The Difference Between Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services

Today, more than ever, people value convenience and speed, when it comes to getting things done. As the world becomes more fast-paced with the aid of technology, everyone wants things done efficiently, easily and in an instant.

Washing your clothes, for example, has been made easier with the introduction of washing machines and dryers. Before, people spent all day doing the laundry, washing each piece of clothing by hand. But, with a washing machine and dryer at home, you can do laundry any time it's convenient for you.

Still, some people would rather use this time on other matters. So, they turn to laundry and dry cleaning services to do their clothes washing for them. These establishments offer customers a convenient and efficient way of having their clothes washed and dried.

But, while "laundry" and "dry cleaning" may seem like similar services, there are key differences between them that are essential to know so you can give your clothes the proper cleaning they need.

Laundry and Dry Cleaning: What's the Difference?

Before we discuss the differences between laundry and dry cleaning, let's first look at their similarities. Laundry and dry cleaning are both methods of cleaning, used to remove spots, stains, and foul smells on garments.

The fundamental difference between these two methods, though, is water. Laundry washing uses water, while dry-cleaning doesn't, hence the word "dry." Why is this distinction important? It's because there are clothes meant for dry cleaning only. Likewise, some clothes are made from fabrics designed to be laundered only.

What is Laundry Washing?

This cleaning method, whether you're washing a piece of clothing by hand or you're waiting for a load of laundry in your washing machine at home or a laundry service, is a traditional or typical way of washing clothes. It involves the use of water, laundry detergent, and even different kinds of bleach to clean various garments.

The use of water is what mainly differentiates laundry washing from dry cleaning. With water, the universal solvent, clothes are soaked through and the laundry detergent is distributed evenly, washing away stains, dirt, and foul odors.

What is Dry Cleaning

As the name suggests, dry cleaning does not use water as the main solvent in washing away tough stains and dirt from clothes. Instead, professional dry cleaners use water-free chemical solvents to get rid of stubborn stains in your clothes.

How does it work? The dry cleaning procedure starts with spot treating stains with chemical solvents. Then, the clothes are agitated in a tumble dryer, causing the stains to loosen until they're removed.

Some clothes require dry cleaning because this process eliminates the risk of shrinkage and color bleed, both of which can happen to non-washable fabrics when water is used. Dry cleaning helps protect the original size, texture, and color of fabric that cannot be washed with water. Dry cleaners in Danville, for example, use high-quality spotting agents, and distilled dry-cleaning solvents, created for better stain removal and clean, crisp clothes.

Should You Get Laundry or Dry Cleaning Services?

There are a few ways to know whether you should have your clothes laundered or dry-cleaned. But, the best way to know for sure is to follow the care label attached to each piece of clothing. These labels contain washing instructions, so you can easily determine whether your clothes are better off being laundry washed or dry-cleaned.

No matter your needs, turn to Starcrest Cleaners. We offer both laundry and dry cleaning services in different locations. Even better, we offer laundry pickup services, so you don't have to worry about dropping by our facility.

Learn more about the Starcrest Cleaners difference today.