Cleaning with the touch of an angel

WINSTED — Protecting the global environment is a top priority for Americans today and the theme reaches from gas stations to farms and legislative offices.

Staying environmentally friendly is also a concern, as one might expect, at the dry cleaners.

Arpad "Arpy" Buzas, owner of Angel’s Touch Dry Cleaning, Laundry and Valet Service at 722 Main St., said in a recent interview that dry cleaning is one of the most monitored and regulated businesses. Chemicals used in the cleaning process are constantly being filtered and captured by high-tech equipment that is cleaned regularly by professional companies.

Though there are dry cleaning processes that use fewer chemicals, Buzas said he believes his facility is as environmentally friendly as any other.

"There is no way to be completely green, but we’re as close as you can get," Buzas said as washing machines churned and presses hissed behind him. "In the old days, the shops would just dump the stuff into the river, but now it’s very regulated."

A series of six filters pulls chemicals out of the dry cleaning machine at Angel’s Touch. The process is not actually "dry," as it uses a combination of chemical solutions as clothes tumble in a supersized washing machine. Chemicals filtered out of the machine are stored in containers and removed from the premises every six months.

"If they come up with a new machine that’s safe and really green, I’ll use it," Buzas said. "But there are some chemicals that have to be used to remove stains."

Born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, Buzas said he has been working in the dry cleaning business since he was a youngster. He offered a tour of the shop, where clothing and uniforms are processed for organizations and individuals across the state, including State Police Troop B.

Buzas has owned Angel’s Touch for the past two years and said he is proud to be part of the Winsted business community. He celebrated his 39th birthday Thursday and was surprised by his staff with a gift of brand-new yellow shirts with his company logo. He said he is supported by a "top team" of employees, including cleaning specialists Wendy Hayes and Nicole Lombardo.