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If you’ve ever picked up clothes from a traditional dry cleaner and caught that strong, chemical “dry cleaning smell,” you’ve already met PERC—short for perchloroethylene.

For decades, PERC was the standard solvent in this industry. It cleans well, especially on grease and oil, and it helped build the classic dry-cleaning model.

But at Joe’s Organic Dry Cleaners & Tailoring Alterations in Westbury, we made a different choice:

We do NOT use PERC.
And that choice sits at the center of who we are and how we care for your clothes, your family, and our community.

This article explains:

• What PERC is

• Why many cleaners still use it

• Why we decided to move away from it

• What we use instead

• How our PERC-free system benefits you and your clothes

First Things First: What Is PERC?

PERC (perchloroethylene):

• Is a chlorinated solvent that has been used by dry cleaners for many decades

• Is very effective at dissolving oils, grease, and many stains

• Has a strong, recognizable odor that many people associate with “dry cleaning smell”

But it also has some serious drawbacks:

• It requires strict handling and ventilation

• It’s considered a hazardous substance in many regulations

• Environmental and health concerns have led to tighter rules and phase-outs in some places

In plain Westbury language:
PERC works—but it’s not the kind of chemistry we want to bring into your home or keep in our plant.

Why Many Dry Cleaners Still Use PERC

Before we talk about why Joe’s does not use PERC, it’s fair to explain why others still do.

Many cleaners stay with PERC because:

• It’s familiar and they’ve used it for years

• Older machines are built around PERC and expensive to replace

• It’s a powerful grease and oil solvent

• Switching to new systems requires major investment in equipment and training

So when you see “old-school” dry cleaners with that strong smell in the shop, there’s a good chance PERC is still in use.

We’re not here to attack other businesses. We’re here to explain our different path.

Our Decision: Why Joe’s Does NOT Use PERC

WHO Are We Making This Choice For?

We made this choice for:

• Our customers and their families

• Our staff, who work around cleaning systems all day

• Our neighborhood in Westbury and the wider Long Island community

• Future customers who care about eco-friendly, PERC-free cleaning

And, frankly, for our own conscience as a local, family-focused business.

WHAT Do We Use Instead of PERC?

At Joe’s, we’ve invested in:

• SYSTEMK4 organic dry cleaning – a modern, eco-conscious solvent system designed to be biodegradable and less hazardous than traditional PERC-based systems

• Professional wet cleaning – a highly controlled water-based method using specialized detergents, precise drum movement, and temperature settings

Together, these form our PERC-free cleaning platform:

• Strong on oils, sweat, everyday soil

• Gentler on fabrics and dyes

• Much easier on noses and lungs

WHEN Did PERC Become a Problem for Us?

We started asking hard questions when we realized:

• Customers were commenting on strong odors from other cleaners

• Families were asking about safer, more eco-friendly options

• Regulations and industry research were moving away from PERC

• We wanted to build Joe’s as a future-focused, sustainable cleaner, not a relic of the past

That pushed us to update our technology and commit to PERC-free operations.

WHERE Does This Matter Most?

It matters:

• Inside our plant, where staff spend hours each day

• Inside your home, where garments come back into contact with skin, kids, and pets

• Throughout Westbury and our local environment, where emissions and disposal practices matter

We don’t want harsh solvent odors on your clothes—or floating around our neighborhood.

WHY We Chose to Go PERC-Free (The Core Reasons)

1. Health & Comfort for Customers and Staff

With PERC, people often report:

• Strong “chemical” smell on garments

• Discomfort or headaches from the odor

• Concern about residues and off-gassing

By using PERC-free systems, we aim for:

• Fresh-smelling, low-odor garments

• A more comfortable plant environment for staff

• Greater peace of mind for families bringing clothes into their homes

2. Eco-Conscious Responsibility

We live and work in the same community we serve.

Choosing a PERC-free system aligns with:

• Reduced hazardous waste

• Lower environmental impact

• A more sustainable long-term business model

We want Joe’s to be the kind of business we’re proud to pass on to the next generation—not one tied to outdated chemistry.

3. Fabric Care & Garment Longevity

PERC is strong—but strong doesn’t always mean gentle.

Our modern combination of SYSTEMK4 and wet cleaning is designed to:

• Protect colors and prints

• Be gentle on delicate fibers

• Reduce unnecessary wear on garments over time

Your wardrobe is an investment.
Better chemistry helps it last longer.

HOW Our PERC-Free Cleaning Process Works at Joe’s

Step 1: Inspection & Decision – Solvent vs. Wet Cleaning

We start every order with inspection:

• Fabric type and construction

• Lining and trims

• Type of stains (oil-based vs. water-based)

• Colorfastness and shrinkage risk

Then we decide:

• SYSTEMK4 organic cleaning – perfect for structured garments, suits, coats, lined dresses

• Wet cleaning – ideal for many “dry clean only” items and delicate fibers when properly controlled

No PERC comes into play.
Ever.

Step 2: Pre-Spotting with Fabric-Safe Agents

We treat:

• Collars and cuffs

• Underarms and necklines

• Lapels, front panels, hems

Stains are analyzed and treated before cleaning:

• Oil-based stains handled with solvent-compatible spotters

• Water-based stains addressed with wet cleaning chemistry where appropriate

Again: no PERC, just targeted stain removal matched to your garment.

Step 3: Cleaning in SYSTEMK4 or Wet Cleaning Systems

Our machines:

• Use SYSTEMK4 organic solvent in a closed-loop system

• Or use controlled water cycles for wet cleaning

• Filter and recycle cleaning medium efficiently

• Carefully control drum motion and temperature

You get high-level cleaning without traditional PERC exposure.

Step 4: Drying, Conditioning & Pressing

After cleaning:

• Garments are dried at appropriate temperatures

• Fibers are relaxed, not overcooked

• We press and finish using professional pressing equipment and hand irons

The results:

• Crisp suits and dresses

• Smooth shirts and blouses

• Fabric that feels more “like itself,” not coated in harsh residue

How This PERC-Free Decision Benefits You

1. A Better Experience When You Open the Bag

PERC smell is unmistakable.

With our PERC-free system, customers often notice:

• Clothes smell clean and fresh, not harsh or chemical

• Less hesitation about hanging garments in closets or kids’ rooms

• Greater confidence wearing items all day without that “dry cleaner smell” following them around

2. Confidence for Families & Sensitive Customers

If you’re:

• A parent with young children

• Someone with sensitive skin

• A person who reacts to strong fragrances or chemicals

…you’ll likely appreciate that Joe’s:

• Does not use PERC at all

• Chooses lower-odor, eco-conscious systems

• Often pairs organic dry cleaning with wet cleaning for suitable garments

We don’t claim to be a medical solution—but we are proudly a more comfortable option.

3. Supporting a Cleaner Westbury, Literally

Our PERC-free operations contribute to:

• Lower risk of hazardous solvent emissions

• More sustainable cleaning practices long-term

• A better match between customer values and local business practices

If you care about eco-friendly organic dry cleaning in Westbury, this is the backbone of what that means at Joe’s.