Clean and green
Environmentally friendly dry cleaners.

By Christy Harrison

IT'S NO SECRET dry cleaning is a dirty business. In 1993 the California Air Resources Board designated perchloroethylene, the solvent conventionally used in the process, as a toxic air contaminant, and studies have linked the chemical, also known as PERC, to groundwater pollution, cancer, and various reproductive problems.

The hydrocarbon solvent GreenEarth is a popular alternative, but it's under review by the Environmental Protection Agency because long-term studies have linked it to uterine cancer, according to Scott Lutz, supervising air quality engineer for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Fortunately, the well-dressed environmentalist has another option: wet cleaning, which combines biodegradable detergents and water in high-tech machines that monitor the humidity level of clothes to prevent shrinkage. The following wet cleaners are within a 10-mile radius of San Francisco. Many also offer PERC and GreenEarth cleaning, so be sure to specify. Almost all garments with Dry Clean Only tags can be wet-cleaned, with the exception of some wools and rayons, but always ask if you're not sure.

California Oak Cleaners charges $3.50 for pants, $4.25 for jackets, and $4 for sweaters and offers same-day, next-day, and three-day service – all at the same nice price. Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 4721 Geary, S.F. (415) 386-6766.

Fairmont Cleaners does pants for $5.25, jackets for $7.50, and sweaters for $5.50 and recommends dry-cleaning rayons, silks, and some wools. Service takes two to three days. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 773 Hickey, Pacifica. (650) 355-4336.

Garden Cleaners' Alameda store offers wet cleaning. Pants are $4.25, jackets $5.75, and sweaters $4.75. Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m., 1529 Webster, Alameda. (510) 522-8299.

Meaders Cleaners does hydrocarbon and wet cleaning and doesn't use PERC. Wet-cleaning service generally takes five days, but rush service is always available. Call for prices. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 1877 Geary, S.F. (415) 922-3300.

Norge Cleaners charges as low as $6.50 for most single garments; dresses and more elaborate getups are $11.50. Norge doesn't usually wet-clean suit coats and other items with cotton shoulder pads. Service takes three days, since all items are air-dried. Mon.-Fri., 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 398 San Pablo, Albany. (510) 526-3850.

Sohn's French Cleaners, under the same ownership as Meaders, is also PERC free. Pants are $9.95, jackets $13.95, and sweaters $9.95. Service takes three days. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 1515 Northpoint, S.F. (415) 922-5790; 2671 Ocean, S.F. (415) 334-0400; 1475 Sansome, S.F. (415) 781-8200; 1933 Post, S.F. (415) 351-2400.

Union French Cleaners does pants for $5, jackets for $7, and sweaters for $5. Service takes three days; one-day service is available for $1 extra. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m., 1718 Union, S.F. (415) 923-1212.