National Clothesline

I love those old sayings. They provide the answers to problems facing us in the days ahead and show us how we can learn from history.

Consider the old saying, “The best place to find a helping hand, is at the end of your arm.”

I go back to the days of wash and wear and how that closed up many a plant. Those plants simply did not follow the rules and failed to take advantage of the technology that was offered.

Today we are blessed with many advantages and have courses of action at our disposal.

For instance, we have miracle fabrics that include combinations of natural fibers and polyesters and are almost indestructible — no shrinkage or distortion, easy soil or stain removal, and offering the choice of wetcleaning.

We have choices of equipment that make any hazards of perc a non-issue, with units that will not release the load until drying is complete and leaves no trace of perc. This brings perc mileage, with continuous distillation, to terms expressed in ounces, so we no longer need tankful or 50-gallon drum deliveries.

We can talk about progress of new solvents such as hydrocarbon and units featuring solvents or wetcleaning. The choice is ours. We have come of age.

With these new fabrics, wetcleaning and finishing have been made possible to double production.

Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, more than 50 percent of our volume is pants, slacks and trousers, and with the advent of the new topper blowers, production with high quality has more than doubled, using tandem pressing.

What is so encouraging is that this can be accomplished with unskilled high-school labor, reducing the finishing cost even further.

I started this article not mentioning volume, but where has it gone?

The answers come from history. If the volume wasn't there, the progressive cleaner went out and started a route! The route driver went from home to home and offered the service to office buildings.

Once that volume reached its potential, he went to the commercial aspect — furniture stores with display draperies, hand and re-hang service, then to uniform maintenance. Doctors, clinics, laboratories — they’re everywhere. There are tuxedo rental companies that also rent for school proms, including gowns.

Try churches and synagogues. Make a donation if they will announce your service in their next newsletter. You'll pick up a few customers.

Try that 24-hour drop box. It works!

What else?

Start with the Yellow Pages of your phone book. You’ll discover all the services you could offer that are open in your town and area, such as carpet cleaning (rent the equipment and/or provide the professional service). Consider drapery sales or wedding gown restoration.

If space allows, consider renting a small space to a real estate desk, a computer repair agent, a custom jewelry counter — the possibilities are endless.

You just need to work harder… and smarter!