However, dry cleaning has some drawbacks. It is often more expensive than wet cleaning, uses many hazardous solvents, is not considered sustainable, and may not completely remove certain types of stains, as well as not removing odors.

Whether or not dry cleaning is more effective than washing really depends on the garment we are washing. For oil-based stains, yes, dry cleaning is more effective than washing. For clothes that have an odour, especially items with body odour from perspiration, washing will be much more effective than dry cleaning.

Yes, dry cleaning can actually make your clothes last longer! The solvent used in dry cleaning is lighter than water, so the fabric is treated in a more delicate way. Whereas, water can cause some fabrics (such as wool) to shrink, lose its colours, or become frayed.

Professional cleaners typically launder dress shirts instead of dry cleaning them because most cotton dress shirts should not be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning also won't remove water-soluble stains, like sweat stains, which are more common than oil-based stains on dress shirts.