American Drycleaner - June 2018

© Copyright 2018 American Trade Magazines All rights reserved.

® June 2018

CLEANERS ‘HANG TEN’ IN THE BEACH CULTURE

■ BEYOND THE BUBBLES ■ CASH FREE AND LOVING IT

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-Jordan Wood, Davis Imperial Cleaners “The new route prepay process that Maineline developed and just rolled out is outstanding! This saves us so much time each day as we can now batch and charge out all the route deliveries due for the next day at once. It has also saved us on collections situations. ” -Jon Simon, Parkway Custom Drycleaning

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-Dave Coyle, In the Bag Cleaners

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drycleaner drycleaner A M E R I C A N

June 2018

Vol. 85, No. 3

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS Pre-Inspection Price and Priceless

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(Photo: Frank Mckenna/Unsplash)

Surfin’ USA Our imaginations are captivated by the surfing lifestyle. The Beach Boys helped immortalize the beach vibe and its sun, surf, songs and bikinis. In the beach communities — from Florida to California and everywhere in between — dry cleaners serve their clients by cleaning boat covers, cushions, and delicate beachwear; doing bathing suit repairs; and dealing with odors and mildew caused by the ocean, the marine life, and even bonfires. When you picture summertime, and beach towns everywhere, part of that view includes cleaners who “hang ten” in the beach culture. Hear from three drycleaning owners who work, play and live it! Tim Burke, Editor

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Beyond the Bubbles Joe from Michigan, Brad from Washington state, and Richard in Illinois are drycleaning operators who share two keys to getting away successfully on their much-needed vacations: they trust their teams, and they don’t worry. Tim Burke, Editor

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American Drycleaner, June 2018

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Management Strategies Treat of a Retreat Diana Vollmer

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Special Feature Cash Free and Loving It Tim Burke

16

Special Feature Canada Wet Haley Jorgensen

24

Events Calendar

26

Industry Observations Let Your Alterations Flourish Howard Scott

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Spotting Tips Red, Red Wine Martin Young

32

Around the Industry

34

Product News

36

Off the Cuff Get to Know ... Henry W. D. Parker

37

Yarns Spun Here How You Felt

37

Classified Advertising

38

Advertiser Index

39

Wrinkle in Time Heard About Rubber Water?

40

NEED HELP FINDING THE HIDDEN HANGER? Scan this QR Code for help in finding the hidden hanger on this month’s cover.

Good luck!

www.americandrycleaner.com

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“Business has never been “Business has neverbetter.” been better.”

“The support from CBS was great. Even before we signed up, they were responsive and flexible in their approach. They have helped our team “Ibecome don’t have rely on anybody for information. moretoefficient.”

I can see immediately what I have for inventory, Brent Ramenofsky orders and accounts receivable.”

Boston Cleaners Becky Afendoulis, Owner of Afendoulis Cleaners

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12/18/14 9:02 AM

P RE - I N SP E CT I O N

Price and Priceless T

he art of pricing — and don’t think for a moment that it isn’t an art — can make you more profits and give your customers the feeling that your quality is worth every “scent.”

A very polite drycleaning owner noticed me in a far corner of a big trade show floor, detoxing with a cup of coffee after a talk I gave, and asked if he could chat just a moment and share an observation with me. Sure thing, I said.

He said he’d be brief, and told me, “It’s good you didn’t get into stats and rates and pricing because we’re all so different and unique, and it just opens up a million opinions. I like that you talked about personality and individualism in our drycleaning world. Right on the money. No pun intended. But it was stellar. Thank you.”

Tim Burke We shook hands and he drifted off. Personality = stellar, I remember thinking. It stayed with me.

It describes, for me, what you folks do so well, and customers are glad to pay for that great service you provide. As consumers ourselves, we also have a mindset of appreciating high quality, and we’ll pay for what we believe is “the best” in service.

In my travels and talks with many of you, that proud feeling of always doing your best in providing quality and service comes right through in all that you do.

You are some of the straightest-shooters I’ve ever met and that makes me proud to report on the fabricare industry and be a part, in my own small way, of helping you make people look and feel good in their finery. Well done, dry cleaners, well done!

Stellar, even!

In this issue, relax and enjoy our summer features: one about servicing beach communities in Surfin’ USA, the other about owners and operators taking time off, trusting their team, and getting Beyond the Bubbles. Our columnists are here, there’s a special feature called Cash Free and Loving It, another titled Canada Wet, and more. The price of my message? you ask. Shucks, you know it ... priceless!

ADC American Drycleaner (ISSN 0002-8258) is published monthly except Nov/Dec combined. Subscription prices, payment in advance: U.S., 1 year $46.00; 2 years $92.00. Foreign, 1 year $109.00; 2 years $218.00. Single copies $9.00 for U.S., $18.00 for all other countries. Published by American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake Street, Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661.

Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER, Send changes of address and form 3579 to American Drycleaner, Subscription Dept., 440 Quadrangle Drive, Suite E, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Volume 85, number 3. Editorial, executive and advertising offices are at 566 West Lake Street, Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661.

Charles Thompson, President and Publisher. American Drycleaner is distributed selectively to: qualified dry cleaning plants and distributors in the United States. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising for any reason. © Copyright AMERICAN TRADE MAGAZINES LLC, 2018. Printed in U.S.A. No part of this publication may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher or his representative. American Drycleaner does not endorse, recommend or guarantee any article, product, service or information found within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of American Drycleaner or its staff. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the magazine’s contents at time of publication, neither the editors, publishers nor its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom.

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American Drycleaner, June 2018

Publisher Charles Thompson 312-361-1680

cthompson@ATMags.com

Associate Publisher/ National Sales Director Donald Feinstein 312-361-1682

dfeinstein@ATMags.com

Editorial Director Bruce Beggs 312-361-1683

bbeggs@ATMags.com

Editor Tim Burke

312-361-1684

tburke@ATMags.com

Digital Media Director Nathan Frerichs 312-361-1681

nfrerichs@ATMags.com

Production Manager Roger Napiwocki Advisory Board Mike Bleier Steven Dubinski John-Claude Hallak Mike Nesbit Herron Rowland Fred Schwarzmann Beth Shader Ellen Tuchman Rothmann Contributing Editors Howard Scott Diana Vollmer Martin Young Office Information Main: 312-361-1700 Subscriptions 630-739-0900 x100 www.american drycleaner.com

www.americandrycleaner.com

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Beyond THE Bubbles Three drycleaning operators get away on their ‘vacay’ worry-free and it’s no secret how ... they trust their team and they let go ... you can, too!

