For more than 15 years, Korean Cleaners Monthly has published numerous reports promoting the adoption of wetcleaning.
Yet, even today, many dry cleaners still harbor a fundamental distrust toward wetcleaning.
Recently, when Korean Cleaners Monthly introduced the advantages of the AquaMax Wetcleaning System in its KakaoTalk group chat (search “월간 세탁인” on KakaoTalk), it received criticism such as, “Are you advertising a specific product?”
Although the publication prides itself on fairness, there seems to be a lingering sense of distrust toward it as an “outsider.”
Recently, a cleaner from Connecticut who operates a dry cleaning shop visited Kimber Cleaners, where the AquaMax system is currently in use.
Below is a portion of the recorded conversation between that visitor and Mr. Janggeun Cho, owner of Kimber Cleaners.
How is this different from the other wetcleaning washers (the type of machines we’re familiar with)?
You can make changes during the cycle. Other machines can’t do that—once the water fills, that’s it. With this one, if I want to add more water, I can. If I need more detergent, I can just press a button to add it. I’ve always found it frustrating not being able to do that with other systems. That’s why I chose this one.
Have many people come to observe your operation?
That’s what I find disappointing. People just come to look. They see me cleaning a suit and say, “Oh, nice, it even cleans suits,” and then they leave. There’s nothing after that. It’s fine if they come to see, but they need to come with a clear understanding. If they come without that, they leave without learning much.
You used to have a hydrocarbon machine, right?
When people ask about wetcleaning, many still say, “Why bother doing that?” But I’ve used both perc and hydrocarbon systems. The problem with those is—if the cooking or something else goes wrong—the smell and other issues can be terrible. Wetcleaning doesn’t have any of that. As you noticed when you came in, there’s absolutely no solvent odor here.
Don’t acetate linings get wrinkled when washed in water?
Not at all. If you use the detergent and conditioner provided and control the mechanical action properly, you won’t have that problem. If clothes came out wrinkled like that, I wouldn’t be using this machine. I’d just stick with hydrocarbon if that were the case.
How long does it take to clean something like a suit?
In my 55-pound washer, I load about 25 pieces. The wash takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and drying takes 30 to 40 minutes. With hydrocarbon, that would take about an hour.
Is it convenient to use?
People often think of wetcleaning as something separate, but I think it should be treated just like hydrocarbon. With hydrocarbon, you just press buttons to operate it, right? Same thing here—it’s all button-controlled. There’s no difference.
People still imagine wetcleaning as washing in the afternoon, hanging clothes overnight, and pressing the next morning. I used to do that too. But with this, I can wash, press, and finish everything in one go.
Do you wash shirts with that other wetcleaning washer next to it?
Honestly, I used to. Not anymore. That other washer heats the incoming water to 160°F, but after that, it doesn’t go higher. This one, when the temperature drops, it goes back up to 160°F. It keeps the hot water constant, so the cleaning is much more effective. Now I wash all my shirts in this one at 160°F.
Does the bubble action really work?
The bubbles rise and penetrate the fabric, and they also get between garments and open up the gaps. That helps a lot in preventing dye transfer and similar issues. (Pointing at the running load) You see, I’ve even mixed in some dark garments—it’s fine, no color bleeding at all.
You’ve been doing wetcleaning for a long time. You must be an expert by now.
I’m no expert. I’m still learning every day. I use this system for convenience. Honestly, I just want to go home earlier and do less spotting. Before, I’d wash and hang dry, then press in the morning, wash again in the afternoon, hang again… it was tiring. With this, it’s great. I can work just like with hydrocarbon, but faster and easier.
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