To dry-clean clothing means to clean it using special chemicals instead of water. Despite the name, the process isn't actually dry: professional cleaners use liquid solvents that dissolve dirt and stains without making fabrics wet the way water does.

Some fabrics shrink, wrinkle badly, or lose their shape when washed in water. Wool suits, silk dresses, and delicate garments often have tags that say “dry clean only.” The chemicals used in dry cleaning treat these materials more gently than soap and water would. A dry cleaner is both the person who does this work and the shop where you take clothes for this service.

Modern dry cleaning uses safer chemicals, but the basic idea remains: some substances clean fabric without the problems water causes. When you get a fancy outfit dry-cleaned, you're using chemistry to help keep your clothes looking sharp and lasting longer.