By Tim Burke, Editor

S

ee that bubble?

Don’t worry. It won’t burst. It’s the sign of peaceful relaxation and fun in the sun.

Ahhhh, vacayyy!

See the smile reflected back?

Those are the grins that come from knowing the managers and team back at the store can run the drycleaning operation smoothly while you are relaxing and recharging. Mmmm, vacayyy!

Three operators share their getaway experiences of leaving their plants behind to get some needed vacation.

How do they do it with a worry-free “bon voyage” and a knowing grin? Let’s find out.

Joe in Michigan, Brad in Washington state, and Richard in Illinois, three drycleaning operators all share two key factors to a worry-free vacation: they trust their team and they let go. They’ll explain ...

“I’m Joe Hebeka, owner, Belding Cleaners, in Detroit, founded here in 1918,

and relocated to Grosse Pointe Park, Mich., in 1929, where it currently operates as the first and largest dry cleaners in Grosse Pointe.

“I oversee all the day-to day-operations. Two years ago, I purchased our competitor, converted it into a drop store and added a delivery route. We pride ourselves on a commitment to quality and service for 100 years, while maintaining a presence throughout the community as well.”

In regards to vacation time, Hebeka relates that he typically spreads his time off into a few small getaways throughout the year. “This gives me something to look forward to every few months or so,” he says.

“We usually head to downtown Chicago or Sanibel Island, Fla., where my wife and I got married, for a few days. It’s a great feeling getting on the airplane knowing you can detach from the business, even when you realize you’re, ironically, probably seated next to a few of your regular customers.” (continued)

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American Drycleaner, June 2018

www.americandrycleaner.com

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What do these dry cleaners have in common?

THEY ALL USE SPOT!

Just to name a few!

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by my staff or manager, I just handle it when I return.”

Hebeka insists it might take some effort and preparation but it’s important to have some vacation time for yourself and your staff as well.

“My employees take some time off, too, throughout the year and they cover for each other. I believe it’s healthy for the business, too.”

Healthy is vacation time. Sometimes you have to build up that trust. You can then let yourself get away.

g of Beldin ft), owner his family during le , k c a (b ka ith Joe Hebe Detroit, poses w to: Joe Hebeka) o in h rs (P e . n n a o ti le a C da vac ri lo F t n e a rec

He continues: “I really enjoy spending time with my wife and kids and being able to let loose a little. Having three small kids means we spend a lot of our time at the beach and the pool. We also enjoy sightseeing and shopping as well, with my occasional evening cigar and drinks with my wife.

“It’s a great reward to have some time off to recharge and have fun. It also tells me, as an owner, if my operation is running smooth while I’m away, then I’m doing my job training people in procedures and organizational management.”

When Hebeka is away, he notes, his business is fully operational as if he were there. Employees pretty much follow the same daily tasks they normally would. Technology also plays a part.

“I can check my cameras from my phone anytime and anywhere,” he points out. “I also get alerts from our security system right to my phone when each store is opened and closed with each employee’s accountability.

We have a sophisticated alarm system that alerts me and can be controlled from my phone.”

Most importantly, he relates, having a trustworthy and educated staff is the biggest part. He has a lot of confidence in his staff.

“Each employee has their own daily tasks from pressers to drivers and counter help. All of that comes together, creating the final product, almost like connect the dots. My manager makes sure things flow smoothly and communication between the staff is very important as well. In the rare event that there is a major issue that can’t be resolved 8

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American Drycleaner, June 2018

BUBBLE ON “This is Brad Pickett, owner, Modern Cleaners, in Washington state. We were established in 1946. My wife and I purchased the cleaners in 1989. We are located 60 miles north of Seattle in a farming community.

“Being of a smaller population area, we do a little of everything, from wash and fold for hotels to wedding gowns. We have increased our business by offering a pickup and delivery service for homes, business and commercial accounts. My main job is billing, payroll, and to fill in when someone is sick.”

Pickett has a timeshare in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and tries to travel there once a year. “My wife would read a book by the pool and I would join her, when not golfing.

Besides going to Mexico, we have traveled to Europe and been on Caribbean cruises.”

These vacations, he confides, lets him and his wife recharge and come back re-energized.

“I think to find the right team to run the operation while you are gone, start out small,” he advises.

“Start out by taking five days off with only five phone calls to see how things are going. Move up to 18 days with no phone calls at all. The goal is to let your team know you have the confidence in them to run the shop while you are gone.”

Pickett relates a recent story of something that happened at his store while he was on vacation: “A downspout at our main location was plugged and water was coming through the ceiling. Our manager was freaking out and not sure what to do. She phoned a roofing company that never showed up to help.

“She grabbed a ladder, went up on the roof and unplugged the downspout—mission accomplished. The job was done and we did not know until we arrived home that there was a problem.”

Healthy is trusting your team. You’ll know how things went if you know your people. Trust. Relax.

“Richard Atack here, vice president and (continued) www.americandrycleaner.com

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“I can only get away, and honestly forget about the business, for a few days,” Atack admits. “I have faith in my management team. Any business must be able to operate without key personnel in an emergency, so everyone knows how to step in and get the job done.”

Technology, he points out, also makes it much easier to be away from the plant.

He can schedule bill payments in advance, and can log in from anywhere to iles m check on things if absolutely necessary.

0 6 d te loca Cleaners, nity, poses with his rn e d o “As for an anecdote,” he thinks out M r, u ) kett mm wne ett (left), o hington co xico. (Photo: Brad Pic Brad Pick ttle in a small Was loud, “of something that happened at e M Vallarta, ea north of S like to visit Puerto work while I was on vacation, my any family; the swer is that I don’t want to know what happens at work while I’m away! general manager, Barry-Regent Cleaners in Chicago.

“It’s easy enough to tell when I get back if things went This is a family dry cleaner, founded in 1950. We focus well and if everyone did their job. Thankfully, that has on offering superior-quality cleaning and customer seralways been the case so far.” vice to our diverse client base in our Lakeview and LinIf you don’t yet feel confident going, let their words coln Park neighborhoods and beyond. I just celebrated 25 help you plan your next getaway. Trust in your strong years with the company. team, but mostly trust in yourself. Start now. Summer’s “I think it is extremely important for owners and manhere. Get Beyond the Bubbles!

