Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for
clothing and
textiles using a chemical
solvent other than
water. The solvent used is typically toxic
tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), which the industry calls "perc" or "PERC". It is used to clean delicate fabrics that cannot withstand the rough and tumble of a
washing machine and
clothes dryer; it can also eliminate labor-intensive hand washing.