A Complete Guide to Wet Cleaning Machines and Agent Systems

In the laundry industry, most consumers and some operators easily confuse wet cleaning with conventional washing. But they are fundamentally different. This is also the key difference between high-end garment care and regular cleaning. 

Conventional washing mainly uses strong mechanical action, extreme water temperature, and high-alkaline detergents. With intensive soaking and extraction processes, it is harsh on garments. This easily damages delicate fabrics and garment trims. However, wet cleaning is a high-end care technology. It is gentle, precise, and systematic. It features mild mechanical action and chemical irritation. Thus, it can protect various fabrics and garment trims. It can safely handle delicate trims (such as metal trims, beadwork, silver threads, and glass beads). This prevents cleaning issues, such as adhesive dissolution, trim loosening, and fabric damage. 

Advantages of Wet Cleaning 

● Stain removal

Compared with traditional dry cleaning, wet cleaning has outstanding advantages in stain removal. Dry cleaning can only remove oil-based stains from the garment surface. But it cannot remove hidden water-soluble stains (such as sweat, sugar, champagne stains). These residual stains have been embedded in fabric fibers for a long time. They gradually oxidize and turn yellow/brown, and finally form permanent, stubborn stains. This significantly reduces garment lifespan. 

However, wet cleaning can thoroughly remove these deep hidden stains. It can prevent garment discoloration at the source. Meanwhile, garments become soft, fluffy, and fresh after wet cleaning. It is a preferred technology for high-end garment care at present. 

● Commercial value

Today, the advantages of wet cleaning, such as eco-friendliness, garment protection, and fragrance retention, are widely known. But the reason why it has become a key technology in laundry shops is its low operating costs and high market value. Many people misunderstand that large wet cleaning agent dosage and high unit price lead to higher operating costs. They actually overlook the comprehensive costs. Compared with dry cleaning, wet cleaning requires no expensive dry cleaning solvents. Equipment maintenance and consumable costs are lower. The long-term operating costs are more favorable than dry cleaning. 

In most European areas, due to eco-friendly regulations, traditional dry cleaning machines have gradually been phased out. New laundry shops no longer invest in dry cleaning machines. Today, 90% of dry-clean-only garments can be treated with professional wet cleaning. Only a small number of special garments are processed at dedicated dry cleaning centers. This significantly reduces single-store equipment purchase and maintenance costs. This also achieves store profitability, environmental protection, and garment care safety. 

Essentials of Wet Cleaning 

More importantly, wet cleaning is not a simple combination of regular washers and several cleaning agents. It is a garment care system that is complete and standardized. It mainly contains five key components (specialized wet cleaning agents, a wet cleaning machine, a dryer with a moisture sensing system, a vacuum/blowing ironing table, and a form finisher). Meanwhile, wet cleaning has strict requirements for operators’ skills and matching washing programs. Every stage affects the final garment care results. 

● Professional operation

Operators’ skills are the foundation of wet cleaning performance. They should master regular water washing processes while gathering fabric care experience. For example, when exposed to water, fabrics may shrink, deform, or fade. Meanwhile, they should be familiar with the complete wet cleaning system. Washing programs should be precisely adjusted according to different fabrics, stains, and garments. With professional experience, operators can reduce garment care risks as well as provide precision care. 

● Professional wet cleaning machine

Wet cleaning machines require high standards of brand quality, processes, and materials. Kingstar wet cleaning machines use a reinforced machine body, support structure, and high-quality bearings. They feature a three-bearing design with higher structural strength. The key components have a low failure rate. Their service life far exceeds that of common laundry equipment. 

The equipment has a higher overall weight with enhanced stability. The maximum spin speed can reach up to 980 RPM. During high-speed extraction, they remain stable with low vibration and noise. They do not cause mechanical damage to garments. Besides the thickened materials, the machine body uses standard dimensions. Machines do not take up additional space. Thus, they are suitable for various laundry applications. 

● Professional dryer

Kingstar smart dryers can match well with wet cleaning machines. They have a moisture sensing system that can control the drying level. It also retains 3%-5% moisture in garments. Garments become softer after drying. Meanwhile, high-sensitivity temperature sensing devices can dry delicate fabrics at low temperatures. This protects fabrics and color. 

