Natural CO₂ Cleaning In Comparison

Test results by the Hohensteiner Institutes

Because liquid CO₂ does not require high temperatures to develop its cleaning action, the clothing is protected and the danger of dyes running or bleeding is eliminated. Since the CO₂ vaporises immediately after cleaning, no further high-temperature drying is required, thus reducing the energy consumption for the cleaning process as a whole.

The Hohensteiner Institutes conducted a comparison of the liquid CO₂ cleaning process with conventional chemical cleaning using perchlorethylene (PER). A variety of textiles were tested and their shrinking behaviour and fibre appearance / surface texture were assessed after cleaning. The results showed that after up to ten cleaning cycles, the CO₂ deep cleaning process achieved results up to 67 per cent better than PER-based chemical cleaning.



Source: Test report "Einfluss von CO₂ auf das Warenbild und die Oberflächenstruktur
bei der Reinigung von Textilien im Vergleich zu Tetrachlorethen.“ (Comparison of the
effects of CO₂ and tetrachlorethene on fabric appearance and surface texture of
textiles after cleaning)  Bekleidungsphysiologisches Institut Hohenstein. August 2008.
Diagrams showing comparison results produced by Fred Butler.

Test results for cleaning processes using perchlorethylene

Perchlorethylene (PER) has been used as a solvent in cleaning processes since the 1930s. Perchlorethylene, or more properly tetrachlorethene, is a colourless non-flammable volatile liquid with vapour which is heavier than air. PER is used extensively in industrial processes and is thus one of the most widespread groundwater contaminants. Chronic exposure to this suspected carcinogen can impair liver and renal functions; longer skin contact with PER causes skin irritation and may lead to inhalation of the substance.  Analysis laboratory ALAB GmbH Analyselabor in Berlin recommends the avoidance of these solvents completely, given the hazards they present for the environment and for human health.
 
Diagram: Perchlorethylene (PER) solvent residues in
clothing items which have undergone a variety of
cleaning processes. The analyses were performed by
a distinguished accredited analysis laboratory. Classic
chemical cleaning leaves residues of erchlorethyldene
in clothing which may be as much as 110mg/kg.






CO₂ is a natural harmless gas; its use does not impact on the health of staff or customers. For this reason Fred Butler was presented with the Blue Angel and other major European environmental quality awards as Germany's first and only CO₂  cleaning company.