What Is GreenEarth Cleaning? The Silicone-Based Alternative to PERC

Readywear Cleaners gets this question a lot: what's actually in the solution used to clean your clothes? It's a fair question — the cleaning process happens behind the scenes, so most customers never know which solvent their cleaner uses or why it matters. And with more dry cleaners advertising themselves as “organic” or “green,” it's gotten harder for customers to know what those terms actually mean. Understanding the differences can help you feel more confident about how your garments are cared for.  

PERC: The Decades-Old Standard

For most of the last 70 years, the dry cleaning industry relied on a solvent called PERC (perchloroethylene) to clean garments. It became the standard because it removed stains effectively without water. Over time, researchers and regulators found that long-term PERC exposure raises health and environmental concerns, and it's now being phased out nationwide. Under the EPA's final risk management rule, general dry cleaners must stop using PERC by December 2027, and Illinois state law sets a full ban by January 2030. Some cleaners still use it today, but that's changing quickly across the industry.  

The Shift to Petroleum and "Organic" Cleaning Claims

As PERC has phased out, many dry cleaners have shifted to a different solvent: petroleum-based, or hydrocarbon, cleaning solutions. It's a real improvement over PERC in some ways — generally gentler on fabric and not linked to the same health concerns. But it's still a petroleum byproduct that is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC) and hazardous air pollutant. 

Here's where it gets confusing for customers: many cleaners using petroleum-based solvents market their process as “organic.” Technically, that's not false — in chemistry, “organic” simply means a compound contains carbon, and petroleum qualifies. But that's a very different meaning than what most customers assume “organic” means when they see it on a sign or a garment bag. It doesn't mean natural, chemical-free, or better for the environment. It just means it's carbon-based — and PERC itself is technically “organic” by that same definition. 

The takeaway: If you see a cleaner advertising “organic dry cleaning,” it's worth asking what cleaning solvent they’re actually using. The term doesn’t always tell the full story about the cleaning process. 

How Liquid Silicone Actually Cleans Clothes

Liquid silicone has a low surface tension, allowing it to move through fabric fibers and lift away dirt, body oils, and many common stains without using water. The cleaning process is straightforward: 

This combination of careful inspection, gentle cleaning, and professional finishing helps garments come back looking clean while preserving their color, texture, and overall appearance.

Is GreenEarth Gentler on Your Garments?

GreenEarth is designed to clean clothing without acting aggressively on delicate fabrics. Because liquid silicone has a low surface tension, it moves through fibers to lift away dirt and oils while helping protect colors, textures, and the overall look of a garment. It's also well-suited for items with decorative details, including buttons, beads, sequins, and trims that can be more sensitive to harsher cleaning methods — which can matter for garments meant to be worn for years. 



No cleaning process can prevent normal wear over time, but choosing a gentler cleaning method can help clothing maintain its appearance longer. Combined with proper stain treatment, professional pressing, and careful inspection, GreenEarth helps garments return looking fresh while respecting delicate fabrics and decorative details.