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Dry Cleaning

A Spill That Created a Solution for Spotless Style

Dry Cleaning

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In the mid-19th century, Jean Baptiste Jolly, a French dye-works owner, was about to stumble upon a laundry game-changer—and it all started with a spilled bottle of kerosene. One day, Jolly’s maid accidentally knocked over a lamp, spilling kerosene onto a dirty tablecloth. Instead of staining the fabric, the kerosene seemed to clean it, removing the dirt without the use of water!


The Surprising Stain Remover

Jolly quickly realized that certain solvents (in this case, kerosene) could clean fabrics without water—a process that later became known as dry cleaning. Rather than washing clothes in water, the clothes were "bathed" in chemical solvents that dissolved grease, oils, and other stains that water couldn’t touch. Jolly was onto something big and soon opened the world’s first dry cleaning shop in Paris in 1855, offering this revolutionary new service.


Dry Cleaning Gets a Makeover

Though effective, kerosene and other early solvents like turpentine and gasoline weren’t exactly safe—these flammable chemicals posed a real danger. As the practice of dry cleaning spread, there was a need for safer, more effective solvents. By the early 20th century, the discovery of carbon tetrachloride and later perchloroethylene (perc) made the process much safer and less risky.


These new solvents worked wonders on delicate fabrics like silk and wool, which could be damaged by regular washing. As a result, dry cleaning became a staple for cleaning fine clothing and fabrics that were too fragile for water-based cleaning methods.


A Lifesaver for Fashion

As fashion evolved, dry cleaning became an essential service for keeping clothes looking fresh. Tuxedos, evening gowns, and delicate suits could be cleaned without the risk of shrinking, fading, or stretching that might occur with traditional washing. Dry cleaning shops began popping up around the world, and the process became a trusted part of garment care.


Modern Dry Cleaning

Today, dry cleaning has come a long way from the days of spilled kerosene. Modern dry cleaning machines use environmentally safer solvents and advanced technology to clean clothing gently but effectively. 

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