Home dry cleaning system and method

Abstract

A home dry cleaning system comprising a washing machine, a dryer, a tank for holding cleaning solution, a pump coupled to the tank for pumping the cleaning solution out of the tank, and a control valve having a first input valve coupled to the home cold water line, a second input valve coupled to the line from the pump and an output valve coupled to the cold water input line on the washing machine. The control valve is structured to selectively control the flow of water and cleaning solution into the washing machine when use of the home dry cleaning system of the present invention is desired.

1 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer comprising the steps of: 
 (a) placing the articles to be cleaned into the washing machine;    (b) setting the washing machine to the shortest cycle with the least agitation;    (c) setting the washing machine water temperature to the desired temperature(s);    (d) operating the washing machine;    (e) adding cleaning solution to the washing machine at least once during the wash cycle;    (f) removing the articles from the washing machine upon completion of the cycle:    (g) placing the articles in the dryer;    (h) setting the dryer to the delicate cycle;    (i) setting the dryer to the desired temperature;    (j) operating the dryer;    (k) removing the articles from the dryer prior to the articles being completely dry; and    (l) hanging the articles to dry.    
   
   
       2 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 1  wherein the water temperature setting in step c does not exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       3 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 1  wherein the water temperature setting in step c may be varied throughout the cycle.  
   
   
       4 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 1  wherein the dryer temperature setting in step i does not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       5 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 1  wherein the articles are removed from the dryer in step k when between 85% to 95% of the moisture has been removed from the articles.  
   
   
       6 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of spot cleaning stains, soil or dirt prior to placing the articles into the washing machine.  
   
   
       7 . A home dry cleaning system comprising: 
 a washing machine having a hot water input line and a cold water input line;    a dryer;    a control valve structured to selectively control the flow of water and cleaning solution to said washing machine;    a tank for holding cleaning solution; and    a pump structured to pump cleaning solution from said tank to said control valve, said    
   
   
       8 . A home dry cleaning system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said control valve includes a first input valve coupled to a water line, a second input valve coupled to said pump and an output valve coupled to said washing machine.  
   
   
       9 . A home dry cleaning system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said first input valve is coupled to a cold water line.  
   
   
       10 . A home dry cleaning system as recited in  claim 9  wherein said output valve is coupled to said cold water input line of said washing machine.  
   
   
       11 . A home dry cleaning system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said control valve is a timing valve.  
   
   
       12 . A method for home dry cleaning using a system having a washing machine, a dryer, a control valve for selectively controlling the flow of water and cleaning solution to the washing machine, a tank for holding cleaning solution, and a pump for pumping cleaning solution from the tank to the control valve, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) setting the control valve so that cleaning solution will be added to the washing machine during the wash cycle;    (b) placing the articles to be cleaned into the washing machine;    (c) setting the washing machine to the shortest cycle with the least agitation;    (d) setting the washing machine water temperature to the desired temperature(s);    (e) operating the washing machine;    (f) removing the articles from the washing machine upon completion of the cycle:    (g) placing the articles in the dryer;    (h) setting the dryer to the delicate cycle;    (i) setting the dryer to the desired temperature;    (j) operating the dryer;    (k) removing the articles from the dryer prior to the articles being completely dry; and    (l) hanging the articles to dry.    
   
   
       13 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 12  wherein the water temperature setting in step d does not exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       14 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 12  wherein the water temperature setting in step d may be varied throughout the cycle.  
   
   
       15 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 12  wherein the dryer temperature setting in step i does not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       16 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 12  wherein the articles are removed from the dryer in step k when between 85% to 95% of the moisture has been removed from the articles.  
   
   
       17 . A method for home dry cleaning using a washing machine and a dryer as recited in  claim 12  further comprising the step of spot cleaning stains, soil or dirt prior to placing the articles into the washing machine.