National Clothesline

In this tough economic crisis, drycleaners should review their operations and find ways to save money.

When the economy and business is good, we tend to overlook the ways that we can save thousands of dollars a year. In managing a business, we should look for ways that we can economize without minimizing our quality.

We can cut our high energy costs by shutting down the boiler by noon or 1 p.m. We can do this by making sure the garments are pre-spotted and run in the proper load classification when dry.

This can easily be done by instructing the counter people to hang up all light colored garments needing pre-spotting.

The proper pre-spotting process avoids reruns that would result in more loads run and a longer time that the boiler would stay on.

Also, the counter people should not accept difficult or badly stained garments for same-day service.

Finishing equipment should have separate shut off valves so when not in use the steam will not pass through the equipment. The drycleaner should dryclean and wetclean properly so that wrinkled and distorted garments are not time-consuming problems for the finisher.

Look to minimize loads by condensing load classification for lights or darks. The more loads you run the more time is involved and the more solvent loss it creates.

The solvent loss during drying is twice as much running two small loads versus one large load. You can make loads concise by recognizing the fact that medium colored fabrics do not bleed and can be classified as light.

Difficult bleeders such as reds should possibly be wetcleaned or spot cleaned if the fabric has to be drycleaned.

Scrutinize your detergent costs. Use a detergent that is compatible with your system. If you use constant distillation, a charge system may not be as effective as a batch injection detergent.

Many cleaners overuse expensive chemicals, producing a high cost of spotting chemicals. Excessive use of protein formulas, tannin formulas and oily type paint remover can produce a high cost of chemical usage.

You can use less of prepared formulas by using neutral lubricant mixed with four to six parts water.

The procedure for all wetside stains would be:

1. Flush.

2. Neutral lubricant.

3. Mechanical action.

4. Flush.

5. Protein or tannin formula.

This procedure will remove a great deal of wetside staining, reducing the need for prepared formulations. Prepared protein and tannin formulas are very effective agents and relatively safe on most fabrics, including silk and wool.

For general spotting on polyester and cotton, a cost effective protein and tannin agent can be used.

1. Tannin formula. One part neutral lubricant, one part 28% acetic acid, four parts water.

2. Protein formula. One part neutral lubricant, one part 26% ammonia, four parts water.

Oily-type paint remover should not be used as a general pre-spotter for hemlines. Oily-type paint remover should be used specifically for dryside stains.

An effective pre-spotter for hemlines and general soil is one part spray spotter mixed with four parts water.

Do not attempt to save money in wetcleaning by eliminating your detergent or softening agents. This can result in wrinkled and distorted garments that produce more time, cost and energy in finishing.

A cost-efficient agent for removing soil on the neckline of shirts is one part neutral lubricant, one part ammonia and two parts water.

When using chemicals, always check to make sure the proper dilution and proper mixing is used.

For example sodium hypochlorite or household bleach is first mixed with six parts water to achieve a one percent concentration before use. It should never be used in its six percent concentration.

Ask your chemical supplier whether your detergent can be used according to weight of clothing rather than volume of water or per load. This will save a great deal of product especially when running small loads.

Check prices of comparable products that may work fine for you.