SDA schedules pair of stain removal courses
While drycleaning customers are quite adamant about seeing their clothes
returned back to them, there is one thing they don
’t mind losing forever: stains.
Nothing creates a stronger impression in a customer than when a cleaner returns
one of his or her favorite garments clean, pressed, and free of all splatters,
discolorations and blotches.
Of course, when it comes to stain removal, the more education you have, the less
stains remain.
The Southwest Drycleaners Association will be offering two upcoming courses this November designed to help cleaners of
all levels of stain removal experience.
The classes will be held at the International Textile Center, located on the
campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
The first course will be held from Nov. 12-14 and will focus on stain removal
basics.
Instructor Jane Zellers will teach proper stain removal techniques, emphasizing
how dyes, pigments, prints and finishes are all vital to the cleaning process.
Attendees will also understand the proper use of stain removal tools on a daily
basis, as well as terms such as wetside, dryside, alkaline and acid.
The two-and-a-half day course will meet 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.
Class will be divided between lecture, class discussion, demonstrations and
hands-on experience.
The cost is $325 for SDA members and $395 for other DCI (IFI) members.
Non-members must pay $460 each.
The cost includes a box lunch for each full day of class.
Those who complete the course will receive five Award of Excellence points and
be eligible for SDA
’s advance training course.
The advanced stain removal class is slated to take place Nov. 14-16. It will
meet from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, and
8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
Zellers will focus her teachings on advanced stain removal techniques, including
bleaches, digesters and KOH.
Students will gain a better understanding of fiber content, weaves, garment
construction and how to test fiber content by burn testing.
The price is $315 for SDA members and $380 for other DCI (IFI) members.
Non-members must pay $445 each.
The advanced class is also worth five Award of Excellence points.
All classes at the ITC are subject to a 10-student minimum and a 24-student
maximum.
Students are encouraged to bring in their own problem garments to work on during
class.
Trade show plans
Further down the road, SDA will host its Cleaners Showcase 2008 next year at the
Arlington Convention Center. It will be held from April 4-6.
Those interested in exhibiting at the show can take advantage of early bird
bargain prices. The cost is $670 for a 10
’ x 10’ booth for SDA/DCI members if registered before Sept. 30. Non-members must pay
$790 for the same booth.
After Sept. 30, the registration costs goes up to $720 for members and $840 for
non-members.
For more information on SDA’s Cleaners Showcase 2008, or any of the other upcoming programs offered by the
association, call the office at (210) 826-6471.
