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Dry Cleaning Assistant/Manager

Do you want to become a Dry Cleaning Assistant/Manager? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

A dry cleaning assistant uses chemicals or steam to clean clothes and fabrics that are too delicate to wash in water. Dry cleaning assistants may:

• examine garments/items and work out how much it will cost to clean them 
• remove individual stains by directly applying chemicals or by steam cleaning
• load garments into a dry cleaning machine and select the correct programme
• press garments using either an industrial press or a hand iron
• deal with payments when customers call to collect their cleaning
• carry out the routine maintenance of machines.

A dry cleaning manager is likely to:

• organise the business so that it runs efficiently
• hire, train and supervise staff
• keep accounts and control the budget
• serve at the front counter if the assistants are unavailable
• deal with customer complaints.

Dry cleaning assistants/managers usually work 35 to 40 hours a week. Dry cleaners are normally open from Monday to Saturday, and increasingly on Sundays and late in the evening. Shift work is common and part-time work is often available. The work involves a lot of lifting and bending.

The starting salary for a dry cleaning assistant is around £10,400 a year. Managers may earn up to around £30,000 a year. A dry cleaning assistant/manager should:

• be able to operate and maintain machinery
• be observant, with a good eye for detail
• be methodical and able to follow instructions
• be polite when dealing with customers
• have organisational and business skills (for a dry cleaning manager)
• be interested in providing a quality service.

Dry cleaning assistants/managers work in High Street dry cleaners or industrial cleaning plants that deal with contracts from hotels, hospitals and factories. There are employment opportunities throughout the UK. 

Training is generally on the job. Training courses are offered by SATRA, the Textile Services Association and the Guild of Cleaners and Launderers.

With the necessary experience and training, dry cleaning assistants can become supervisors and managers. Managers can progress to manage larger companies, whole areas, or to work at head office. It is also possible for dry cleaning managers to set up their own businesses.

 

 

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