Kuivapesun

Kuivapesu is Finnish for dry cleaning, a method of cleaning textiles and garments using organic solvents rather than water. It is commonly used for fabrics that can be damaged, shrunk, or stretched by water washing, such as wool, silk, or tailored suits, as well as garments with delicate trims, linings, or coatings.

The typical process involves inspection and pre-treatment of stains, loading the items into a dry cleaning machine, and circulating a solvent bath to dissolve soils. The solvent is filtered and recycled in a closed loop. After cleaning, the garments are dried, deodorized, and finished with pressing or steaming. The method aims to remove stains while protecting fabric structure and appearance.

Solvents used in dry cleaning have varied over time. Perchloroethylene (perc) was historically the most common solvent due to its cleaning power, but it is associated with health and environmental concerns. Many facilities now use alternative solvents such as hydrocarbon-based formulas, silicone-based solvents, or newer technologies like liquid CO2, offering different safety and environmental profiles. Regulations regarding solvent handling, ventilation, waste management, and worker protection influence practices in Finland and other regions.

Safety and environmental aspects are important considerations. Proper equipment, adequate ventilation, and trained staff help minimize risks from solvent exposure and fires. Ongoing development in dry cleaning seeks to reduce toxicity and ecological impact while maintaining fabric care standards. As an alternative to traditional dry cleaning, some textiles may undergo advanced wet cleaning, a water-based method using specialized detergents and controlled parameters.