Household activities did not really change even after more than a millennia. It still includes laundry in its chores. Before, water was their only outlet to use. Now, there are detergents from many brands in the market to remove dirt and stains on clothes. Another method of laundry is the one applied by dry cleaners Apopka.

Dry cleaning does not really use dry methods to clothes. Their difference with regular laundry is the use of water. This method combines washing machine and dryer with some differences. This method does not use any water, however uses liquid solvents. It is put in the dry cleaning machine and gets soaked in liquid solvents. The solvent is then drained for reuse as the clothes continue to stumble around to dry.

However, there are drawbacks in going to these shops. Not only it is non economical, it is also non environmental. There certain ingredients in the solvents they use that are not good for both the person and the environment.

Let us look at the obvious which is money. It is more costly than the normal laundry at home and at laundry shops that uses regular washing machine. The customer is paying for the cost of the solvent these particular shops are using. It is composed of chemical compounds thus making it expensive to use.

Perchloroethylene, known as PERC is one of the well known chemical solvent. It is developed in 1930s as a solvent that is both nonflammable and synthetic . It was, however, later on known as highly toxic which affects people and environment.

OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration made a statement wherein exposed people have higher risks in their health. Small contacts may even bring these risks because it is highly carcinogenic. Symptoms are temporarily triggered from mild exposure.

Scientific studies have shown several adverse effects it brings to health. Employees are the most common victims of these effects for they work closely with the process. Some effects may be mild such as visual impairments, skin blisters, headaches, and muscle incoordination. On the severe side of the spectrum, there are damages to the nervous system and development of cancer cells.

Risks in the environment happen especially when they do not properly dispose the chemicals after use. It can spread via land, water, and air. Take spillage for example. Even one drop of PERC on the ground will get it seeped into the soil to the water reserves underground. That drop can also get carried away by the wind and get inhaled by an unsuspecting person.

A green movement explicitly applied in some shops makes use of liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent to safely clean the clothes. It is safe if it is duly regulated. It should be noted that carbon dioxide is still toxic to people. Higher concentrations of this liquid can cause an acidic and sharp odor. When inhaled, it results to stinging of the nose, dizziness, headaches and even rapid breathing. Skin contacts can create frostbite due to its cryogenic property.