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CLIFTON, Va. — Crest Cleaners has become the first North American dry cleaner to install an ultra-low-water bead cleaning system marketed by Xeros Inc., a subsidiary of UK-based Xeros Ltd. Overall, it is Xeros’ third U.S. installation since first entering the market last September.

Historically, items that are not dry cleaned, such as men’s dress shirts, are laundered in traditional washing machines. Xeros’ proprietary system looks to replace those machines by producing “cleaner laundry with a significantly lower impact on the environment, using very little water and patented Xeros polymer beads,” the company says.

The beads’ molecular structure, coupled with a proprietary detergent, attracts and absorbs dirt from soiled items, the company says. It claims the system uses up to 80% less water, 50% less energy and 50% less detergent than conventional washing.

LUBBOCK, Texas — The newest location from Texas-based Comet Cleaners Franchise Group can be found in a fast-growing part of Lubbock. The clean, modern store, which covers 3,500 square feet, features two drive-thru lanes with a canopy. Friendly, professional staff greet customers with bottled water.

Comet Cleaners offers dry cleaning and laundry services, alterations, and wedding gown preservation, as well as cleaning of household items and drapes. Same-day service is available until 2 p.m. on weekdays.

The production area—customers can see the plant from the front counter—includes a Union dry cleaning machine, Wascomat laundry equipment, and Unipress and Forenta finishing and tensioning equipment. Boiler room equipment is by Lattner Boiler. The plant utilizes DCCS workstations.

Comet employs 13 full-time-equivalent workers and generates more than $10,000 in weekly sales.

Owner Ron Caffey designed the plant layout, Mike Lowe was architect, and Gulf States Laundry Machinery was the project’s equipment distributor.

TORONTO — There are dry cleaners that are confused about what to charge for their services, where that pricing structure places their operation within the industry, and how the consumer perceives them.

It is important to explain what goes into the pricing structure used when charging customers for their dry cleaned items. There are a number of ways to do this.

A cleaner could play a continuously looped video at the counter that illustrates how a garment is processed (including as many different processes as are used), place signage at the counter, or use various advertising mediums.

The cost of production starts at the cleaner’s front counter. When a customer drops off clothes, they should consider what system is in place to create the invoice and receipt they receive and how the cleaner identifies their items so what they brought in will be returned to them.

Proper identification includes a complete description of each article, indicating the type of item, color, label identification, and any stains or tears that may be on the garment at the time it was marked in.

CONCORD, N.C. — Many owners believe that pre-spotting is totally unnecessary. The continued evolution of the dry cleaning system allows for much better cleaning by machine than my father ever could have imagined. But this has led many cleaners to adopt an attitude of accepting any stains that do not come out in the dry cleaning machine and returning the garment—usually with a “Sorry” tag.

A “Sorry” tag is a poor advertisement for an operation that presents itself as a professional garment-care service.

Anyone who chooses to be a student of the cleaning industry can prosper by removing stains others routinely return to the customer. Knowledge, effort and experience effectively reduce fear of failure.

The customer brings his or her garments to a professional cleaner to have the stains removed. Any stains that remain in the garment make it appear to be unclean to that customer. No amount of advertising and no reduced pricing structure can sustain an operation that develops a reputation for poor quality. Developing the habit of selectively pre-spotting garments is a step toward improved cleaning.

DULUTH, Ga. — The first Tide Dry Cleaners franchise in Georgia will have its grand opening this weekend. NDC Group LLC, in collaboration with Procter & Gamble, developed the new store on Buford Highway in this Atlanta suburb.

“When we say ‘Tide Dry Cleaners is changing dry cleaning for good,’ we mean it,” says John Ngan, Tide Dry Cleaners franchisee. “And I can’t wait to show the people of Duluth how we’re changing the dry cleaning experience and their expectations. It really is a different way to dry clean.”

On Saturday, local residents can bring in two items of clothing (excluding outerwear, wedding gowns, leather, and household items) to be cleaned free.

Tide Dry Cleaners customers can take advantage of many unique features, including the convenience of drive-thru concierge services, and access to the “Tide Dry Cleaners Anytime” Program, allowing 24-hour pick-up and drop-off.

CHICAGO — Opening a new dry cleaning business is a big step, whether you’re coming in fresh to the industry and are investing for the first time or you’re a current owner who’s looking to expand your operation by adding a new location.

Each plant start-up has its own unique challenges and requirements to meet, but there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind as you pursue your new venture.

KNOW-HOW

Given his position as director of education and training for the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI), it’s not surprising that Brian Johnson is passionate about continuing education. What may surprise you is his assessment of the dry cleaning community’s know-how.

“Probably one of the biggest issues in the industry today is the people that are running the dry cleaning businesses truly don’t understand the principles of cleaning clothes,” he says. “They tend to focus more on how to operate the machinery. The science is lost.”

SAN FRANCISCO — The lifestyle changes of consumers (most notably more casual attire), their extremely hectic lifestyles that limit time and/or desire to run errands, and the downward economic pressure in general have all been factors in the search for alternative profit centers to maintain the economic health of the fabricare industry.

I’m going to address some of the alternatives that are contributing to the sales and profit of cleaners. It is important to remember that any and all of them take careful planning and execution to be successful.

DISASTER RESTORATION

Disaster restoration divisions, with their large orders on the positive side, and the uncertainty of demand on the negative side, have been a common and welcome addition to many companies.

Anyone considering entering this business for the first time is advised to thoroughly research the required initial investment, potential challenges of collection, and the extremely aggressive competition in the sales process. If these factors are manageable, a professional team is required to make this business a success.

CONCORD, N.C. — A new year brings new opportunities for those prepared to take advantage. You’re no doubt heard the saying, “Foolishness is continuing to do what you have always done and expecting different results.” Make the adjustments in your business model now to capture and keep the customers that will be on the move in the coming year.

The best time to plant an apple tree is 20 years ago, to have apples today. The second best time to plant an apple tree is today, to have apples in the future. If you never get around to planting the apple tree, you will never have apples.

Drycleaning volume may not return to the levels of 10 years ago in the foreseeable future; cleaners are being forced to make do with the lower garment count. The industry is saturated with processing plants that are based on speed and/or price. The niche in the marketplace is reliable stain removal by a knowledgeable operator.

Stain removal is quickly becoming a valuable commodity. Not only does it contribute to the bottom line, it leads to increased customer loyalty.

CHICAGO — Every season brings a unique set of stains to the garment-care professional. Spring typically finds customers venturing outside again to do yardwork, household repairs, and shop for summer wardrobes. When customers try to make themselves, their yards and their homes look better, stains often result.

CHICAGO — The Merit Awards in the 50th Annual Plant Design Awards went to six drycleaners from every corner of the country. Part one of this story details three of the winners: Dubin Cleaners, Encore Cleaners and Image Cleaners.

Dubin Cleaners & Laundry, Farmington Hills, Mich.
Dubin Cleaners’ new plant anchors a strip mall and offers customers a “unique” cleaning experience, third-generation operators Andy and Sandy Dubin say.
   

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Nu-Yale Cleaners recently won a 2009 Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence during the annual Pollution Prevention Conference and Trade Show.

The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence recognize business leaders who have identified and implemented environmental practices into their programs and facilities with measurable results, according to Nu-Yale Cleaners. The company attributes its winning of the award to its installation of a Solvair Cleaning System.