National Clothesline

I recently received some troubling calls from two of my friends, both long-time industry luminaries and supporters of the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute. They each had a similar story regarding two former perc operators and current alternative solvent cleaners in their particular areas, neither of whom intend to renew their DLI memberships, and both of whom are singing the same song: “I don’t get anything from DLI, and they don’t support my technology,” and “I don’t need DLI, all they care about is perc.”

Poppycock! DLI is an association of drycleaners, not solvents, and they support all solvents, not just perc; in fact, there is a GreenEarth machine in operation at DLI, and they are awaiting the arrival of a brand-new DF2000 machine, which replaces their original DF2000 machine, both of which have been and will continue to be used for testing, training and research. Fellowships are and have always been available for any newly developed solvent and/or manufacturer who is willing to make the investment.

DLI was recently in California, joining the cause to fight the Class IIIA fire code/sprinkler issue which affects all current and future DF2000 and GreenEarth operators.

Likewise, the expanded goal in Philadelphia was not only to reject the perc ban, but also to protect all co-located facilities, which, if passed, could have led to the inclusion of all Class IIIA solvent operators in their restrictions.

DLI often exhibits foresight which many aren’t able to recognize, and for which they rarely receive any credit. So, don’t tell me DLI only cares about perc — that’s a narrow, ridiculous statement and blatantly not true.

This industry has progressed and evolved over the last 100+ years with the leadership, educational facilities and regulatory support of NID/IFI/DLI, and has weathered many attacks from the outside.

Unfortunately, some of the most recent problems are occurring from within the drycleaning community and include vocal resistance and criticism from various influential individuals and groups, but especially from former perc users who are now alternative solvent operators, individuals such as these two who feel they “don’t need DLI.”

When we bought our business and property in 1975, it was a petroleum 140°F plant, and had been a petroleum 104°F plant since 1950. In 1986, we added a perc machine, and three years ago replaced that one with a fifth-generation machine. I have been the only person to meticulously change the filters, clean out the stills and perform the maintenance on both of our machines. I have never had a spill and never had a problem transferring filters or muck to the storage containers; furthermore, Safety-Kleen has always been our professional waste processor, so I know we don’t have the historical PCE contamination that was typical for perc cleaners in the ’50s, ’60’s, ’70s and ’80s.

What’s funny, but not really, is…there is a fellow drycleaner in my area who operated as a perc plant for 40 years. Several years ago, he changed to DF2000, and now floods the market with misleading drivel about being green, non-toxic, odorless and EPA-approved.

He points fingers at perc and the “toxic chemical cleaners,” including me, while only recently turning his own perc page, and sitting atop decades of possible historical PCE contamination. I receive inquiries from my customers, potential customers and concerned citizens regarding my “toxic chemicals” and the safety of my process. Just goes to show you that things are not always as they appear to be.

For whatever reason, some of these former perc operators are especially bellicose, and gravitate toward each other with regard to their new solvent alliances.

There is a group of guys who now use CO₂ in one corner, some of whom use negative-comparative marketing and misinformation to attack all other solvents, including this gem from the Blue Sky Cleaners website: “70 percent of all perc used ends up in the environment, where it extensively contaminates ground/drinking water.”

Several GreenEarth guys in another corner are extolling the virtues of D5 and their process.

The largest alternative faction, DF2000, has many who just recently changed from perc. A random bunch of “we’re green!” and “we’re organic!” operators with various solvents bring very little to the industry table, other than to do everything they can to mislead the public.

Last but not least, are literally thousands of immigrants who come to this country to achieve the American Dream and, luckily for them, also get to take advantage of 100+ years of work by DLI. Unfortunately, most of them choose to support their individual ethnic associations, which are often not much more than social or church groups, rather than support DLI.

It’s really too bad if you have nothing to market or sell other than your solvent, or your claim to be green or organic, because, besides you, most people really don’t care which solvent you have.

As I’ve said previously, I have both perc and petroleum 140°F systems in my plant, but I never mention solvents to my customers or in any of my marketing or advertising. Why? Environmental responsibility is not which solvent you use, but rather the care with which you use it, and there should be far more important criteria than solvent type to consider for anyone choosing a service provider. So….

• Don’t tell me which solvent you have, because it really doesn’t matter. Tell me you provide excellent service and a quality product to your customers, and you are a positive influence within your industry.

• Don’t tell me which solvent you have, because it really doesn’t matter. Tell me you are an operator who is responsible in every way, and a fair and honorable competitor to your fellow drycleaners.

• Don’t tell me which solvent you have, because it really doesn’t matter. Tell me you have an A+ rating with the BBB, and you contribute whenever and however you can in your community.

