National Clothesline

Removing the “dry” from drycleaning

No doubt about it, technology has propelled the drycleaning industry to where it is today. Advances in equipment and cleaning methods have helped make cleaners more efficient and error-free. Computers and the Internet have helped cleaners become more educated and informed. Yet, regulators seem unhappier than ever with the industry. Rules and regulations governing drycleaning continue to further restrict plant owners from California to New York and everywhere in between.

Certainly, the art of cleaning clothes has evolved a lot since the days men and women used to beat clothing against rocks and abrasive sand before rinsing them in a stream. Water was the original cleanser and it continues to be a popular method for many drycleaners to employ in addition to utilizing other solvents. Now it seems that majority of regulators would like to see more and more cleaners adopt wetcleaning in the future, as well.

At least that is what a recent trend suggests as an increasing number of governing bodies are using financial rewards and other forms of assistance for cleaners who switch to water. Out West, Sacramento cleaners can take advantage of rebates up to $4,200 from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District for switching from perc to new wetcleaning equipment. On the opposite side of the country, the New York State Institute announced a new program that will try to convince plant owners of the advantages of wetcleaning in an effort to cut down chemical usage in the Empire State.

If you currently do not incorporate wetcleaning as part of your business’s cleaning arsenal, then now is a great time to consider it. It’s one of the safest cleaning methods out there. It’s gentle on clothes. Combined with a variety of biodegradable soaps and conditioners, it leaves less of a carbon footprint than other options. More importantly, no governing bodies have determined that water is hazardous to human beings or the environment. At least not yet.

Of course, it’s also an extremely tricky cleaning method. The most important aspect of successful wetcleaning is expertise and knowledge of the operator. While wetcleaning has been around for thousands of years, the technology has improved quite a bit and is easier to operate than ever. And, if you do need help, it’s definitely available. Financial assistance and free educational training await many of those who are willing to make the leap at this time.

New customers are coming

There has been so much talk in the industry over the past few years about declining piece counts, disappearing customers and increasing casual wear that lends itself to home care that it is encouraging to hear some news that might counter those trends. In his column this month, James Peuster recaps a presentation given by Ken Gronbach at the recent South Eastern Fabricare Association convention in Tampa. Analyzing demographic trends, Gronbach postulates that there is a wave of new business coming. What we are seeing now is the Generation X trough between the Baby Boomers, who boosted the drycleaning business in the 1980s but are now nearing retirement, and Generation Y, currently those in their mid-twenties and mid-thirties who will be your customers of the future.

Generation Y is bigger than Generation X and they are just now graduating from college and beginning their careers. They are looking for better jobs which means they will need to dress better. There are more women in this career-minded group and women have always been better drycleaning customers. And as they advance in their chosen careers, they will have more discretionary income to spend on things like drycleaning.

But you can’t expect to just stand there an wait for this wave of new customers to wash over your business. Many of them need to be introduced to professional fabricare services for the first time. For those who are familiar with it, they need to be convinced that it’s not their father’s drycleaning. Does your plant have the look and feel of a relic from the 1980s, or does it look like the 21st century. If you don’t know what that looks like, try visiting your local Apple store. These new customers have new ways of communicating, too. Out with the Yellow Pages and radio jingles and in with Facebook, Twitter and texting. Are you speaking their language?

The future is coming. It’s your choice to be part of it.



								National Clothesline






						Removing the “dry” from drycleaning No doubt about it, technology has propelled the drycleaning industry to where it is today. Advances in equipment and cleaning methods have helped make cleaners more efficient and error-free. Computers and the Internet have helped cleaners become more educated and informed. Yet, regulators seem unhappier than ever with the industry. Rules and regulations governing drycleaning continue to further restrict plant owners from California to New York and everywhere in between. Certainly, the art of cleaning clothes has evolved a lot since the days men and women used to beat clothing against rocks and abrasive sand before rinsing them in a stream. Water was the original cleanser and it continues to be a popular method for many drycleaners to employ in addition to utilizing other solvents. Now it seems that majority of regulators would like to see more and more cleaners adopt wetcleaning in the future, as well. At least that is what a recent trend suggests as an increasing number of governing bodies are using financial rewards and other forms of assistance for cleaners who switch to water. Out West, Sacramento cleaners can take advantage of rebates up to $4,200 from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District for switching from perc to new wetcleaning equipment. On the opposite side of the country, the New York State Institute announced a new program that will try to convince plant owners of the advantages of wetcleaning in an effort to cut down chemical usage in the Empire State. If you currently do not incorporate wetcleaning as part of your business’s cleaning arsenal, then now is a great time to consider it. It’s one of the safest cleaning methods out there. It’s gentle on clothes. Combined with a variety of biodegradable soaps and conditioners, it leaves less of a carbon footprint than other options. More importantly, no governing bodies have determined that water is hazardous to human beings or the environment. At least not yet. Of course, it’s also an extremely tricky cleaning method. The most important aspect of successful wetcleaning is expertise and knowledge of the operator. While wetcleaning has been around for thousands of years, the technology has improved quite a bit and is easier to operate than ever. And, if you do need help, it’s definitely available. Financial assistance and free educational training await many of those who are willing to make the leap at this time. New customers are coming There has been so much talk in the industry over the past few years about declining piece counts, disappearing customers and increasing casual wear that lends itself to home care that it is encouraging to hear some news that might counter those trends. In his column this month, James Peuster recaps a presentation given by Ken Gronbach at the recent South Eastern Fabricare Association convention in Tampa. Analyzing demographic trends, Gronbach postulates that there is a wave of new business coming. What we are seeing now is the Generation X trough between the Baby Boomers, who boosted the drycleaning business in the 1980s but are now nearing retirement, and Generation Y, currently those in their mid-twenties and mid-thirties who will be your customers of the future. Generation Y is bigger than Generation X and they are just now graduating from college and beginning their careers. They are looking for better jobs which means they will need to dress better. There are more women in this career-minded group and women have always been better drycleaning customers. And as they advance in their chosen careers, they will have more discretionary income to spend on things like drycleaning. But you can’t expect to just stand there an wait for this wave of new customers to wash over your business. Many of them need to be introduced to professional fabricare services for the first time. For those who are familiar with it, they need to be convinced that it’s not their father’s drycleaning. Does your plant have the look and feel of a relic from the 1980s, or does it look like the 21st century. If you don’t know what that looks like, try visiting your local Apple store. These new customers have new ways of communicating, too. Out with the Yellow Pages and radio jingles and in with Facebook, Twitter and texting. Are you speaking their language? The future is coming. It’s your choice to be part of it.