Each CLIP dry cleaning detergents matches the corresponding solvent optimally and is perfectly filtrable. Dry Cleaning detergents contribute decisively to the cleaning success in solvent cleaning.

• Dry cleaning detergents support the rinsing of prespotted items, ensure hygiene on the textile and in the cleaning machine and give cleaned textiles a discreet scent.
• They facilitate ironing, provide enhanced crease recovery and improve the wear comfort of the clothing.
• Since all organic solvents have only low electrical conductivity as compared to water, they charge textiles with static electricity during the drying cycle. This is another domain for dry cleaning detergents: Antistatic components increase the conductivity of the textile and ensure reliable and lasting antistatic protection of the cleaned clothing while it is worn.
• Dry cleaning detergents protect the textile during the cleaning process. They reduce the pilling characteristics of wool, give textiles a pleasant grip and protect the cleaning machine against lint formation.

Dry cleaning detergents are a matter of trust! 

There are only a few renowned manufacturers of this complexely designed auxiliary agent for dry cleaning. We are the only company that covers all the solvents with market significance worldwide with CLIP cleaning enhancers. Our comprehensive range of CLIP products reflects our competence in the professional textile cleaning.

Kreussler, 100 years at the service of professional textile care!

In 1994, the average dirt load of outerwear was examined by the Hohensteiner Institutes. The dirt load per kg of outerwear averaged 13 – 14 g with 60% being unsoluble pigments (dust, silicates, soot etc.), 20% water-soluble compounds (salts, sweat, food and beverage stains), 10% water-swellable polymeres (starch, blood, protein, often from sauces, food stains) and 10% solvent-soluble dirts (oil, grease, skin fat). While the degree of soiling may differ from these average values, due to varied wearing habits and depending on the catchment area of the textile care operation, it generally tends to increase.

Organic solvents are well capable of removing oil and grease but the removal of water-swellable or water-soluble dirt requires the use of cleaning enhancers. It may even be necessary, in some cases, to perform prespotting with a fine water mist. Pigment dirt cannot be removed with water or solvent. The fine particles, dusts and also soot require the action of the surfactants in the dry cleaning detergents. Without the use of dry cleaning detergents, pigments and particles cannot be removed in solvent, and only cleaning enhancers are capable of dispersing pigments/particles in solvent.   

Without the use of powerful dry cleaning detergents, greying will occur in textile cleaning. This is a clear indication that particles could not be stabilized sufficiently in the liquor and were deposited on the textile again as repeated greying. While this effect is difficult to see on a dark blue suit, it is easily detectable on the lining or at the waistband.

Textile cleaning in solvents is carried out in closed cleaning machines. The cleaning liquors are regenerated after use. Typically, the solvent is distilled for regeneration so that all the dirt is removed from the solvent so that it can be reused in the next cleaning process.

Dosage
The basic concentration of the cleaning enhancer should be 2 – 3 ml/l solvent. With standard two-bath procedures, the dry cleaning detergent is dosed into the second bath. The dosing of the dry cleaning detergent depends on the solvent volume of the first bath which is pumped over completely to the distillation stage after the precleaning cycle.

The distillation of the first bath changes the basic concentration of the cleaning enhancer which has to be compensated by the dosing in the second bath to ensure that the cleaning machine system continues to be well-balanced. The dosing of the dry cleaning detergent in the second bath can be derived from the specified capacity of the cleaning machine. The general rule of thumb is a dosing of 1% of the machine capacity.

A question frequently asked about dry cleaning detergent is: Should the dry cleaning detergent be dosed into the second bath before or after the filter cycle?

Dosing before the filter cycle offers the advantage that the dry cleaning detergent has more time to fulfill its various tasks and that the cleaning effect is better.

If deciding for dosing before the filter cycle during the programming, add the dry cleaning detergent in the required concentration after the high level has been reached in the second bath (1:4.5 – 1:5), program 1 minute pump circulation for complete distribution of the dry cleaning detergent in the liquor, then continue cleaning for 7 minutes in the filter cycle. Since the surface of the filtered dirt and the filter surface itself compete with the textiles to be cleaned in regard to the antistatic component, some of the antistatic performance is inevitably lost, but the best possible cleaning effect is still achieved.

If opting for the dosing of the dry cleaning detergent after the filter cycle, the cleaning effect is slightly reduced. In this case, clean for 4 minutes in the filter cycle after the high level has been reached (1:4.5 – 1:5), then turn the filter cycle off, dose the required amount of dry cleaning detergent and continue cleaning in the pump cycle for 3 minutes in the same bath.
Since the filtration time is shorter when the dry cleaning detergent is dosed after the filter cycle, the filter service life, i.e. the time before the filter needs to be regenerated, is typically slightly longer. In practice, both procedures are used equally often.

For a detailed description of the application of the CLIP products, please refer to the respective technical data sheet.