National Clothesline

What can you learn about drycleaning in one week’s time? If the teacher is Jane Zellers and the venue is the Southwest Research Center in Lubbock, Texas, then the answer is simple: all of the basics you need to know and much, much more.

The Southwest Drycleaners Association will host its one-week General Fabricare course from June 12-16 at its school located at the International Textile Center on the campus of Texas Tech University.

The “all-around” class is ideal for those who are new to the industry, as well as those who have worked in the industry for a number of years.

The comprehensive topic list for the course includes a little bit of everything: basic customer service; fibers and fabrics; basic stain removal; drycleaning technology; the proper classification of garments for quality cleaning and reduced claims; wetcleaning procedures; finishing/pressing techniques; tips for producing the “perfect” shirt; understanding work-flow; proper equipment layout and its role in production; and methods for productivity, as well as quality.

Instructor Zellers will also emphasize the importance of recognizing a “problem garment” before it becomes one.

Class time will be divided between classroom presentations, and practical application. Much of the class will be hands-on.

It will meet from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

There is a 24-student maximum limit, as well as a 10-student minimum.

Tuition for the course is $495 for SDA members, $520 for other IFI members, and $585 for everybody else. The cost includes a box lunch for each full day of class.

Those who register may want to secure nearby lodging for the duration of their stay in Lubbock. SDA has secured a special discounted rate of $60 per night plus tax for its students at the Holiday Inn Park Plaza.

The hotel comes equipped with several amenities, including an indoor heated pool, a fitness center and a complimentary shuttle service to and from the International Textile Center, as well as the Lubbock International Airport.

For more information, visit SDA’s web site online at www.sda-dryclean.com or call the association’s office at (888) 732-2567.

Later on in the year, SDA will offer two more comprehensive courses at its Southwest Research Center during the month of November.

A two-and-a-half day session on stain removal is planned from Nov. 13-15. Those who attend the course will learn about proper stain removal techniques.

Students will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the first two days, and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Tuition is $325 for SDA members, $395 for other IFI members and $460 for other cleaners.

From Nov. 15-17, SDA will host a follow-up advanced stain removal course that will build on the teachings of its previous offering. That class will meet from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

Tuition for the advanced class is $315 for SDA members, $380 for other IFI members, and $445 for all other cleaners.