The Professional Solvent Code Alphabet
Inside the circle, capital letters communicate solvent compatibility to your cleaner. While these codes are technical, knowing them ensures you can discuss delicate designer pieces intelligently with your dry cleaner:
Perchloroethylene Allowed
Standard solvent protocol. Cleans using tetrachloroethene (perc) or hydrocarbon solvents. Common for structured suits, wool overcoats, and evening gowns.
Hydrocarbon Solvents Only
Demands milder petroleum or hydrocarbon solvents with higher distillation thresholds. Required for delicate vintage garments, leather trimmings, or beaded silks.
Professional Wet Cleaning
An eco-conscious water-based process using specialized computer-controlled washers, precise moisture dosing, and specialized biodegradable detergents.
Mechanical Agitation Bars on Professional Circles
Just like the washtub glyph, horizontal bars underneath a circle communicate mechanical restraint during commercial cleaning:
| Circle Glyph Variation | Technical Process | Cleaner's Machine Parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Circle with no bars | Standard Professional Cycle | Normal solvent wash duration and normal drying rotation. |
| Circle with single bottom bar | Mild Professional Cleaning | Strictly reduced mechanical action, moisture addition, or drying temp. |
| Circle with double bottom bar | Very Mild Professional Cleaning | Extremely gentle drum movement; critical for open mesh and fine lace. |
| Empty Circle Crossed Out | Do Not Dry Clean | Solvents will dissolve fabric adhesives, rubberized backings, or sequins. |
| Circle with 'W' Crossed Out | Do Not Wet Clean | Water, even in specialized gentle wet-cleaning rigs, will shrink the fiber. |
"Dry Clean" vs "Dry Clean Only"
In textile labeling standards, "Dry Clean" indicates that dry cleaning is a tested and safe method, but gentle hand washing might also succeed for an experienced laundress. Conversely, the phrase "Dry Clean Only" serves as a definitive manufacturer warning: water immersion will irreversibly ruin internal canvas horsehair chests, interfacings, shoulder structures, or water-soluble dye work.