Dry-cleaning

Dry-cleaning is necessary for clothes that would be damaged by cleaning with detergent and water, or to remove difficult stains.

Most dry-cleaners in New Zealand use a solvent called perchloroethylene or "perc". All traces of it should be removed during the dry-cleaning process. If there's a lingering smell, air the garment outside before storing.

Tip
For garments that only need pressing, use a sticky lint roller (available from supermarkets, pet shops or dry cleaners) and a good steam iron at home instead of dry-cleaning.

"Green" dry-cleaning

A handful of dry-cleaners use hydrocarbon or liquid silicone instead of perc. Although less toxic, hydrocarbon-solvents are still petroleum-based and aren't "environmentally friendly".

Liquid silicone dry-cleaning is gentle on clothes and degrades to sand, and traces of water and carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, the manufacturing of silicone solvents is anything but green.

When things go wrong

Dry-cleaning must be carried out with reasonable skill and care, and must be fit for any purpose you make known to the cleaner. General disclaimers or signs stating "all care and no responsibility" hold no weight under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Before accepting a garment for cleaning, a dry-cleaner should examine it with you. If there's a chance it can't be successfully dry-cleaned but they go ahead without warning you of the risk, they become liable for any damage. But if they warn you of the risk and you have the garment cleaned anyway, then it's your problem.

If you think a dry-cleaner hasn't done the job with reasonable skill and care and has ruined your garment, discuss the damage with them. If that doesn't work, contact the Textile Care Federation of New Zealand (the dry-cleaning industry body).

It's possible the care-label instructions are at fault and not the dry-cleaner. If so, go back to the retailer who sold you the garment and ask for a refund or replacement garment.