How and where to learn more
about drycleaning
about drycleaning
Fabricare Forum
The Fabricare Forum is an e-mail discussion group hosted on Yahoogroups. Current
membership numbers about 1,500 and includes cleaners and allied trades people from
around the world. Membership is free and open to anyone involved in the fabric care
industry.
membership numbers about 1,500 and includes cleaners and allied trades people from
around the world. Membership is free and open to anyone involved in the fabric care
industry.
The forum was founded in 1995 by Dave Spensley, a California drycleaner who is
now
retired. Hal Horning, editor of National Clothesline, currently serves as moderator of the
group. The list generates 800 to 1,200 e-mail messages a month. Participants have
several options for receiving messages: individual e-mails; a digest format; or via the
Fabricare Forum web site.
retired. Hal Horning, editor of National Clothesline, currently serves as moderator of the
group. The list generates 800 to 1,200 e-mail messages a month. Participants have
several options for receiving messages: individual e-mails; a digest format; or via the
Fabricare Forum web site.
To join the group, send an e-mail to fabricare-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. If you are
having trouble joining or need help, e-mail the moderator at fabricare-
owner@yahoogroups.com.
having trouble joining or need help, e-mail the moderator at fabricare-
owner@yahoogroups.com.
Consultants
Everett Childers has been a plant owner, educator, consultant, department head and
instructor at Oklahoma State University during his career in the industry. He is the
author of The Master Drycleaners Notebook (see below) and has an informative web
site.
instructor at Oklahoma State University during his career in the industry. He is the
author of The Master Drycleaners Notebook (see below) and has an informative web
site.
Don Desrosiers provides services to shirt launderers and drycleaners as a workflow
engineer and management consultant. Has been in the drycleaning and shirt laundering
business since 1978. Many of his National Clothesline articles along with information
about his products and services can be found on his Tailwind Systems web site.
engineer and management consultant. Has been in the drycleaning and shirt laundering
business since 1978. Many of his National Clothesline articles along with information
about his products and services can be found on his Tailwind Systems web site.
Dan Eisen, the former chief garment analyst for the National Cleaners Association,
offers independent garment analysis and provides consulting services to the industry on
drycleaning and wetcleaning. His book, “Professional Guide to Restoration on Fabrics,
Suedes and Leather,” is the only restoration manual that deals with restoring color and
camouflaging discolorations. He can be reached by phone at (772) 340-0909 or (772)
579-5044 or through his website, www.garmentanalysis.com.
offers independent garment analysis and provides consulting services to the industry on
drycleaning and wetcleaning. His book, “Professional Guide to Restoration on Fabrics,
Suedes and Leather,” is the only restoration manual that deals with restoring color and
camouflaging discolorations. He can be reached by phone at (772) 340-0909 or (772)
579-5044 or through his website, www.garmentanalysis.com.
Harvey Gershenson is a second-generation drycleaner who has been in the industry
since he was in high school. The former owner of Sterling Dry Cleaners, he now
operates Sterling Dry Cleaning Consulting in which he specializes in helping owners
increase sales and profitability.
since he was in high school. The former owner of Sterling Dry Cleaners, he now
operates Sterling Dry Cleaning Consulting in which he specializes in helping owners
increase sales and profitability.
Sandra Haralson strives to provide down-to-earth assistance and training to startups
and established operations alike. To learn more, visit the Sandra Haralson Drycleaning
Consulting web site.
and established operations alike. To learn more, visit the Sandra Haralson Drycleaning
Consulting web site.
Gary Knight is a second-generation drycleaner who has been involved in the industry
for over 47 years. As an instructor he tries to show finishers methods that will help
produce a higher quality garment with fewer steps. He also addresses importance of
work standards to management and personnel. See his company’s web site, American
Dry Cleaning Training Services.
for over 47 years. As an instructor he tries to show finishers methods that will help
produce a higher quality garment with fewer steps. He also addresses importance of
work standards to management and personnel. See his company’s web site, American
Dry Cleaning Training Services.
