The Advantages of Wet Cleaning
Wet cleaning is the professional cleaning of “dry clean only” garments in a water-based solution, using computer-controlled washer-extractors. After you set aside dress shirts, household items, and fluff and fold, roughly 60% of the garments that come over the counter are washable in some capacity, based on their care instructions or fiber content. With the right process, robust garments can go from counter to conveyor in less than an hour. Kreussler’s LANADOL process, based on Kreussler patents and introduced jointly with Miele in December 1991, was built for this work.
What is wet cleaning?
Wet cleaning is a catch-all term for processing garments that would typically require dry cleaning. Instead of a solvent, a computer-controlled washer-extractor cleans the garment in an aqueous solution.
For Kreussler, that means suits, dresses, slacks, blouses, and sweaters made from wool, silk, and cashmere. These garments genuinely need the special chemistry and mechanical control wet cleaning applications provide.
What are the advantages of wet cleaning?
- Faster turnaround. With the LANADOL Dry process and LANADOL X-Press, robust garments can go from counter to conveyor in less than an hour, without dry cleaning.
- Less pre-spotting. LANADOL X-Press uses multiple enzymes designed to break down everything from protein to fatty soil, eliminating almost all pre-spotting.
- Quick, easy finishing. Wet-clean and dry slacks, blouses, pullovers, blazers, and dresses quickly without the risk of shrinking or distortion. LANADOL X-Press makes the finishing step easier and faster.
- Better-looking results. Brighter whites, more vivid colors, and a fresh, clean smell come with the LANADOL Dry process and LANADOL X-Press.
- One system for the whole counter. Combined with LANADOL Sensitive, you have a total solution for processing everything that comes over the counter.
Which LANADOL process fits which garment?
| Process | Best for | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| LANADOL Sensitive | Suits, dresses, slacks, blouses, and sweaters in wool, silk, and cashmere, including delicate structured wool and fine cashmere | Gentle on the most delicate pieces while still removing the typical soil found in these garments |
| LANADOL Dry | More robust garments such as slacks, blouses, pullovers, blazers, and dresses | Cleans and finishes quickly, with its own mechanical criteria, from counter to conveyor in less than an hour |
| LANADOL X-Press | Used with the LANADOL Dry process [CONFIRM: also paired with Sensitive?] | Enzyme-based chemistry that breaks down protein and fatty soil and simplifies finishing |
Most textiles that come over the counter clean better in water than in solvents, but they don’t need the Sensitive process. Treating them like casual wash items is also the wrong answer, which is why the Dry process exists.
Where did LANADOL wet cleaning come from?
The LANADOL wet cleaning process is based on Kreussler patents and was introduced jointly by Miele and Kreussler in December 1991. For the full story, read The History of Professional Wet Cleaning.
Wet cleaning FAQ
What is wet cleaning? Wet cleaning is the professional cleaning of “dry clean only” garments in a water-based solution, using computer-controlled washer-extractors. It is used for suits, dresses, slacks, blouses, and sweaters, including garments made from wool, silk, and cashmere.
How many garments can be wet cleaned? After you set aside dress shirts, household items, and fluff and fold, roughly 60% of the garments that come over the counter are washable in some capacity, based on care instructions or fiber content.
Is wet cleaning safe for delicate wool and cashmere? Kreussler developed the LANADOL Sensitive process for these garments. It is gentle enough for delicate structured wool and fine cashmere while still removing typical soil.
How long does wet cleaning take? With the LANADOL Dry process and LANADOL X-Press, robust garments can go from counter to conveyor in less than an hour.
When was LANADOL introduced? Miele and Kreussler introduced the LANADOL wet cleaning process jointly in December 1991. It is based on Kreussler patents.
Ready to move more work into water?
To improve your water-based cleaning offering, get more from your computer-controlled washer-extractors, reduce labor, and increase client satisfaction, contact our team to learn more about LANADOL X-Press and the LANADOL Dry process. You can also read the product spotlights for LANADOL and LANADOL X-Press.
