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A Few Clouds Earth-friendly dry cleaning, a healthier choice
Go Green Dry Cleaning
10 South Village Avenue
Rockville Centre
(516) 442-1651
www.gogreenrvc.com
Go Green Cry Cleaning
176 West Park Avenue
Long Beach
(516) 431-6461
In 2009, long-time friends, Bill Hostetter and Kevin Donald, decided to change careers and become business partners. Donald had been in advertising and Hostetter, in publishing. They purchased an existing “green” dry cleaner in Long Beach, where they both reside, and opened Go Green Dry Cleaners. Recently, they launched a second store of its kind in Rockville Centre.
Using the GreenEarth® dry cleaning process, Go Green cleans with pure liquid silicone, as opposed to hazardous chemicals like perc (perchloroethylene), a synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent. No petroleum is used, so there is no risk to water, soil or air. Silicone, which is made from sand, or silica, has proven to be a gentle and effective solution for dry cleaning. This same ingredient is found in shampoos, conditioners and skin lotions and therefore, is extremely people-friendly.
GreenEarth® came about in 1999, when a scientist working with a solution used in cosmetics realized it was removing the fats and dirt from his hands without drying them out. He decided to try it on clothes. His process was patented and now forms one of several baseline patents for the GreenEarth Cleaning System. It cleans as effectively as traditional dry cleaning without raising the cost.
The GreenEarth® process is easier on fabrics, which are left silky smooth and odor-free, with no static. After cleaning, wools are not itchy, sweaters are softer, and clothing drapes properly. GreenEarth® is so safe it does not need to be regulated by the EPA, as opposed to petroleum-based solvents, which are heavily regulated.
Donald compares difference between traditional and green cleaners, by using this analogy. “Perc is like leaded fuel, hydrocarbon is like unleaded fuel, and silicon is like solar power. Silicon, which is non-toxic, treats clothing different; it draws out the dirt while keeping the item's shape.”
Go Green Dry Cleaning takes pride in keeping as many facets of the business as they can, environmentally friendly. They use corn-based plastic packaging and bamboo furnishings. They offer free pickup and delivery in a 1969 Volkswagen micro bus that runs on E85 (ethanol, a corn-based fuel).
Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Pricing is kept competitive. Tailoring and repair is available as well.
