National Clothesline

Whether you’re a novice at the spotting board or a seasoned veteran, there are still a lot of tricks of the trade that can be learned.

This November, instructor Jane Zellers will be offering her years of cleaning experience and knowledge to cleaners who attend her sessions at the Southwest Drycleaners Association’s school in Lubbock, TX.

The International Textile Center is located on the campus of Texas Tech University.

First up will be a basic stain removal course that will take place from Nov. 13-15. Class hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

The 2 1é2 day course will narrow its focus to cover proper stain removal techniques, with an emphasis on how dyes, pigments, prints and finishes are all vital aspects of the cleaning process.

Those who complete the course will understand the proper use of stain removal tools on a daily basis, and will be able to recognize terms such as wetside, dryside, alkaline and acid.

Tuition is $325 for SDA members, and $395 each for non-SDA IFI members. Non-members must pay $460 each.

The fee includes lunch and all accompanying materials.

Zellers will use the basic course as a stepping stone for the next course on the agenda.

Those who compete that class will be fully prepared to tackle the advanced stain removal teachings that immediately follow from Nov. 15-17.

The class will meet from 1 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.

The two-day course will look at more advanced stain removal techniques, including a closer examination of fiber content, weaves, garment construction, and how to test fiber content by burn testing.

The hands-on training will also include practice with bleaches and digester.

The course costs $315 for SDA members and $380 for other IFI members. Non-members must pay $445 each.

Both classes at the International Textile Center have a 24-student maximum limit, as well as a 10-student minimum. Early registration is recommended to ensure a spot in the class.

Those who successfully complete either course will qualify for five IFI Award of Excellence points.

Each class will be divided between lecture, group discussion, demonstrations and hands-on training. Students are encouraged to bring in problem garments from their respective plants in order to work on them at the school.

To register online for either the basic or the advanced course, visit SDA’s web site online at www.sda-dryclean.com and click on the “November classes” link on the lefthand column. That will lead to a PDF file that includes class information and a registration form.

Once printed out and filled out, the registration form can be mailed to SDA’s offices located at 1800 NE Loop 410, Suite 308, San Antonio, TX 78217. The form can also be faxed to (210) 826-6423. Payment must be included for proper registration.

For more information, refer to SDA’s web site, or call the offices directly at (888) 732-2567.