The Cleaning Method Chicago Deserves
No toxic chemicals. No PERC. No compromise on results. This is why we built Yashu Washu around wet cleaning — and why thousands of Chicagoans have never looked back.
Professional Wet Cleaning Isn't Just a Fancy Wash.
Professional wet cleaning uses water, biodegradable detergents, and computer-controlled machines, all purpose-built for the garments traditional dry cleaners have handled for decades. No chemical residue, no toxic solvents. Just a cleaner result that's safer for your skin, your family, and the environment. We built Yashu Washu around it because we believed there was a better way. There still is.
Why We Never Touched PERC. Not Once.
Most dry cleaners have used the same chemical solvent for 70 years. We built our entire business around never needing it.
Carcinogens
The EPA classifies PERC as likely carcinogenic to humans, linking it to bladder cancer, liver damage, and kidney disease. It's still in most dry cleaners today.
Bad For Your Skin
PERC residue goes home on your clothes and stays in contact with your skin all day. Repeated exposure can cause dermatitis and irritation.
Pollution
PERC contaminates soil and groundwater and requires regulated chemical disposal. Wet cleaning produces zero hazardous byproduct, zero chemical runoff.
Better for Your Clothes. Better for Everything Else.
- No PERC, no toxic solvents — ever
- No chemical residue left on fabrics
- Safer for sensitive skin & allergy sufferers
- Biodegradable detergents, nothing harmful
- Produces zero hazardous waste
- Preserves fabric integrity and color longer
- Safe for silk, wool, cashmere & structured garments
- Eliminates odors rather than masking them
- Better for Chicago's air quality
- Fully paperless, eco-responsible operation
What Comes Home on Your Clothes Actually Matters.
Dry cleaned clothes release PERC into the air at home — a low-level exposure, but a daily one. For people with sensitive skin, allergies, or young children, wet cleaning eliminates that entirely. We didn’t build Yashu Washu around wet cleaning because it was trendy. We built it because it’s simply better.
Wet Cleaning vs Dry Cleaning
Side by Side.
The Difference Is Clear.
| Wet Cleaning | Traditional Dry Cleaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary agent | Water + biodegradable soaps | PERC chemical solvent |
| Carcinogen risk | None | EPA-classified likely carcinogen |
| Skin residue | None | Chemical residue on fabric |
| Environmental impact | Zero hazardous waste | Soil & groundwater contamination |
| Fabric longevity | Preserves fiber integrity | Gradual fiber breakdown over time |
| Odor after cleaning | Fresh, neutral | Chemical smell |
| Safe for sensitive skin | Yes | Risk of irritation & dermatitis |
| Safe for children's items | Yes | Not recommended |
* We use this comparison to help customers make informed decisions — not to alarm. Most occasional dry cleaning exposure is low-level. Our point is simply: why accept any of it when there's a better option?
Wet Cleaning vs Dry Cleaning
Side by Side.
The Difference Is Clear.
* We use this comparison to help customers make informed decisions — not to alarm. Most occasional dry cleaning exposure is low-level. Our point is simply: why accept any of it when there's a better option?
Chicago's Wet Cleaning Experts Since 2016
We were wet cleaning Chicago’s clothes before most people had heard of it. Nearly a decade later, our commitment hasn’t changed. No PERC, no shortcuts, no compromise on results. Just a genuinely better way to clean, built for people who care about what goes on their bodies and into their environment.
- 100% PERC-free since day one
- Zero hazardous waste produced
- Safe for sensitive skin, allergies & children
- Trusted across Oak Park, Glenview & Greater Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wet cleaning actually safe for "dry clean only" garments?
Yes. Professional wet cleaning is specifically designed for garments labeled “dry clean only.” The equipment, detergents, and finishing techniques are calibrated to handle delicate fabrics — including silk, wool, cashmere, and structured garments — without damage. The “dry clean only” label exists because home washing machines aren’t safe for these items. Professional wet cleaning is a different process entirely.
If PERC is dangerous, why do most dry cleaners still use it?
Because it works, it’s cheap, and the industry has been using it since the 1950s. Regulations are catching up — the EPA has introduced rules to phase it out, and some states have already moved toward banning it — but change in the dry cleaning industry is slow. Yashu Washu was built from the ground up around never using it.
Does wet cleaning actually get clothes as clean as dry cleaning?
Yes — and in many cases, better. Wet cleaning removes water-based stains (sweat, food, beverages) more effectively than PERC, which is a solvent designed for oil-based stains. For the full range of everyday soiling, wet cleaning performs at least as well, without any of the chemical risks.
Is wet cleaning better for people with sensitive skin or allergies?
Significantly. PERC residue remains on dry cleaned fabrics and continues to off-gas at home. For people with sensitive skin, eczema, or chemical sensitivities, wet cleaning removes that exposure entirely — nothing comes home on your clothes except clean fabric and biodegradable detergent.