How do they match: 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.

  • Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes.
  • Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
  • Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.
  • Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors.
  • Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
  • Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines.
  • Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
  • Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.
  • Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines.
  • Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
  • Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles.
  • Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
  • Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
  • Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors.
  • Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
  • Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.
  • Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions.

  • Sew clothing or other articles.