BOSTON -- There is a movement taking shape that is aimed at improving dry cleaning and helping the environment.

NewsCenter 5's David Brown reported that it involves a chemical solvent used in many dry cleaners that can be dangerous to your health and the environment.

About 80 percent of professional cleaners in the U.S. use the chemical perchloroethylene, perc, to clean dry-clean-only clothes. Perc is a synthetic volatile organic compound -- a VOC -- that the Environmental Protection Agency classifies as a health and environmental risk.

The problem is if a little bit spills, it can seep right through the floors and contaminate the ground water.

Utopia cleaners in Arlington is moving away from the chemical and becoming more environmentally friendly. Though he hasn't ditched perc altogether, Myeong Lowe said wet is the new dry.

"My people, my customers love wet cleaning not just because it is environmentally friendly but sometimes it finishes the fabric a lot better," Lowe said.

Wet cleaning is the latest trend in eco-friendly cleaning. Using a high-tech washing machine, a little bit of water is mixed with a nontoxic biodegradable soap. After the clothes are washed, carefully dried and pressed, most stains are gone.

Many said that they feel the clothes are cleaner than the ones cleaned with perc with out the dangerous health or environmental side effects.

The University of Massachusetts at Lowell is leading the way to inform local cleaners about the benefits of wet cleaning.

At the Toxic Use Reduction Institute, scientists on campus test eco-friendly solvents that will reduce the health risk to consumers and workers.

"There's known issues associated with perc and the environment, as well as for the workers. For them, the consumer to look for something that's safer-- that just makes sense," said Jason Marshall, of the Toxic Use Reduction Institute.

"Perc is bad. Everybody knows that environmentally and health wise. The perc machines today are so good it reclaims the perc out of the clothes more than 99.9 percent," Lowe said.

Technology has made for safer machines, but the push is on for greener, nontoxic cleaning alternatives.