What services does EcoClean Offer?
EcoClean offers both dry cleaning and laundry services, as well as free pick up and delivery, so there's no need to make a choice between the environment or your convenience. Call us at 236-8645 for our delivery services.

What are the dangers of dry cleaning?
80% of dry cleaners use Perchloroethylene ("perc")—a chlorinated, industrial solvent used for degreasing metal that has harmful effects on our health and the environment, according to the EPA and World Health Organization. In an effort to become "perc-free," many dry cleaners have turned to something just as problematic, hydrocarbon solvents, as their primary cleaning agents. These toxic petroleum derivatives are VOCs (volatile organic compounds) known to be ozone-depleting hazardous air pollutants. Hydrocarbons increase smog and greenhouse gas emissions. Perc and "alternative" hydrocarbon solvents are still being used by 95% of dry-cleaners in this country. The only garment cleaning process completely backed by environmental action groups is the wet cleaning process used at EcoClean. You can learn more about the dangers of Perc here .

Are there green alternatives?
EcoClean uses a 100% environmentally sound water-based process known as wet cleaning that protects fabrics and leaves garments soft to the touch with no chemical odor or residue. Using water, specialized biodegradable detergents, and state-of-the-art equipment, the EcoClean method poses absolutely no risk to the environment or human health. Read more about the EcoClean process here .

Who is EcoClean?

EcoClean is owned and operated by John Dorgan and Conrad Bejarano who have been in business together in Austin for almost 25 years. They own and operate some of Austin’s most recognizable business and cultural institutions, including I Luv Video, Spider House , and the United States Art Authority . They have a commitment to growing local brands and small business while maintaining their unique vision. “You can always tell when a business is owner operated,” says Bejarano. “Any service we offer is something we’d use ourselves. We want to live a healthy, environmentally friendly lifestyle, that’s why EcoClean is so important to us," says owner John Dorgan. You can read more about them here.

Using water rather than harmful solvents, EcoClean’s wet cleaning process offers a safe alternative for workers and customers alike.  Advancements in technology have allowed the industry to come full circle – returning to the simplicity of soap and water. 

“Humans live in a water based environment,” says Dorgan.  “For this reason, the vast majority of garment stains are much more soluble in water than any other solvent.  Water rinses clean – leaving no residues in the fibers of the garment.  Every other industry solvent is filtered for re-use“

Soil particles too small for filtration accumulate in filtered solvents and are responsible for the yellowing effect often experienced with traditional dry cleaning.  “Now that we have the technology to clean with water, why use anything else?”

The first generation of wet cleaning technology was cumbersome, requiring air-drying of garments after washing and therefore making large-scale operations impractical.  In early 2007, Canadian wet cleaning pioneer and EcoClean adviser Fari Dawudian developed a new generation process that allows wet cleaners the ability to wash and dry like their solvent based competitors.  Operations are now more efficient, and more importantly, the look and feel of finished garments is now second to no other process.  The wet cleaning process is as gentle as hand washing and effective on a full range of garments including dry-clean-only items. 

“The thing I am most proud of is the positive impact a wet cleaning revolution would have in terms of environmental protection and responsibility.  In the last 40 years chemical pollution from dry-cleaning facilities has done horrible damage to land and water resources.  A significant shift toward cleaner, greener technology in the industry is long overdue.”  says EcoClean owner Conrad Bejarano.

You can read more about the wet cleaning process here and here .