Wet Cleaning

Definition and Overview

Wet cleaning is a cleaning process carried out by dry cleaners and others, who determine the material, soiling, accessories, and sewing specifications of the garment and finely control the conditions for washing with water. Unlike home laundering, it refers to a specialized process that includes washing, spin-drying, drying, and finishing.

In care labeling, wet cleaning is a label that assumes water-based treatment by a professional cleaner rather than home laundering. It does not mean the same thing as a no-wash symbol or a dry-cleaning-allowed symbol, so the symbol and its notes are checked individually.

Features and Finish

Because it uses water, this method is suitable for sweat, beverage stains, and other water-soluble soils. At the same time, it controls machine action on the garment, temperature, detergent, spin-drying, and drying to reduce risks such as shrinkage, loss of shape, and color bleeding.

The finish varies depending on the material and process, but when properly controlled, it helps preserve a clean appearance and the material's original texture. However, water-repellent finishes, resin finishes, fusible interlining, and similar components may change in performance or appearance depending on the washing conditions.

Main Applications

It is considered for blouses, shirts, dresses, pants, jackets, and similar items worn during sweaty seasons. It is also used for garments where the stain-removing effect of water washing is desired but ordinary home laundering would place too much stress on the item.

For outerwear and functional materials, some designs recommend wet cleaning when dry cleaning may reduce water repellency. However, whether washing is possible is judged not by the fabric alone, but by the product as a whole, including the outer fabric, lining, interfacing, and accessories.

Design and Handling Precautions

In product planning, it is important to conduct washing tests not only on the fabric alone but also on the assembled state with interfacing, tape, buttons, zippers, prints, and other components combined. Especially in items made with mixed materials, check whether puckering due to differences in shrinkage, color transfer, or lifting of bonded areas occurs.

In sewing, align the grain while considering shrinkage and twisting after washing, and if necessary, correct the grain and wet the fabric before cutting. Use stay tape on areas that stretch easily, and make seam finishing and interlining application specifications that can maintain appearance even after exposure to moisture and heat.

For consumer handling, the basic rule is to follow the washing symbols on the care tag. Even if wet cleaning is indicated, it does not mean the item can be washed at home. Whether home laundering is allowed is checked separately by the home laundering symbols.

• Check shrinkage rate, twisting, and dimensional changes in both the fabric and the finished product.
• For light and dark color combinations and prints, check color bleeding and color transfer caused by friction.
• Evaluate functions such as water repellency, including any performance decline after washing.
• Check fusible interlining and other auxiliary materials for peeling, bubbling, and deformation after washing.

Differences from Similar Terms

Washable generally means that water washing is possible, but whether home laundering is allowed or professional wet cleaning is intended differs by product. Specific handling should be confirmed not only from the term washable, but also from the washing symbols.

Dry cleaning is a washing method that mainly uses organic solvents. Wet cleaning, by contrast, uses water-based washing. Which is more suitable depends not only on the type of soil, but also on the material, finishing, shape retention, and the resistance of accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions