Professional Garment Cleaning
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To help consumers make informed choices, Suffolk County Local Law 15-2016 now requires every professional garment cleaning establishment, such as dry cleaners, to post a sign informing customers about the chemical solvents used at that cleaner.
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) created the sign based upon a review of potential health and environmental concerns of chemicals used in different garment cleaning processes. The sign was approved by the County Legislature on November 20, 2018. The chemical solvents that were reviewed are listed below.
- Perchloroethylene (also known as Perc)
- Hydrocarbons
- Liquid Carbon Dioxide
- Wet Cleaning
- Butylal
- Siloxane
The health and environmental factors were color coded ranging from red, which represented the least preferable option, to green the most preferable option, with yellow a category between least and most preferable.
To learn more about SCDHS evaluation of these garment cleaning chemicals: View the report
Posting the Sign
As of March 1, 2019, all professional garment cleaning establishments in Suffolk County must post the Suffolk County Sign in two specific locations.
- in the window of the garment cleaner, so that it can be seen by people outside the cleaner, and
- near or behind the counter so that anyone entering the garment cleaner can easily see the sign
The garment cleaner must mark on the sign which garment cleaning chemical solvent(s) they use. Instructions on Completing and Posting the Sign
Also, if a cleaner delivers professionally cleaned clothes to homes or offices they must also state on receipts the chemical solvent that was used.
Consumers
For consumer information about the sign, perc, and perc alternatives please visit: https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Health-Services/Cancer-Prevention-and-Health-Promotion-Coalition/Garment-Cleaning .
Complaints
If you believe a garment cleaner is not posting the sign according to this law, or the receipts do not contain the required information, you can notify the SCDHS at 631-854-2501.
Helpful Links
Sample Safety Data Sheets for Garment Cleaning Chemicals