Clean the green way Innovations in clothes cleaning could change wash day in the next millennium. As a result, they use 39 percent less water and 58 percent less energy per load. Detergent manufacturers see high demand for these washers and are gearing up for increased sales of specially-formulated detergents. Bloomington has one of the first ten cleaners in the state to provide wet cleaning as an alternative to their customers. Wet cleaning is a full immersion process using water, natural soaps, steam and heat.
Many cleaners find wet cleaning economically competitive with dry-cleaning.
Green cleaner checklist Commonly-used cleaning products are among the more hazardous chemicals used, according to the environmental product labeling organization Green Seal. Choose cleaners with phosphate concentrations of 0.5 percent or less by weight. Look for concentrated formulations that work in cold water. Choose products with volatile organic compound concentrations of no more that 10 percent by weight when diluted for use as directed. Favor products with a neutral pH. Choose refillable, recycled or recyclable containers.