Choosing a dry cleaning solvent is one of the biggest decisions a dry cleaner makes. It shapes which machine you can run, how long each cycle takes, which garments you can safely clean, and what compliance work comes with it. In this guide we compare the four solvents Canadian cleaners ask us about most: PERC, hydrocarbon (DF-2000), GreenEarth and Sensene.
Dry cleaning solvent comparison at a glance
| Solvent | Cleaning power | Flammability | Gentleness | Main watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PERC (tetrachloroethylene) | Very strong (KB value about 92) | Non-flammable | Aggressive on some trims, silks and delicates | Strict federal rules on storage, waste and reporting |
| Hydrocarbon (e.g. DF-2000) | Mild (KB value about 28) | Combustible, flash point above 61°C (142°F) for DF-2000 | Very gentle, good for silks and delicates | Longer cycles; needs a machine designed for hydrocarbon |
| GreenEarth (silicone, D5) | Mild | Combustible (Class IIIA) | Very gentle | Brand licence fee; needs a compatible machine |
| Sensene (modified alcohol) | Strong, close to PERC in many tests | Combustible | Good, especially on polyester | Newer solvent; check machine compatibility |
Figures from published industry sources listed at the end of this article. Always check the current safety data sheet (SDS) for the exact product you buy.
PERC: the strongest dry cleaning solvent
PERC has been the industry workhorse for decades. With a Kauri-butanol (KB) value of about 92 it removes oily soils quickly, and because it is non-flammable it works in compact machines with dry-to-dry cycles of roughly 45 to 50 minutes.
The trade-off is regulation. In Canada, PERC use is covered by federal regulations that set rules for machines, storage, secondary containment, waste disposal, record keeping and annual reporting. If you stay with PERC, plan for regular PERC waste disposal and good compliance records.
Hydrocarbon (DF-2000): the gentle workhorse
Hydrocarbon solvents such as DF-2000 have a much lower KB value (about 28), which makes them very gentle on silks, delicates and dyes. They are combustible rather than non-flammable; the DF-2000 safety data sheet lists a flash point above 61°C (142°F). That means a hydrocarbon dry cleaning solvent needs a machine built for it and longer cycles, often around 60 to 75 minutes.
Many operators pair hydrocarbon with stronger spotting chemistry to make up for the milder cleaning action. Browse our spotting agents for options that flush freely in hydrocarbon.
GreenEarth: silicone-based and very gentle
GreenEarth is a silicone-based (siloxane D5) dry cleaning solvent sold as a licensed brand. It is odourless and very gentle on fabrics, which makes it popular with cleaners who market an environmentally friendly service. Like hydrocarbon it is combustible, so it runs in Class IIIA machines, and cycles are typically around an hour.
Sensene: modified alcohol with strong cleaning
Sensene is a modified-alcohol solvent developed by SAFECHEM and Dow. Industry testing reports cleaning results that compare well with PERC and hydrocarbon, and especially good results on polyester. It is suitable for many multi-solvent and hydrocarbon machines, but confirm compatibility with your machine supplier first.
How to choose the right dry cleaning solvent
- Your machine: a PERC machine cannot simply be filled with a combustible solvent. Switching solvents often means a new or converted machine, such as a BÖWE multi-solvent machine.
- Your garment mix: lots of silks, beading and delicates favour gentler solvents; heavy oily soils favour stronger ones.
- Your compliance budget: PERC brings federal storage, disposal and reporting obligations.
- Your marketing: many customers now ask for non-PERC cleaning.
- Your spotting and detergents: match your dry cleaning detergents to the solvent.
Need help choosing?
Extox Industries supplies every dry cleaning solvent in this guide, plus Extox Solvent, our own alternative to PERC. Our team can help you compare running costs, machine options and compliance work. Contact us or call 1-800-501-8601.