Green Apple Cleaners - NYC

Green Apple Cleaners sprang from parents' concern for their children's health and the health of their world.

Back in 2002, David Kistner and his wife, Effie, were expecting twin boys. With the excitement and nervousness of first time parents, they read everything they could about pregnancy and infant care. What they discovered alarmed them books and articles repeatedly cautioned pregnant women and parents of babies to avoid dry cleaning because of the harmful chemicals used.

Like so many urban couples, David and Effie relied on jobs where suits were required.

David hunted for better options. Consumer Reports published a comparison of dry cleaning methods, both "green" and conventional. A new technology using liquid CO2 came out on top, ranked #1 for cleaning clothing best while being gentler to the fabric. When David saw that it was also the most benign to both human health and the environment, he knew he'd found his solution. But geography got in the way CO2 dry cleaning was not available in the tri-state area.

David was determined that other parents would have the safer CO2 option he was denied. He shared the Consumer Reports article with his friend and colleague, Chris Skelley, a father of two young children (Taylor and Dylan). Together, David & Chris were inspired by the virtues of this new technology and committed themselves to bringing it to our communities.