Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.86
• Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.84
• Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.84
• Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.83
• Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.80
• Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.72
• Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents.71
• Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.68
• Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.66
• Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.66
• Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.65
• Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.64

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Active Listening47

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Monitoring47

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Operation and Control47

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Critical Thinking44

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Social Perceptiveness44

  Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Time Management44

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Coordination41

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Operations Monitoring41

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Speaking41

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Reading Comprehension38

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Service Orientation38

  Actively looking for ways to help people.

• Judgment and Decision Making35

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Production and Processing43

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• English Language38

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Customer and Personal Service37

  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Chemistry30

  Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

• Education and Training26

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• Computers and Electronics25

  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

• Mathematics25

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Mechanical25

  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• Public Safety and Security25

  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Administration and Management24

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Personnel and Human Resources22

  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

• Administrative18

  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Arm-Hand Steadiness56

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Trunk Strength53

  The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

• Category Flexibility50

  The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

• Control Precision50

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Information Ordering50

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• Near Vision50

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Oral Comprehension50

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Problem Sensitivity50

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

• Manual Dexterity47

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Multilimb Coordination47

  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

• Oral Expression47

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Speech Clarity47

  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Performing General Physical Activities68

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Getting Information66

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Handling and Moving Objects63

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials62

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates61

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Controlling Machines and Processes61

  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events61

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings61

  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Training and Teaching Others56

  Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards52

  Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships51

  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information50

  Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Dependability72

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Attention to Detail57

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Cautiousness39

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Integrity24

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Cooperation21

  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

• Stress Tolerance15

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Perseverance11

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Achievement Orientation9

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Initiative2

  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic90

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional54

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Enterprising9

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Social6

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Artistic3

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Investigative0

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Spend Time Standing

  • Continually or almost continually70%
  • More than half the time26%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others53%
  • Contact with others most of the time28%

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day51%

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day78%
  • Once a year or more but not every month11%
  • Never12%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important38%
  • Very important39%
  • Important14%

• Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

  • Extremely important47%
  • Very important20%
  • Important19%

• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

  • Continually or almost continually60%
  • About half the time13%
  • Never12%

• Physical Proximity

  • Very close (near touching)31%
  • Moderately close (at arm's length)36%
  • Slightly close (e.g., shared office)14%
  • I work with others but not closely (e.g., private office)11%

• Time Pressure

  • Every day49%
  • Once a week or more but not every day16%
  • Once a year or more but not every month15%
  • Never15%

• Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

  • Continually or almost continually40%
  • More than half the time14%
  • About half the time19%
  • Less than half the time23%

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

  • Continually or almost continually49%
  • About half the time11%
  • Less than half the time11%
  • Never20%

• Freedom to Make Decisions

  • A lot of freedom18%
  • Some freedom49%
  • Limited freedom11%
  • No freedom14%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• Less than high school diploma
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Post-secondary certificate

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Point of sale POS software

  Cents, Curbside Laundries Wash and Fold POS Software, Sales processing software, Wash-Dry-Fold POS

• Electronic mail software

  Email software

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

• Operating system software

  Microsoft Windows

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

• Internet browser software

  Web browser software

• Data base user interface and query software

  Property management system PMS software

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• Coin Laundry Association
• Drycleaning and Laundry Institute International

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
• Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
• Miscellaneous production workers, including semiconductor processors
• Sewing Machine Operators
• Painting Workers
• Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Machine Feeders and Offbearers
• Maids and housekeeping cleaners
• Cutting Workers
• Packers and Packagers, Hand
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
• Painting Workers
• Janitors and Building Cleaners
• Crushing, Grinding, Polishing, Mixing, and Blending Workers
• Helpers--Production Workers
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Furniture Finishers
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
• Dishwashers

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Direct operational or production activities.
• Operate garment treatment equipment.
• Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.
• Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
• Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
• Count finished products or workpieces.
• Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.
• Repair textiles or apparel.
• Clean production equipment.
• Lubricate production equipment.
• Select equipment, materials, or supplies for cleaning or maintenance activities.
• Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.

Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.

• Dry Cleaner