A new environmentally-friendly dry cleaner called GreenAge Cleaners has opened in Chelsea in the former Divine Java coffee shop.

Located in the strip mall at 1159 South Main, the dry cleaner uses a variety of environmentally friendly technologies, including energy-efficient pressing machines and hydrocarbon solvent instead of PERC, a harsh chemical widely used for dry cleaning and metal degreasing.

“Hydrocarbon doesn’t harm the human body, and there is no air pollution, contamination of the land or odor,” said owner Michael Koh.

Koh, who is currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan, opened the store because he wanted his own “green” drycleaning business after working in the industry for years. He said he invested more than $250,000 in a complete line of energy-efficient machines.

In addition to a robotic shirt machine that uses less electricity and reduces labor, Koh invested in specialized pressing machines and utility form fitters for linen/cotton, dresses, jackets and machines that press pants two legs at a time so there is never a double crease.

“By paying upfront for energy-efficient machines, you do not have to increase costs over time as the cost of supplies and chemicals rise,” said Susie Casalou of E & N Equipment Company, which supplied the machines to Koh and designed the store layout. “This is good for customers and for him.”

Koh said he selected Chelsea because of its quiet country atmosphere.

“It’s a beautiful place, and I thought I could have a business here. It has everything you need but it’s still in the country.” It also doesn’t hurt that there is only one other dry cleaners in Chelsea," he said.

Although many cleaners would like to go green, the cost is prohibitive for many.

“Everybody is hopping on the bandwagon to be “green and clean,” and everybody is trying to do their best,” said Michigan Institute of Laundry and Dry Cleaning Board Member Jeff Bradford, who owns Bradford Master Dry Cleaners in Petoskey and the CRDN of Northern Michigan franchise.

“You have to be very well-positioned to create that kind of a production system, and it’s very hard for many mom-and-pop operations to put in the equipment because their [sales] numbers aren’t there," Bradford said.

Bradford estimated that 85 percent of all dry cleaners in Michigan are still using the chlorinated solvent PERC, although owners are much smarter about how they are using and disposing it than in the past.

Bradford said equipment like automated pressing machines can “really do a beautiful job … but sometimes it is hard to get the high tech stuff to work for you the way you want it to work because not all garments are made the same. In addition, the greener you get [with the solvents], the harder it is to get the same result versus using the chlorinated solvents.”

He adds that the green products are gentler on customers’ clothes and better for employees who are breathing the air in the plant.

“What [Koh] is doing is a very smart thing and I’m very impressed,” says Bradford. “That is a very positive step for anyone in our industry. The people who are going to be the future of this industry are the ones who come to grips with making their business as viable to the needs of their customers as they can within their own financial confines.”

Since opening April 11, business is picking up for Koh with customers coming from Chelsea, Manchester and Grass Lake, through word-of-mouth along with mailbox marketing.

“I want to thank the people of Chelsea for having me,” says Koh. “In return I want to do good for Chelsea by providing the community with an environmentally-friendly alternative for a long term clean environment.”

Laura Blodgett is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com.