Opening a solventless drycleaners
Wetco Cleaners has opened its first
all-inclusive drycleaning plant using no drycleaning machines.
The plant is called The Neighborhood Cleaners and is located in
St. Cloud, FL.
More plants are scheduled to open in the
near future. The concept was to clean all the garments received
with advanced and sophisticated wetcleaning equipment, proper
wetcleaning chemicals and a dryer conversion using my patent
5,940,988.
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There was also another professional
trainer on hand named Sharon Morrow to provide additional help
in the training program offered by Wetco Cleaners.
Cleaners Chemical Corp. provided an
extensive line of wetcleaning chemicals that could effectively
wetclean a wide range of fabrics.
Patent background
When I invented this cleaning system it
was geared to dryclean 30 to 40 percent of garments received,
including non-cleanable items. It also eliminates hazardous
waste and reduces cleaning costs. Hydra Venture manufactured
the dryer for cleaners to use, but the high cost of the dryer
was a turnoff for sales.
The ability to convert any laundry dryer
to a drycleaning dryer makes it affordable for all cleaners to
use. Any laundry dryer can be converted to a drycleaning dryer
for less than $300, but training on this converted dryer is
important.
The staff at The Neighborhood Cleaners
includes Mark S. Witt, the owner, and Trudy Poole, his key
employee.
The drycleaning dryer conversion uses air
pressure and reduced humidity in garments to remove soil.
Chemicals are added to the dryer to eliminate perspiration
odors, smoke, oil and petroleum based odor. Different chemicals
are needed depending on the odor and the problem.
The garments processed at The
Neighborhood Cleaners included dresses, suits and sweaters. All
were removed from the dryer stain- and odor-free.
In order to use the dryer effectively,
the operator must have proper spotting skills to remove stains
and deep soil. Mark was able to remove all the stains,
including perspiration, dye and paint. He was amazed at how a
garment reeking with an oil and petroleum-based odor was
successfully removed from the dryer odor-free.
Wetcleaning
Cleaners Chemical Corp. provided all of
the chemicals necessary for effective wetcleaning. Herschel
Podgur, president of the company, was on hand to set up the
wetcleaning systems. He provided the technical information for
choosing the right product for the load classifications.
Light colored denims and khakis. A neutral-based detergent was chosen for
this classification. For garments with grease and oil stains,
we added a citrus degreaser.
Dark cottons. The neutral based detergent was also used for
this classification.
Silks and wools. To prevent shrinkage and dye loss, we used a
detergent that was a blend of cationic surfactants with a
slightly acid ph. This gave a soft and nice feel to the
garment.
When necessary we can add other softening
agents which enhance the feel of the garment.
Restoration
Proper restoration of fabrics requires a
knowledge of the fabric, chemicals, dyes and its properties.
Sodium percarbonate. This bleach is effective for overall
restoration of fabrics. Over-night soaking and proper
neutralizing with acids makes it very effective.
Sodium hydrosulphite. This is useful for restoration and oxidation of
fluorescent dyes and yellowing on wools and silks. Wilson
Chemical makes a product called Dro-go which comes as a
hydrosulphite and an additional liquid fluorescent brightener.
Sodium hypochlorite. Effective for whitening cottons, linens and
rayon. After use it must be removed from the fabric by an
acceleration bath (acid) or and antichlor to remove last traces
of chlorine.
Training classes
Classes at the East Coast School of
Drycleaning will be held for the following:
• Laundry dryer conversion to
drycleaning dryer using my patent
• Expanding your wetcleaning
department
Please call me at (772) 340-0909 for
further details.
