Exploring Industrial Supplies

If you have been in the dry cleaning business for years, then you may currently only own one or more dry cleaning machines that are made specifically for use with perchloroethylene, or PERC, dry-cleaning solvent. As you likely know, newer, more eco-friendly dry cleaning solvents are now on the market, but they cannot be used in your machine built specifically for use with PERC. While you may not currently feel the need to invest in an alternative solvent dry cleaning machine, read on to learn two reasons why you should purchase one now rather than later, and how to squeeze the purchase into a tight budget. 

1. As More of Your Customers Become Eco-conscious, You May Lose Their Business

As more and more dry cleaning businesses are offering alternative solvent, or "organic," dry cleaning services that are better for the environment, more customers are looking into how these services differ from traditional PERC-based dry cleaning. As your current customers learn about the new dry cleaning solvents that are less harmful to the environment, they may begin asking you to offer this service. 

While you can explain to them that they are not compatible with your current dry-cleaning machines, you cannot stop them from abandoning your business to begin having their clothing cleaned by another business. 

While your customer's clothing that is cleaning in a PERC solution is not toxic to them, many people today suspect that anything harmful to the environment must be harmful to their bodies. The huge growth in the organic food and organic beauty product industries in recent years are signs that people are looking for organic alternatives to virtually everything they use on a dally basis. 

As an added bonus, if you begin using an "organic" alternative solvent dry cleaning machine and no other dry cleaning service in your area offers this service, you will likely gain so many new customers that you regret waiting so long to purchase your new machine. 

2. Using Organic Solvents Can Improve Your Air 

While clothing cleaned with perchloroethylene is not hazardous to your customers, since very little remains on clothing once it is laundered and the chemical is not hazardous to skin, PERC-based dry cleaning machines can take a toll on the air quality in your dry cleaning facility. While customers stroll in and out quickly and don't suffer the consequences of long-term PERC fume exposure, limiting your exposure to the fumes of the cleaning solution can help you preserve your good health. 

Aside from an alternative solvent dry cleaning machine, another alternative to a PERC dry cleaning machine is a wet cleaning machine. However, wet-cleaning machines don't work well for all clothing items. But if you find a good deal on a wet cleaning machine, you can use it on compatible clothing to reduce your use of your PERC dry cleaning machine. 

How to Save on Dry Cleaning Machines

While new dry cleaning machines of all types can be expensive, you have two options for obtaining a great machine at a great price: you can buy a used machine or you can buy a refurbished dry cleaning machine. Like used cars, used machines have some "miles" on them and you have to make sure you know what to look for when purchasing one to ensure it is still working well. That makes refurbished machines the better choice. 

If you still have only PERC compatible dry cleaning machines in your dry cleaning facility, then investing in an alternative solvent machine can help you keep your eco-conscious customers, attract new ones, and keep your great health for many years to come. Search for affordable providers, such as S&W Equipment, to get the best deal you can get.