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Community Giving and Eco-Friendly Garment Cleaning from EcoClean

October 2, 2012 by Brittany Highland 13 Comments

Eco Friendly Garment Cleaning from EcoClean70% of all perc used by traditional dry cleaners ends up in the environment. That’s bad. The EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have concluded that this toxic cleaning agent, formally named perchloroethylene, likely causes cancer. By 2023, perc will be illegal in the state of California.

When his daughter became sick from a dry cleaning facility near her home, EcoClean founder John Henderson did his homework. In 1996, he broke the mold for garment cleaning in Austin when he opened EcoClean and decided to use wet cleaning only.

Unlike traditional dry cleaning, wet cleaning uses only water, biodegradable detergent and computerized equipment. The results? No risks to employee or customer health, no groundwater contamination, and cleaner clothes!

EcoClean Eco Friendly Wet Cleaning for Garments

General Manager Kerstin Shoberg explains the wet cleaning process to me

EcoClean was one of the first companies in the nation to offer wet cleaning. The process was so rare that customers actually used to mail in their clothes for cleaning!

John Henderson sold the company in 2004, and current owners Mark Hess and Kevin Bonfield officially took over in November 2011. Today, EcoClean offers free, citywide pickup and delivery, serving the whole Austin metro area. By eliminating customer trips to the shop, this service helps to conserve a significant amount of gasoline. Not only that, but EcoClean’s delivery van gets 27 miles to the gallon.

EcoClean Delivery Van Gets 27 MPG

The EcoClean delivery van gets 27 mpg

EcoClean Takes Community Health a Step Further with PROPS

EcoClean Reusable Garment Bags

EcoClean GM Kerstin Shoberg shows off a reusable garment bag

General Manager Kerstin Shoberg declares that EcoClean is trying to “change the whole paradigm of dry cleaning.”

But the company is doing even more than eliminating toxins, reusing hangers and providing multi-use garment bags. EcoClean just celebrated the one-year anniversary of its community giving program, PROPS. Every month, the company chooses to raise money for a local non-profit, and 5% of Wednesday sales go to that organization.

Though EcoClean has a heart for environmental causes, the criteria for selecting non-profits is broad. More than anything, PROPS aims to support local Austin groups that are not part of national organizations. Over the past year, PROPS has raised thousands of dollars for non-profits like Austin Pets Alive!, the Austin Film Society and Save Our Springs Alliance.

The PROPS non-profit for October 2012 is AIDS Services of Austin. From ASA’s website:

Our mission is to enhance the health and well-being of the community and people affected by HIV and AIDS.

To contribute to PROPS, pick up your clothes on any Wednesday of the month.

Fingers Crossed, Two New Locations Coming Soon

If all goes as planned, EcoClean will open two new locations by the end of the year. Though the paperwork hasn’t been finalized, co-owner Mark Hess wants customers in North and South Austin to benefit from a shorter drive-time. Convenience is a factor, but Mark and his team understand that more time in the car ultimately means the release of more pollutants.

Mark Hess and Kerstin Shoberg of EcoClean

Co-owner Mark Hess with GM Kerstin Shoberg at EcoClean’s Guadalupe location

The Austinot will keep you updated on the status of the new locations. But with free pickup and delivery, you have no excuse no matter where you live in Austin.

Check out EcoClean’s lovely new website. Not only can you find “normal” business info like hours of operation, EcoClean also presents indepth articles on the dangers of perc, the history of dry cleaning, and even this neat page on how to get rid of different kinds of stains!

This is just the sort of Austin business we love to tell you about. I hope you’ll take the time to check out EcoClean and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I received credit from EcoClean to test out their wet cleaning services.

 

@QuasiBrit asks:

What are your thoughts on traditional dry cleaning vs. wet cleaning?

***

Save 20% off your first EcoClean delivery, 15% off comforter cleaning and save at hundreds of other local Austin businesses with the Go Local card:


Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business

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Rob Moshein
Rob Moshein
9 years ago

Been
my local cleaners for years now, they are just a couple of blocks away
from the house. Discovered them by accident when the conventional dry
cleaners across the street from them was hugely rude to me when I was in a hurry one day. Not only are they green, but very very nice people and local owned.

0
Reply
Brittany Highland
Brittany Highland
9 years ago
Reply to  Rob Moshein

Glad to hear it, @facebook-1578342294:disqus! They do have solid customer service.

0
Reply
Mark
Mark
9 years ago
Reply to  Rob Moshein

Thanks Rob. We really appreciate your thoughts.

0
Reply
EricHighland
EricHighland
9 years ago

I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about the ability of a wet clean to do the job. But they gave us a credit to try their services, and I had a white jacket that had a stain on it for about 4 years. I would say it was pretty set to say the least. EcoClean was able to make it almost invisible to the naked eye. It was a dark stain so I didn’t think there was any hope.. but really they did a fantastic job. Pretty impressed, and I’ll finally get to wear my jacket again.

0
Reply
Brittany Highland
Brittany Highland
9 years ago
Reply to  EricHighland

Not to mention that it was really yellow from age, and it’s white again. Kerstin had mentioned that dry cleaning with perc tends to yellow clothes over time, but wet cleaning makes them white again. I have proof now.

0
Reply
EcoClean
EcoClean
9 years ago

Wow! Thanks so much Austinot!

0
Reply
HouseofPie
HouseofPie
9 years ago

Love this! Great article!!!

0
Reply
TaylorIke6
TaylorIke6
9 years ago

I love EcoClean! 🙂

0
Reply
house cleaning services frisco
house cleaning services frisco
9 years ago

I am glad to know about wet cleaning. This is so beneficial that all the cleaning agencies must adopt this wet cleaning process of cleaning.

0
Reply
Richard
Richard
9 years ago

Very good short article packed with pertinent “need to know” information and focused on another Austin business leading the way.

0
Reply
Brittany Highland
Brittany Highland
9 years ago
Reply to  Richard

Thanks, @f927d0881dbf3aa0db1e6697a4a894e8:disqus. Do you think you’ll give EcoClean a try?

0
Reply
Paige
Paige
9 years ago

Any eco clothing company is okay in my book. Way to be!

0
Reply
andrea30
andrea30
8 years ago

It is a big decision for you to entrust the care of your office or home cleaning needs to someone that you barely know. With that in mind we thought it might be helpful if we told you a little about us to help you make an informed decision concerning your office or house cleaning service needs.

Residential Cleaning Service

0
Reply

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