Dry-Cleaner
What is the work like?
Dry-cleaners use chemicals and machinery to clean clothes and other items made from material that cannot be washed. Some work for high street dry-cleaning shops, while others are employed by large cleaning plants where they operate industrial dry-cleaning machinery.
As a dry-cleaner, your key duties could include:
- taking items from customers and giving them a collection ticket
- checking items for damage and sorting them according to colour and type of fabric
- tagging with bar codes or computer chips for identification
- treating heavy stains by spotting with chemicals before cleaning
- weighing items and loading them into machines
- setting the machine to the right programme depending on the type of fabric and the amount of soiling
- adding cleaning fluid, usually percholorethyne (known as ‘perc’)
- checking, pressing, folding or hanging and covering the items after cleaning
- giving cleaned items back to customers and handling payments.
In an industrial setting, you would operate large-scale machinery and work with supervisors and distribution teams.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not usually need any formal qualifications to become a dry-cleaner. For work in a large dry-cleaning plant it will be useful if you have experience of operating machinery.
If you want to work as a dry-cleaner in a high street shop it may be an advantage if you have previous experience of shop work or customer service.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you start work you will usually receive on-the-job training from experienced staff. You may be able to work towards qualifications such as:
- NVQ Level 2 in Dry Cleaning Operations
- NVQ Level 2 in Dry Cleaning Service Support.
The Guild of Cleaners and Launderers (GCL) runs a Qualification Star Scheme with examinations in retail sales, stain removal, garment finishing and dry-cleaning. See the GCL website for details.
SATRA’s Cleaning Technology Centre runs short courses (mainly in Kettering, Northamptonshire) on various dry-cleaning skills, such as dry-cleaning practice, stain removal and setting up a dry-cleaning shop. See the SATRA website for details.
The Textile Services Association also runs short courses and seminars for members. The Dry Cleaning and Laundry Technology Centre, based in Ilkley also runs courses on the higher level technical and management skills needed in the industry.
Where can I go for more information?
Rockingham Road
Kettering
Northamptonshire
NN16 9JH
58 Station Road
North Harrow
Middlesex
HA2 7SA
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Dry-cleaners can earn between £11,000 and £14,500 or more a year.
- Managers can earn around £20,000.
Figures are intended only as a guide.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a high street shop you would usually work 40 hours a week, between Monday and Saturday, serving customers and operating dry-cleaning equipment. In an industrial cleaning company you may work longer hours on a shift system in a factory environment.
You will come into contact with chemicals and chemical fumes, so this type of work may not be suitable if you have any allergies, breathing problems or skin complaints.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good observational skills and attention to detail
- the ability to count and record items accurately
- customer service skills (if working in a dry-cleaning shop)
- the ability to operate machinery and follow instructions
- the ability to handle cash if working in a dry-cleaning shop
- an awareness of health and safety issues.
What opportunities are there?
In a dry-cleaning plant you could progress to supervisor or manager. In a dry cleaning shop, you could be promoted to shop manager. If your shop is part of a chain you may be able to progress to manager of a larger shop, or to area or district management.
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