Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

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Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Careers / Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Summary 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, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Assembler

2.	Assorter

3.	Bag Hanger

4.	Bag Washer

5.	Benzene Washer

6.	Benzene Worker

7.	Blanket Washer

8.	Box Storage Worker

9.	Bundle Breaker

10.	Buttoner

11.	Carpet Cleaner

12.	Carpet Renovator

13.	Catcher

14.	Classifier

15.	Cleaner

16.	Cleaner and Dyer

17.	Cleaner and Presser

18.	Cleaning Machine Operator

19.	Cleaning Technician

20.	Clothes Marker

21.	Clothes Separator

22.	Clothes Shaker

23.	Coat Examiner

24.	Collar Starcher

25.	Collar Worker

26.	Color Matcher

27.	Conditioner Tumbler

28.	Continuous Towel Roller

29.	Conveyor Operator

30.	Curb Worker

31.	Curtain Cleaner

32.	Curtain Stretcher

33.	Dampener

34.	Detacher

35.	Diaper Folder

36.	Distributor

37.	Drapery Hand

38.	Drier

39.	Drier Operator

40.	Dry Cleaner

41.	Dry Room Attendant

42.	Dryer Operator

43.	Drying Machine Operator

44.	Dyer

45.	Equipment Operator

46.	Examiner

47.	Extracting Machine Operator

48.	Feather Renovator

49.	Feeder

50.	Finisher

51.	Folder

52.	Folding Machine Operator

53.	Fur Blower

54.	Fur Cleaner

55.	Fur Glazer

56.	Fur Glazing and Polishing Machine Operator

57.	Fur Glosser

58.	Fur Polisher

59.	Furniture Cleaner

60.	Glove Cleaner

61.	Glove Finisher

62.	Hand Launderer

63.	Handy Worker

64.	Hanger

65.	Hat Blocker

66.	Hat Cleaner

67.	Hat Former

68.	Hat Renovator

69.	Hat Sizer

70.	Hatter

71.	Launderer

72.	Laundromat Worker

73.	Laundry Aide

74.	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Machine Operator/Tender

75.	Laundry Assistant

76.	Laundry Attendant

77.	Laundry Equipment Operator

78.	Laundry Helper

79.	Laundry Housekeeper

80.	Laundry Operator

81.	Laundry Press Operator

82.	Laundry Room Attendant

83.	Laundry Sorter

84.	Laundry Technician

85.	Laundry Worker

86.	Layer Off

87.	Leather Cleaner

88.	Leather Sprayer

89.	Legger

90.	Linen Folder

91.	Linen Supervisor

92.	Linen Worker

93.	Lister

94.	Machine Filler

95.	Machine Fur Cleaner

96.	Machine Hand

97.	Machine Ironer

98.	Machine Operator

99.	Machine Rug Cleaner

100.	Machine Washer

101.	Marker

102.	Marking Machine Operator

103.	Mater

104.	Measuring Clerk

105.	Molder

106.	Moth Proofer

107.	Net Sorter

108.	Patching Machine Operator

109.	Personal Clothing Laundry Aide

110.	Precision Dyer

111.	Puffer

112.	Puller

113.	Reel Worker

114.	Renovator

115.	Rug Cleaner

116.	Rug Dyer

117.	Rug Renovator

118.	Rug Sizer

119.	Separator

120.	Shake Table Operator

121.	Shaker

122.	Shampooer

123.	Sheet Finisher

124.	Sheet Folder

125.	Sheet Sorter

126.	Shirt Cleaner

127.	Shirt Finisher

128.	Shirt Folder

129.	Shirt Operator

130.	Silk Blocker

131.	Silk Finisher

132.	Silk Spotter

133.	Sizer

134.	Soil Checker

135.	Sorter

136.	Spot Cleaner

137.	Spot Remover

138.	Spotter

139.	Sprayer

140.	Sprinkler

141.	Stamper

142.	Starcher

143.	Starchmaker

144.	Steam Cleaner

145.	Sterilizer Machine Operator

146.	Stretcher

147.	Stretcher Operator

148.	Suede Cleaner

149.	Table Machine Operator

150.	Taker Off

151.	Towel Folder

152.	Towel Sorter

153.	Tumbler Operator

154.	Upholstery Cleaner

155.	Utility Worker

156.	Vault Custodian

157.	Vault Person

158.	Wash Tub Machine Operator

159.	Washer

160.	Washerette Machine Operator

161.	Washing Machine Operator

162.	Whizzer Hand

163.	Wool Spotter

164.	Wringer

Job Tasks

	Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel. Direct operational or production activities.

	Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.

	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 garment treatment equipment. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.

	Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation. Operate garment treatment equipment. Direct operational or production activities.

	Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so. Remove products or workpieces from production equipment. Direct operational or production activities.

	Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them. Count finished products or workpieces. Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.

	Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment. Clean production equipment. Lubricate production equipment.

	Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required. Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains. Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.

	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. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.

	Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers. Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.

	Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.

	Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached. Mix substances to create chemical solutions.

	Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.

	Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles. Mix substances to create chemical solutions.

	Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.

	Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles. Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.

	Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment. Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.

	Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles. Operate garment treatment equipment.

	Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels. Operate garment treatment equipment.

	Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines. Smooth garments with irons, presses, or steamers.

	Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry. Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.

	Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.

	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. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.

	Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents. Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.

	Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents. Operate garment treatment equipment.

	Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors. Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions.

	Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs. Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.

	Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines. Sew clothing or other articles. Repair textiles or apparel. Operate sewing equipment.

	Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes. Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.

	Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions. Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel. Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

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.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

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.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

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.

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Nearly 25% of the workers in New York are labor union members -- the highest of any state.

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