ADC agers, and indeed all employees, to get away from the business. It enables you to decompress and relax, but it also helps refocus the mind on what is important, both personally and professionally.

“As a manager, it is easy to fall into a routine of running the business. Having to plan for being away forces you to consider the work that you do, and how you delegate it. And then being away removes the day-to-day stresses that clutter the mind, and allows you to look at the bigger picture and make longer-term plans.”

As a husband and father, Atack says that getting away is all about spending quality time with his family. “I am originally from the UK, so we try to visit family in England, and then travel somewhere else in Europe in the summer.

“Recently, we rented a beautiful Airbnb house in the hills above Florence, Italy. This summer, we are planning a week exploring Iceland. We’ve also done a couple of road trips out west to New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.”

He says that during spring break, he tries to pick a great city to visit. These have included San Francisco, New OrRichard leans, Austin and New York. “It’s hard to beat Chicago, Ata manager, ck, vice presid though. Allowing my children to experience other cultures en poses w Barry-Regent Cle t and general ith his da aners, C and discovering new places with them is the ultimate u h in Sedon a, Ariz. (P ghter while on va icago, cation hoto: Rich reward.” ard Atack)

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www.americandrycleaner.com

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M A N A G E M E N T ST RATE GI ES

Treat of a Retreat Summertime, take your team, and away you go

S

ummertime leads to visions of getting away from the daily predictability of work and the probably of relaxing mind and body with family and friends.

These daydreams are most likely vacation-inspired, but the importance of a break from work routine is also valuable for making a company revive and recharge.

Those longing brainwaves that cannot all be directed to paid time off can be positively redirected to a reenergizing company management retreat.

The echoes of “waste of time and money” are coming through loud and clear as you read this introduction.

But please have a little forbearance and reconsider the benefits to you of a well-planned and -executed retreat.

They need not be extravagant, rowdy or expensive, and can be tremendously beneficial to making your business and people thrive.

Benefits include increased productivity as a team; improved morale; better understanding and Diana Vollmer cooperation between departments; integrating remote workers into the team; and comfortable interaction between associates.

GOAL As in most endeavors, clearly thought-out goals add to the ultimate success, and the scheduling should be far enough in advance to let everyone plan for the time away. Consider both business and personal needs before choosing weekdays or weekends.

Although they have many things in common, “reward” retreats are very different from “planning” or “project specific” off-site getaways.

Commonalities include a change of venue removed from the daily business environment of ringing phones, on-call texts, customer demands, etc. The environmental change alone provides a fresh perspective that can make room for innovative ideas to apply to opportunities and creativity to find better solutions to issues and challenges.

It can also reinvigorate the body and psyche and generally boost morale. Another important unifying factor is to relax

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(Photo: Steven Pahel/Unsplash)

and have some fun, so participants enjoy the experience and come away with positive memories of the time away.

Specifics that will likely differ by retreat type are venue; agenda; working/relaxing ratio; focus of group sessions; and depth of commitment to participant contribution in time, preparation and interactive energy. The group composition will also vary depending upon the getaway purpose.

A team-building activity may be different than a reward for best performers. A planning session will be more focused and preparation-intense than a companywide field trip to an amusement park.

Rewards are more likely to include non-associate guests, but warm weather retreats may have simultaneous working sessions and entertainment for non-associates with the two merging for social events.

Since mid-year is a good time to assess progress on current business goals and refine them to get ahead of the rushed planning cycle for the next year, summer is appropriate timing for your planning off-site.

BUDGET Low-cost alternatives include public spaces that can be reserved for privacy, such as a park (continued) www.americandrycleaner.com

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M A N A G E M E N T ST RAT E G I ES

“A successful retreat pavilion, school gymnasium or ACTIVITIES cafeteria, movie theater, and Key activities should be built can provide you temporary office-sharing spaces. around the primary purpose of the a happier, more coUse your imagination to make it event. If multiple agenda items operative, supportive, memorable and unique. might be misinterpreted, make it and effective team The other end of the cost specclear which activities are volunthat is better prepared trum is easier to plan but be certary and which are mandatory. to make your company tain it provides the components If the goal is celebration and succeed.” that will meet the needs of your team-building for the entire business purpose. For example, company, mix associates from if videos are a necessary element, different departments so they the great outdoors are less likely don’t stay in their own daily peer to be appropriate. group.

A mid-range alternative could be a short, all-inclusive Combine simple, proven, interactive casual groupcruise if you are near a port. This option offers built-in appropriate activities like hamburger grilling, Frisbee, meals, and entertainment and can be surprisingly affordable. softball, bowling, or trivia, with more directed activities Food trucks are a relatively inexpensive alternative for such as simple personality tests and group discussions catering and add a component of fun. A group “cook” like about the results; for examples of ideas, see www. a chili cook-off or “build the best taco” contest can satisfy proformative.com/career-insights. hunger, build teamwork, create competition and bring out creativity and personality.

CAUTION Unless your entire team is physically fit and oriented to VENUE extreme sports, exceptionally physical activities, such as A relaxing warm-weather location can be perfect for trust falls from a high platform, can be highly intimidating either process if it has a mix of quiet working space that and possibly result in unwanted outcomes like alienation incorporates the physical benefits of the locale and busifrom the team and/or departure from the company. ness tools to make your time together productive.

For example, a pool deck can be great for social events TALK IT and breaks, but the working sessions need more solitude Keep everyone informed and updated before, during, and less distraction. Always provide for food, fun and creand after the event. If you don’t already use an interativity to invigorate the participation. company communication app, try one for this purpose. Set Local sites are convenient and less expensive for travel expectations that reduce the fear of the unknown that often but need to be isolated enough that participants don’t travaccompanies unfamiliar activities. el back and forth to the plant or stores during the event.

Always avoid shutting down ideas with comments like, “We tried that, and it didn’t work.” Maybe the concept can TIMING be successful with minor tweaks, revisions, or just the pasIf your goal is intensive planning and social interaction, sage of time. the combination takes more time commitment than a very A successful retreat can provide you a happier, more dedicated, intense, single project session. Accomplishing cooperative, supportive, and effective team that is better the combination of social interaction and a business purADC prepared to make your company succeed. pose ideally takes a minimum of three days, not including travel time, especially if non-associate guests are included.

Diana Vollmer is a managing director for Methods for ManFor multi-day events, schedule some personal, quiet reagement, which has served dry cleaners and launderers charge time since a 24/7 group can be overwhelming. with affordable management expertise and improved profitAny off-site event should have at least one day away to ability since 1953. For assistance with your team retreat, contact her at dvollmer@mfmi.com or call 415-577-6544. accomplish even the most rudimentary plan.