• Don’t tell me which solvent you have, because it really doesn’t matter. Tell me you’re a member and active in your local and national associations, and that your marketing and advertising are truthful and not intended to mislead the public.

My father is 80 years old, still comes to work every day, and has been in this industry his whole life. In fact, his yellowed and framed NID certificate from 1957 is on the wall in our store, right beside my more recent CED, CPD and CPW certificates.

After overhearing one of my recent, heated conversations on the phone, he just shook his head and said, “What the heck has happened to this industry? When perc first came into prominence, it was lauded — no more flammability or refining issues, outstanding grease removal, readily available and inexpensive. People forget how dangerous drycleaning was before perc, and what a positive step perc really was at the time. Back then, the association and its leadership were revered, every responsible drycleaner was a member, and we all operated our businesses with honor and respect. What the heck happened?”

For the last 100+ years, NID/IFI/DLI has been there for all of us, supportive or not, the regulatory watchdog with glaring eyes and nose in the air, pacing back and forth just outside Washington, D.C., and the cutting edge educational and training facility with state-of-the-art equipment.

Unfortunately, if the current trend of defections and declining membership continues, only so much attrition can be absorbed, and this watchdog is liable to disappear. DLI’s long and hard struggle to keep the wagons circled and the industry united and strong could unceremoniously come to an end, and all of the high-profile big mouths and ”don’t need DLI’s” who have always had DLI watching their backs would finally be on their own.

For the long-time and loyal members who have supported the association and carried this industry for years, it would truly be a sad day; however, the rest would get what they deserve. No more DLI-bashing, no more Bill Fisher-bashing, no more whining about oppressive dues or trying to justify what you “get for your money.” All that would remain would be the memory of 100+ years of history and dedication to the industry, and a “new to the market 10,000-sq.-ft. building just off I-95” for sale in Laurel, MD (personalized bricks included).

So, congratulations in advance, Mr. Don’t Need DLI, to the victor will go the spoils. After that happens, when you want to send somebody to a state-of-the-art training facility, you can send them to… hmmm… guess that has yet to be determined; additionally, the next time an industry-related regulatory or media fire starts somewhere in our fine country, don’t bother dialing the 800 number — you’ll have to peddle your own ass down there and put it out yourself. Two thumbs up to you. Me? I’ll be selling….




