National Clothesline

The Southwest Drycleaners Association has once again enlisted the teaching expertise of instructor Jane Zellers to head several stain removal courses throughout June and November of this year.

The classes will be held at the Fiber & Biopolymer Research Institute of Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

Upon completion, each class is worth five DLI Award of Excellence points.

First up is an offering from June 7 to 9 that will focus on basic stain removal techniques and methods for those who are relatively new to the industry and do not possess a lot of drycleaning experience.

The two-and-a-half day course will emphasize how dyes, pigments, prints and finishes all play a vital role in the cleaning process. Zellers will also help students learn about identifying fiber content by burn testing a swatch of fabric.

Attendees will also be taught the proper use of stain removal tools and become familiar with terms such as acid, alkali, wet side and dry side.

The class will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and then from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Tuition is $335 for SDA members, $405 for other DLI members and $470 for everybody else. That cost includes a box lunch for each full day of class.

Students who complete the course may opt to take the advanced stain removal course that directly follows from June 9 to 11.

The course is more suitable for cleaners with a few years of production experience.

The advanced class 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.

This time around, Zellers will help students gain a better understanding of fibers and fabrics, weaves and garment construction, as well as provide hands-on training using digesters, bleaching agents and other advanced techniques to remove more difficult stains.

The class will also examine how to remove old oxidized oil stains from napkins, tablecloths, chef jackets and pants.

Tuition is $325 for SDA members, $390 for other DLI members and $455 for everybody else. That cost also includes a box lunch for Wednesday.

In November, Zellers will be back to teach both of the courses back-to-back again.

The basic stain removal course will be held from Nov. 1 to 3 meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the first two days and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

The advanced stain removal class will directly follow. It will be held 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.

Tuition for each class will be the same as the respective classes held in June.

All classes held at the Biopolymer Research Institute are limited to a 24-student maximum, so enrollment is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Class time will be divided between lecture, class discussion and demonstrations. Hands-on training will be a requirement.

Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own problem garments to work on during class.

For more information on SDA’s stain removal courses on the campus of Texas Tech University, visit the association’s web site, www.sda-dryclean.com, or contact them directly by e-mail, de.sda@sbcglobal.net, or phone, (210) 826-4684.