National Clothesline

A pair of comprehensive basic and advanced cleaning courses are coming soon to the International Fabricare Institute’s Educational Center.

Located at 14700 Sweitzer Lane in Laurel, MD, the site will be the host for a five-day “Introduction to Cleaning” course planned during the week of Oct. 16-20.

The course is well-suited for individuals who are new to the drycleaning industry or employees with less than one year of production experience.

The course will examine a multitude of topics, including: fibers and fabrics; workflow; PCE and hydrocarbon cleaning processes; cleaning machine parts and functions; cleaning and drying cycles; beginning stain removal; finishing procedures for pants, coats, sweaters and skirts; and assembly and invoicing.

The class will meet daily from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Tuition is $450 for IFI members and $695 for non-members.

Next up will be a two-week “Advanced Cleaning” course scheduled between Oct. 23 and Nov. 3.

The course is designed for cleaners who have completed the introductory course, or who have accrued more than one year of production experience.

The class will cover a more complex curriculum, including: specialty fabrics and fiber identifications; advanced stain removal procedures and bleaches; wetcleaning; solvents, detergents, moisture filtration and distillation; troubleshooting the cleaning systems; production layout and workflow; and creating superior customer service.

Students will also learn about: good business practices and management; regulatory requirements; finishing dresses, ties, all-weather coats, drycleaned shirts, pleats, pile fabrics, silk and rayon.

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

Cleaners can request a brochure on all of IFI’s educational offerings by calling (800) 638-2627, Ext. 1603.

Information is also available on IFI’s web site: www.ifi.org/industry/educational.html.

The MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners will sponsor a CleaningExpo Giant Warehouse Sale at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA. The program will take place Oct. 26-28, 2007.

“Everyone loves a warehouse sale because that’s where the bargains are,” MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners President Charles Smith said. “We had a very good show at the Dulles Expo Center in 2005. The northern Virginia location is easy to get to with plenty of free parking right outside the door.”

The association is seeking vendors for the event. Interested parties should call the association, (800) 235-8360.

“We’re always seeking new ways to keep our approach fresh, exciting, and profitable for both vendors and buyers alike,” noted CleaningExpo Chairman Buddy Gritz. “For 2007 we’re going to kick it up a notch with a new warehouse theme and design changes. It’s going to be a good one.”

MAC cleaners will also has added more value to its association membership. All current and new IFI/MidAtlantic professionals will soon receive $800 in gift certificates from MidAtlantic Allied Trade Associates in the form of various rebates, discounts and free services.