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Dependable
Cleaners

Dependable Cleaners Denver, Colorado

With an 80-year history of satisfied customers in the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan region, Dependable Cleaners is an active proponent of environmentally friendly business practices and a strong supporter of charitable initiatives in the community.

In the early part of the 21st century, Dependable Cleaners outlaid more than $500,000 to initiate a 10-year conversion from traditional solvents to an organic solvent, Hydrocarbon, a safe, environmentally responsible cleaning agent. One of the primary benefits of this cutting-edge cleaner is the fact that it does not contain perchloroethylene, a harmful chemical that has historically been used in dry cleaning solvents. In addition to its commitment to non-toxic soaps and solvents, Dependable Cleaners provides recycling services to its Colorado customers for hangers, plastic garment bags, and safety pins.

On the charitable front, Dependable Cleaners provides significant support to the nonprofit community, one such nonprofit is Dependable Cleaners – Coats for Colorado, Inc., founded by the company in 1982. Dependable Cleaners – Coats for Colorado, Inc. orchestrates a state-wide collection of winter coats and currently works with over hundreds of nonprofit organizations to distribute coats to persons in need of cold-weather jackets throughout the state of Colorado. Joined by Denver’s 7 (KMGH-TV), Dependable Cleaners – Coats for Colorado, Inc. has provided more than 1,750,000 people with winter coats since the charity opened its doors for operation.

In addition to the significant undertaking of maintaining the company’s charitable subsidiary, Dependable Cleaners also co-sponsors Dressed to the Nines, a nonprofit that collects gently used prom and bridesmaid dresses and sells them back to members of the community for a nominal amount. All proceeds from the sales benefit the Rick Wilson Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Dependable Cleaners assists this organization by collecting, cleaning, and storing donated prom dresses, and hosts a prom dress day annually where anyone can come get a prom dress without proof of need.


Dependable Cleaners's Companies

Dependable Cleaners's Publications

  • How Dry Cleaning Works, Dependable Cleaners
    March, 2011
    With more than 30 locations throughout Metro Denver, Dependable Cleaners has served as a high-quality dry-cleaning and laundry service for nearly 30 years. Dry cleaning, one of the primary services offered by Dependable Cleaners, refers to a cleaning process for clothes that makes use of chemical solvents instead of water. In most cases, the solvent used in dry cleaning is tetrachloroethylene, which greatly facilitates the washing of delicate fabrics.

    The modern dry-cleaning machine itself closely resembles a washing machine, with a circular loading door and a settings panel. As with a washing machine, the operator places garments into a cylindrical chamber called a drum. The chamber is then filled with solvent as the clothes begin to rotate around. Dry-cleaning machines typically keep the temperature of the solvent around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, as any higher temperatures can cause damage to clothing. One load of clothes undergoes several cycles in which the solvent flows into the drum and returns to the cage; it is removed for distillation afterward.

    Although textiles usually do not incur damage from the solvent, many objects such as plastic pens can dissolve and damage clothing beyond repair. In some cases, textiles with loose dyes will transfer color to other garments, most notably in the case of red dye. To prevent this from happening, dry cleaners will often separate lighter colors from darker colors. Because the dry-cleaning process may also damage some clothes with decorative fasteners or other accessories, most dry cleaners will carefully inspect clothes for dry-cleaning compatibility.

    After the wash cycle has finished, dry cleaners initiate the drying cycle. During the drying process, clothes circulate through a stream of warm air that eliminates any solvent left over after the washing cycle. The evaporated solvent is reabsorbed and condensed by a chiller unit, which results in a high rate of recovery for solvents. After drying, clothes undergo a deodorization cycle and become ready to press and finish.

  • Dry Cleaning: Frequently Asked Questions, Dependable Cleaners
    July, 2011
    Dependable Cleaners

    How can you tell which articles of clothing really need to be tended by dry cleaners? We answer a few common questions that will help you better sort your clothes for a trip to the cleaners, as well as demystify the dry cleaning process.

    Q: What is Dry Cleaning?

    A: As the name suggest, dry cleaning involves cleaning articles of clothing without the use of water. Dry cleaning is most often used on garments considered too delicate to wash by hand or machine.

    Q: How are Clothes Dry-Cleaned?

    A: A dry cleaner places your clothes in a machine quite similar to a washing machine. Instead of water, the machine fills with solvent. When the machine activates, the clothes rotate and the solvent works on stain and grime, ideally removing them.

    Q: Can Dry Cleaning Remove All Stains?

    A: Unfortunately, no. Dry cleaning goes a long way toward removing stains, but many stains must be treated with special chemicals to be completely removed.

    Q: Should I Dry-Clean Two-Piece Suits Together?

    A: Perhaps the logic behind sending in only one piece of a suit at a time seems clear. Perspiration and other stains plague tops more than bottoms, so by sending in only one piece, customers believe they can save money on their dry-cleaning bills. However, dry cleaning improves clothes if you use a professional cleaners using hydrocarbon. Always clean both pieces of a suit together.

    Q: Should I Keep my Clothing in the Bags that Dry-Cleaners Provide?

    A: No. Those bags are intended for temporary storage. Once back home, remove the clothes and return them to your closet.