Laundry and dry-cleaning workers 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, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
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.
Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
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.
Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.
Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents.
Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.
Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles.
Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.
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.
Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses.
Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics.
Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors.
Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.
Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents.
Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors.
Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.
Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines.
Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes.
Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions.
Work Context
Work Context information for this career will be available soon.
Work Activities
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
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.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
