Dry cleaning – for demanding clothes!
Dry cleaning is the previously used form of professional textile cleaning. Many textiles, particularly those that comprise different kinds of fabric such as men‘s suits, ladies’ costumes, coats, ladies’ dresses and evening costumes, demand expert treatment. In this case, the traditional textile cleaning in solvents is, in addition to wet cleaning, another possibility for the gentle cleaning of the valuable clothing.
History and milestones
Kreussler Textile Care originated from the company specialized in aniline dyed, that developed, produced and sold textile dyes for clothes, levelling agents and detergents. After 1930, Kreussler expanded their range and developed petrol soaps with electrostatic effect for the then new service „dry cleaning“. For the textile chemistry branch, dry cleaning became increasingly important. Soon the production volume of cleaning enhancers exceeded that of the dyes.
With the purchase of the dry cleaning products branch from Henkel Düsseldorf (1985), Kreussler became market leader in Europe in this sector. Before this, the corresponding businesses of the companies Gronewald & Stommel, Zschimmer & Schwarz and Simon & Dürkheim had been taken over so that Kreussler’s own development of textile auxiliary agents was based on a systematic, scientific foundation.
Milestones in the development of the dry cleaning sector of Kreussler:
| 1952 | Market introduction of DERVAL PER, the first cleaning enhancer for application in the new solvent perchlorethylene. |
| 1962 | Introduction of the family brands |
| • CLIP cleaning enhancer; | |
| • FRESH finishing agent; | |
| • DRY impregnating agant; | |
| • ACTIVAL spotting agent | |
| for chemicals for dry cleaning. | |
| 1964 | Market introduction of CLIP AS Conc., the first cleaning enhancer for perchlorethylene that does not contain foreign solvents. |
| 1966 | Development of the HL procedure characterized by the fact that water is added directly (not emulsified on cleaning enhancers) to the cleaning bath which results in fundamentally improved dirt and stain removal. |
| 1970 | Market introduction of DRY F, the first liquid impregnating agent that allows impregnation immediately after cleaning without the necessity of an additional impregnating bath. |
| 1972 | Patent application DE 22 28 538 as procedure for dry cleaning, characterized by the fact that water-soluble dirt can be removed from the textiles without adding water to the cleaning bath. The basis for this is the application of the cleaning enhancer CLIP SOLO. |
| 1974 | Patent application DE 24 12 175 as procedure for finishing textiles durig dry cleaning, characterized by the fact that special surfactants with cleaning and finishing capabilities are used. This patent is the basis for the cleaning enhancer CLIP COMBI. |
| 1976 | Market introduction of VINOY 2000 as fiber protecting agent for oil and water and for the repellent finishing of textiles during dry cleaning. |
| 1978 | Development and market introduction of special procedures for cleaning work clothing made of polyester, cotton and mixed fabrics with water additives of up to 40% of the fabric weight using the cleaning enhancer CLIP EM. |
| 1981 | Application of patents DE 31 11 129 (adsorption) and E 31 11 149: Active ingredient to reduce the greying of textiles in wet cleaning and dry cleaning. CLIP SORBA and the highly concentrated cleaning enhancer CLIP CONZ were developed on the basis of this knowledge. |
| 1982 | Application of patent DE 31 11 158: Disinfecting cleaning enhancer für dry cleaning. This patent is the basis for CLIP ASEPT which was introduced to the market in the same year. |
| 1987 | Application of patent DE 37 39 711: Use of polydialkylcyclosiloxanes (D3 – D6) as dry cleaning solvents – today known as GreenEarth (cyclosiloxane D5). Later, the further use of the patent was abandoned. |
| 2000 | CLIP COMFORT is introduced to the market as multifunctional cleaning enhancer. Its particularity: Applicable in perc but optimized for hydrocarbon solvent; when applied in hydrocarbon solvent, the achieved cleaning effect is comparable to that of perc. Further particularities are active odour absorption due to complexation and microbiological effect even within the sections of the cleaning machine that are not in contact with solvent as protection against unwanted odour formation. |
| 2008 | Market introduction of the concentrated active ingredient CLIP GREEN CONC for dry cleaning. With CLIP GREEN CONC, Kreussler’s R&D department have succeeded in optimizing totally new surfactant combinations particularly for the demands of applications in hydrocarbon and perc, thereby achieving in both types of solvent a cleaning effect that has so far been unequalled. This active ingredient combination is characterized by the fact that it forms stable microemulsions with water both in perc and in hydrocarbon solvent. As a result, the product raises the performance as opposed to water-soluble dirts to a level that is totally new for dry cleaning while ensuring comprehensive protection of delicate tissues made of wool and silk. |
| 2011 | SYSTEMK4 – Groundbreaking innovation by Kreussler for the ExpoDetergo in Mailand. Textile cleaning is redefined by SYSTEMK4. The heart of the new system for textile cleaning is the new SOLVONK4, a nontoxic, biodegradable organic solvent with the same and partially even better cleaning power than perc that is neither a hazardous material nor a hazardous substance in Europe according to CLP. The solvent is effective not only against fat, oil, resin and wax but also against water-soluble substances while being gentle on textiles and clothing leather. SYSTEMK4 was registered for patent worldwide. |
Modern laboratories and practice-oriented technology form the background for the future-oriented research with product and procedure development. The success, however, is based on the knowledge, the motivation and the team spirit of those who develop ideas and find ways for realizing them. The concentrated personnel competence of Kreussler and the climate in which it can flourish is unequalled in the professional textile service.
Knowledge transfer
Research projects
The active participation in research projects (e.g. BMBF collaborative project 0339911 „Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Surfactants for Cleaning Textiles in Compressed Carbon Dioxide“, EU Project FP 7, „Advanced LCO2 Cleaning as an Ecological Process Technology in the EU (ACCEPT, 222051) confirms our orientation towards the future.
Education and advanced training
We also make our expert knowledge available for apprenticeship training and master craftsman training. Our employees work as vocational school teachers, lecturers in master preparatory courses and in other advanced training events.
Our technical school and a training room offer the possibility of transmitting, deepening or simply just refreshening knowledge in theory and practice. This possibility is enjoyed by many of our customers.
Products and procedures
The demand on cleaning agent manufacturers is high. The customers expect products that are carefully matched to each other, provide excellent results, minimize the costs and are still environment-friendly. We offer cleaning enhancers, prespotting and spotting agents, impregnating and finishing agents, leather auxiliary agents as well as products for solvent care. These are high-quality products that ensure the best possible cleaning and care of the textiles – whether in perc, hydrocarbon solvent, cyclosilixane D5, liquid carbon dioxide or the new and environmentally compatible solvent SOLVONK4.
Prespotting and spotting agents
Pre-brushing agents
Dry cleaning detergents
Proofing / Finishing agents
Leather auxiliary agents
Solvents
Solvent care