methods feel softer and have no chemical odor when returned. Colors stay brighter because the solvents are less aggressive. Fabrics like silk, cashmere, and wool last noticeably longer when cleaned with organic methods because the fibers retain their natural moisture and flexibility. If your dry-cleaned clothes ever come back feeling stiff or smelling like chemicals, that is likely PERC.

How to Find a PERC-Free Cleaner

Ask your dry cleaner directly what solvent they use. A reputable PERC-free cleaner will be happy to tell you. Look for terms like organic cleaning, PERC-free solvent, or professional wet cleaning. Be cautious of vague terms like eco-friendly or green without specifics. If a cleaner cannot tell you exactly what solvent they use, that is a red flag.

Is PERC Still Allowed in California Dry Cleaning?

No. California banned PERC in dry cleaning as of January 1, 2023, and federal regulators finalized a national phase-out in December 2024.

The move away from PERC is now the law, not a trend. A cleaner that still talks about PERC machines is working with equipment the state has retired.

Baroni Cleaners in Irvine is 100% PERC-free, so there is nothing to switch.

When you hear that PERC is gone, ask who is actually in compliance today. A cleaner who cannot name their solvent is one you should question.

Many people assume that a strong chemical smell means a strong clean. It does not. A garment that smells of solvent was not aired well, or the solvent was harsh.

Is the Solvent the Only Thing That Matters?

No. The solvent matters, but the hand work around it decides how your garment comes back. A clean solvent still cannot fix a stain that nobody treated first.

A good cleaner inspects every piece, spots stains by hand before cleaning, and finishes the garment by hand. Rough machine pressing is what flattens wool, shines dark fabric, and crushes buttons and seams.

That is why two cleaners using the same solvent can return very different clothes.

Ask what the cleaner does before and after the machine. Hand spotting and hand finishing are what separate a careful cleaner from a fast one.

The same logic applies to pressing. Heavy machine presses can flatten texture and leave a shine on wool, so a hand finisher matters as much as the solvent.

What Does PERC-Free Dry Cleaning Cost at Baroni Cleaners?

PERC-free cleaning at Baroni Cleaners starts at $8.99 for a shirt, $13.99 for a dress, and $20.99 for a two-piece suit. Pickup and delivery are free.

You are not paying extra for a gentler process. The same solvent is used on every order, from a single blouse to a full wardrobe.

If a garment is not clean, our free re-clean guarantee covers it.

At Baroni Cleaners, the family has cleaned clothes in Irvine since 1985, and we explain our process to anyone who asks.

Together, a gentle solvent and careful hands are why your suits and silks last through more wears.

So when you compare cleaners, compare the whole process. Ask about the solvent, the stain work, and the finishing, and choose the shop that can explain all three.

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