An Eatonton-based dry cleaning business is promoting an environmentally-friendly perspective for its customers within the Lake Oconee community.

Neighborhood Cleaners, located at 868B Harmony Road in Eatonton, uses a specially-created silicone-based solvent rather than a standard chemical used within the dry cleaning industry.

Normally, a chemical called perchloroethylene, or “perc,” is used by dry cleaners as part of the dry cleaning process prior to a customer receiving his or her clothing back from the business.

The problem, according to Gene Thurston, who co-owns Neighborhood Cleaners with his wife Cindy, is that “perc” leaves behind odors that can be offensive to the nose and residue which, if left unchecked, could damage the environment.

It’s a slippery slope — dry cleaners want to provide the best to their customers, but as the businesses compete with each other, nobody really wants to make that move when owners are unsure how things could work out financially in the long run.

As a result, Environmental Cleaners is one of only three dry cleaning businesses in the entire state that uses the silicone-based solvent known as “GreenEarth,” according to Thurston.

“Personally, I would not have even considered owning the business unless it was environmentally friendly. The previous owners had already changed over when we purchased the business,” Thurston said.

Environmental Cleaners has had an established presence in the Central Georgia area for more than six years and Thurston and his wife have owned the business for around one and a half years, according to Thurston.

“Probably around 85 to 90 percent of dry cleaning businesses use ‘perc,’” Thurston explained. “GreenEarth is completely odorless and environmentally friendly. It was developed by G.E. years ago.”

Perc has been an industry standard solvent since the 1950s, according to the Environmental Cleaners official Web site, www.yourgreencleaners.com.

The EPA has classified the chemical as a toxic air contaminant and a probable human carcinogen, Thurston said.

“Some states have already implemented laws to phase out perc,” Thurston said. “We’re just trying to get ahead of the industry.”

Thurston said despite the environmentally-friendly methods used by his business, most customers still aren’t aware of the internal processes that bring clothes from covered to clean, and tend to use his business because of a professional environment and tendency to check every detail.

“We make sure it’s perfect before the customer gets it back. We hand finish every single garment,” Thurston said.

Neighborhood Cleaners is located in Eatonton and offers a pick-up and delivery service in the Eatonton, Greensboro and Lake Oconee areas.

The business may be reached by calling (706) 485-2626.