National Clothesline

Now in its second year in Laurel, Maryland, the IFI School of Dry Cleaning Technology is hoping to build on its success from the previous year.

The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with 13 stain removal boards, two shirt units, two pants units, three pressing units, as well as three solvent choices, wetcleaning and tensioning, and more.

Cleaners of all levels of experience can take advantage of the valuable information at their disposal inside the $1.8 million training grounds. Courses cover virtually every industry-related topic from elementary stain removal and fabric basics to plant layout, business analysis and customer service.

The flagship offering from IFI is its three-week General Dry Cleaning Course, which is typically offered in two phases: a one-week introductory drycleaning course followed by a two-week advanced drycleaning course.

The one-week Introduction to Drycleaning course reinforces the principles of drycleaning for owners and employees with less than one year of production experience. The class emphasizes elementary stain removal, drycleaning basics, fabric basics, finishing procedures for pants, coats and skirts, as well as assembly invoicing and customer service.

The two-week Advanced Drycleaning course is better suited for individuals who have completed the introductory course or have more than one year of production experience.

The advance course covers more complicated stain removal techniques, focussing on procedures and bleaches.

Other topics include: silk finishing, plant layout and workflow, fabric characteristics and fiber identification, drycleaning, wetcleaning, production costs and business analysis, regulations and care labeling.

Course dates for the one-week introductory course are: January 23-27; April 24-28; July 17-21; and Oct. 16-20.

Registration costs $450 for IFI members and $695 for non-members.

The two-week advanced courses will run on the following dates: Jan. 30 - Feb. 10; May 1-12; July 24 - Aug. 4; and Oct. 23 - Nov. 3.

Registration is $900 for IFI members and $1,390 for non-members.

Those who wish to take both courses concurrently can save $100 in tuition fees on the overall cost.

Also on the 2006 agenda for IFI are classes on stain removal and caring for wedding gowns.

The three-day stain removal offering will cost $299 for members and $449 for non-members.

Class dates include: March 22-24 and June 5-7.

Cleaners who wish to learn more about caring for wedding gowns will be able to travel to Laurel for a two-day course on June 8-9. The class costs $199 for members and $299 for non-members.

In addition to offering courses at its main facility, IFI also has several more convenient opportunities for cleaners who wish to expand their knowledge and get up-to-date information in the forms of self-study courses, educational videos, personalized in-plant training and regional seminars.

Scholarships are also available for cleaners thanks to a variety of generous donations.

Cleaners may request a full brochure on IFI’s 2006 educational offerings by calling Susan Bale, IFI registrar, (800) 638-2627, Ext. 1603.

Information on courses and other education opportunities is also available on IFI’s web site: www.ifi.org/industry/educational.html.