Abstract: An industrial-type washing machine having a washing compartment and a rinsing compartment in immediate longitudinal alignment with each other and having spray jets respectively receiving washing and rinsing solutions from separate reservoirs and applied under pressure to the upper and lower surfaces of a strip of metal as it passes along a defined path therefor in the compartments, the exit end of the washing compartment being spaced a limited distance from the entrance end of the rinsing compartment to provide application of liquid-removing air sprays applied against the strip and spaced outwardly from the exit end of the rinsing compartment is an air jet compartment in which air from the jets effects drying of the metal strip.