						Try contemplating life without DLI



						By Dave Silliman I recently received some troubling calls from two of my friends, both long-time industry luminaries and supporters of the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute. They each had a similar story regarding two former perc operators and current alternative solvent cleaners in their particular areas, neither of whom intend to renew their DLI memberships, and both of whom are singing the same song: “I don’t get anything from DLI, and they don’t support my technology,” and “I don’t need DLI, all they care about is perc.” Poppycock! DLI is an association of drycleaners, not solvents, and they support all solvents, not just perc; in fact, there is a GreenEarth machine in operation at DLI, and they are awaiting the arrival of a brand-new DF2000 machine, which replaces their original DF2000 machine, both of which have been and will continue to be used for testing, training and research. Fellowships are and have always been available for any newly developed solvent and/or manufacturer who is willing to make the investment. DLI was recently in California, joining the cause to fight the Class IIIA fire code/sprinkler issue which affects all current and future DF2000 and GreenEarth operators. Likewise, the expanded goal in Philadelphia was not only to reject the perc ban, but also to protect all co-located facilities, which, if passed, could have led to the inclusion of all Class IIIA solvent operators in their restrictions. DLI often exhibits foresight which many aren’t able to recognize, and for which they rarely receive any credit. So, don’t tell me DLI only cares about perc — that’s a narrow, ridiculous statement and blatantly not true. This industry has progressed and evolved over the last 100+ years with the leadership, educational facilities and regulatory support of NID/IFI/DLI, and has weathered many attacks from the outside. A problems within the industry Unfortunately, some of the most recent problems are occurring from within the drycleaning community and include vocal resistance and criticism from various influential individuals and groups, but especially from former perc users who are now alternative solvent operators, individuals such as these two who feel they “don’t need DLI.” When we bought our business and property in 1975, it was a petroleum 140°F plant, and had been a petroleum 104°F plant since 1950. In 1986, we added a perc machine, and three years ago replaced that one with a fifth-generation machine. I have been the only person to meticulously change the filters, clean out the stills and perform the maintenance on both of our machines. I have never had a spill and never had a problem transferring filters or muck to the storage containers; furthermore, Safety-Kleen has always been our professional waste processor, so I know we don’t have the historical PCE contamination that was typical for perc cleaners in the ’50s, ’60’s, ’70s and ’80s. What’s funny, but not really, is…there is a fellow drycleaner in my area who operated as a perc plant for 40 years. Several years ago, he changed to DF2000, and now floods the market with misleading drivel about being green, non-toxic, odorless and EPA-approved. He points fingers at perc and the “toxic chemical cleaners,” including me, while only recently turning his own perc page, and sitting atop decades of possible historical PCE contamination. I receive inquiries from my customers, potential customers and concerned citizens regarding my “toxic chemicals” and the safety of my process. Just goes to show you that things are not always as they appear to be. For whatever reason, some of these former perc operators are especially bellicose, and gravitate toward each other with regard to their new solvent alliances. There is a group of guys who now use CO₂ in one corner, some of whom use negative-comparative marketing and misinformation to attack all other solvents, including this gem from the Blue Sky Cleaners website: “70 percent of all perc used ends up in the environment, where it extensively contaminates ground/drinking water.” Several GreenEarth guys in another corner are extolling the virtues of D5 and their process. The largest alternative faction, DF2000, has many who just recently changed from perc. A random bunch of “we’re green!” and “we’re organic!” operators with various solvents bring very little to the industry table, other than to do everything they can to mislead the public. Last but not least, are literally thousands of immigrants who come to this country to achieve the American Dream and, luckily for them, also get to take advantage of 100+ years of work by DLI. Unfortunately, most of them choose to support their individual ethnic associations, which are often not much more than social or church groups, rather than support DLI. It’s really too bad if you have nothing to market or sell other than your solvent, or your claim to be green or organic, because, besides you, most people really don’t care which solvent you have. As I’ve said previously, I have both perc and petroleum 140°F systems in my plant, but I never mention solvents to my customers or in any of my marketing or advertising. Why? Environmental responsibility is not which solvent you use, but rather the care with which you use it, and there should be far more important criteria than solvent type to consider for anyone choosing a service provider. So…. • Don’t tell me which solvent you have, because it really doesn’t matter. Tell me you provide excellent service and a quality product to your customers, and you are a positive influence within your industry. • Don’t tell me which solvent you have, because it really doesn’t matter. Tell me you are an operator who is responsible in every way, and a fair and honorable competitor to your fellow drycleaners. • Don’t tell me which solvent you have, because it really doesn’t matter. Tell me you have an A+ rating with the BBB, and you contribute whenever and however you can in your community. • Don’t tell me which solvent you have, because it really doesn’t matter. Tell me you’re a member and active in your local and national associations, and that your marketing and advertising are truthful and not intended to mislead the public. My father is 80 years old, still comes to work every day, and has been in this industry his whole life. In fact, his yellowed and framed NID certificate from 1957 is on the wall in our store, right beside my more recent CED, CPD and CPW certificates. What the heck happened? After overhearing one of my recent, heated conversations on the phone, he just shook his head and said, “What the heck has happened to this industry? When perc first came into prominence, it was lauded — no more flammability or refining issues, outstanding grease removal, readily available and inexpensive. People forget how dangerous drycleaning was before perc, and what a positive step perc really was at the time. Back then, the association and its leadership were revered, every responsible drycleaner was a member, and we all operated our businesses with honor and respect. What the heck happened?” For the last 100+ years, NID/IFI/DLI has been there for all of us, supportive or not, the regulatory watchdog with glaring eyes and nose in the air, pacing back and forth just outside Washington, D.C., and the cutting edge educational and training facility with state-of-the-art equipment. A downward trend Unfortunately, if the current trend of defections and declining membership continues, only so much attrition can be absorbed, and this watchdog is liable to disappear. DLI’s long and hard struggle to keep the wagons circled and the industry united and strong could unceremoniously come to an end, and all of the high-profile big mouths and ”don’t need DLI’s” who have always had DLI watching their backs would finally be on their own. For the long-time and loyal members who have supported the association and carried this industry for years, it would truly be a sad day; however, the rest would get what they deserve. No more DLI-bashing, no more Bill Fisher-bashing, no more whining about oppressive dues or trying to justify what you “get for your money.” All that would remain would be the memory of 100+ years of history and dedication to the industry, and a “new to the market 10,000-sq.-ft. building just off I-95” for sale in Laurel, MD (personalized bricks included). So, congratulations in advance, Mr. Don’t Need DLI, to the victor will go the spoils. After that happens, when you want to send somebody to a state-of-the-art training facility, you can send them to… hmmm… guess that has yet to be determined; additionally, the next time an industry-related regulatory or media fire starts somewhere in our fine country, don’t bother dialing the 800 number — you’ll have to peddle your own ass down there and put it out yourself. Two thumbs up to you. Me? I’ll be selling…. Dave Silliman, owner of Uptowne Drycleaning in Phoenix, AZ, will take office as president of DLI this month. He is a Certified Garment Care Professional and Award of Excellence cleaner and is a past president and current chairman of the board of the Western States Drycleaners and Launderers Association.

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