What is wet cleaning?
A professional cleaning process that uses water instead of a dry cleaning solvent, with detergents and machine programs made for delicate garments.
In plain terms
Wet cleaning is an alternative to dry cleaning and other commercial laundry processes. It uses water to clean clothes and fibres, and it is gentle enough for garments with flocking and printed transfers that would be too sensitive for other methods, including many items that cannot be dry cleaned.
Because the base is water, there is no dry cleaning solvent to store and no solvent waste to have collected. It removes greasy and non-greasy soiling in the same wash.
Garments that suit wet cleaning
- Wool suits and coats
- Silk
- Linen
- Knitwear
- Flocked and printed garments
- Many "dry clean only" items
- Leather and suede (with Lanadol LICKER)
- Uniforms
Garment list To confirm · Wool, silk and cashmere · Wedding dresses and beaded garments
How it works
Inspection
Close inspection for dirt and stains. Garments are sorted by fabric type, light and dark colours, and weight.
Treatment
A trained wet cleaning technician picks the right treatment, so each garment type gets the proper wash and dry cycles.
Wet clean
The washer's program sets the water level, cycle time, drum action, temperature and cleaning agents for each load.
Finish
Garments are pressed and steamed in the finishing area to relax the fabric after cleaning.
A short history
Kreussler introduced wet cleaning to the public in December 1991, and professional wet cleaning was developed in Germany through the early 1990s. To confirm with Kreussler
Spencer Systems supplies Kreussler's Lanadol range in Australia and sets up wet cleaning for dry cleaners and laundries. Since when?
What the symbol on a care label means: the W symbol explained.
What you need
- A programmable washer
- Most modern washer-extractors can take a wet cleaning program. We write and load it.
- A dryer with moisture control
- Stops the cycle at the right moisture level, so garments aren't over-dried.
- Finishing equipment
- Trouser toppers, form finishers and pressing tables, often all a laundry needs to add.
- The Lanadol range
- Detergents, finishing, pre-spotting, disinfection and leather care.