Laundry and 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.

Also Known As:

Dry Cleaner Laundry Aide Laundry Assistant Laundry Attendant Laundry Housekeeper Laundry Technician Laundry Worker Personal Clothing Laundry Aide Spotter

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in United States

Job Outlook Bright

New job opportunities are very likely in the future

United States 2033 Projected Employment

206,200

6% Change From 2023

Explore Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.
Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry.
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.
Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.
Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
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.
Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
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.
Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.
Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines.
Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.
Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
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.
Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
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.

Subject areas you may need to master.

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.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
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 methods.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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.
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.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.