What wet cleaning is
Wet cleaning is a professional garment care method that uses water, specialist surfactants and controlled mechanical action in professional equipment. The term was developed to distinguish it from two things it is not: home hand washing (which is uncontrolled) and dry cleaning (which uses solvent rather than water).
Professional wet cleaning equipment — a specialist computer-controlled washing machine designed for delicate fabrics — allows precise control of water temperature, agitation level, rinse cycles, and extraction force. This control prevents the damage that home washing causes: shrinkage from hot water, colour bleeding from excess agitation, distortion from high-speed spinning.
Dry cleaning: solvent-based, no water, best for oil-based soils and water-sensitive fabrics. Wet cleaning: water-based with specialist detergent and controlled process, best for water-soluble soils. Hand finishing: neither — specialist techniques for specific stains, embellishments, or fragile areas that cannot go into any machine process.
Wet cleaning vs dry cleaning
The two methods dissolve different types of soils. Dry cleaning solvent dissolves non-polar compounds — oils, greases, waxes, most organic stains. Water dissolves polar compounds — salts, sugars, some proteins.
Body soils contain both types. Sweat is primarily water-based (the salt and urea it contains are water-soluble). Body oils are solvent-soluble. A garment worn for a long formal event accumulates both types of soil. Professional cleaners sometimes use both processes on the same garment — solvent for the oil component, water rinse for the salt component.
"Neither dry cleaning nor wet cleaning is universally superior. The appropriate method depends on the fabric and on what it needs to have removed."
Wet cleaning vs hand washing
Professional wet cleaning is not hand washing. The professional equipment controls variables that are uncontrollable in home hand washing.
| Factor | Home hand washing | Professional wet cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | Approximate (feel) | Precise (computer-controlled) |
| Agitation level | Uncontrolled | Programmed for fabric type |
| Detergent chemistry | General household | Specialist, pH-balanced for fibre type |
| Extraction force | Manual (wringing) | Controlled centrifuge speed |
| Drying | Air dry (variable) | Controlled temperature, tension if needed |
When it is used
Wet cleaning is typically used in three situations. First, for garments with heavy perspiration soiling where sweat salt accumulation responds better to water-based cleaning. A white dress shirt collar with significant sweat accumulation is a classic wet cleaning candidate. Second, for garments where water-soluble soils predominate — sugar-based food stains, water-based cosmetics. Third, for garments where solvent exposure is to be avoided entirely — some embellishments, dyes, or finishes are solvent-sensitive even when the base fabric is solvent-tolerant.
Wet cleaning at TSL
The Swiss Laundry uses both dry cleaning and professional wet cleaning. We assess each garment on arrival and determine the appropriate method based on the fabric type, soil type, and any specific requirements. We advise clients when wet cleaning is more appropriate for their garment than dry cleaning — this is part of the professional service, not an upsell.
If you have formal wear with heavy perspiration soiling — particularly in collar and underarm areas — mention this specifically when bringing garments in. The combination of solvent pre-treatment on oil components and water-based cleaning of the salt component produces the best result for this type of soiling.
The Swiss Laundry uses both professional dry cleaning and wet cleaning — the correct process is selected for each garment based on fabric type and soil type. We do not default to one method for all garments. The right tool for the right fabric is the principle that has guided our operation since 2013.