Eco-friendly dry cleaning refers to professional cleaning methods that avoid the use of toxic chemicals, such as perchloroethylene (perc). Perc is a VOC and suspected carcinogen, and is used by most conventional dry cleaners. The chemical also contaminates waterways, air, and soil during its use and disposal.

There are a few methods that are touted as green dry cleaning. Wet cleaning and CO2 dry cleaning are toxin-free alternatives. Wet cleaning is a process that uses water as a solvent instead of perc, along with special soaps. CO2 dry cleaning uses pressurized liquid CO2 in a special machine to dissolve dirt and oil on clothes. (CO2 is a greenhouse gas, but since no new CO2 is generated with this technology, it doesn't contribute to global warming.) GreenEarth is another perc-free cleaning method that replaces the chemical with liquid silicone. However, one study suggested the solvent, D-5, causes cancer in rats. "Organic" cleaners who use petroleum-based solvents are not eco-friendly.

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