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Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers - 51-6011.00

O*NET-SOC 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 of Reported Job Titles

Dry Cleaner
Laundry Aide
Laundry Assistant
Laundry Attendant
Laundry Housekeeper

Laundry Technician
Laundry Worker
Personal Clothing Laundry Aide
Spotter

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000	Production Occupations
51-6000	Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers
51-6010	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
51-6011.00	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Related Occupations

37-2012.00	Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Bright Outlook
51-6021.00	Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
51-6031.00	Sewing Machine Operators
51-6061.00	Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
51-9031.00	Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
51-9123.00	Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
51-9192.00	Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
53-7061.00	Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
53-7063.00	Machine Feeders and Offbearers
53-7064.00	Packers and Packagers, Hand

Tasks

Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry.
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.
Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.
Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.
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.
Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.
Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
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.

Detailed Work Activities

Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.
Clean production equipment.
Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.
Count finished products or workpieces.
Direct operational or production activities.
Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions.
Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.
Lubricate production equipment.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Operate garment treatment equipment.
Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
Select equipment, materials, or supplies for cleaning or maintenance activities.
Smooth garments with irons, presses, or steamers.
Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.