Dry Cleaning, Laundry, and Related Workers

Nature of work

Dry cleaning and laundry machine operators use machines to dry-clean or launder clothing and other articles. Dry cleaning and laundry inspectors and assemblers check finished clothes and other articles to make sure they meet required standards for dry-cleaning, laundering and pressing, and gather and bag finished clothes and other articles. This group includes workers who iron, press or otherwise finish clothes and household articles. They work for dry cleaning, laundry and fur cleaning companies, and in the laundries of hotels, hospitals and other institutions.

Job duties

Dry cleaning and laundry machine operators:

• Use dry cleaning machines to dry-clean dresses, suits, coats, sweaters and other clothes, draperies, cushion covers and other articles.
• Sort clothes and use washing machines and dryers to clean and dry clothing, sheets, blankets, towels and other articles.
• Use machines to clean and blow-dry fur clothes.
• Use machines to dry-clean, dye, spray, re-oil, and re-buff suede and leather clothes.
• Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches and other solutions and chemicals.

Dry cleaning and laundry inspectors and assemblers:

• Check finished clothes and other articles to make sure they are properly dry-cleaned or laundered.
• Record damaged or improperly dry-cleaned or laundered clothes and other articles.
• Use hand-held steam iron to touch up finished clothes and other articles.
• Assemble and bag finished clothes and other articles.
• Match invoices with tags on clothes or other articles.

Ironing, pressing and finishing workers:

• Use finishing equipment like steam pressers, and use hand irons to finish pants, jackets, shirts, skirts and other dry cleaned and laundered articles.
• Hand iron laundered fine linens or dry-cleaned silk clothes.
• Use fur ironing and glazing equipment to finish fur clothes and other fur articles.
• Fold and bag dry cleaned and laundered articles.
• May use laundering equipment.
• Workers in this group may specialize in finishing suede, leather, fur and delicate articles.

Sample job titles

• bagger
• drapery cleaner
• dry cleaner
• finisher
• fur cleaner
• inspector - laundry and dry cleaning
• laundry worker
• leather cleaner
• presser
• silk finisher
• steam finisher
• suede cleaner

Skills

• You should have the ability to perform routine, repetitive work and remain mentally alert. You must also be able to work well with others and have good customer service skills. You should enjoy operating machines and taking a methodical approach to their work.

Job requirements

• Some high school education is necessary for some positions within this group.
• Four to eight weeks of on-the-job training are usually provided.
• Dry cleaning and laundry machine operators may need experience as inspectors or assemblers.
• Suede, leather and fur cleaners may need experience as dry cleaning or laundry machine operators.

Other considerations

• Movement to supervisor positions is possible with additional training and experience. Workers are often expected to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

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