dry-clean
Definition
- Verb:
- To clean (clothing or other items) using a chemical solvent rather than water: "dry-clean" refers to the process of cleaning fabrics with specialised chemicals (such as perchloroethylene) that dissolve grease and dirt without the use of water, typically done by professional cleaners.
- To have an item cleaned in this manner: The verb can also be used transitively to mean sending an item to a dry-cleaning service.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- I need to dry-clean my wool suit before the interview. (To have the suit cleaned with chemicals instead of water.)
- The label says "dry-clean only" — do not wash it in water. (The instruction indicates the garment must be cleaned by a professional dry-cleaning service.)
Advanced Usage
- "to dry-clean at home": To use a home dry-cleaning kit, which involves a special solvent and a dryer bag.
- You can dry-clean delicate items at home using a store-bought kit. (You can clean them yourself with a chemical-based product.)
Variants and Related Words
Dry-cleaner (n): a person or business that performs dry-cleaning.
- I dropped off my coat at the dry-cleaner on Main Street. (The shop that offers dry-cleaning services.)
Dry-cleaning (n): the process or business of cleaning clothes with chemicals.
- Dry-cleaning is more expensive than regular washing, but it is safer for certain fabrics. (The method of chemical cleaning.)
Synonyms
- Chemically clean: to clean using solvents rather than water.
- Spot-clean: to remove stains from a fabric using a small amount of solvent (a related but narrower term).
Phrasal Verbs
Related Idioms