Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Dry cleaning
Solvent-based garment cleaning; residues can linger on clothes.
Also known as: dry cleaned clothes, dry cleaner
What this does NOT mean
Finding a factor documented in this product category does not establish that ordinary use of dry cleaning causes cancer. It means research — through regulatory testing, recall records, or IARC review — has found that chemical present in this category. Whether it matters for you depends on formulation, dose, frequency, and route of exposure.
What has been documented
- Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)IARC Group 2AIARC Group 2AContains · high confidence
Primary solvent used in traditional dry cleaning; residues on freshly cleaned garments.
Evidence source: EPA CPDat
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)IARC Group 1IARC Group 1Contains · medium confidence
Older/industrial dry cleaning formulations; largely replaced but still in some occupational use.
Evidence source: EPA CPDat
How to read this page
A factor appearing on this page means it has been documented in this product category — through EPA / FDA testing, IARC monographs, or regulatory recall records. Whether it presents a meaningful personal risk depends on the specific formulation, dose, and how you're exposed. Click any factor to read what science actually says about it, and where.