Podcast Summary: Smart Girl Dumb Questions — “Is Dry Cleaning … Really Dry?”

Host: Nayeema Raza
Guests: Jerry & Zach Posnack (Jeeves New York)
Release Date: April 7, 2026

Main Theme

This episode dives deep into “the black box” of dry cleaning: What actually happens to your clothes after you drop them off? Host Nayeema Raza interviews Jerry and Zach Posnack, the father-son duo behind Jeeves New York—an elite dry cleaner famed for restoring garments for museums like the Met and private couture. They demystify the science and art of modern dry cleaning, debunk common myths, and share behind-the-scenes stories from their high-pressure, detail-obsessed world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Reality of Dry Cleaning

• It’s Not ‘Dry’ Cleaning ([02:22])

  • Dry cleaning isn’t actually dry, but rather uses waterless solvents.
  • Jerry: “It’s dry because the process is waterless, but it’s still being cleaned in a liquid…so it doesn’t shrink garments or cause colors to bleed.” ([02:22])
  • Zach: Water can damage fibers like wool and specific fashions; sometimes “dry clean only” is more about branding than necessity. ([02:44])

• Process & Inspection ([01:31], [02:13])

  • Jeeves NY is highly specialized, with meticulous equipment and a three-person inspection team.
  • “We’re tasked with an almost impossible ask: taking something used or stained and making it ‘look as brand new as possible.’” — Jerry ([01:31])

• Wet Cleaning vs. Dry Cleaning ([03:56], [04:03])

  • Not all stains come out in dry cleaning! For example, body odor requires a water process, while makeup/wax/oil lift out in solvent.
  • “One of the key tenants of dry cleaning is: like removes like.” — Zach ([04:03])
  • Example: A red wine-stained wool skirt requires client permission (“wet clean release”) since water might shrink the wool. ([04:39])

Chemicals, Machines, and the Environment

• Modern Solvents & Closed-Loop Systems ([05:21])

  • PERC (perchloroethylene), the old-school notorious solvent, is being phased out for safer chemicals like liquid silicone.
  • “Dry cleaning, when done correctly, is a closed loop—there’s no exposure during the process.” — Zach ([05:23])

• The Machines and Quality Control ([06:00], [07:15])

  • Modern dry clean machines resemble giant washers. The solvent cycles through washing, spinning, rinsing, and drying, with continuous filtration.
  • Button traps and lint filters protect garments; specialty buttons (e.g. Chanel) are removed beforehand.

The Artistry: Couture, Museums & Emotional Rescue

• High-Stakes Cleaning ([08:15])

  • Jeeves serves museums (Met, Lincoln Center, Louvre), cleaning everything from heirloom couture to fabric murals.
  • Jerry: “For Lincoln Center, we cleaned a huge fabric mural (90ft x 30ft) by hand after it was stained by panini press grease.” ([08:30]-[09:39])

• Most Expensive/Emotionally Intense Rescues ([09:49]-[11:19])

  • A beaded Chanel couture dress valued at $500k impacted the team’s insurance and nerves!

  • “If we feel we can’t restore the garment as the client wants, we tell them to invest that money elsewhere.” — Jerry ([05:14])

  • Emotional stakes are often higher with family heirlooms or sentimental items—sometimes even more stressful than expensive pieces.
    Zach shares a story about a “childhood blanket meltdown” that changed their business policy ([11:29]).

• Clients’ Emotions ([12:34])

  • Both men and women are emotionally invested in clothes; honesty and clear communication are vital, especially when tackling tough or “embarrassing” stains.

Decoding Laundry Symbols & Home Laundry Tips

• Symbol Synergy ([14:13]-[18:41])
  • The trio reviews laundry tags—dots indicate temperature; triangles mean bleach is safe; circles mean dry clean; flat squares mean dry flat, etc.
  • “Triangle means bleach. I’d never use chlorine bleach—oxygen bleach is much better.” — Zach ([16:13])
  • Permanent Press = wrinkle-free synthetics. Hand-wash icon = don’t stick your hand in the machine! ([14:22])

The Family Business Backstory

• Generational Tension & Evolution ([19:42]-[24:43])

  • Fourth-generation dry cleaners: Jerry learned the trade from his parents, but didn’t want Zach in the business at first. Tension between “old way” and new ideas.
  • Zach's mechanical engineering background and introduction of social media brought freshness and business growth (especially post-pandemic).

• Social Media as a Lifeline ([24:52])

  • During COVID, Zach became the “Wikipedia of stain removal” by making viral TikTok guides, establishing Jeeves as authority.
  • The intention was business survival, not influencer fame; it paid off in legitimacy and marketing reach.

The Jeeves Brand and Operations

• What is Jeeves? ([27:30])

  • A loose luxury franchise, renowned for quality—NY operates independently from London or other Jeeves locations.

• Process Logistics & Tracking ([30:07])

  • 100,000+ pieces annually; 90% delivery. Every piece is photo-logged, barcoded, and given a nylon tag for tracking. Loss rates are near zero.

• Customer Habits ([34:25])

  • Occasionally, clients abandon items, sometimes worth tens of thousands; after 6 months, items are donated.

