I've posted a thread on how to store your woolens some time ago. Chris K. recommended to professionaly dry clean all your woolens before storage.

But now I just read that dry cleaning uses a toxic chemical called perchloroethylene (perc)and that it's classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and that it's even banned in the state of California. It also has been designated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act as a persistent, bio-accumulative chemical that is toxic to the environment.

Should I be concerned about dry cleaning? Should I look for a dry cleaner that doesn't use PERC? Or should I hand wash even "dry clean only" garments?

Thanks
Frankie

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/02-10/dry-cleaning-alternatives-eco.htm