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April 24, 2013
StatShot: West Only Region to Post Dry Cleaning Sales Gain in March

CHICAGO — Northeast and Midwest take hardest hits with sales down in both March and first quarter

CHICAGO — March proved to be a challenging month for dry cleaners across the nation, as the West was the only region to post sales gains, up 1.5% compared to March 2012, according to results from the latest AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey.

Despite this, market conditions in the West remain mixed, according to respondents. One cleaner in the region explained that conditions were “increasing slightly” while admitting that other cleaners haven’t been as fortunate. “[There were] five dry cleaners in town, now I'm the only one.”

Though other cleaners in the region provided similar reports, some are seeing improvement. “It’s [been] getting better for [the] last six weeks,” says one respondent from the West. “I have started using online advertising to add new customers.”

March 25, 2013
Crest Cleaners First U.S. Dry Cleaner to Install Bead-Cleaning Technology

CLIFTON, Va. — Beads combined with proprietary detergent attract and absorb dirt from soiled items, manufacturer Xeros says

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.

February 5, 2013
Clearing Up Some Not-So-Good Rings

CONCORD, N.C. — Wet-side rings brought by the customer, and wet-side rings left behind by attempts at stain removal

CONCORD, N.C. — There are good rings, such as gold, silver, wedding, and even ear. But unfortunately, there are also some not-so-good rings: wet-side rings brought in to the cleaner by the customer, and wet-side rings left behind by attempts at stain removal.

These rings have one thing in common: as the circle of moisture dries, contents of the wet area migrate to the outer ring. We are never quite sure what the ring contains, but it is most likely water-soluble.

The rings that come across the counter from the customer usually contain a staining combination. Rings under the arms contain perspiration, while rings on the front are caused by beverages and sauces.

January 22, 2013
Plant Design Awards: Special Honors, Outstanding New Build: Comet Cleaners

LUBBOCK, Texas — Customers can see the plant from the front counter

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.

December 11, 2012
Survey: Half of Dry Cleaners Polled Predict Greater Sales Volume in 2013

CHICAGO — Improving marketing and keeping prices low seen as ways to boost sales next year

CHICAGO — Half of dry cleaners asked to offer their rough forecasts for sales in 2013 believe that volume will improve in their area next year, according to the results of American Drycleaner’s final Wire survey for 2012.

Sales volume will either “improve substantially, with at least a 5% year-to-year gain” (18.8%) or “bounce back a little, with a gain of 0% to 5%” (31.3%), these respondents predict.

But there are times when an increase in business for one cleaner means that other cleaners may be suffering or have even closed. “The market in our area is improving. Weaker competition is failing,” wrote one respondent. Another reported that pounds and pieces for 2012 matched 2011 while two cleaners closed nearby.

The economy drives the dry cleaning business, according to one cleaner: “When economy is good, dry cleaning is a necessity. When economy is bad, dry cleaning is a luxury.”

August 8, 2012
Tide Dry Cleaners Opens Its First Georgia Store

DULUTH, Ga. — Franchise location to offer free dry cleaning during Saturday grand opening

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.

August 6, 2012
Michigan Dry Cleaner is Newest DLI President

LAUREL, Md. — Jan Barlow becomes DLI's second female president

LAUREL, Md. — Jan Barlow, CGCP®, owner of Jan’s Professional Cleaners, Clio, Mich., has become the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute’s (DLI) second female president, and the organization has welcomed a host of new faces to its governing body.

DLI’s board of directors recognizes valued contributions and inducts new volunteer leadership. New directors are sworn in as their predecessors move to an executive office or become DLI senators, an exclusive title for previous board members.

Barlow succeeds Charlie Smith, owner of Village Square Cleaners, Reston, Va., who completed his one-year term as president.

David Machesney, owner of Pratt-Abbott Cleaners, Westbrook, Maine, became DLI’s president-elect. Allan Johnson III, owner of Peerless Cleaners, Corpus Christi, Texas, became treasurer.

DLI membership elected two dry cleaning professionals to district directorships: Brad Ewing, CED®, Nu Way Cleaners, Greeley, Colo., representing District 7, and David Suber, CED®, owner of Perfect Cleaners in Los Angeles, representing District 8.

July 26, 2012
Starting Strong: Getting a New Dry Cleaning Plant Up and Running (Part 2)

CHICAGO — Each start-up is unique, but there are basic guidelines to follow

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.”

February 23, 2012
Fabritec Mourns Deaths of Veteran Contributors

COLD SPRING, Ky. — Two valued Fabritec International employees and veteran contributors to the dry cleaning industry have died in recent months, the company reports.

Retired Vice President Bob Knippling died Jan. 12 at age 85. Knippling, a U.S. Army veteran who served during World War II, graduated from college with degrees in chemistry and biology. He joined then-Emery Industries in 1951 as a chemist.

While with Fabritec, he was in charge of the Stamford distribution and Emerbrite divisions, and he worked closely with Fabritec’s salesmen. Knippling made major research contributions during his 50 years in the industry. He served as Fabritec vice president for 20 years before retiring in 2001.

Retired Sales Support Manager John Geer died Oct. 22 at age 78. After receiving a physics degree, Geer began his dry cleaning career with his family’s business in Marion, Ohio. In 1976, he joined Fabritec (Emery Industries at the time), where he became director of technical services.

