Reaching New Heights in Dry Cleaning
Published on the 14th of May 2019
Innovation in the laundry industry has led to many new developments that are changing the way dry cleaning outfits run their business.
Chemical formula advancements mean that a wider range of textiles can be confidently cleaned and in a more sustainable manner. When it comes to the dry cleaning process, these changes have brought to market a new type of solvent, one that is more flexible and less controversial than the traditional Perc.
Detailed and elaborate garments with trimming such as beads, sequins, pearls, glass, leatherette or even thermal-lined curtains traditionally cannot be processed in Perc, the dry-cleaning solvent used by many dry cleaners in the UK.
Gentle care specialists, Cole & Wilson, have worked to produce HiGlo, a range of products that are easy to use and work in all hydrocarbon, K4, GreenEarth and multi-solvent machines as well as being kinder on the environment.
HiGlo is an environmentally friendly dry cleaning solvent alternative, verified by CTTN Institute de recherché sur l’entretien et le nettoyage, an independent research institute in France. Thanks to its great cleaning results on both hydrophilic and lipophilic soiling, it is becoming widely used in dry cleaning outlets across the UK and Ireland, as well as Europe.
HiGlo leaves textiles with a smooth, soft touch, due to limited pilling and roughening and an added fullness along with a neutral smell. It is essentially a gentle solvent that is tough on stains but not on the fabric itself and works well on delicate garments with beads, sequins and trimmings, making it a very versatile option for the modern dry cleaner.
Cleaning with HiGlo requires a normal process time of around 50-65 minutes and due to the nature of the solvent, the garments come out crease free, meaning reduced time spent finishing and thus a reduction in energy costs.
The solvent comes with a range of specially formulated additives including pre-brushing agents and cleaning enhancers. In addition, HiGlo works with the Cole & Wilson Spotting Kit range.
But don’t just take our word for it.
The Dry Cleaning Business, a long established outfit based near Wembley in West London, has recently introduced the use of HiGlo to its five dry cleaning machines. This highly professional business occupies over 6,000sq ft and offers a service for both commercial and private customers; it is also the appointed service provider for Laundrapp, within the M25.
For owner Kirtash Patel, consideration for the environment plays a key part in the running of the business, which looks to use detergents, soaps and chemicals from reputable companies that provide the highest standards of safety and quality.
“We have only been using HiGlo for a short time, but there are lots of positives. I do actually feel it cleans better and the fabrics are softer following the dry clean process,” comments Mr Patel.
Over in Dublin, Crystal Wave is one of the first dry cleaning outfits in Ireland to use HiGlo, commencing use of the products in November 2018 along with the installation of a new dry cleaning machine. Owner Renbo Wang was keen to look at new ‘green’ solvents and the fact that HiGlo is easier on the environment was a big selling point for him.
Mr Wang adds: “I have definitely noticed the garments are softer and HiGlo can also be used on clothing with leather trim, which has been an issue in the past with Perc.’
At Kensington Dry Cleaners in central London, garments are very often dry cleaned and returned to the customer on the same day. Process times are therefore very important, as is the smell of the clothing following the treatment.
“HiGlo leaves the clothes with a lovely fragrance and brighter whites, handling process times are also reduced which means we can turnaround more items in a day,” states owner Dave Pires.
For dry cleaning outlets, it makes sense to use solvents that can be relied on, not only for customer satisfaction but to avoid any additional re-processing. Shorter process times and less effort in the finishing stage will without doubt impact on the bottom line and also leads to a reduced impact on the environment, which is one of the key issues when using Perc.