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www.americandrycleaner.com

5/21/18 9:26 AM

RECOVERY CLEANERS BLENDS CARING CULTURE WITH POSEIDON WET CLEANING SYSTEM — REALIZES QUALITY RESULTS AND BOOSTED PROFITS The female-driven Recovery Cleaners makes a business of helping others by carefully recovering and restoring garments damaged by fires and floods. President and founder Jacqui Schaefer, who started the business 24 years ago as a one-woman operation, has since grown Recovery Cleaners into a company with 29 employees and a 14,700-square-foot textile restoration facility. The Poseidon Textile Care System handles 70 percent of the collected items and restores them via wet cleaning only.

The remaining items are processed via dry cleaning.

the Poseidon Textile Care System. “With “We are almost all women here, with an these new machines we are able to increase average tenure of 17 years,” said Schaefer. productivity, cut utility costs and become “We go into homes that have been more efficient. We estimate that we will significantly damaged due to fires or floods, add an additional 52,000 pounds compassionately sort through the affected of laundry in one year garments and linens, which are then alone,” said Schaefer. brought back to our facility to Poseidon Mike “Stucky” restore. Our positive company Szczotka, of Poseidon, culture enables us to go machines supply in Troy, Mich., worked above and beyond on each us with the tools to with Schaefer to and every claim. We truly make the wet cleaning retool her plant with have the greatest service process quick, efficient appropriately sized team in the industry. That’s and profitable.

Poseidon equipment. what sets us apart.”

He recommended “Here at Recovery - Jacqui Schaefer, Owner Recovery Cleaners and installed one Cleaners, we are always 90- and two 55-pound staying ahead with leading capacity soft-mount edge technology,” added Poseidon Wetcleaning Schaefer. “Our commitment to quality and earth-friendly processing Machines and two 80-pound capacity Poseidon Dryers. is what brought us to the Poseidon Textile “Poseidon machines supply us with the Care System. Wet cleaning is often more tools to make the wet cleaning effective than dry cleaning when it comes to process quick, efficient and removing soot, odors and fire pollutants.” profitable,” said Schaefer. “There Poseidon Textile Care System are many companies that cherry Boosts Productivity pick only the items they think they Recovery Cleaners recently added new can salvage. We process it all and wet cleaning machines and dryers from are able to maintain a 95 percent

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salvage rate from wet cleaning and dry cleaning combined.”

“Prior to the company’s Poseidon Dryers, more items required air drying, which slowed production. Now, items are quickly dried with less wrinkling,” said Schaefer, “reducing the time needed to finish them.”

“There are several companies in the textile restoration business,” added Schaefer.

“While our Poseidon machines make it more profitable and efficient, it is our caring staff and amazing company culture that completes the circle.”

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4/11/18 10:48 AM 4/11/18 11:43 AM

SPECIAL FEATURE

Dry cleaner in Ohio goes cashless, lowers labor cost and stress, and greatly saves time

By Tim Burke, Editor (Photo: Jomar Thomas/Unsplash)

“C

ash is king!”

Or so the saying goes. But perhaps the saying itself is the one that has to go.

Cash-free businesses are a reality and growing. And the cashless system of doing business has now arrived in our drycleaning world.

“We took the first two pilot stores cash-free in November of 2017. The rest followed after New Year’s Day 2018. Our cash, as a type of tender, businesswide, was 1.8% of sales.”

Meet Brian Butler, president and CEO of Dublin Cleaners, located in the greater Columbus, Ohio, area.

Some drycleaning businesses may have much higher cash sales percentages, he points out, saying, “I’ve heard as much as 25%. If that were my case, I’d never have done this because clearly cash is important to that customer base.

“My personal feeling is that anything under 10% is within range of making this change, and anything under 5% for sure.”

Butler runs the three-generation company that recently turned 84 years old and relates that it has “a great bridal and specialty business along with our six stores and 14 16

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routes throughout the area.”

His operation, he indicates, was “Counting, combining, and reconciling 36 deposits per week. That’s six stores times six days a week, and the nearly 25 change orders per week to support those drawers, which was costing about 8% of the cash sales.

“It was a bunch of non-value-added work to the client at four times the cost of accepting a credit card, given the cash totals were so low.

“My administrative assistant had a family emergency and couldn’t come in to do the deposits for about two weeks and I was helping and observing the bookkeeper and CSR manager struggle with this and took a few days and decided this had to end,” Butler explains.

As much as he didn’t want to frustrate any clients or, as he puts it, “have them feel we are anything less than accommodating, we simply can’t afford to keep doing this.”

Once you made the change in your operation, how did customers react?

“There was no major opposition from customers,” Butler says. “The most common thing we heard was the (continued) few people paying cash were trying to be www.americandrycleaner.com

5/18/18 12:01 PM

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4/13/18 1:08 PM

He relates that his drycleaning business had such a low percentage of cash sales that if the cash-only customers left, it’d hardly feel it. “We wanted to retain them, so we were careful to only stop keeping change in just a couple stores for six weeks,” Butler notes.

He and his team learned the right ways to express why they were doing this, so that when they rolled it out to every store, the others could be prepared.

“I put my personal desk phone number on a note on all the store counters so the CSRs could tell them I was happy to hear their feelings if they were upset,” he says. To date, Butler says he’s spoken with about five customers, and the gift card idea was just fine with all of them.

For drycleaning owners and operators who might be thinking of going this cash-free route, Butler has a few tips.

He thinks it’s important to be prepared with a script so your message is clear to customers.

He says to have contact information available if customers want to express their feelings.

“Many simply pulled out a credit card Brian Butler (right), president/CEO of Columbus, Ohio-based and just got with the program,” he says.

Dublin Cleaners, with his parents. (Photo: Dublin Cleaners) “A few let me know they didn’t like it, but nothing we ever change will please 100%. We have to make the changes that helpful to us and save us the credit card fees. When we reduce costs and mistakes in our business. A few holdtold them cash cost us four times as much to process, outs just can’t stand in the way of that.” nearly all were pleased to use plastic and get their points, So you’re cash-free now. It’s been a few months. rewards, or miles.”

Anything to share? If cash is no longer gonna be king, A few cash holdouts that he encountered were solved what is? by accepting cash with no change toward gift card sales.

