Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

The work

Core tasks

1. 01Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
2. 02Start 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.
3. 03Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
4. 04Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
5. 05Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
6. 06Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
7. 07Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
8. 08Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
9. 09Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
10. 10Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
11. 11Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
12. 12Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading