The Environmental Protection Agency announced a ban on toxic chemical solvents PCE and TCE which are commonly used in dry cleaning earlier this month. The chemicals are known to cause environmental pollution if not managed carefully as well as several types of cancer in those working with it. Those living in areas close to industrial dry-cleaning operations are particularly at risk through these chemicals getting into water streams and being recycled into drinking water. The risk of wearing clothes that have been dry cleaned using PCE and TCE is negligible, though trace amounts can be found in clothes after treatment, and this can build up the more times it is cleaned.
Assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff said in a statement: “It’s simply unacceptable to continue to allow cancer-causing chemicals to be used for things like glue, dry cleaning or stain removers when safer alternatives exist.”
The ban will come in on a phased approach meaning that these chemicals may still be used within the next 10 years in the US.
Globally, very few countries have banned PCE and TCE completely, though the EU has strict regulations in place for the use and management of it.
The good news is, there are many alternatives to toxic dry-cleaning methods both professionally and at home. Here’s how to ditch the toxic chemicals from your clothing care in 2025.
Non-toxic Dry Cleaning
Ask your dry cleaner what method they use, many already use less toxic alternatives. Much of our wardrobes can be cleaned at home but materials like leather and suede, heavily embellished items or tailored items that are very structured may still need to be taken to a dry cleaner.
“Most cities in the US have ‘eco dry cleaners’ for alternative professional cleaning,” says Courtney Barriger, a sustainable fashion expert and author of upcoming book ReFashion Workshop, The Planet Healing Mindset.
“Some of the most popular methods being used right now are liquid CO2 cleaning, which uses pressurized liquid carbon dioxide as a cleaning solvent. It’s very gentle on fabrics and environmentally sustainable. Silicon-based cleaning utilizes liquid silicone (D5) as a cleaning agent. It’s similar to traditional dry cleaning but less toxic.”
Violet Gross, founder of peer-to-peer luxury rental app Tulerie, recommends GreenEarth Cleaning, a liquid silicone solution that is used by professionals in over 40 countries. You can search for locations that use their technology on their website.
Steaming
For any delicate clothes that simply need freshening up, steaming doesn’t just get rid of wrinkles but also eliminates odors and bacteria.
“By embracing at-home solutions like steaming, not only are you reducing your chemical footprint, but you’re also extending the life of your clothes. Steaming is gentle on fabrics, preserving their texture and vibrancy while avoiding the wear and tear that frequent dry cleaning can cause. It’s also a more economical choice and helps contribute to a slow fashion lifestyle by minimizing textile waste,” says Frej Lewenhaupt, co-founder and CPO at garment care brand Steamery.
Lewenhaupt recommends steaming for silk, wool, cotton, denim and polyester garments.
Handwashing
Plenty of clothes labelled as “dry clean only” on the care label can still be gently washed. The high temperature, fast spinning mechanism and generic detergents are often the reason delicate items can’t be put in the washing machine so avoid these by using a handwashing setting on your machine or handwashing in cold water with a cleaning solution designed for the fabric you are washing. Place items in a laundry bag before putting in the washing machine.
Daniel Feliciano, CEO of laundry service Clotheslyne, recommends running a test beforehand: “When in doubt about a “dry clean only” item, test hand washing with specialty detergents on a small hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric.”
Airdrying delicate garments, rather than tumble drying, will also minimize risk of damage and help them last longer, as well as saving money and energy.
Spot Clean
For any stains, topically treat them with a PH-neutral detergent. Act as soon as you spot the stain and blot, rather than rub, the area.
Kristie Chow, founder of fashion rental marketplace Hauteline, says: “fabrics that shouldn’t come in contact with water can often be spot-cleaned with a gentle detergent like Woolite and safely disinfected through temperature-based methods, such as steaming or freezing.”
