There are many stories about the origin of drycleaning. Presumably drycleaning was discovered when a petroleum-type fluid accidentally spilled on a greasy fabric; it quickly evaporated and miraculously removed the stains. The firm of Jolly Belin, opening in Paris in the 1840s, is credited as the first drycleaning firm. In those early days “garment scourers and dyers” found several fluids that could be used as drycleaning solvents, including camphene, benzene, kerosene, and gasoline.
These solvents are all dangerously flammable, so drycleaning was a hazardous business until the introduction of Stoddard solvent in 1926, the first petroleum solvent produced specifically for drycleaning. This solvent does not ignite readily and has the added advantage of being free of odor and impurities.
In the 1930s perchloroethylene, a nonflammable fluid, was introduced and is used today in a great majority of drycleaning plants.
Galaxy Dry Cleaners in Wimbledon, Merton, are specialists in the cleaning and preservation of wedding dresses. Our heirloom cleaning process captures and preserves the original beauty of your wedding dress. After cleaning your dress is specially boxed for safekeeping. Bring your dress to us and we'll show you that our service was made for you. For storing your dress The Wedding Dress Box combines a safe and protective environment in which to store your wedding dress with the romance and craftsmanship of a beautiful handmade box.