Friendlier alternatives to traditional dry-cleaning aplenty!

I was sorry to miss the grand opening of Eco-Dry Cleaners, a new dry cleaning business conveniently located in the heart of downtown Charlottesville, which is a earth-friendlier choice than the traditional method of many of the dry cleaners in the Ville. I know personally the owners of this business - good people!

It's conveniently located in the heart of downtown Charlottesville. Their grand opening event on June 17th was a huge success: with face painting, planting seeds in reused yogurt containers and making wooden beaded bracelets with hemp string for the kids.

Tomorrow from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. they are having a ribbon cutting with refreshments and door prizes. Vice Mayor Taliferro is scheduled to be there. This event is open to the public, so bring your friends! EcoDry Cleaners is located at 801 West Main Street, directly across from Amtrak/next door to Continental Divide. If you haven't had a chance to stop by, that would be a perfect time.

Traditional dry cleaning pollutes the environment (one estimate reports they are responsible for spewing 90,000 tons of toxins into the air every year). But the CO2 cleaning process uses carbon dioxide as a non-flammable, non-toxic solvent as an alternative to regular drycleaning whose main offender is Perc (which pollutes).

For you north side residents that don't make it to the downtown area often, try EverGREEN dry cleaning: their location is near ACAC at Albemarle Square. Formerly Terra Bella (now under new and friendlier management :-)

Betty tip: when purchasing your professional dress clothing in the first place, read labels and try to avoid the expensive and care-intensive label "dry clean only." Also, save on those extra car trips by taking advantage of free pick-up and drop-off services and recycle your hangers and bags.

Best,
BWB