This cleaning process is more than an ecologically safe alternative to perc. It is actually better for fabrics. And that's not just our opinion, it's science. You see solvents are not strong or weak on their own. They are only a carrier. Their "strength" is measured by how well they work in combination with additives to dissolve the materials that need to be dissolved without dissolving the materials that need to be protected.
There is actually a complex formula, called the Teas diagram. What you really need to know is that Starcrest Cleaning solvent doesn't work alone, it is part of a specially designed cleaning system with detergents and machine programs.
The magic of this cleaning system is the unique way it has been designed to work with dry cleaning machines to remove stains and soil from fabric fibers without "touching" them. Think of it as having the ability to extract dirt with out wear and tear to the fabric that it would get spinning around a cylinder. Through specific testing, we have perfected the programs to run the machines. Result - a cleaning system that loosens and removes soil particles from fabrics without degrading or damaging them. Leaving your clothes cleaner, fresher, and lasting longer.
For decades, customers and dry cleaners had no real choice but to clean clothes in harsh, petrochemical solvents with known health and environmental risks. Starcrest cleaning system is an environmentally safe dry cleaning process that replaces petroleum-based solvents with liquid silicone, a gentle solution made from one of the earth's safest and most abundant natural resources: silica, or sand.
We are a company that has worked hard with the community to structure a dry cleaning plant that has reduced emissions and control many of the risks associated with the use of petrochemical solvents. One that would meet the needs of customers while protecting the communities in which we live.
The dry cleaning industry started in the 19nth century. It used volatile liquids such as gasoline and naphtha (not just water) to clean clothing and linens. The flammability of those early solvents led to the use of other solvents, and today eight out of 10 professional dry cleaners in the United States use the chemical perchloroethylene (commonly called perc) to clean clothes. And although perc is less flammable, it is still an awful chemical to have so prominently in our lives. It is outlawed in many countries, and California plans to phase out perc by 2023, with a ban on new perc equipment in effect soon.
Alternatives To Perc
The dry cleaning industry (and industries that support them) would be pretty shortsighted not to be exploring other options, given the increasing evidence against perc. This is one of the methods currently available that we use to be friendly to your environment.
Petroleum-Based Solvents
Several petroleum-based solvents have been created as an alternative to perc, the most notable one is a hydrocarbon called DF-2000. This is a system we use to create your environmentally friendly dry cleaners.
