Laundry Aide

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.

• Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.

• Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.

• 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.

• Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.

• Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.

• Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.

• Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.

• 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.

• Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents.

• 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.

• Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.

• Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.

• Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled 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.

• Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses.

• Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics.

• Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors.

• Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.

• Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents.

• 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.

• Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines.

• Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes.

• Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions.

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.