As a fabric care expert, I have witnessed the damage that can be caused by using improper cleaning methods. That's why it's crucial to understand the significance of solvent-only cleaning when it comes to delicate fabrics. This term refers to the use of hydrocarbon-based compounds instead of water-based solutions, which can be too harsh for certain materials. When a fabric requires solvent cleaners, these are essentially the same type of cleaning solutions used in dry cleaning. These solvents are specifically designed to clean and dissolve stains without the use of water, making them ideal for fabrics that are sensitive to moisture.
This is why dry solvent cleaning is reserved for delicate or non-fading fabrics that can be damaged when using water-based methods. The dry cleaning symbol that appears with the capital letter “A” means that the dry cleaner can use any solvent to clean the material. This gives you the flexibility to choose a cleaner that you trust and feel comfortable with. However, it's important to note that not all fabrics can be cleaned with any solvent. If you see the circle above, but it has an “A” inside, it means that when you take the item to the dry cleaner, you can use any solvent to clean it.
These fabrics can be cleaned with upholstery shampoo, a mild detergent foam, or a mild solvent for dry cleaning. On the other hand, if you come across a care label with a circle and an “F” inside, this indicates that the garment can only be dry cleaned with a petroleum solvent. This is typically seen on more delicate fabrics such as linen, wool, and silk. These materials require extra care and cannot be machine dry-cleaned. Instead, your professional dry cleaner will use petroleum-based solvents to ensure that your garment is cleaned safely and effectively. It's important to note that natural materials, such as linen, wool, and silk, work better with solvents than water-based solutions.
This is because water can leave a ring of moisture or even shrink the fabric, causing irreversible damage. By using a solvent-only cleaning method, you can rest assured that your delicate fabrics will be treated with the utmost care and attention.
