Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Career Description: Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, fine linens, rugs, and carpets.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
• Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.
• Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
• Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
• Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
• Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
• Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
• Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
• Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
• Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
• Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
• Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
• Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles.
• Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics.
• Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
• Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents.
• Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.
• Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.
• Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
• Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
• Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.
• Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.
• Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents.
• Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.
• Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes.
• Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines.
• Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry.
• Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions.
• Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors.
• Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines.
• Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors.
• Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses.
• Melt and roll out metal into sheets or bars, and stamp out jewelry such as gold and silver chains, using presses or dies.
• Build sand molds in flasks, following patterns and heat flasks to dry and harden molds, using furnaces or torches.
• Rotate molds in order to distribute molten material and prevent formation of air pockets.
• Remove molds from cast articles, clean them, and apply shellac and powder to preserve them for reuse.
• Immerse gemstones in chemical solutions to determine specific gravity and other key properties necessary for identification and appraisal.
• Burn grooves or crevices in molds in order to correct defects, using soldering guns.
• Press models into clay, and build up clay around exposed parts of models to retain plaster.
• Chase decorative designs on silver blanks that are to be used as models for steel production dies.

Emerging Tasks

• Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.
• Fill ink fountains, maintain ink and water balance, mix ink colors, and move levers to adjust the flow of ink.
• Load and unload paper into printers, presses or other equipment.
• Monitor the quality of output product by examining proofs or printed sheets for adequacy of impression clarity, color variations, smudges, deletions, ink density and consistency to detect errors.
• Perform minor repairs and maintenance of presses and printers, including lubricating moving parts.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adjust production equipment/machinery setup
• apply cleaning solvents
• attach or mark identification onto products or containers
• block knitted garments
• calculate weights or proportions of pigments required to make dye
• clean equipment or machinery
• clean linens
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• distinguish colors
• dye fabric or leather articles
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• grade, classify, or sort products according to specifications
• identify type of stain in fabrics, such as wool, synthetics, or silk
• load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
• load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
• maintain consistent production quality
• measure, weigh, or count products or materials
• mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
• monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
• operate laundering or dry cleaning equipment
• operate sewing machine
• operate textile production equipment/machinery
• operate vacuum or air hose
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• press garment or fabric
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of cloth or fabric
• remove stains from fabric or carpet
• sew by hand
• sort articles for laundry or dry cleaning
• spray water, steam, or air over fabric or leather
• spread fabric or clothing article on worktable or ironing board
• use chemical testing or analysis procedures
• use hand iron
• use hand or power tools
• wrap products
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• prepare reports
• prepare safety reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• read blueprints
• read production layouts
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of alloys
• recognize characteristics of metals
• recognize characteristics of pulps
• recognize wood species characteristics
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• sort manufacturing materials or products
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand measuring devices
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use hazardous materials information
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of metric system
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use quality assurance techniques
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$8.86
• Average annual wage (2007) - $18,420.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 9.68%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 23,100
• Employment (2006): 238,681

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