Consider the following chemicals: I. Benzene II. Carbon tetrachloride III. Sodium Carbonate IV. Trichloroethylene Which of the above is/are used as dry cleaning chemicals?

Historically, dry cleaning has used non‑aqueous solvents: early operations employed petroleum‑derived solvents (raw gasoline/petroleum naphtha blends) and later shifted to chlorinated solvents. Carbon tetrachloride was the first chlorinated solvent used for dry cleaning and trichloroethylene was also employed (though perchloroethylene later became predominant) [1]. Sodium carbonate (washing soda) is a water‑based cleaning/water‑softening chemical used in domestic and industrial laundry/soap manufacture, not a dry‑cleaning solvent [1]. Because petroleum‑derived solvents historically contained aromatic components (e.g., benzene) and chlorinated solvents like CCl4 and trichloroethylene were used, the correct combination of dry‑cleaning chemicals listed is I, II and IV.

Sources

1. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK464358/
2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Acids, Bases and Salts > Uses of washing soda > p. 32