Dry Cleaner Program 

Oregon's Dry Cleaning Industry

Oregon’s dry cleaning industry is characterized by small independently operated businesses. These small businesses became common in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s when Perchloroethylene (PCE) was introduced as a cleaning solvent. Prior to that, most dry cleaners used petroleum-based solvent at large central plants located in industrial areas. The fire hazard and large space requirements associated with petroleum solvents made these facilities unsuitable for residential or commercial locations. The introduction of PCE reduced space requirements and eliminated the fire hazard associated with dry cleaning. This development caused a dramatic change from industrial scale operations to neighborhood scale facilities. Today there are approximately 320 active dry cleaners and 120 dry stores operating in Oregon. Korean Americans operate approximately 50% of dry cleaners in Oregon.

Family-owned-and-operated commercial cleaners typically have two or three full-time employees (including the owner) and perhaps some additional part-time employees. A typical store might consist of a single small storefront operation, with customer pickup and delivery in the front, and cleaning and pressing in the back. The store usually has one dry cleaning machine and perhaps a water-based laundry machine for shirts and other washables.

The vast majority (approximately 85%) of dry cleaners in Oregon use the dry cleaning solvent PCE. The remaining dry cleaners use petroleum-based solvents, wet cleaning, and new solvents containing silicone or synthetic hydrocarbons. Newer dry cleaning equipment uses solvents very efficiently and, if the equipment is properly maintained and operated, virtually none is released uncontrolled to the environment.

As the hazards associated with PCE became known and additional environmental regulations have been imposed, the dry cleaning industry has improved its waste management practices. Now, nearly all dry cleaners use licensed waste haulers to dispose of their hazardous wastes. This service was not widely available to dry cleaners until approximately 1990. Most dry cleaners have also installed secondary containment and wastewater treatment equipment in compliance with the equipment requirements of the statute. However, serious environmental contamination has been left behind at some facilities.

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