Maya Ellison
Dry cleaning is a common practice for many, but what happens when you get home with your dry cleaning? The plastic film that covers your clothes is typically thrown away, but is that the right thing to do? This plastic film is not necessary to protect freshly cleaned clothes, and there are more sustainable alternatives available. Dry cleaning plastic can be harmful to clothing over time, trapping humidity and making it difficult to release any dry cleaning chemical odors. It is also a major contributor to the plastic pollution crisis, with 96% of the plastic used by dry cleaners ending up in landfills or the ocean. Consumers need to speak up and ask their cleaners to switch to reusable bags, which are now widely available and cheaper than disposable plastic bags. So, should you throw away plastic dry cleaning? The answer is no – it's time to move towards more sustainable options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of plastic dry cleaning bags | Protecting clothes from the dry cleaners to the customer's closet |
| Plastic dry cleaning bags as permanent storage | Not recommended as clothes need to breathe |
| Disadvantages of plastic dry cleaning bags | Traps humidity, makes it hard to lose residual odors from chemicals, stains may oxidize, clothes become harder to clean, plastic waste |
| Alternatives to plastic dry cleaning bags | Reusable bags made from cotton or sturdy plastic, cloth garment bags |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Plastic dry cleaning bags can trap humidity, leading to mildew and weakened fabric fibres
- Chemicals from dry cleaning are erosive and need ventilation.
- Plastic bags are not meant for permanent storage as clothes need to breathe
- Reusable bags are a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to disposable plastic bags
- Plastic bags can make it difficult to identify items in your closet
Plastic dry cleaning bags can trap humidity, leading to mildew and weakened fabric fibres
Plastic dry cleaning bags are not meant to be used for permanent storage. They are meant to protect the clothing from the dry cleaner to your closet. However, plastic dry cleaning bags can trap humidity, which can lead to several issues. Firstly, mildew can form, which will weaken the fibres of the fabric. Mildew can also cause yellowing of the garment, which may occur if moisture comes into contact with one of the chemicals used to manufacture the plastic bag.
To avoid these issues, it is recommended to remove clothing from the plastic bag and store it in a garment bag made of breathable material, such as cotton. Cotton allows clothes to breathe while keeping dust, moths, and other pests away from the fabric. Alternatively, you can cut the plastic about four inches below the top to allow for air circulation while still providing some protection from dust.
It is worth noting that dry cleaning chemicals need to be ventilated rather than trapped in the bag, as they can be erosive and cause yellowing of your clothing. Additionally, storing clothes in plastic bags can make it difficult to remove any residual odours from the chemicals and can allow stains to oxidize, making them harder to clean.
From an organisational standpoint, removing the plastic from dry-cleaned items can make your closet look neater and more accessible. It can also help you identify what clothes you have available to wear, as it is difficult to discern what is inside a plastic-covered item.
Finally, single-use plastic from dry cleaners contributes to the plastic pollution crisis, with 96% of plastic film ending up in landfills or the ocean. Consumers can advocate for change by asking their dry cleaners to switch to reusable bags, which are cheaper and more sustainable alternatives.
Unlocking Your GoPro: Opening the Plastic Case
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chemicals from dry cleaning are erosive and need ventilation.
Dry cleaning is a process that involves the use of chemicals to clean clothes and fabrics. While dry cleaning effectively removes dirt and stains from clothes, the chemicals used in this process can be harmful if not properly handled, stored, or disposed of.
One of the main chemicals used in dry cleaning is perchloroethylene (PCE or perc, tetrachloroethylene). PCE is a solvent that has been widely used in the dry cleaning industry since the 1930s. It is effective at removing dirt and stains from fabrics, but it poses potential health and environmental risks if not properly managed.
The concern with dry cleaning chemicals arises when they are released into the air or seep into the ground due to improper handling, storage, or disposal. Inhalation of high concentrations of PCE, for example, can have narcotic and hallucinogenic effects, leading to its classification as a mild neurotoxin. Additionally, PCE is suspected to be carcinogenic to humans in the long term, although evidence is limited due to other confounding factors.
To mitigate these potential risks, proper ventilation is crucial during the dry cleaning process. Commercial dry cleaners should have adequate ventilation systems to protect workers from inhaling harmful chemicals. In addition, at-home dry cleaning practices should include removing clothing from plastic bags to allow for air circulation and the dissipation of any residual chemicals.
It is important to note that dry cleaning chemicals can remain on clothing even after the cleaning process. These chemicals need to off-gas or ventilate to prevent them from being trapped in the plastic bag, which can lead to yellowing of the clothing and the formation of mildew due to trapped moisture. By removing the plastic, you allow the clothes to breathe and reduce the potential for damage caused by trapped chemicals and humidity.
