Abstract: The present invention provides a method for cleaning fabric articles which comprises the steps of: washing the fabric articles with a cleaning solvent in a rotatable drum; rotating the drum at a high spin speed for a high spin period of time after the performance of said washing step; and heating the fabric articles for at least a period of time during the performance of said rotating step. During the heating step, at least some of the cleaning solvent is removed from the fabric articles in both liquid and vapor phases. Heating the fabric articles decreases attractive forces between the liquid phase cleaning solvent and the fabric articles, facilitating the separation and hence removal of additional quantities of the cleaning solvent from the fabric articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for cleaning fabric articles which comprises the steps of: washing the fabric articles with a cleaning solvent in a rotatable drum; rotating the drum at a high spin speed for a high spin period of time after the performance of said washing step; and heating the fabric articles for at least a period of time during the performance of said rotating step. During the heating step, at least some of the cleaning solvent is removed from the fabric articles in both liquid and vapor phases. Heating the fabric articles decreases attractive forces between the liquid phase cleaning solvent and the fabric articles, facilitating the separation and hence removal of additional quantities of the cleaning solvent from the fabric articles.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for folding a shirt. More particularly, the apparatus includes a folding plate assembly that includes a center plate, which has a first and second lateral side, a first side plate, which is pivotably connected to the first lateral side of the center plate, and a second side plate, which is pivotably connected to the second side plate of the center plate. The apparatus is designed to fold a shirt when the shirt is placed on the folding plate assembly by folding the first and second side plates backwardly so that the respective side portions of the shirt are folded behind the shirt. A hanger is also provided for hanging a shirt. The hanger is sized and shaped to orient shoulder portions of the shirt so that the lower portion of the shirt expands in a laterally outward direction and thereby inhibits the formation of folds therein.