potrero view
Photograph by Brittany Riddick.

Photograph by Brittany Riddick.

Benson Xu outside his shop.

July 2010

Vermont Cleaners Goes Green

By Flavia and Lucia Purpura-Pontoniere

“Dry cleaning” is misnamed.  Traditional dry cleaning is actually wet, involving dipping “garments into petroleum-based solvents,” according to Debbie Raphael, the San Francisco Department of the Environment’s (SFDE) toxics reduction and green building program manager.  However, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional dry cleaning has been adopted by two San Francisco dry cleaners, one of which, Vermont Cleaners, is located on Potrero Hill.

Perchloroethylene – “perc” – is the most common chemical solvent used in dry cleaning.  Perc poses risks to environmental and public health.  Excessive exposure to the chemical can damage the liver, kidneys, and respiratory system; topical contact can irritate the eyes and skin.  Perc contaminates water and soil, vaporizes into the air, and lingers in the clothing it “cleans.”

“California was the first state to require a phase-out of most toxic dry cleaning technology,” said Raphael.  In 2007, the California Air Resources Board approved regulations to eliminate the use of perc over a twenty year period.  Under the rules, dry-cleaning machines that rely on perc and that are 15 years or older must be scrapped as of this month.  Younger machines are to be retired when they turn 15.  “Perc owners need to declare what machine they’re going to switch to,” said Raphael. “The SFDE wants former perc owners to switch to professional garment cleaning because it is the most environmentally friendly.”

Under the professional garment cleaning approach clothes are washed in water with biodegradable detergents, with computers precisely controlling the wash and dry cycles so that delicate fabrics and fibers – such as silk and cashmere – can be cleaned without damage.  Vermont Cleaners uses Aktiv, a detergent which includes three enzymes to eliminate a range of stains efficiently.  Since professional garment cleaning doesn’t rely on hazardous chemicals, it poses no threats to the soil or water.  It is also benefits dry cleaning workers because they spend less time around harsh, toxic chemicals.  “There is a big difference between traditional dry cleaning and what we do,” said Benson Xu, Vermont Cleaners’ owner. “That difference can be identified just by smelling the clothes. When a piece of clothing has been dry cleaned, you can smell the chemicals in it. With our system, it smells fresh, no chemicals.”   

Founded 11 years ago, Vermont Cleaners made the switch to green last spring, becoming the second dry-cleaning service in the City to make the change.  “Other dry cleaners have signs that say organic, but they are not one hundred percent green,” said Xu.  Dry cleaners that advertise themselves as organic often still rely on toxic chemicals.  For example, perc is classified as organic.  “It has organic compounds, so it can be called organic,” said Raphael, “but it’s like calling gasoline for your car organic.”  

The San Francisco Department of the Environment provides a partial rebate to dry cleaners that switch to professional garment cleaning, to help pay for the necessary machines. “We believe that once San Francisco consumers are aware of the benefits of professional garment cleaning, they’ll jump all over it to support it,” said Raphael.

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