“The silver lining is that the CSR error and occasional His customers “just reload their gift cards whenever they temptation of cash theft is now also eliminated, but the get low with some more cash as needed,” he explains. savings of time is the greatest,” Butler says.

“No change is kept or given and the cash goes one-way “Opening and closing is substantially faster and less to the office to be deposited, and it’s all been large bills, stressful from when they had to worry about getting it to so quite easy to count.” balance before they could go home.

In a change such as this, there can be surprises. But “The CSRs love the cash being gone; it was a stress apart from an attempted robbery that failed miserably, and hassle to them and a labor cost to the business.” as the robber wearing a ski mask failed to see the “CashFor one drycleaning operation in Ohio, labor cost and Less Store” sign in the window and was later arrested, stress are much lower today and the savings of time is Butler says there really wasn’t much to surprise him. the greatest thing of all, now that cash-free reigns! ADC It seemed to be a smooth transition to the new way.

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www.americandrycleaner.com

5/18/18 12:01 PM

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10/17/17 11:45 AM

Cleaners ‘hang ten’ in the beach culture

By Tim Burke, Editor

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www.americandrycleaner.com

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If everybody had an ocean Across the U.S.A. Then everybody’d be surfin’...

Surfin’ U.S.A. — The Beach Boys

T

hey sang it. Popularized it. Made it sooo cool.

Our imaginations were captivated by the surfing lifestyle, and we’ve never let it go. The words conjure a sort of magical feeling of an endless summer. You can almost smell the Coppertone.

But wherever sun worshippers hang out at their beach communities, cleaners are there, too, making them look rad. Hey, even surfers and beachgoers get dirty, big daddy, and they need their rags, like, cleaned, man; be it summerwear, beach attire, bikinis, or all the other what-have-you.

Let’s go hang ten and ride the curl with Tommy Goulla, the owner of Ogden’s Cleaners in Pacific Palisades, Calif., who is in charge of day-to-day operations there and oversees 16 employees.

“We are located about one mile away from the Pacific Ocean and we see lots of cabana covers, outside furniture and, of course, bathing suits,” he explains. “The challenges we face are mostly with yellowing of clothes left in plastic bags and also lots of mildew due to the humidity.

“Depending on how bad the mildew is, it can be difficult to address. Our team is ready, and has experience, to handle these situations as they come, and our clients are very happy, as we have saved lots of garments that customers thought were damaged beyond repair.”

There are particular cleaning challenges that come with doing business in a surfing and sun-loving community.

“One interesting memory I can share was about a client who walked in and asked me if we clean out-

Tommy Goulla, owner of his store Ogden’s Cleaners in Pacific Palisades Calif., located one mile from the beach. The nice weather, he says, helps staff productivity. (Photo: Ogdens Cleaners)

side furniture. I said, ‘Yes, we do.’ He replied, ‘But it’s real bad.’ I asked to see it.”

Describing the scene in the parking lot in front of his store, Goulla says, “He literally had his SUV filled with white outdoor couch covers that were completely affected by the sun and moisture.”

This dry cleaner had a challenge before him, like a surfer deciding whether to grab the next big wave rolling toward him. But he went for it! Cowabunga dude!

“After a few days,” Goulla continues, “he came to pick up his order, and we were pulling his orders and he exclaimed, ‘Those are not mine!’

“I looked at the ticket, just to make sure we had the right order, and said, ‘Yes, they are.’ He looked again and went through the covers, and was like, ‘Wow,’ and was very happy.

“He told me I saved him over three thousand dollars of having to buy new covers, and he is now a (continued) very good client of ours.”

Tommy

GOULLA

(Photo: Frank Mckenna/Unsplash) www.americandrycleaner.com

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The owner of Hollywood, Fla.-based OXXO Care Cleaners, Salomon Mishaan, lives, works and plays right in the beach and boating community he serves. (Photo: OXXO Care Cleaners)

Goulla says that being in a beach community has one excellent benefit: the weather. “We always have a breeze and the temperature doesn’t reach past the 80s, so it helps our staff and our productivity.”

From all along the West Coast, and in California beach towns like Pacific Palisades, across the Gulf Coast, the East Coast, and down to Florida, there are cleaners who must ride and conquer the big “waves” — waves being the particular challenges their beach town residents bring to their counters.

One such operation located down in the Sunshine State is Hollywood, Fla.-based OXXO Care Cleaners, a franchise founded in 2000 with the phrase “We Care,” for its environmentally responsible dry cleaning.

Salomon Mishaan, company founder and CEO, has a lot to say about cleaning clothes unique to the surf, water sports and beach crowd.

“As a quality-conscious cleaner, we do a lot of work for yachts and mega yachts,” Mishaan explains. “They bring us everything from captain and crew uniforms to bedding, dining clothes and many cushion covers.”

This is important, he says, because it is repeat business. “The purser on these yachts trusts he will have the quality he needs, especially when he is away from port,” indicating that he must rely on complete quality for his yachting clients.

“Our everyday customers,” Mishaan continues, “bring their work outfits, but also their golf and beach shirts 22

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such as Tommy Bahama, made with delicate materials.

“Many clients wear a lot of linen garments and they have seen that, as in Europe where they are manufactured, these should not be starched or pressed but handironed with little starch so when they are worn, they fall graciously on their bodies.”

American Drycleaner asks him to share specific challenges the beach clothes-wearing customers might present to his operation and machines: “How do you deal with things like sand in clothes; tar from beach; seaweed; shells; suntan lotions?”

“As mentioned, we care about the garments we clean and the quality we give our customers,” Mishaan says.

“Our processes include hand-ironing for drycleaned garments, and shirts are blow-dried on a special mannequin, not steam-pressed, a practice done by traditional cleaners.”

He adds, “We have trained personnel who know how to remove spots without damaging garments. They are also trained on inspecting all garments as they come into the store. This way, we can inform the client from the outset if we are unable to remove a stain.”

As a follow-up, American Drycleaner asks why he located his business in a region of water sports lovers, swimmers and surfers. We all know the song Surfin’ USA, but what drew you to hang ten, so to speak, in this specific market?

“We chose Hollywood, Fla., for our first store because it’s near the beach and there are many homes as well as condos near us,” he answers. “We saw that despite it being in a beach area, many people are quite environmentally conscious and are also hard workers that need our services.”

Then Mishaan adds playfully, “So like another song, R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A., by John Mellencamp, we sing, ‘O.X.X.O. in the U.S.A.’ Hah!” With a real ‘chill’ surfer vibe going, Mishaan is asked if he can share a story about any of his laid-back surferpersonality customers.

