Written by Barry Victor, President and Owner of PROS Parts    

When customers drop off a garment at their local drycleaner, few stop to think about the centuries of innovation that made modern drycleaning possible. Yet the story of drycleaning is one of accidental discoveries, scientific advancement, and continuous improvement—a story that continues today.

An Accidental Discovery

The origins of drycleaning are often traced back to the early 1800s and a French dye works owner named Jean Baptiste Jolly.

According to popular accounts, Jolly noticed that a tablecloth became cleaner after a kerosene-based lamp was accidentally spilled on it. Instead of leaving a stain, the solvent dissolved oils and dirt that traditional water washing could not remove. Intrigued by the result, Jolly began experimenting with petroleum-based liquids to clean fabrics.

Recognizing the commercial potential, he opened what is believed to be the first drycleaning business in Paris around 1845. His process became known as “dry cleaning” because it used liquid solvents rather than water.

Why “Dry” Cleaning?

One of the most common misconceptions is that drycleaning is actually dry. (Of course you know this, but many of your customers don’t!)

In reality, garments are immersed in liquid solvents throughout the cleaning process. The term “dry” simply distinguishes the process from traditional laundering with water. Because many fabrics react poorly to water, solvent cleaning offered a way to safely clean garments while maintaining their shape, texture, and appearance.

The Early Years: Petroleum-Based Solvents

Throughout the late 1800s, drycleaners relied on petroleum-based solvents such as:

These solvents were effective at removing oil-based stains, but they came with significant risks. Many were highly flammable, creating serious safety concerns for drycleaning facilities. Fires and explosions were not uncommon in the early days of the industry.

As drycleaning grew in popularity, the search for safer alternatives intensified.

A Major Industry Shift: The Introduction of Perchloroethylene

In the 1930s, the industry began adopting perchloroethylene, commonly known as “perc.”

Perc offered several advantages:

For decades, perc became the dominant drycleaning solvent across North America and much of the world. It enabled the industry to grow rapidly and established many of the cleaning standards still recognized today.

The Evolution of Drycleaning Equipment

As solvents evolved, so did the machinery.

Early drycleaning operations required significant manual labor. Cleaning, extracting solvent, and drying garments often involved separate pieces of equipment and multiple handling steps.

Over time, manufacturers developed increasingly sophisticated systems that:

• Improved solvent recovery

• Reduced labor requirements

• Enhanced cleaning consistency

• Increased safety

• Reduced environmental impact

Today’s drycleaning machines feature advanced filtration systems, computerized controls, and highly efficient solvent management technologies that would have been unimaginable to the industry’s pioneers.

Modern Drycleaning: Focus on Safety and Sustainability

Over the past several decades, environmental and regulatory considerations have driven another wave of innovation.

Many cleaners have adopted alternative cleaning technologies, including:

At the same time, equipment manufacturers continue to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance worker safety.

The result is an industry that remains committed to providing high-quality garment care while continually adapting to new technologies and customer expectations.

Looking Ahead

The history of drycleaning demonstrates a remarkable ability to innovate. From a chance spill in a French workshop to today’s highly engineered cleaning systems, the industry has continually evolved to meet changing needs. 

While the solvents, equipment, and processes have changed dramatically over the past 180 years, the core mission remains the same: helping customers protect and extend the life of their garments.

At PROS, we’re proud to support the businesses that continue this tradition of innovation every day. Whether it’s maintaining equipment, sourcing critical parts, or helping operators keep their facilities running smoothly, we’re honored to play a small role in an industry with such a rich history.

Fun Fact: Drycleaning has been around for nearly two centuries, but people have been using specialized cleaning methods for delicate fabrics for thousands of years. Ancient Romans operated “fulleries,” where garments were cleaned using mixtures of clay, lye, and other cleaning agents long before modern drycleaning solvents were discovered.

PROS Parts is always here for your drycleaning equipment parts, and commercial and industrial laundry parts needs. 

Contact us or visit our website.

About Barry Victor  
Barry founded PROS Parts in the spring of 1988. Before starting PROS, Barry worked in the sales and engineering departments of Vic Manufacturing, one of the largest manufacturers of dry cleaning equipment in the U.S. At Vic, Barry launched a parts sales division that supported dry cleaning equipment imported from Italy and Germany. In its early years, PROS manufactured dry cleaning machinery and supported the parts needs of owners of Italian drycleaning machinery. Later, they added industrial and commercial laundry equipment parts. Barry lives in Plymouth, Minnesota with his wife. He has two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter, and his dog, Sora.   

Barry can be reached at 763-231-7379 or [email protected].