James Peuster offers on-site training in all aspects of routes. He views management,
marketing and maintenance as key components in developing million-dollar routes. Visit
his Route Pro web site for more information.
marketing and maintenance as key components in developing million-dollar routes. Visit
his Route Pro web site for more information.
Kenny Slatten has many years experience working as an instructor and trainer for
drycleaning trade associations and with individual plant owners. He assists both new
and existing plants and specializes in environmental training for drycleaning and
laundry industry through the Kenney Slatten Training Company.
drycleaning trade associations and with individual plant owners. He assists both new
and existing plants and specializes in environmental training for drycleaning and
laundry industry through the Kenney Slatten Training Company.
Bill Stork joined the family business in 1965 after finishing college and working as an
industrial engineer. He later worked in equipment sales, installation, technical
assistance, sales management and plant design. He applies his 40 years of experience
to help with planning, layout, construction and training through his company, Dry Clean
Design.
industrial engineer. He later worked in equipment sales, installation, technical
assistance, sales management and plant design. He applies his 40 years of experience
to help with planning, layout, construction and training through his company, Dry Clean
Design.
Jane Zellers is consultant, lecturer and former owner of drycleaning establishments
who comes from a three-generation drycleaning family. She has been involved in the
laundry and drycleaning industry all of her life. She offers her services through JCZ
Consulting and Strategic Fabricare Solutions.
who comes from a three-generation drycleaning family. She has been involved in the
laundry and drycleaning industry all of her life. She offers her services through JCZ
Consulting and Strategic Fabricare Solutions.
Courses and Seminars
A variety of courses are offered through several industry trade associations. To
see
current offerings, visit the association’s web sites. Courses and seminars are also listed
in National Clothesline’s Dateline section.
current offerings, visit the association’s web sites. Courses and seminars are also listed
in National Clothesline’s Dateline section.
The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute has scheduled courses at its School of Drycleaning
Technology in Laurel, Maryland. DLI also offers compliance tools, educational videos,
self-study courses and other useful materials through its products and services catalog.
Technology in Laurel, Maryland. DLI also offers compliance tools, educational videos,
self-study courses and other useful materials through its products and services catalog.
The National Cleaners Association has courses throughout the year at its New York
School of Drycleaning in New York City.
School of Drycleaning in New York City.
The Southwest Drycleaners Association sponsors several offerings during the year at
Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Other trade associations offer courses and seminars on an irregular basis. Check
the
associations’ web sites for information.
associations’ web sites for information.
Books and DVDs
Drycleaning 101: A basic all-purpose guide to the drycleaning industry. Covers plant
layout, equipment, drycleaning basics, wetcleaning, spotting and many other topics in
15 chapters and 124 pages.
layout, equipment, drycleaning basics, wetcleaning, spotting and many other topics in
15 chapters and 124 pages.
Spotter’s Guide: Stain removal covered from A to Z by stain type. Printed on laminated
heavy gauge paper and spiral bound to so it can lay flat in the work space.
heavy gauge paper and spiral bound to so it can lay flat in the work space.
Both books are available through National Clothesline; $31.95 for Drycleaning
101 and $23.95 for the Spotter’s Guide. Phone orders with credit card payment
to (215) 830-8467 or download this order form (pdf).
101 and $23.95 for the Spotter’s Guide. Phone orders with credit card payment
to (215) 830-8467 or download this order form (pdf).
Books by Dan Eisen: Dan Eisen, long-time National Clothesline columnist and former chief
garment analyst of the Natrional Cleaners Association, has distilled his decades of
experience into two books, "The Art of Spotting" and "The Art of Wet Cleaning;" He
recently released a manual that covers techniques for restoration geared specifically to
drycleaners. The manual, including including full telephone assistance plus handling and
shipping, sells for $105. For ordering or more information, contact Eisen at 274 NW
Toscane Trail, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986; phone (772) 340-0909; cell (772) 579-
5044; or by e-mail, cleandan@comcast.net.
garment analyst of the Natrional Cleaners Association, has distilled his decades of
experience into two books, "The Art of Spotting" and "The Art of Wet Cleaning;" He
recently released a manual that covers techniques for restoration geared specifically to
drycleaners. The manual, including including full telephone assistance plus handling and
shipping, sells for $105. For ordering or more information, contact Eisen at 274 NW
Toscane Trail, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986; phone (772) 340-0909; cell (772) 579-
5044; or by e-mail, cleandan@comcast.net.