“We have a customer who works during the day but loves to go to the beach as soon as he gets off work,” Mishaan says. “One day, he found out about our environmentally friendly products used to clean and he brought some clothes in.

“He came in right as we opened one Saturday morning, and he was clearly thinking out loud, ‘Why do I have to be at the cleaners when I could be at the beach?’ so when we told him he didn’t, he couldn’t understand,” Mishaan says. www.americandrycleaner.com

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“We explained that all he had to do was register with us. We gave him two bags and showed him how, from now on, all he had to do was drop the bags after dark when the beach was closed and pick up his clean clothes from us anytime, day or night,” he says.

“He was the happiest person in the world. He has referred so many people, it’s great, and the only time I see him is when I go down to Hollywood Beach — and he is usually there!”

Let’s paddle back across the waving wheat fields, mountains and prairies of our country, and go from sea to shining sea to arrive at the epicenter of the surfing world, none other than “Surf City,” aka Huntington Beach, Calif.

One mile from the Pacific Ocean, on Huntington Harbour, rests Harbour Cleaners. The business was founded in 1973.

“For our Surf City USA clients, we help them look sharp in their Tommy Bahama and Reyn Spooner silks, and the ladies in their summer dresses,” explains owner Saro Semercian.

“We do get unique repair and alteration items that most of the city cleaners won’t see, such as taking in board shorts to bikinis and putting new hooks for bikini tops and restringing swim bottoms and wetsuit repairs and patches,” he points out.

“Huntington Harbour also has its fair share of boaters, so we do get a lot of covers to clean throughout the year,” he notes, adding, “And by the way, Huntington Beach is officially recognized as Surf City USA!” There can be unique difficulties with being a beachside cleaners, as he relates: “We receive clothes that have strong bonfire odor or a lot of sand. These items are first air-flushed outside to get the sand off and then cleaned in a separate load so as to not contaminate other garments with the smell. And we use products to remove the odors.”

The cleaner specializes in wedding dress cleaning and restoration, and everyday garments such as dresses, slacks and shirts. Harbour also does rugs and outdoor patio furniture for its clients.

This Surf City cleaner has his own story to share:

“This is a romantic story. A young surfer customer in his late 20s wanted to plan a sunset proposal so he asked us to sew onto a large beach towel the wording, ‘Will you marry me?’

“His plan to open up the towel to sit on at sunset worked. They are happily married for over two years now. And we’re not outright saying we had anything to do with her saying yes — but we did!”

The owner actually grew up in Huntington Beach, so, he relates, “When this location was for sale, it was a no-brainer. Knowing most of the history of my beautiful city, it’s easy to talk to other locals and welcome newcomers to this gorgeous beach-side haven.”

He ends with this sentiment that nicely captures the mood of probably all beach community cleaners everywhere: “Most of our customers have grown up here, and have surfed all their lives, and being successful businessmen and women hasn’t stopped them from enjoying a nice wave or two in the mornings before heading to work.”

You caught the wave with these three cleaners. There are many more stories out there for sure. But for now, let’s let the Beach Boys ride us out into the warm summer sunset: We’ll all be gone for the summer We’re on surfari to stay Tell the teacher we’re surfin’ Surfin’ U.S.A. ADC

The owner of Harbour Cleaners, Saro Semercian (at right), and his family enjoy a sunny weekend in his hometown of Huntington Beach, Calif., known as Surf City USA. (Photo: Harbour Cleaners) www.americandrycleaner.com

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GET SET, GET WET

Canada Wet (Wet Cleaning Series Continues)

TSC Wetclean in Ontario chooses water, rides profit wave

(Photo: Cia Gould/Unsplash)

U

By Haley Jorgensen

sing water and biodegradable chemicals to clean virtually any garment or fabric, TSC Wetclean is unique in Mississauga, Ontario Canada.

The family-owned business operated as a traditional dry cleaner for 20 years before flipping operations upside down and embracing water. Today, a decade since the switch, the company say it is more profitable and environmentally friendly than ever.

“We go after a lot of items other cleaners don’t because they don’t have the capability to do it,” says owner Dino Kantzavelos. “Water can clean almost anything so we have multiple revenue streams. We aren’t just limited to garments.”

Since inception, the company has served Toronto’s film and television industry, the third-largest screenbased production center in North America. In doing so, the company wet-cleans loads of costumes, gowns and suits.

Of course, it also serves area residents and businesses, wet-cleaning everything from bed linens, comforters and drapes to bulk laundry, shoes, silks, wools, cashmeres, leathers and suedes.

It’s all processed using a new Poseidon Textile Care 24

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System®, which recently replaced older-technology wetcleaning machines and tumble dryers. The new system was introduced to Kantzavelos and installed by Bruce Miller of Sparkle Solutions, a laundry equipment distributor in Concord, Ontario.

It consists of two 60-pound-capacity wetcleaning machines and two 60-pound dryers. While Kantzavelos has utilized programmable wetcleaning machines for years, they haven’t been utilized to their fullest potential because their partner dryers were seriously lacking, he says.

“Traditional tumble dryers made it difficult to dry delicate items, such as silks, wools and linens, without damaging them,” says Kantzavelos. “So, delicate items coming in the door were air-dried, which took a lot of time and space.

“New dryer technology has made wet cleaning a viable processing option for virtually any garment or fabric type,” he continues. “Plus, it’s great for boosting production. We can wet-clean and finish a men’s twopiece suit from beginning to end in less than an hour.

The same holds true for cashmere sweaters.”

COST BENEFITS There are cost benefits to wet cleaning, according to Kantzavelos. “Our initial investment was (continued) www.americandrycleaner.com

5/18/18 4:20 PM

THE LEADER IN SHOPPING CENTER SUSTAINABILITY

BY WAY of GREENEARTH CLEANING

For property owners concerned about perc and other potentially hazardous dry cleaning chemicals, GreenEarth Cleaning doesn’t just solve the problem, it creates opportunities. Kimco Realty, one of North America’s largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers, is a leader in sustainable real estate practices. As part of their corporate responsibility and sustainability program, Kimco educates its tenants on the advantages of GreenEarth cleaning, and several years ago chose to require that any tenant performing on site dry cleaning at its shopping centers use GreenEarth. Kimco’s decision helped to ensure the safety of its tenants, neighbors and shoppers.

