GreenEarth Cleaning
2. Why is it better for the earth?
3. Why is it better for clothes?
4. Why is it better for dry cleaners?
5. Why is it better for landlords?
6. How does GreenEarth ensure the success of its Affiliates?
7. What other environmentally friendly practices do you support?
GreenEarth is the brand name for liquid silicone dry cleaning
solution, decamethylpentacyclosiloxane, or D5. It is an exclusive, patented
process whose name and logo are trademarked (there are no "generic"
forms of GreenEarth). GreenEarth's environmentally safe process is eco-friendly,
odor free and gentler on garments, so it resonates with environmentalists,
regulators, health professionals, consumers and dry cleaning operators
alike. GreenEarth Cleaning is the world's largest retail brand in dry
cleaning, enabling operators to easily and effectively differentiate
themselves in a commoditized marketplace.
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Eighty-five percent of dry cleaners use a solvent known as perc, short for perchloroethylene, a chlorinated hydrocarbon classified by the EPA as a Toxic Air Contaminant. Use of perc is highly regulated because indiscriminate disposal of perc can seriously contaminate soil and groundwater, and exposure can irritate eyes, nose and throat, as well as cause headaches, dizziness or fatigue. Perc is also classified by the EPA as a possible to probable human carcinogen. In contrast, GreenEarth is so safe the EPA does not regulate it; it's safe for the air, water and soil. What's more, the GreenEarth solution is not a VOC; it is non-toxic, and non-hazardous. If you wanted to, you could safely rub it on your skin. In fact, you probably already do. That's because GreenEarth's solution is pure liquid silicone-essentially liquefied sand. It's the same base ingredient found in everyday shampoos, soaps and lotions. Plus, when released to the environment, liquid silicone safely degrades back into its three natural components: sand (SiO2), water and carbon dioxide.
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GreenEarth solution is different from dry cleaning solvents in two important ways. First, it has very low surface tension. Surface tension is what causes water to “bead up” on fabric. GreenEarth’s low surface tension allows it to more effectively get down in between the dirt and the fabric fibers and lubricate away the dirt particles. Second, liquid silicone is chemically inert, meaning it does not chemically react with the textile fabric or dyes during the cleaning process. Eliminating the rubbing or swelling fabric fibers helps preserve the quality of garments, eliminates problems with fabric wear or color loss, maintains a soft "hand" and prevents shrinkage. Delicate silks, suede, leather, beads, sequins, painted garments, specialty buttons and trims, couture, heirloom fabrics and other "problem" items are no problem at all. And, unlike petroleum based solvents like perc or hydrocarbon, liquid silicone is odorless, so there is no lingering chemical smell on your clothes.
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Dry cleaners face a difficult dilemma: it can be very expensive to purchase and operate an environmentally responsible cleaning system. GreenEarth is the one truly green cleaning system that is affordable for dry cleaners. The cost for a machine capable of using GreenEarth is similar to the perc machines most dry cleaners currently use. And, because it requires less labor to process and finish items cleaned with the GreenEarth system and machines can be configured to use less energy than traditional systems, dry cleaners using GreenEarth enjoy better operating efficiency. Best of all, GreenEarth produces a noticeable difference that customers can see, touch and smell, helping Affiliates attract and keep loyal customers. The only other recognized "green" alternatives in dry cleaning are CO2 and 100% wet cleaning. The problem for dry cleaners, especially the small "mom and pop" cleaners who are the backbone of the industry, is that it is very difficult to make a living operating exclusively with either of these eco-friendly systems. CO2 machines can cost up to three times as much as traditional dry cleaning machines. Wetcleaning requires more labor to produce and finish garments, thus both options are considerably more expensive to operate. Less than one-third of one percent of dry cleaners operate with CO2 or 100% wet cleaning exclusively.
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GreenEarth's non-toxic, non-hazardous rating means no environmental
liability issues. This enables landlords to allow leases at locations
where dry cleaners previously were not allowed. Because dry
cleaning involves two separate trips, each a planned destination, landlords
benefit from the strong weekly traffic a GreenEarth store brings. And,
because GreenEarth Cleaning is the premiere brand of dry cleaning, our
strong quality image attracts upscale and wonderfully loyal customers.
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In many ways. To name a few: The GreenEarth Cleaning
system is a patented process, and our name and logo are trademarked,
helping to ensure the protection of the exclusivity of our brand as
we build a solid network of quality operators. GreenEarth Affiliates
have access to a network of top quality cleaners who share information,
ideas and best practices. GreenEarth Affiliates receive operational
and technical support as well as customer service support and expertise. Of particular value to Affiliates, and the landlords leasing to them,
is the free planning and design of high quality, customizable store
marketing materials. GreenEarth makes it easy for stores to market their
difference and attract new customers. Affiliates
also have access to top quality direct mail fulfillment services, a
website that boosts their quality image and professionalism, and a "store
look up" feature that directs customers to their store 24/7.
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We are very committed to sustainability. Not only do we advocate technologies to lower the dry cleaner’s carbon footprint of utility consumption, we also offer eco-friendly packaging.
GreenEarth operates in a closed loop system, meaning the dry cleaning solution is continually recycled within the machine. The fluid is kept clean through use of a filtration system. Many of our Affiliates use a new cold-filtration technology that reduces utility demand (steam, electricity, water) for solvent purification by over 85% from typical dry cleaning processes. It works by substituting natural clay as a filtration medium—the impurities are adsorbed by the clay medium—eliminating the requirement for constant distillation and the associated energy needed to boil the fluid and then return the vapor back into a liquid.
Plastic bags are a serious environmental concern—they take up space in landfills, threaten wildlife, and can last for hundreds of years. We offer our Affiliates access to oxo-degradable poly bags distributed by First Films in the U.S. The EcoMax degradable bags look and feel just like regular plastic bags but have a special composition that allows them to break down naturally within just two years. To maximize the environmental benefit of all oxo-degradable plastics, they should be recycled instead of thrown away.
Wire hangers may not get as much publicity as plastic, but they are also an environmental problem. Every year, Americans throw away 3.5 billion wire hangers and 5 billion plastic hangers. An excellent alternative is the cardboard EcoHanger®, made from 100% recycled paper and plastic. EcoHangers are manufactured in the U.S. in EPA-regulated factories and are 100% recyclable.
FABRIC CARE TIPS & TRICKS
Find out more about fabric care.
STORE LOCATOR
Locate a GreenEarth Cleaner near you.
AFFILIATE RESOURCE CENTER
Licensed Affiliates Only