A safer choice than traditional dry cleaning, professional wet cleaning has been identified as an environmentally friendly, non-smog-forming technology.
More than 75% of dry cleaning sites in the US are contaminated with hazardous substances. Dry cleaning solvents affect the water and land around those sites. These solvents are known negative health impacts (damage to the liver, kidneys, reproductive system, nervous system, and cancer). A dry cleaning solvent, perchloroethylene (perc), a known carcinogen, is persistent in the environment. Long-term exposure can lead to neurological effects, reduced fertility, and spontaneous abortions.
The hydrocarbon solvents used as common substitutes to Perc often contain carcinogens like benzene and are known to be neurotoxicants, skin, and respiratory irritants capable of aggravating your asthma. Another alternative, GreenEarth®, contains a chemical that is a suspected carcinogen and reproductive toxicant.
Find a Professional Wet Cleaner Near You
Wet Cleaners in San Francisco
Marina/Cow Hollow
Mulberry's Garment Care
2295 Filbert Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 440-3355
Nob Hill
Bay Breeze Cleaners
1018 Hyde Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 474-5524
North of Panhandle
Savvy Green Cleaners
1890 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 861-2354
Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights Cleaners
2437 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 567-5999
Potrero Hill
Vermont Cleaners
600 Vermont Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 647-8080
South Beach
Mulberry's Garment Care
244 Townsend
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 546-0629
Richmond
SF Green Clean
4001 Balboa Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 567-2100
West Portal
Portal Cleaners
181 W. Portal Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
(415) 681-5011
Don't see your garment cleaner on the list?
Ask your local garment cleaner to become a wet cleaner. For businesses trying to switch to wet cleaning, the Air Resources Board offers $10,000 in grants for transition to non-toxic garment cleaning technology as part of Assembly Bill (AB) 998. Contact the Toxics Reduction team at 415.355.3700 to learn more about switching to non-toxic garment cleaning.
Related Content
Comparison of various garment cleaning methods (PDF)
Additional Resources
Dry Cleaning Worker Safety, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