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3/15/18 9:23 AM

3/15/18 10:00 AM

70% less than the cost of a similarly sized drycleaning machine,” relates Kantzavelos. “Plus, wet cleaning cuts operational costs in half and drastically improves production.”

For example, he notes, a 60-pound-capacity drycleaning machine takes 75 minutes to process one load of dry cleaning. Whereas, Kantzavelos says, it takes 48 minutes to wet-clean and dry the same-sized load using the new system.

How much can a 60-pound wetcleaning machine take on?

“One load might hold 30 wool trousers or 12 suit jackets,” says Kantzavelos. “Wet cleaning is more efficient, and it gives you the capability to process a lot more in the same time frame. Results are phenomenal.”

Through wet cleaning, Kantzavelos notes he has eliminated several costly hassles, including sludge and waste separation and disposal, purchasing solvent, and compliance and fees associated with legislative requirements.

Kantzavelos appreciates the new wetcleaning system’s programmability and maintains it is simple to create new programs to cater to customer needs. The Poseidon wetcleaning machines allow for complete customization, offering 20 pre-programmed cycles and up to 79 individually modifiable cycles.

All variables are programmable, according to Kantzavelos, including water temperature by degree; wash rotation speed and duration; wash rotation combinations; water levels; bath cool-down by degree; and extract speeds.

If needed, Kantzavelos can set up a wash cycle of as little as three minutes or one lasting for hours. Automatic chemical injection, delayed start and optional overnight soak are icing on the cake, he says.

Once items are wet-cleaned, they are transferred into the dryer and, finally, to finishing, according to Kantzavelos. The dryer offers moisture-sensing technology, smooth stainless drums, drum-rotation control and timed reversing to safely dry virtually any item type, including wedding gowns, coats, dresses and sweaters.

“Items dry faster, the heat control is incredible, and you can control the rotation and direction of the drum so it eliminates tangling,” he says.

“I run everything through the dryer except gowns with beads,” Kantzavelos adds. “I have confidence that nothing will go wrong with even my most expensive garments.”

ADC Haley Jorgensen is a public relations writer for Poseidon Textile Care Systems®.

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EVENTS CALENDAR June 8-10 SEFA Southern Drycleaners and Launderers Show Birmingham, Ala. 877-707-7332 or www.sefa.org.

June 19 WFI Fitzgerald Scholarship Classic Golf Outing 15th Annual Fitzgerald Scholarship and Education outing. Mequon, Wis. 608-743-9696 or www.wiscleaners.com.

June 24 NCA Basic Spotting 101 with Alternative Solvents Bronx, N.Y. 212-967-3002 or visit www.nca-i.com.

July 15 NCA Stain Removal and Bleaching N. Miami Beach, Fla. 212-967-3002 or visit www.nca-i.com.

July 16-20 DLI Introduction to Drycleaning Laurel, Md. 800-638-2627 or visit www.dlionline.org.

July 23-Aug. 3 DLI Advanced Drycleaning Laurel, Md. 800-638-2627 or visit www.dlionline.org.

July 30-August 3 NCA Radical Drycleaning Bronx, N.Y. 212-967-3002 or visit www.nca-i.com.

August 17-19 Fabricare 2018 Hosted by the California Cleaners Association (CCA). Long Beach, Calif.

916-239-4070 or www.fabricareshow.com.

October 10 WFI Fall Conference Hosted by the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute (WFI). Milwaukee, Wis. 608-743-9696 or www.wiscleaners.com.

October 12-13 Canadian Fabricare Association Educational Conference Toronto, Canada.

416-573-1929 or www.fabricare.org.

October 19-22 EXPOdetergo International Milan, Italy. +39 024997 6214 or www.expodetergo.com.

ADC

Post notices of your organization’s events on www.AmericanDrycleaner.com

www.americandrycleaner.com

5/18/18 4:20 PM

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2/14/18 8:48 AM

I N D U S TRY OB S E RVAT I O NS

Let Your Alterations Flourish Put your alterations dept. right up front and let visibility (and revenue) grow

O

bserve the alterations expert at work.

Watch a pair of pants being altered. The expert lays the pants out, folding on the crease, ironing the garment, turning the garment inside out and measuring the inseam, measuring again, and creating cuffs.

The expert, often a seamstress, smooths the cuffs into perfect rectangles. Irons the rectangles. Places each leg under the sewing machine and pushes the pant leg segment through. Reverses the pants and smooths them out. Then irons again.

The hands move confidently.

The fingertips gain purchase easily.

The focus is intense. Pure poetry in motion.

So why is the alterations department so often shrouded in the back Howard Scott room? Or hidden by a curtain? Or put off to the side, where you can barely see the work being done? Or in another location altogether?

Some dry cleaners may think of the alterations department as an adjunct business, and not the main focus. At any rate, rarely is the alterations department front and center, where it should be.

My advice is to put the alterations department in the front counter area. If you have foot traffic in an urban location, place the operation in the front window. If you’re in a suburban business, at least maintain the operation in the front of the store.

Why? Because it is the most interesting visual thing you have. Because it shows that you are a full-service dry cleaner. Because it reminds customers that the company does such work.

Customers might see an operation being done and realize that a worn garment could be repaired. Alterations demonstrate quiet competence.

Observing this work is fascinating for many of us who have never operated a sewing machine or even for those who have. The seamstress displays skill, dexterity, understanding of material, and speed.

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(Photo: Zachariah Hagy/Unsplash)

This alterations expert shows knowledge of different fabrics. After watching a tailor or seamstress at work, you feel confident that this firm is competent. Furthermore, for many of us, it’s mesmerizing, even hypnotic.

SEW MAKE ROOM There’s no room up front, some say. I answer: make room.

Rearrange your front space so that if you have foot traffic, the alterations work occurs in full view of passersby. If you don’t have passersby, place the alterations work in plain sight of anyone coming in to drop off or pick up an order.

Move the counter around in a kitty-corner arrangement to accommodate the alterations department. Push back the dividing wall between plant and front. (continued) www.americandrycleaner.com

5/18/18 11:50 AM

“Not only did I reduce my assembly staff from 2 people to 1, I also noticed significant reduction in mark in labor costs as well.The opportunity for human error has been vastly reduced. I should have switched years ago when Brett first spoke with me!!”