Alcohol's Effect on Plastic and Vinyl: Damage Done?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic bags are not meant for permanent storage as clothes need to breathe
Plastic bags are meant to protect your clothes from the dry cleaners to your closet. However, they are not meant for permanent storage. This is because clothes need to breathe, and plastic does not allow for that.
Clothes are often laundered and not dry-cleaned, and the chemicals used in the process can be erosive. These chemicals need to be ventilated rather than trapped in the bag. If you leave your clothes in the plastic bag, it can cause yellowing of the clothing. This is because the plastic traps humidity, which can result in mildew. Mildew can weaken the fibres of the fabric.
If you want to preserve and protect your clothes, it is best to use cotton garment bags with zippers. Cotton allows clothes to breathe while keeping dust, moths, and pests away. Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, bamboo, silk, and wool are breathable and allow for easy air circulation. They also wick away perspiration and help keep the body cool.
If you are concerned about dust, you can cut the plastic about four inches below the top. Alternatively, you can recycle the plastic bags in the same bins where you recycle plastic grocery bags.
Plastic Pollution: Millions of Tons of Waste
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Reusable bags are a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to disposable plastic bags
While it is convenient to use the plastic bags that dry-cleaned clothes come in, it is not advisable to use them for storage. The plastic is meant to protect the clothing from the dry cleaner to your closet. However, dry-cleaned clothes need to breathe, and plastic does not allow for that. Chemicals from the dry-cleaning process can be trapped in the bag, and if left long enough, could result in mildew, which could weaken the fabric and cause yellowing. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the plastic wrapping and store the clothes in a cloth garment bag that allows for air circulation while keeping dust and pests away.
Reusable bags are a more sustainable alternative to disposable plastic bags, especially if you are faithful about reusing them. While it is true that reusable bags require more material and energy input, they have a lower environmental impact in the long run. This is because the average person uses hundreds of plastic bags every year, and these bags often end up in landfills, where they endanger wildlife and never biodegrade.
The number of times you need to reuse a bag to make it more eco-friendly than a disposable plastic bag varies depending on the type of reusable bag. For example, an average cotton bag would need to be reused 131 times, while a bag made from non-woven polypropylene (a more durable type of plastic) would likely require fewer uses. Additionally, the shape of reusable bags allows them to hold more than single-use plastic bags, so you would need even fewer reusable bags to do the same job.
Reusable bags can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, hemp fiber, and even recycled plastic. They are built to be reused many times and are often more durable than single-use plastic bags. Some reusable bags also have rigid inserts at the bottom for added strength. While paper bags are another alternative, they are not as eco-friendly as they may seem. Paper bags require more water and contribute to acid rain and eutrophication of waterways at higher rates.
Therefore, it is clear that reusable bags are a more sustainable and cost-effective option than disposable plastic bags. By investing in a few reusable bags and being mindful of reusing them, you can significantly reduce your environmental impact.
Restore Car Plastic Side Molding Like a Pro
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic bags can make it difficult to identify items in your closet
Plastic bags can also trap humidity, which, if left long enough, could result in mildew. This could weaken the fibres of the fabric. It could also cause yellowing of the garment, which may happen if moisture comes into contact with one of the chemicals used to manufacture the plastic bag. The chemicals used in the dry cleaning process are erosive and need to be ventilated rather than trapped in the bag.
To avoid this, you can use cotton garment bags with zippers. Cotton allows clothes to breathe while keeping dust, moths, and other pests away from the fabric. Alternatively, you can cut the plastic about four inches below the top to allow for some ventilation.
There are other ways to organise your closet to make items easier to identify. For example, using slim hangers can free up room, letting you fit more clothes in your closet. Using the same type of hanger creates a uniform look, making it easier to find what you need. You can also try organising your closet by season to free up space and keep your clothes fresh.
Sealing Brass and Plastic: The Ultimate Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you should throw away plastic dry cleaning. Plastic dry cleaning bags are meant to protect your clothes from the dry cleaner to your closet. They are not meant to be permanent storage.
The plastic bags trap humidity, which can result in mildew and weaken the fabric. The bags also prevent your clothes from breathing, and they make it difficult for clothing to release any dry-cleaning chemical odors.
You can use cotton garment bags with zippers. Cotton allows clothes to breathe while keeping dust, moths, and other pests away from the fabric. Several companies, such as Idea Stage and Spector Textiles, make reusable bags for dry cleaners.
Yes, you can recycle dry-cleaning plastic in the same bins where you recycle plastic grocery bags. These can be found at chain grocery and drug stores, among other places.
Consumers need to speak up and ask their cleaners to change. You can also ask your dry cleaner to use a reusable bag and return it with the next batch of clothes.