● Form finisher

This machine is suitable for garments that have high requirements for shaping (such as jackets, coats, and trench coats). The airflow and hot-air temperature can be precisely adjusted. It can penetrate multi-layer fabrics without relying on steam. High-volume hot air can finish the garment shaping and drying. Garment fibers become relaxed after wet cleaning, so the drying process is essential. Hot air can activate the shaping components in wet cleaning agents. Thus, wrinkled and contracted fibers completely relax. Garments restore their softness. 

However, some delicate fabrics are not suitable for tumble drying. A form finisher helps address this issue. Meanwhile, garments are not easy to shape after wet cleaning. They are more difficult to press than dry-clean garments. A form finisher can restore garment patterns as well as remove slight wrinkles. It significantly improves pressing efficiency and shaping performance. So, garments become smoother and flatter after cleaning. 

Besides, a vacuum/blowing ironing table can quickly absorb fabrics and channel hot air. It helps with precision pressing and shaping. This improves overall garment care performance. 

Dedicated Wet Cleaning Agents

Wet cleaning agents are key to gentle stain removal, garment protection, and shaping. Chemical formulations can meet the care requirements of different fabrics. Common agents include the following categories. 

● Delicate garment pre-treatment agent

It uses a high-activity biodegradable surfactant formulation, which is mild and non-irritating. It is gentle on damaged fabric color and fiber structure. It is designed for various oil-based stains and stubborn colored stains. It can break down deep-seated soils. This lays a foundation for the later precision cleaning. 

● Wool/silk wet cleaning detergent

It can be used for high-end protein fabrics. It uses professional color stabilizers as well as anti-shrinkage and anti-pilling components. During washing processes, it forms a temporary gel-like protective layer on the fibers. This prevents fiber deformation and pilling. Meanwhile, it can reduce the impact of water surface tension on fabrics. Stain removal may not be affected by water temperature and mechanical action. It achieves gentle care and cleaning performance. 

● Fiber protection agent

This agent is integrated with fiber conditioning, static control, and drying protection. Garments become fresh and smooth after cleaning. Wrinkling and static issues in delicate fabrics (such as chiffon and silk). It also improves pressing and shaping results. Meanwhile, it protects fabrics from moisture and dust. During drying processes, it also consistently protects fibers. This prevents fabric pilling and stiffness. 

● Leather garment cleaning agent

It can mildly remove stains from leather. At the same time, it conditions the leather. It also prevents cracking, drying, and color fading. It can meet the specialized wet cleaning requirements of leather garments. 

Laundry Applications

Relying on complete equipment and dedicated agents, wet cleaning can cover most garment care applications. 

● Blended-fiber washing program 

It is between conventional washing and professional wet cleaning. It features a mild, low-temperature washing process. It is suitable for blended-fiber garments requiring low-temperature washing. 

● Wool/silk wet cleaning program

It is designed for protein fabrics. It has moderate cleaning power as well as strong protection. It can remove moderate levels of soil from wool and silk garments. It applies to high-end delicate garments that are hand-washable or dry-cleaned. 

● Sensitive-garment washing program

It is a basic program of the wet cleaning system. The above two programs are optimized and adapted from it. This program precisely balances mechanical action and chemicals. It significantly reduces garment damage. It can be used for water-sensitive garments, valuable fabrics, and clothes with delicate trims. Today, it is a frequently used wet cleaning program in laundry shops. 

Conclusion

Wet cleaning is not a simple upgrade to cleaning methods. It is a high-end garment care system, which includes professional equipment, dedicated agents, standardized programs, and precision manual operation. It has multiple advantages (such as garment protection, deep stain removal, cost-effectiveness, and environmental protection). Wet cleaning has become a key competitive advantage of modern laundry shops. It provides safer, more professional, and long-lasting protection for various high-end and delicate garments. 

Q&A

Q1: What equipment is required for the wet cleaning process? 

A1: A wet cleaning machine, a dryer with a moisture sensing system, a form finisher, a vacuum/blowing ironing table, and wet cleaning agents. 

Q2: Can a form finisher dry garments? 

A2: It cannot completely replace a dryer. It is often used for pressing and shaping. 

Q3: Do garments require drying before using a form finisher? 

A3: Do not completely dry garments. Some moisture should be retained. Kingstar smart dryers can dry garments to around 80%-90%. A form finisher can achieve pressing, shaping, and supplementary drying.