Stain Science & Mythbusting

• Stain Testing Lab ([37:04])

  • Zach tests common stains (blood, turmeric, makeup) on cotton swatches with a spectrometer for accurate, consistent results.
  • They use pig’s blood for tests, never their own. ([38:11])

• What are the hardest stains? ([40:15])

  • Red wine and blood are surprisingly easy—oxygen bleach and peroxide work wonders (on washables).

  • “Deodorant is tough because it can bleach the fabric; ink is the hardest—so many varieties, and the dye spreads when you remove the carrier.” — Jerry ([41:20]-[41:23])

  • Home stain removal often does more harm than good: when in doubt, do nothing—just blot, don’t rub! ([43:29])

  • Memorable Quote:
    “The best thing to do is to do nothing... just blot it out. No rubbing.” — Jerry ([43:29])

• Secret Weapons & Home Staples ([44:38]-[47:02])

  • Liquid laundry detergent removes most stains—but only use it on washables, never couture.
  • Other go-tos: powdered oxygen bleach (Oxiclean), hydrogen peroxide spray. ([47:02])
  • Chlorine bleach is discouraged—bad for fibers and the environment.

Lightning Round: Quick Facts

• Martinizing: Just a franchise name (like Q-tip). ([49:20])
• “One Hour” dry cleaning: Usually too fast to be effective. ([49:53])
• Fabric Hardener: Yes—starch and sizing, but not recommended. ([50:14])
• Fabric softeners: Overrated for most modern clothes except maybe for sweaters. ([50:26])
• Old/musty/vintage smell: Multiple washes or laundering can help break it down. ([51:23])
• Impossible problems: Leather/suede/cotton mix garments with contrasting colors—nearly impossible to clean perfectly. ([52:22])

Environmental Questions

• Why so much plastic? ([53:20])
  • Efforts to use translucent bags failed; clients prefer seeing clothes. Zipper bags are sometimes used, but even those can be plastic-based.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On emotionally difficult jobs:
  “Those [family heirlooms] are more difficult, honestly, because they're irreplaceable.” — Jerry ([11:25])

• On client relationships:
  “The client owns the stain, but the dry cleaner owns the damage.” — Jerry ([10:47])

• On advice for home stain disasters:
  “The best thing to do is to do nothing is to blot it out. ... No rubbing because you'll damage.” — Jerry ([43:29])

• On dry cleaning’s dirty little secret:
  “Looking at a care label and seeing that something is 'dry clean only' is opening up Pandora’s box... often it’s just marketing.” — Zach ([02:44])

• On generational differences:
  “I embrace Zach’s ideas, where my dad was like, 'Why are we doing this?' [But] we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for social media.” — Jerry ([22:47])

• On the satisfaction of garment rescue:
  “There are garments I’ve seen that I’ve cleaned for one generation, and I’m getting to clean it for a second generation as well… which gives me goosebumps.” — Jerry ([57:41])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:57–03:29: A look inside Jeeves NY’s facility; expectations vs. reality
• 02:22–03:56: What “dry cleaning” actually means; which fabrics need it
• 04:03–05:14: Different stains, wet cleaning, balancing client expectations
• 05:21–06:53: Modern chemicals, solvents, and eco-progress in dry cleaning
• 08:15–09:49: Cleaning for museums, crazy client stories, high-pressure jobs
• 13:34–13:55: Emotional drama and the importance of clear communication
• 14:13–18:41: Deciphering laundry labels—what those symbols actually mean
• 19:42–24:43: Family dry cleaning heritage, old-school vs. new-school business
• 27:30–28:50: Jeeves NY as a franchise; brand aspiration and acquisition story
• 30:07–32:24: How they keep track of (and almost never lose) 100,000+ garments
• 34:25–35:22: The ethics and law of abandoned clothing
• 37:04–38:11: Testing stains in the lab; using a spectrometer; why blood is simple
• 40:15–42:06: Fuck, Marry, Kill: Turmeric (#fuck), Blood (#marry), Deodorant (#kill); ink is the toughest
• 43:29: What to do (and NOT to do) when you stain something
• 44:38–47:18: Home stain removal essentials; detergent, OxiClean, peroxide
• 49:20–53:20: Lightning round (Martinizing, fabric softener, difficult smells, impossible garments)
• 53:20: Innovations vs. client resistance (plastic packaging)
• 54:17–55:39: The guests’ own “dumb” questions—about food carts and why goosebumps happen

Final Thoughts

This episode pulls back the curtain on an industry we all use, but rarely understand. The Posnacks’ expertise and obvious dedication to both their craft and their clients is inspiring, as is their honest reflection on family, change, and the emotional weight of what they do. From museum conservation to trend-busting TikTok fame to practical at-home advice (don’t rub, just blot!), it’s a masterclass in what “care” really means—whether for vintage couture or an irreplaceable childhood blanket.

Recommended for: Anyone who wears, stains, or cares for clothes; lovers of process, craftsmanship, hidden-world explorations, or just a great family business story.

Find Jeeves New York: Website | [TikTok/Instagram: @jeevesny]
Book: The Laundry Book (definitive guide to garment care)
Host: Nayeema Raza | Send questions: nayeema.raza101@gmail.com