Eco-Logical Cleaners has expanded from its location in Coloma to a second location at 2010 Washington Ave. in St. Joseph.
Eco-Logical Cleaners owner Nancy and Dave Baiers say when they opened the Coloma business a year ago they were the first cleaners in the state to use a professional wet cleaning system as an alternative to dry cleaning. Now others are trying the non-toxic, environmentally safe process.
The technique uses water and specialized biodegradable, non-allergenic detergents and conditioners instead of cleaning solvents. A computerized process controls the factors that shrink clothes -- water temperature, drying time, drying temperature, the percentage of humidity in garments and mechanical action.
In other places where the process has been used, cleaners reported they used less electricity and gas in addition to avoiding the use of the hazardous Perchloroethylene. Nancy Baier says their cleaner was new so they don't have comparative data a company making the switch would have, but they believe they have used less electricity and gas than dry cleaners and their water use is not much greater than that of traditional cleaners.
The Baiers recently celebrated the opening of their second location with a ribbon cutting attended by Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce, representatives of St. Joseph Charter Township and other local officials.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Nancy Baier, Eco-Logical Cleaners
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