If you’re interested in the laundry and dry-cleaning industry there are many reasons to be excited. This industry has a very low barrier to entry, as the industry has remained consistent in hiring for many decades and offers complete on-the-job training. The laundry and dry-cleaning industry does not require any type of formal education, and many laundromats and dry cleaners will not even require a high school degree or a GED.

The median income of a laundry and dry-cleaning worker is $19,540 per year, or $9.40 per hour, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The position is usually considered an entry-level position, but it does provide certain opportunities for growth. It is not as demanding as jobs in many other trades, which makes it an ideal solution for those that need a second job or for those that are looking for a position while they are attending school or learning a different trade. Overall, the laundry and dry-cleaning industry is an extremely stable industry.

What Do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Do?

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers perform a variety of relatively simple tasks that are nevertheless extremely important. The work of a laundry and dry-cleaning worker begins in accepting clothing from the customers. Once the clothing is accepted it needs to be expertly tracked so that it is returned to the appropriate client and so that it is cleaned in the right way. Stains on the items that are accepted will need to be pre-treated before the general cleaning process.

Items that are accepted into the cleaner’s will need to be sorted appropriately based on the material type and the type of cleaning that is necessary. Once this is done, the laundry and dry-cleaning worker will need to actually load the items into the machines and operate the machines as is required. They will need to put in the appropriate solutions and they will need to monitor the machines as they work to ensure that everything goes properly. Clothing will need to be cleaned, dried, sorted and eventually returned to the customers. The worker will often have to take payment from the customer, and they may need to become skilled in a point-of-sale system or cash register system to do so.

How Do You Become a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker?

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers are educated entirely on the job. There is limited certification and training available for this type of position, although some trade-specific training organizations exist. This means that anyone interested in this industry can simply approach a local laundromat or dry cleaning store and ask them if they are hiring. Usually, a laundry and dry-cleaning worker will need to be an adult. The worker will need to be very conscientious, as they will often be dealing with very expensive items. The worker will also need to be detail-oriented, because they will need to be able to identify and treat stains as they come in.

Customer service skills are also essential for those that are interested in becoming a laundry and dry-cleaning worker. Most laundry and dry-cleaning workers will also operate as customer service personnel, as accepting and returning clothes will be a significant part of their duties.

How Do You Advance as a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker?

Advancement as a laundry and dry-cleaning worker usually requires that the worker start their own business or that the worker move into a different but related industry. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers can consider going into related fields such as food preparation workers, restaurant cooks and costume attendants. O*Net Online notes that restaurant cooking is a related field that has a very bright outlook for the future. Opening a laundry and dry-cleaning business can be a challenge, and those interested in doing so may wish to acquire a business degree.