Master Drycleaners Notebook: Industry educator and consultant Everett Childers
produced the first edition of his Master Drycleaners Notebook more than 20 years ago
and has continued to revise and update it over the years. Now in its fifth edition, the
book has been translated into Spanish and includes chapters on fibers and fabrics,
drycleaning technology, stain removal chemicals and procedures, wetcleaning,
bleaching and finishing. The strengths and weaknesses of various cleaning solvents are
discussed along with tips for maximizing their cleaning performance.
produced the first edition of his Master Drycleaners Notebook more than 20 years ago
and has continued to revise and update it over the years. Now in its fifth edition, the
book has been translated into Spanish and includes chapters on fibers and fabrics,
drycleaning technology, stain removal chemicals and procedures, wetcleaning,
bleaching and finishing. The strengths and weaknesses of various cleaning solvents are
discussed along with tips for maximizing their cleaning performance.
Leather cleaning. Courses, books and DVDs on leather cleaning are available from Tulsa,
Oklahoma-based Royaltone Co.
Oklahoma-based Royaltone Co.
On-Line catalog: Cleaners Supply offers a variety of books and video training aids by such
noted industry experts as Don Desrosiers, Sid Tuchman, James Peuster, Stan Caplan,
Ann Hargrove and Steve Boorstein. Visit their web site for details.
noted industry experts as Don Desrosiers, Sid Tuchman, James Peuster, Stan Caplan,
Ann Hargrove and Steve Boorstein. Visit their web site for details.
Publications
In addition to National Clothesline, there are several trade publications for
drycleaners and
launderers. These include:
launderers. These include:
American Drycleaner, based in Chicago, Illinois.
Cleaner & Launderer, based in Pasadena, California.
The Korean Cleaners Monthly, published in Korean, based in Englewoods Cliff, New Jersey.
The Drycleaners Times, published in Korean, based in College Point, New York; Contact
dctimes@gmail.com.
dctimes@gmail.com.
Fabricare Canada, based in Canada.
Laundry and Cleaning News, based in the United Kingdom.
Laundry & Cleaning Today, based in the United Kingdom.
National Drycleaner and Launderer, based in Australia.
Government Information
Here are few key links to sources for information concerning government
regulations related
to the drycleaning industry.
to the drycleaning industry.
The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for developing and enforcing the Care Label
Rule. The FTC also maintains a database of garment makers to assist in looking up the
Registered Identification Number (RN) of any garmnent.
Rule. The FTC also maintains a database of garment makers to assist in looking up the
Registered Identification Number (RN) of any garmnent.
The Environmental Protection Agency enforces the Clean Air Act among other regulations
that affect drycleaners. The EPA has published compliance information for drycleaners.
EPA sponsored the Design for the Environment Garment and Textile Care Program and
published a document of its findings in 1998. EPA also funds the State Coalition for the
Remediation of Drycleaners (SCRD) tracks clean-up legislation and programs
throughout the United States.
that affect drycleaners. The EPA has published compliance information for drycleaners.
EPA sponsored the Design for the Environment Garment and Textile Care Program and
published a document of its findings in 1998. EPA also funds the State Coalition for the
Remediation of Drycleaners (SCRD) tracks clean-up legislation and programs
throughout the United States.
The Small Business Environmental Page helps small businesses access environmental and
pollution compliance information.
pollution compliance information.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Who has been inspected? What violations
were found? What penalties were issued? You can look it up on this page at OSHA’s web
site. (Use SIC Code 7216 to look up drycleaning plant inspections.)
were found? What penalties were issued? You can look it up on this page at OSHA’s web
site. (Use SIC Code 7216 to look up drycleaning plant inspections.)
US Congress. Tracking a bill in Congress? Thomas Legislative Information on the Net is the
place to go.
place to go.
MARCH 2014
