Dry Cleaner

What is a Dry Cleaner?

Duties

As a dry cleaner, you have to be adept at the following responsibilities:

• Effectively operate driers, dry cleaners and washers by turning appropriate levers and pressing buttons to use optimal machine processes and regulate the quantities of bleach, detergent, soap and water in line with safety guidelines.
• Utilize knowledge of sample colours and the corresponding reaction with dye properties, and bleaching agents depending on the type and condition of items.
• Assessing clothing for defects or damages and taking measures to report damage to guests.
• Keep an updated record for number of laundry items, client names, address in case of delivery, date and time, etc.
• Perform pickups and drops of requested laundry or dry-cleaning requests to client locations.

Day In The Life

Dry cleaning and laundry work can differ based on the type of facility you are employed by, and that specific role. In a typical day, you can be functioning as the clerk of a store or as a driver delivering laundry orders to specified clients to and from the shop after dry cleaning or pressing. You are expected to press, iron, clean or mend various items. In addition, hand cleaning delicate materials before loading them into the machine, may be requested with the help of bleach, chemicals and solvents to get rid of spots or stains. In case the facility offers repair services, you should be familiar with sewing and mending any damaged clothing items.

Multiple tasks are more common at laundry places that are on a smaller scale while large plants will have specialized processes for each position. Sometimes, you may be required to oversee and manage the dry-cleaning process such that it maintains high quality and speed of service – this would require an advanced degree.  Most positions in this field have to keep track of client records and all financial transactions including payroll to keep the business profitable.

Work Schedule

At a large laundry establishment, normal working hours are around 40 hours every week, ranging from Monday to Saturday. It is common for some dry cleaners also take up part-time jobs. If it is a professional cleaning company, you are likely to be assigned specific shifts through the day. This type of work will bring you into close contact with various chemicals or chemical fumes so it is not recommended in case you have certain breathing issues, skin sensitivity or allergies. Laundry rooms can reach extreme temperatures for an hour or more, so dry cleaners have to be comfortable working in such a challenging environment. The role requires you to often push and pull heavy carts or equipment on a regular basis so good physical strength and health is essential for success.

Growth Of The Job

Dry cleaners can look forward to progressing to a store manager or supervisor’s role. In case the shop is part of a chain of outlets, you can be promoted to overseeing the functioning of a larger store or even area management based on your performance and experience in the field. Many eventually go on to start their own establishment, once they have mastered the foundational business skills to succeed on this career path.

Typical Employers

Employers of dry cleaners include prisons, hotels, schools, families, individuals and industries. You could be hired by a local independent laundry business or work for an organised wholesale plant that services a local community, district or area.