National Clothesline

The International Fabricare Institute and its new facility recently in Laurel, MD, was featured by Washington D.C.’s Fox 5 Morning News (WTTG-TV) when correspondent Holly Morris arrived with a full news crew to present an interactive, live broadcast detailing what goes on behind a drycleaning counter.

IFI had invited Morris to do a story on the opening of the facility by sending the station a plastic box filled with a freshly pressed white shirt and a message asking “Why did it cost $1.8 million to press this shirt?”

Morris came for the answer, but added her own twist to the story. Instead of solely focusing on the opening of IFI’s impressive new headquarters, Fox 5 Morning News also teased its viewers with the promise of an on-camera look at how drycleaners perform their magic.

The positive story ran over ten minutes long altogether. Morris introduced the feature by displaying a white shirt that was stained with red wine and the voice over: “It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it. And we are in fact with the people that clean this up. Or actually, better said, we’re with the people who teach the people to clean it up. Drycleaning 101 — coming up next!”

While on the air, Morris interviewed IFI CEO Bill Fisher about the association’s role in the industry, as well as some of its colorful history.

“We’re just shy of our 100th birthday, and we’ve been teaching drycleaning at our school for almost all of those 98 years,” he explained.

Fisher also listed several important textile jobs that IFI has handled over the years, including the cleaning of: Abraham Lincoln’s coat and vest for a museum display; Thomas Edison’s lab coat; President Richard Nixon’s clothing; and even the space suit of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who was part of the landing party on the moon’s Sea of Tranquility in 1969.

During the interview, Fisher commented on some of the changes that the industry has undergone in recent years, as well, saying, “Today we have more solvents, better equipment, better presses, and by and large clothing should be looking better today [than in the past].”

At one point, Morris confided with Fisher that she really did not need to be convinced about the magic of drycleaning.

“I have to admit that I have a very special place in my heart for my drycleaner because they have saved many a garment from many a stain for me,” she said. “But when someone goes into the drycleaning business, they don’t instantly know how to do it — they have to go to school, and that’s what we’re doing right now.”

Later in the segment, Morris visited IFI Garment Analyst Chris Allsbrooks for a crash course at the spotting boards. Allsbrooks gave a brief lesson on how to remove a red wine stain, emphasizing that, in order to be successful, a cleaner must have the right training, patience and the proper equipment.

While observing the process, Morris noted, “You know what works for each specific stain; it’s not the same thing.”

Following a break during the morning broadcast, Morris spoke with IFI Instructor Brian Johnson, saying. “Ironing is so passé — that’s what I’ve learned with all these impressive machines around here.”

Johnson went on to demonstrate the proper method of shirt pressing using all of the standard equipment as the camera attempted to follow along at a hectic pace.

Then, Morris asked Johnson about what overwhelms new cleaners and causes them to make mistakes.

“A good many times this is the first they’ve seen any sort of [drycleaning] equipment at all,” he replied, adding that he considers drycleaning a good business to get into, as long as quality is provided for a reasonable price.

Of course, the finished quality goes back to the amount of training. While wrapping up her live segment — after being at IFI’s facility for almost three hours — Morris told the home audience how they can ensure they are taking their garments to real professionals: just look for the IFI member decal in the front window of their store.

“If you want to find out more about the drycleaning business and, specifically, the International Fabricare Institute, they have a great web site at www.ifi.org,” she said. “And, if you want to check to make sure your drycleaner is a part of it, make sure you look for that sticker. And you know what? The next time you go to your drycleaner, just say thanks — because it’s not an easy job, and it’s all to make you look good!