Dry cleaning is a professional process in which clothing is cleaned with a special solvent rather than with water and detergent. The word "dry" is a little misleading: the textiles are in fact immersed in a liquid, just not in water. This prevents delicate fibres from swelling, felting or shrinking.
The workflow is similar in most businesses: garments are first inspected, stains are pre-treated individually, and sensitive parts (buttons, appliqués) are protected. The actual cleaning then takes place in a closed machine, followed by drying, steaming and pressing. Good operators check every item by hand at the end.
Dry cleaning is mainly needed for textiles marked with the "circle" care symbol on the label: suits, blazers, coats, silk, wool, down jackets or curtains. Stubborn, greasy stains can also often be removed more effectively this way than with water.
When choosing a provider, it pays to look at experience, transparency and how complaints are handled. When dropping off items, point out any known stains and their cause – this significantly improves the chances of success. Always check the care label before handing a garment in.