February 21, 2012
Simple Additions to Stain-Removal Toolbox

CONCORD, N.C. — There are times when quality stain removal comes down to a series of little things. And there are times when the difference in returning a garment to the customer with traces of the stain vs. exceeding the customer’s expectations hinges on applying a slightly different tool or technique.

Here are some items that you can add to your stain removal toolbox easily and inexpensively:

COTTON SWABS

Cotton swabs are a helpful addition to any spotting board. These swabs are absorbent and free of pigment. By lightly rubbing a slightly damp swab on a garment or its trim, you can test dyes for bleeding.

Cotton swabs are ideal for applying bleaches (especially titanium dye stripper) at the spotting board. A swab will allow you to remove fugitive dye in close areas without fear of drips or contacting undesired areas.

WOODEN TOOTHPICKS

A wooden toothpick allows a spotter to precisely apply a minimum amount of bleach/dye stripper. It can be used to great advantage to restore your customer’s garments and to enhance your reputation.

June 27, 2011
DLI Names 2011-2012 Board of Directors

LAUREL, Md. — Each year, Drycleaning & Laundry Institute’s (DLI) board of directors holds elections in two districts to ensure a fresh perspective on the institute and industry. Director terms last two years. Presidential terms last one year with the president becoming chairperson of the board at the end of that year.

This year’s DLI board of directors lineup features:

January 18, 2011
Plant Design: Merit Awards, Part 2

CHICAGO — The Merit Awards in the 50th Annual Plant Design Awards went to six drycleaners from every corner of the country. The second and final part of this story details three of those winners: J. Carl Cleaners, Sunset Cleaners and Weldon Cleaners.

CHICAGO — The Merit Awards in the 50th Annual Plant Design Awards went to six drycleaners from every corner of the country. The second and final part of this story details three of those winners: J. Carl Cleaners, Sunset Cleaners and Weldon Cleaners.

J. Carl Cleaners, Carrollton, Ga.

January 13, 2011
Plant Design: Merit Awards, Part 1

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.
   

April 23, 2010
Excellence in Stain Removal, Part 2

The Clothing Care Council (CCC) offers every drycleaner an opportunity to distinguish himself or herself with the voluntary Award of Excellence (AOE) certification program. This month, I’ll cover the second half of AOE’s stain-removal test, which features egg, red wine and spaghetti-sauce stains on swatches of plain white silk.

EGG

October 13, 2009
Nu-Yale Cleaners Wins Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

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.

June 21, 2009
Chemical Manufacturer Launches 'Green' Laundry Products for Counter Sale

NEW ORLEANS — For drycleaners looking to promote a green, ecofriendly message and communicate to their customers that they are the one-stop shop for all their garment-care needs, Adco Cleaning Products introduced AdcoEco at Clean ’09. Drycleaners can sell this new line of ecologically friendly detergent and softener over the counter to promote environmental friendliness and proper garment care, the company says.

April 6, 2009
WFI Recognizes Members for Environmental Stewardship

GREENFIELD, Wis. — The Wisconsin Fabricare Institute (WFI) recognized several of its members for their work toward professional and environmentally friendly drycleaning in Wisconsin’s Five Star Recognition Program during the association’s annual convention and tabletop trade show.

March 25, 2009
LCI Affiliates Recertify Couture-Level Quality

LOS ANGELES — Leading Cleaners Internationale (LCI), a marketing consortium of high-end drycleaning operators, reports that seven affiliates have recently been recertified as Five-Star Certified Couture Cleaners.

January 6, 2009
Four Seasons Joins Blue Sky to Become Nation’s Largest ‘Toxin-Free’ Drycleaner

SEATTLE — Four Seasons Cleaners has merged with Blue Sky Cleaners, making it Seattle’s only “toxin-free alternative” to traditional drycleaning and the largest such business in the United States, Blue Sky Cleaners says.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Four Seasons brand will change to Blue Sky Cleaners, which purchased the company. Four Seasons Cleaners retail locations, phone numbers, website, and pickup-and-delivery routes will remain unchanged.

June 25, 2008
How Should I Treat Items Musty from Storage?

Q: A customer has some garments that have been in storage for seven years and have a musty smell. I haven’t seen the garments yet, so I don't know if they can be wetcleaned. What would be the best way to handle them?

A: The musty odor may indicate that the garments contain mold or mildew. Inspect the garments for discoloration or damage caused by moisture or fungal growth from mold or mildew.

December 26, 2007
Japanese Manufacturer Markets ´Shower Clean´ Suits

TOKYO — Japanese manufacturer Konaka is marketing wash-and-wear suits under its new “Shower Clean” line, demonstrating the ease of care in a video at its website.

Garments in the line can be cleaned at home by spraying warm water on them for a few minutes and letting them drip dry. No ironing is required, the company says, for a wrinkle-free garment every time.

October 31, 2007
Handling The

How often have you refused to accept a garment that is extremely soiled — so badly soiled that no one wants to touch it?

While visiting a drycleaning plant recently, I was asked for an opinion on how to process three untouchable garments. Each item arrived in a plastic bag, tied at the top to help contain its odor. The articles had been accepted from three different customers who had signed consent forms. Here’s what happened.