Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colours. Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers. Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics. 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. Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them. Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to colour, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required. Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading. Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutraliser solutions and portable machines. Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, colour, dry, or stiffen articles. Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents. Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment. Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so. Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels. Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs. Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation. Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains. Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents. Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate colour imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment. Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached. Match sample colours, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colours of articles. Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types. Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents. Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents. Dye articles to change or restore their colours, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes. Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines. Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry. Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions. Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colours. Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines. Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colours. Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses.
