OCCUPATIONS IN THE DRY CLEANING INDUSTRY California Occupational Guide Number 444 Interest Area 6 1995
It was an accident that lead to the invention of dry cleaning. A Frenchman, Jolly Belin, accidentally spilled some kerosene on a stained garment and discovered that the kerosene removed the stain. This led to a series of experiments to refine the process, and in the 1840's, Belin opened the first dry cleaning establishment in Paris.
Today, workers in the dry cleaning industry clean and finish clothing, draperies, and other goods made from fabric. DRY CLEANING OCCUPATIONS covered by this guide are Dry Cleaners, Spotters, Pressers, and Counter Attendants. Most dry cleaning firms require workers to perform at least two of these jobs.
Dry Cleaners sort and weigh garments and fill automatic dry cleaning machines, choose proper solvents and cleaning times, and set machine controls. In many plants, Dry Cleaners also do spotting or pressing and may be called combination workers.
Spotters inspect garments for stains, identify the stain, determine which solvent or solvents will best remove it, and apply the proper chemical solution for removal. The solvent solution is applied to the stain, and the garment is rubbed with a hand tool until the stain dissolves. Prior to spot removal, fabrics are often tested in inconspicuous places to determine whether the solvent solution will damage the dye or the fabric. In larger plants, Spotters may specialize in particular fabrics, such as wool or silk.
Pressers operate steam irons and machine presses. They know the qualities of various textiles, the amount of heat they will tolerate, and the machine press that gives the best results. In large establishments, Pressers may specialize in wool or silk work. In most cleaning plants, Pressers do all types of pressing and are called combination pressers.
Counter Attendants receive clothing to be cleaned. They quote prices, prepare work tickets, and send the articles to the cleaning department. They also return the finished articles to the customer, collect the amount due, and may keep records of cash receipts and articles received and delivered. They may advise customers regarding cleaning methods and the likelihood of success in stain removal.
Most modern dry cleaning plants are clean and well lighted. However, because of the heat and steam from the cleaning process, the work place may become extremely hot and humid. Although State regulations limit the level of fume concentration in the atmosphere, inhalation of solvent fumes sometimes occurs. Other hazards in this work include the danger of burns from hot irons and presses and possible skin irritation.
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market Information Division.
These figures are the aggregate totals for the following occupations:
Laundry, Dry Cleaning Machine Operators and Tenders Pressing Machine Operators, Textile and Garment Pressers, Delicate Fabrics Spotters, Dry Cleaning
Estimated number of workers in 1990 23,250 Estimated number of workers in 2005 28,290 Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 7,700
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
Employment in dry cleaning occupations is expected to grow about the same rate as the average (which is 24 percent for all occupations in California) through 2005.
The figures shown above do not include the occupational outlook for Counter Attendants. They are covered under the broader occupational group of Counter and Rental Clerks -- a group that is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.
Fashion trends can affect the demand for dry cleaning. Fabrics such as wool, silk, cotton, and other natural fabrics often require dry cleaning. If these fabrics increase in popularity, the demand for dry cleaning increases. Also, the higher cost of good clothing encourages people to choose dry cleaning over other cleaning methods to better preserve those clothes. Counter-balancing these trends is the greater acceptability of casual dress, including the work environment. New fabrics allow clothes formally requiring dry cleaning to be adequately cleaned in home equipment.
Job possibilities are also affected by the growth of small, independent dry cleaning establishments that employ family members as employees. However, there is a substantial failure rate for these small businesses. Consolidation of businesses can reduce employment by using central plants that do the cleaning for scores of intake facilities.
The industry is facing pollution control efforts that could prove costly. Regulations limiting the emissions of a common dry cleaning agent, perchloroethylene, are now in place. The industry has until October 1998 to replace non-complying machines. New machines designed to control emissions can cost $50,000 or more.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Wages vary only slightly throughout the State. Wages for all groups of dry cleaning workers typically range from $4.25 to $10.10 per hour. The normal work week is 40 hours and may be Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday. Part-time work with a four-hour per day minimum is also available. Workers may be required to work evenings, weekends, and part-time depending upon the establishment's workload.
Some workers in the dry cleaning industry are covered by union contracts. Under union contracts, workers receive paid vacations, health benefits, group insurance, and pension benefits.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Dry Cleaning Occupations work requires lifting, bending, and standing for long periods. It also requires manual dexterity. Workers should have normal eyesight (which may be corrected with lenses). They must be free from dry cleaning chemical allergies, and be able to withstand heat and the repetitive nature of the work. Spotters need color vision to identify and remove stains.
A formal apprenticeship may be entered into on an individual employer basis, or the work may be learned on the job. Usually several months are needed to train a Dry Cleaner or Presser. It may take six to twelve months to become a Spotter because of the variety of fabrics and stains with which they must become familiar.
Training in these occupations is also available in a few trade schools. Employers look for workers who are dependable and able to follow instructions. There are no minimum educational requirements.
There is no established advancement pattern among the dry cleaning occupations. When a worker becomes proficient at one of the jobs described here, the worker may learn one or more of the others. When a worker becomes proficient at all of these jobs, advancement might be made to supervisor or to manager or to entrepreneurial owner-operator of an establishment. Advancement for most workers in the industry, however, is limited, and many remain at the same work permanently.
Personal application to employers and responding to newspaper advertisements are effective ways of job hunting. Job referrals are also made by field offices of the California Employment Development Department Job Service and by local unions in some areas of the State.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Institute of Industrial Launderers 1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 610 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 296-6744
International Fabric Care Institute 12251 Tech Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 (301) 622-1900
Textile Processors and Service Trades Local 75 2719 Riverside Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 442-2909
Laundry Workers No. 207
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Spotter 362.381-010 Dry Cleaner 362.382-014 Silk Finisher 363.681-010 Leather Finisher 363.682-010 Presser All-Around 363.682-014 Presser Machine 363.682-018 Service-Establishment Attendant 369.477-014
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Counter and Rental Clerks 490170 Spotters, Dry Cleaning 895140 Pressers, Delicate Fabrics 895170 Laundry & Dry Clean. Mach. Oper. & Tend. 927260 Pressing Machine Operators & Tenders 927280
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department, Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group, (916) 262-2162.