Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Go Back to List 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.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Electronic mail software

Tasks
	Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
	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.
	Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
	Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
	Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
	Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
	Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
	Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
	Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
	Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.

Skills
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Knowledge
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

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Education & Training   Education:   Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.   Related Experience:   Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $35,948.00 $17.29  $15.10  $15.42 - $18.10  Bridgeport/Stamford $36,217.00 $17.41  $15.31  $15.40 - $18.12  Danbury $34,562.00 $16.61  $14.58  $14.48 - $17.81  Hartford $35,803.00 $17.21  $15.27  $15.78 - $18.03  New Haven $36,745.00 $17.67  $15.24  $15.83 - $18.20  New London/Norwich $35,110.00 $16.88  $14.78  $15.14 - $17.95  Waterbury $35,224.00 $16.93  $14.77  $14.86 - $18.06  Torrington $36,569.00 $17.59  $15.62  $16.94 - $17.79

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   265   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.