Solvents used in traditional dry cleaning are toxic. Not good for the environment or for the workers that handle them. To avoid environmental and health risks, German Fred Butler uses a new technology that replaces solvents like perchloroethylene with carbon dioxide. Their method works by placing clothes or other textiles in a cleansing machine, removing the air and letting CO2 fill the vacuum. High pressure combined with bio-degradable cleansers ensures dirt particles are removed from fabric. The carbon dioxide used is a by-product of industrial processes and once a cycle has been completed, 98% of the carbon dioxide is filtered and reused.
Fred Butler claims that clothes cleaned using this procedure are less likely to lose their colour and shape than if treated with conventional methods because the cleaning is done at very low temperatures, 5–15 degrees Celsius, and with gentle detergents. The patented process has been certified eco-safe by Nordic Swan, and costs to consumers are on a par with traditional dry cleaning.
Since the equipment needed requires large investments, Fred Butler works with centralized regional plants and a network of franchisees operating dedicated stores, store-in-stores and service points in office buildings—currently 19 in Sweden, 13 in Germany, 11 in the Netherlands and 11 in Denmark—and is looking to expand rapidly by signing on new franchisees. The concept was developed by Linde AG, Europe’s second largest supplier of industrial and medical gases, which is making its first move to B2C through Fred Butler. If the environmental and health benefits are convincingly communicated to consumers, they could be on to something—while greenwashing is a no-no, green cleaning is a definite go. (Related: Laundry chic and EcoHangers.)
Website: www.fredbutler.com
Contact: franchise@fredbutler.com
Spotted by: Treehugger
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Having been aware of Fred Butler's activity in Europe for a couple years(formerly Hangers Cleaners/Europe)I applaud the publicity the technology is receiving. I might add to Anthony's comment "leave it to the Germans"...Hangers Cleaners has been doing liquid CO2 drycleaning in the US since 1999. I opened my first in San Diego in 2001, and have 4 now. Additional info can be found at my website hangerssandiego.com, our national FindCO2.com, as well as a 4 part story on MSNBC.com about my business.
Gordon Shaw
Hangers Cleaners
San Diego
I am a dry cleaner with 15 years experience with a father that has 45 years in the industries. CO2 cleaning is not a new process it’s been knocking around for over 10 years. The problem is the process does not clean that great YET. I hope that the technology will one day be up to par because I will be the first in line to use it. It is ok but believe me ok does not cut it with most customers.
Thank you for your post on green innovation in dry cleaning. I like the fact that someone has finally figured out how to clean clothes without using caustic, terrible chemicals. Leave it to the Germans to use a by-product of the beer-making process to clean clothes! Zum voll! I cross-posted to your piece, along with some comments at http://www.innovators-network.org which is a non-profit dedicated to bringing entrepreneurs, small businesses, venture capitalists, and intellectual property experts together for mutual benefit with a special focus on technology. Come visit us and help build the community of innovators. Best wishes for future success!
Regards,
Anthony Kuhn
Anthony Kuhn | August 10, 2007 10:31 PM