People baffled after finding out how dry cleaners really work - without getting clothes wet

Brits have vowed to get a job at the dry cleaners just so they can understand how the process works.

If you've ever accidentally stained your favourite knitted jumper or, even worse, your silk wedding dress - you've probably taken a visit to the dry cleaners. There are lots of fabrics that are simply too precious to pop in the washing machine unless you want to shrink your lambswool sweater from a medium to an XXXXXXS.

However, have you ever stopped to think about how dry cleaners remove those stubborn stains without damaging the item? It may not keep you up at night, but it's certainly taken the internet by storm.

Taking to TikTok, one woman went viral after admitting she was 'confused' about the whole thing, and can't stop thinking about it. "Today I found out that when you take your clothes to the dry cleaners, they don't get wet - that's not how they get the stains out," she said. "I've never been more confused with something in my entire life."

"Like, I've been thinking, about this all day... How are you getting the stains out if you're not getting the item of clothing wet? I'm so confused... I just don't get it - and it really made me think that I actually didn't know what dry cleaning is."

Hundreds of baffled viewers flocked to the comments section to share thoughts - with many desperate to find out how dry cleaning actually works. "Wait, dry cleaning doesn't mean they dry it after cleaning it?" one person asked.

Another agreed, commenting: "Be right back, going to get a job at the dry cleaners to find out how this works." While a third added: "It seems obvious in hindsight given the name but I literally had no idea. I thought they were just chucking them in the washing machine."

If you're still scratching your head as to how dry cleaning actually works - machines will tackle stubborn stains with a cleaning solvent that contains little to no water. It is still a liquid but only cleans the surface of the material and does not penetrate the fibre as water would in a washing machine. Depending on your dry cleaners, your clothes may be freshened up using a silicone-based solvent or a hydrocarbon alternative.