In general, wet cleaning is still being improved and developed, although low-tech versions of it have been used for centuries.

Otherwise, wet cleaning will wash away much acidity and dirt.

But when the shop, which used a water-and-detergent method called wet cleaning, started shrinking clothes, patrons quickly lost confidence.

Because wet cleaning is a chemical process, it is not reversible, and so should be used only when absolutely necessary.

Proponents say wet cleaning is the industry's future, with stores sending the most delicate garments to centralized plants.

The letter W in a circle is for professional wet cleaning.

It charges $60 for a condition report, $150 for wet cleaning and $40 an hour for repairs.

He also acknowledged that wet cleaning takes longer to dry than chemical cleaning.

It accepts five basic dry and wet professional cleaning methodologies.

"With wet cleaning, you can get the water really hot, up to 212 degrees," he said.