Eco-Friendlier Dry Cleaning

A dangerous toxin, Perchloroethelene (aka perc or tetrachloroethylene), poses potential health risks to dry-cleaning customers, but even more dangerous are the occupational hazards of those who work in dry-cleaning establishments that use the chemical. According to the EPA, “The main effects of tetrachloroethylene in humans are neurological, liver, and kidney effects following acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure.” The chemical has been linked to cancer and is an air and groundwater contaminant. Earlier this year, use of perc was banned in California.

So how do you avoid the stuff? Always remove plastic coverings from your dry-cleaned clothes and let them air out completely to minimize your exposure to the toxin. Better yet, we recommend you use a viable alternative: seek a dry-cleaner that does not use perc, try wet-cleaning for appropriate fabrics, or look for clothes that don’t require dry-cleaning when you make your clothing purchases.

Ask your dry-cleaner if they use the chemical. According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), roughly 85% of Oregon dry-cleaners still use perc, but many operations are seeking to phase out the chemical. If your dry-cleaner still uses perc, encourage them to stop using the chemical, and check our list of Oregon perc-free cleaners for an alternative.

Or, ask your cleaner if they offer wet-cleaning. Wet-cleaning uses computer-controlled machines, water, biodegradable detergents and conditioners to carefully clean delicate fabrics. Wet cleaning is considered safe for virtually all fabrics. Click here [PDF] to download an EPA booklet on wet-cleaning. Wet-cleaning locations in Oregon are listed in the booklet, as well as our list of perc-free cleaners below.

Finally, the choices you make in purchasing new clothing may have the most lasting impact on your health and the environment. It may not always be possible to purchase clothes that don’t require dry-cleaning, but doing so whenever you can will have a beneficial impact on your health, the environment—and your wallet!

This topic was suggested to us by a longtime OEC member. Got a “Living Green” topic or question you’d like us to look into? Email us.

Oregon Perc-Free Cleaners

This list is based on Oregon DEQ data* on perc-free cleaners as well as the EPA listing of area wet cleaners. OEC does not endorse or certify these businesses, and presents the list for public information only.

Ashland

• Campus Cleaners, 1465 Siskiyou Boulevard, 541-482-2281 (wet-cleaning)

Beaverton

• Dry Cleaning Station, 16205 NW Bethany Ct., #118, 503-645-3297
• Elegant Dry Cleaners, 14645 SW Teal Blvd., 503-579-4083
• Magic Cleaners, 16035 SW Walker Rd., 503-617-9594
  

Bend

• Cascade Cleaners, 1155 SW Division, B-14, 541-382-6982
  
• Central Oregon Dry Cleaners, 415 SE Third Street, 541-389-2140
• Dry Cleaning Station, 1244 NW Galveston Avenue, 541-330-5589
• Dry Cleaning Station, 222 SE Reed Market Road #500, 541-318-7153
• Mirror Pond Cleaners, 615 NW Franklin Avenue, 541-389-1411

Coos Bay

• Wardrobe Cleaners, 246 W. Commercial Ave., 541-267-6118
  

Cornelius

• Cornelius Cleaners, 2200 Baseline Rd.
  

Corvallis

• Campbell's Cleaners, 1120 NW 9th Street, 541-752-3794
• Kings Boulevard Cleaners, 908 NW Kings Boulevard, 541-752-6244

• Fussy's at Valley River Plaza, 4770 Village Plaza Loop #A, 541-485-5547
• Hi-Tech Cleaners, 100 E 18th Ave., 541-345-4143
• Hi-Tech Green Cleaners, 134 Oakway Rd., 541-484-2526
• Skopil's Cleaners, 2605 Willamette St., 541-342-7651
  

Grants Pass

• Martinizing Dry Cleaning, 1610 Allen Creek Road, Suite 108, 541-955-1911
• Rogue Cleaners, 245 SE G St., 541-476-5369
  

Hillsboro

• Champion Cleaners, 1333 NE Orenco Station Parkway, 503-648-4975 (100% wet cleaning)
• Dry Cleaning Station, 2563 SE Tualatin Valley Highway, 503-640-1370
• Dry Cleaning Station, 7516 NE Shaleen Street, 503-466-1270

Hubbard

• Hubbard Cleaners, 3362 D Street, 503-982-0524 (wet cleaning)

Klamath Falls

• Colliers Cleaners, 318 E. Main, 541-884-7026
  
• Fashion Cleaners, 2041 Radcliffe Ave., 541-884-5563
  
• We-Clean, 2795 Anderson Avenue, Suite 32, 541-883-3565 (wet cleaning)

Lake Oswego

• Lake Oswego Dry Cleaners, 27 B Ave.
• Meridian Square Cleaners, 17763 Boones Ferry Rd.
• PBDC of Lake Oswego, 25 S. State St.
• Prestige Cleaners, 17727 Boones Ferry Rd.
• Tik Tok Cleaners, 642 N. State St.
  

McMinnville

• Oldham’s Classic Cleaners, 102 South Baker, 503-472-7724 (100% wet cleaning)

• Sunshine Cleaners, 400 Sitka Street, 503-538-2621

Newport

• Coast Street Dry Cleaners, 426 NW Coast Street, 541-265-5318

• Dry Cleaning Station, 2209 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, 503-232-0667
• Dry Cleaning Station, 3010 NE Broadway, 503-288-4200
• Plaza Cleaners, 803 NW 21st Avenue, 503-227-0242
• Tip Top Cleaners, 2001 E Burnside Avenue, 503-234-4101

Roseburg

• Prestige Cleaners, 2345 NW Stewart Parkway, 541-440-1533 (wet cleaning)

Redmond

• Dry Cleaning Station, 949 SW Highland Avenue, 541-504-0079

Tigard

• Cline's Cleaners, 13185 SW Pacific Highway, Suite B-4, 503-624-9584

White City

• Town & Country Cleaners, 7561-C Crator Lake Highway, 541-826-5484 (wet cleaning)

*Oregon DEQ updates it's list of dry cleaners using non-perc solvents annually. This list reflects 2006 data, the latest available. For questions regarding the DEQ program, visit their website or send an email to drycleaner.info@deq.state.or.us.

Additional Resources & Information:

EPA information on perc

OSHA alert on the hazards of perc to dry-cleaning workers

EPA booklet on wet cleaning, with a list of locations in Oregon

April 2007 Willamette Week story