51-6011.00 Bright OutlookApprenticeship

Laundry & 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.

Career Cluster:Advanced Manufacturing
Job Family:Production
Job Zone:Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Industry:Accommodation and Food Services
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Technology Tools

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Key Tasks

  • Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
  • 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.
  • Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
  • Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
  • Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
  • Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
  • Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
  • Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
  • Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
  • Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
  • Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
  • Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
  • Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.
  • Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
  • Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
  • Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
  • Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.
  • Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.
  • Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines.
  • 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.
  • Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.

Skills

Active Listening
50%
Monitoring
50%
Speaking
47%
Time Management
47%
Social Perceptiveness
47%
Operations Monitoring
47%
Reading Comprehension
44%
Operation and Control
44%
Critical Thinking
44%
Judgment and Decision Making
44%
Active Learning
41%
Coordination
38%
Instructing
35%
Service Orientation
35%
Complex Problem Solving
35%
Persuasion
31%
Management of Personnel Resources
31%
Negotiation
31%
Quality Control Analysis
31%
Learning Strategies
31%
Troubleshooting
28%
Writing
28%
Systems Analysis
25%
Systems Evaluation
25%
Repairing
19%
Equipment Selection
19%
Equipment Maintenance
19%
Mathematics
16%
Operations Analysis
16%
Management of Material Resources
16%
Management of Financial Resources
16%
Installation
0%
Science
0%
Programming
0%
Technology Design
0%

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
55%
Production and Processing
53%
English Language
49%
Public Safety and Security
49%
Mathematics
45%
Administration and Management
42%
Law and Government
35%
Chemistry
35%
Computers and Electronics
33%
Education and Training
31%
Personnel and Human Resources
30%
Transportation
30%
Sociology and Anthropology
26%
Mechanical
26%
Engineering and Technology
25%
Communications and Media
24%
Administrative
24%
Foreign Language
24%
Economics and Accounting
23%
Psychology
18%
Telecommunications
17%
Food Production
16%
Design
14%
Physics
14%
Philosophy and Theology
11%
Sales and Marketing
11%
Therapy and Counseling
11%
Biology
9%
Medicine and Dentistry
7%
Fine Arts
6%
Geography
6%
Building and Construction
3%
History and Archeology
2%

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Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness
56%
Near Vision
50%
Oral Expression
50%
Speech Recognition
50%
Oral Comprehension
50%
Control Precision
50%
Manual Dexterity
50%
Problem Sensitivity
47%
Finger Dexterity
47%
Multilimb Coordination
47%
Speech Clarity
47%
Trunk Strength
47%
Information Ordering
47%
Selective Attention
44%
Deductive Reasoning
44%
Category Flexibility
44%
Written Comprehension
44%
Inductive Reasoning
44%
Visual Color Discrimination
44%
Visualization
35%
Extent Flexibility
35%
Flexibility of Closure
35%
Perceptual Speed
35%
Dynamic Strength
31%
Far Vision
31%
Reaction Time
31%
Auditory Attention
31%
Stamina
31%
Static Strength
31%
Time Sharing
31%
Rate Control
31%
Gross Body Coordination
31%
Gross Body Equilibrium
28%
Fluency of Ideas
28%
Hearing Sensitivity
25%
Depth Perception
25%
Written Expression
25%
Speed of Closure
25%
Originality
25%
Memorization
19%
Explosive Strength
19%
Response Orientation
19%
Number Facility
16%
Mathematical Reasoning
16%
Speed of Limb Movement
16%
Wrist-Finger Speed
13%
Dynamic Flexibility
6%
Night Vision
0%
Sound Localization
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Spatial Orientation
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects
69%
Controlling Machines and Processes
66%
Performing General Physical Activities
66%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
66%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
62%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
58%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
58%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
56%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
54%
Assisting and Caring for Others
53%
Training and Teaching Others
52%
Getting Information
51%
Developing and Building Teams
50%
Scheduling Work and Activities
47%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
47%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
47%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
44%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
44%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
44%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
43%
Coaching and Developing Others
43%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
42%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
41%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
39%
Processing Information
39%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
39%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
38%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
38%
Staffing Organizational Units
32%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
30%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
28%
Thinking Creatively
27%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
27%
Selling or Influencing Others
26%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
26%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
25%
Performing Administrative Activities
25%
Working with Computers
25%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
25%
Analyzing Data or Information
24%
Documenting/Recording Information
18%

Work Context

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

91%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

82%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

78%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

78%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

77%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

75%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

73%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

73%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

71%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

69%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

68%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

67%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

63%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

62%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

61%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

60%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

57%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

56%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

55%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

55%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

53%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

52%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

50%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

48%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

46%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

46%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

44%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

39%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

37%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

33%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

33%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

29%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

28%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

27%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

26%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

25%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

23%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

23%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

22%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

20%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

17%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

16%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

15%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

15%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

13%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

12%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

12%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

11%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

11%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

10%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

10%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

9%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

8%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

5%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

4%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

4%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

1%

Education

Less than high school diploma

65%

High school diploma or equivalent

34%

Post-secondary certificate

1%

Interests

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

89

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

54

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

8

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

5

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

4

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

1

Work Styles

Dependability
72%
Attention to Detail
57%
Cautiousness
39%
Integrity
24%
Cooperation
21%
Stress Tolerance
15%
Perseverance
11%
Achievement Orientation
9%
Initiative
2%

Work Values

Relationships
45%
Support
39%
Independence
28%
Working Conditions
22%
Achievement
17%
Recognition
17%

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