One of the goals when creating (IN)LARKIN, was to design a women’s clothing line that was glamorous, comfortable and machine washable. For years we have been conditioned to think that fashionable clothing comes with a dry clean only label. But by using quality fabrics, such as Ponte de Roma, model cotton jersey and rib viscose knit, we’ve been able to offer stylish, comfortable clothing that is in fact, machine washable. Why is it so important for us to pull away from the dry clean only label…it’s simple, we are thinking of our customers and the environment.
The most common chemical used in dry cleaning is called perchlorethylene, also known as PERC. Used in three out of every four dry cleaners nationwide, PERC is named a "probable human carcinogen" by The International Agency for Research on Cancer. Long-term exposure to PERC can result in several types of cancer, respiratory failure, neurological, liver and kidney damage. Even if you don’t get your clothing dry cleaned often, short term effects, such as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, skin and eye irritation, can still occur due to the chemical residue left on your clothing. Furthermore, if you air out your clothing before wearing it, PERC diffuses into the surrounding air and still poses a threat to the health of you, your family, pets and the environment.
Fortunately in 2007, California passed legislation outlawing PERC’s usage in dry cleaning facilities, but it is not mandated to stop until 2023. At (IN)LARKIN, we aim to be 75 percent machine washable and feel strongly that “Dry Clean Only” is an unsustainable business model for our health and the environment. In doing our part, we are helping you do your part for the environment and the health of others. (IN)LARKIN is committed to creating machine washable collections, using quality fabrics that combine the glamour of designer clothing with the simplicity and sustainability of washing your clothes at home.