According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading. | 86% |
| 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. | 86% |
| Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents. | 86% |
| Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation. | 84% |
| Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them. | 84% |
| Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so. | 84% |
| Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment. | 83% |
| Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required. | 82% |
| Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types. | 81% |
| Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors. | 81% |
| Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers. | 81% |
| Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines. | 80% |
| Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached. | 79% |
| Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents. | 78% |
| Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains. | 77% |
| Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles. | 77% |
| Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles. | 77% |
| Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment. | 76% |
| Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles. | 76% |
| Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels. | 76% |
| Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines. | 74% |
| Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry. | 73% |
| Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses. | 73% |
| Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics. | 73% |
| Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors. | 69% |
| Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents. | 68% |
| Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents. | 68% |
| Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors. | 67% |
| Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs. | 66% |
| Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines. | 62% |
| Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes. | 62% |
| Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions. | 59% |
