Trichloroethylene in the context of "Fenton reaction"

Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using a solvent other than water. Clothes are instead soaked in a water-free liquid organic solvent (usually non-polar, as opposed to water which is a polar solvent) typically inside a specialised dry-cleaning machine. The most commonly used solvent is Perchloroethylene (known as "PCE" or "perc" for short), although other solvents such as hydrocarbon mixtures and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane are also used. Historical solvents include carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, trichlorotrifluoroethane, trichloroethane and n-propyl bromide.

Most natural fibers can be washed in water but some synthetics (e.g., rayon) react poorly with water and should be dry cleaned if possible. If not, this could result in changes in texture, colour, strength, and shape. Additionally, certain specialty fabrics, including silk, acetate and rayon, may also benefit from dry cleaning to prevent damage.

Organochlorine chemistry is concerned with the properties of organochlorine compounds, or organochlorides, organic compounds that contain one or more carbon–chlorine bonds. The chloroalkane class (alkanes with one or more hydrogens substituted by chlorine) includes common examples. The wide structural variety and divergent chemical properties of organochlorides lead to a broad range of names, applications, and properties. Organochlorine compounds have wide use in many applications, though some are of profound environmental concern, with DDT and TCDD being among the most notorious.

Organochlorides such as trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, dichloromethane and chloroform are commonly used as solvents and are referred to as "chlorinated solvents".