# Professional wet cleaning (W) — Laundry Care Symbol | Launderwise

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Professional cleaning

![Professional wet cleaning (W)](/images/care-symbols/professional-wet-cleaning.svg)

# Professional wet cleaning (W)

An ISO 3758 circle containing the letter W, indicating the garment should be professionally wet cleaned — a controlled, water-based process carried out by a cleaner.

## What it means

The letter W specifies professional wet cleaning: a gentle, computer-controlled water process using specialised detergents and drying, offered as a lower-solvent alternative to traditional dry cleaning. Bars beneath the circle call for an even milder cycle.

## What to do

Take the item to a cleaner that advertises professional wet cleaning, not just dry cleaning. Do not try to replicate it at home; the controlled moisture, mechanical action and drying are what stop the fabric distorting.

## How to use this term

Use this professional-cleaning symbol when the item may need a dry cleaner or wet-cleaning specialist instead of home washing.

- Read professional wet cleaning (w) with the other symbols on the same care label; the strictest symbol wins.
- Match the instruction to the garment's most fragile part, including trims, lining, prints and finishes.
- If the label, fabric behaviour and stain method disagree, test a hidden area or choose the lower-risk route.

### Common mistake

Do not override a dry-clean or professional-cleaning instruction just because the fabric feels sturdy.

For the broader method, use the [Silk care guide ](/blog/wash-silk-without-ruining-it/index.md)and then return to this term when the label changes the safe option.

## Related terms

- [Dry clean](/glossary/dry-clean/index.md)
- [Do not dry clean](/glossary/do-not-dry-clean/index.md)
- [Do not machine wash](/glossary/do-not-machine-wash/index.md)

## Sources

- [ISO 3758:2012 Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols ](https://www.iso.org/standard/42918.html)— International Organization for Standardization

[ Back to the full glossary](/glossary/index.md)