Wet cleaning refers to methods of professional cleaning that, in contrast to traditional dry cleaning, does not involve organic solvents such as tetrachloroethylene and hydrocarbons, but instead uses the inorganic solvent water with organic detergents.
Proponents of wet cleaning state that these methods can be used without shrinking or otherwise damaging garments that typically require dry cleaning.Renée Montagne, "Some Dry Cleaners Turning to... Wet Cleaning" and "Interview: Peter Sinsheimer on wet cleaning", Morning Edition, January 10, 2005.Eviana Hartman, "The Messy Truth About Dry Cleaning", The Washington Post, August 10, 2008.Jill Leovoy, "A Greener Kind of Cleaner", Los Angeles Times, March 11, 1996.
Usage From American Dry Cleaner: "74.7% of dry cleaners use wet cleaning when cleaning casual clothing and sportswear; specialty items, like draperies and gowns (42.3%); “business casual” or softly tailored clothing (38%); restoration work (25.4%); and tailored workwear (16.9%).
See also List of laundry topics Dry cleaning Self-service laundry
References
External links US EPA, garment and textile care publications