LAUREL, Md. — Mary Scalco, CEO of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI), recently accepted an invitation to serve as the new chairperson for the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Research Committee RA43 (Professional Textile Care Test Methods, formerly Drycleaning Test Methods). 

The committee develops, maintains, and supports test methods for measuring the effect of professional textile care, DLI reports, including dry cleaning, wet cleaning, finishing, and spot removal on textiles.

Scalco began working with the AATCC through her work as a textile chemist for DLI’s Textile Testing Department in the late 1970s. Her department’s work helped advance standardized cleaning procedures and textile care test methods.

DLI’s laboratory capabilities have supported AATCC initiatives over the years, the organization says, by providing access to specialized equipment and solvents that are not widely available in many testing environments.

“AATCC is excited to reactivate a research committee with a specific focus on dry cleaning and professional care of textiles,” says AATCC Executive Director Gregg Woodcock. “This is an important area in the care of textiles, and it has been underserved in recent years.

“Mary’s extensive experience will bring instant credibility and leadership to this committee. The world continues to evolve and change, and AATCC, along with strong partners like DLI, can ensure that industry-accepted test methods are accurate, up to date, and reflect the current environment in the industry.”

As committee chairperson, Scalco will help guide conversations and standards development at a time when the drycleaning industry is rapidly evolving, particularly as legacy processes and test methods tied to perchloroethylene (perc) are replaced by new alternatives.

“This invitation melds two worlds: the garment manufacturing world and the drycleaning professional care world, essentially before care and after care,” Scalco says. “The people who generally attend AATCC meetings tend to be garment manufacturers and chemical suppliers. I will be able to highlight the drycleaning industry and put more of a focus on after-care considerations. Garment manufacturers don’t focus too much on after care.”

AATCC develops test methods and standards to ensure textiles perform as intended through real-world care processes. Historically, one widely used drycleaning test method has included perc, meaning updates will be needed as perc is phased out and alternative processes become more common. 

“We have participated in several AATCC projects over the years,” Scalco says. “We influenced all sorts of test methods using the specialized equipment in our lab. Not everyone has access to the various solvents we have here in our facility. We took part in AATCC studies on shrinkage, colorfastness and water repellency, to name a few.”

“By bringing her experience, Mary will be able to ensure that the existing test methods are accurate and valid in the present environment,” Woodcock says.

He notes that some tests still in use were developed as early as 1957. “Mary will also be able to guide the committee to develop new test methods that are important in today’s marketplace,” he says. 

“It’s exciting because we’re at a crossroads,” Scalco says. “Perc drycleaning is being phased out. We have to come up with new methods. There is an opportunity to make sure the American standards and European standards match.”