Allan R Cripe CED,CPD

Owner, Valet Cleaners and Coin Laundry

“I can honestly say that the QuickSort is the single best item I’ve ever purchased. The direct labor saving payback was less than one year. The increased efficiency from barcoding at the mark-in counter coupled with the complete elimination of assembly mistakes makes this the smartest business decision I’ve ever made, and one that is paying daily financial dividends. “ Brian Robertson

Owner, Comet Cleaners of Corinth

(501) 420-1682

garmentmanagement.com

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3/21/18 10:33 AM

I N D U S T RY OB S E RVAT I ONS

Break through a wall and set up an alterations area in the small additional space.

Take out waiting chairs because few sit on them and set up at least a sewing machine and small table and chair. Reengineer your front to give yourself more footage.

Too much noise and hassle in front, some say. I respond that it is worth it.

Your front might be considered passive, dull, boring.

No one does anything except the counterperson who stands behind the counter and presses buttons. That is no energetic activity.

In the old days, dry cleaners often had large windows showing the plant in motion. The practice has fallen out of favor. But I think it was a great advertisement, showing a clean cement-floor facility with newish machines and busy workers.

For many people who view this, it is the closest one will get to the factory experience. Having an alterations department in plain view allows for that “window” into the “back room” of operations.

It shows a hard-working expert tailor making pinpoint, precision moves, to turn out product as fast as possible.

Most spectators are amazed at the skill and speed, just as the past-years spectators liked to watch the factory in motion.

To those dry cleaners who don’t want to show their alterations department because it is only staffed part-time, I say that part-time is better than nothing. Even equipment sitting in an organized workstation is a positive addition. It shows you run a neat, efficient operation. It shows that you do alterations. It leads to inquiries about jobs that could be done.

I know one dry cleaner who started with a part-time alterations department in the front which has led to a thriving suit-making trade in an upstairs office. A customer, seeing the seamstress’ skill, asked the dry cleaner if he would have his seamstress fabricate a suit. One job led to another and, before long, business blossomed.

If the dry cleaner dislikes the times of non-use, consider it as a form of advertising. Showing a clean, productive space is not wasted space.

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Some owners may shroud their alterations operations because they don’t want customers to gain understanding of the process so they will do the task themselves.

Never be afraid to boast of your skill. Such expertise does not come easily to most people.

Finally, for those dry cleaners (Photo: Tim Burke) who don’t do alterations at all, you should consider the sideline. It is a natural extension of dry cleaning. It adds completeness to the term “garment care.”

Alterations could lead to specialty niches such as repairing old wedding gowns, which can be lucrative.

The work requires minimal capital investment and only a small amount of space. The work can be done 10 hours a week or 60. In other words, any level of work can be accommodated. To put it another way, if you turn away the business, you lose revenue.

In that window, where your alterations department is visible, place a colorful, outrageous ensemble, preferably on a half-mannequin, for passersby to admire. The more over-the-top the garment is, the more visibility you’ll get.

If you don’t have foot traffic and your alterations department is in the front of the store, have a full-length mannequin dressed in that most outrageous outfit. Drape around the neck a sign that reads, “We made this here.”

The customers will know your skill, and that knowledge will stick in their memory when they need alteration work done.

In one window I saw a multi-pocketed jacket, with different colors for each pocket, and a ruffled collar coming out of the jacket’s front. All I could think of was Lawrence Welk. Even though nobody under 40 knows who I am talking about, everybody over 60 has an engraved image of the accordionist’s outrageous costumery.

Opening an alterations department or making your operations more visible will make you a more successful dry cleaner.

ADC Howard Scott is a former business owner, longtime industry writer and drycleaning consultant. He can be reached by writing him at Dancing Hill, Pembroke, MA 02359, by calling 781-293-9027, or via e-mail at dancinghill@gmail.com. www.americandrycleaner.com

5/18/18 11:50 AM

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S P OT T I N G T I PS

Red, Red Wine “Red, red wine, it’s up to you...” sang Bob Marley (Photo: Kelsey Chance/Unsplash)

I

t is red. It is a beverage. It is red, red wine.

Stain removal is more than putting a chemical tool on the stain and then blowing the stain away with steam.

Thought must be given to the fiber content and the stability of the dye or ornamental trim that could be damaged by the chemical or mechanical action. Taking one step at a time, in order, can change the outcome of your stain removal efforts.

A good example is red wine.

It is a red beverage. In most cases, the beverage is something diluted Martin Young in, or at least containing, water. The stain most likely went on wet, so it should break down to water. The remainder of the stain is from a plant.

Stains that come from a plant are referred to as tannin stains. Now, we know we have a tannin stain that should begin to break down when exposed to water. We use water at the board, in the form of steam.

Let’s put the stain over the nose of the board and flush the area with steam to see how much of the stain comes out by this simple step, with a minimum of risk to the garment.

The characteristics of the fabric will affect some of the tools and procedures used, or not used, in the attempt to remove the remaining red wine stain.

A white garment of 65% cotton and 35% polyester can be subjected to stronger chemical tools and more aggressive mechanical action than a turquoise garment of 100% silk. Therefore, it is important to have at least a basic understanding of the things you should not do or should not use on various fabrics.

For example, silk fabric weakens when wet with water. Therefore, mechanical action should not be used on wet silk. If you must agitate wet silk, do so very gently.

A medium- to dark-colored piece of silk can even chafe when repeatedly rubbed by another garment.

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tools used in stain removal. Almost all tannin stain removers that are used in the removal of red wine are acetic in nature. This will react with some dyes and affect the dye in the area of the stain.

Let’s put the stain over the solid part of the board and apply some neutral synthetic detergent (NSD) and extremely light mechanical action, if the fabric can tolerate any mechanical action.

Now place the stain over the vacuum nose of the board and flush the stained area. By using a chemical tool with a neutral pH of 7 and using minimal mechanical action, you have eliminated the risk of color change, while removing more of the stain. Risk reduction is always a good thing.

A NAUGHTY RED At this point, the red wine stain is smaller and less intense than it was when you started. But it is now that you must apply your knowledge and expertise. You must pay close attention to the fiber content.

Fibers from animals are adversely affected by an alkaline pH, while plant fibers are adversely affected by an acid pH. Work quickly to flush a protein stain-removal tool from fibers like wool, silk and cashmere, as protein stain removers usually have an alkaline pH. Work quickly to flush a tannin stain-removal tool from fibers like cotton, linen and ramie, as tannin stain removers usually have an acidic pH. The weave of the fabric is important during the stain removal process. A plain weave is reasonably stable www.americandrycleaner.com

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when mechanical action is applied. A plain weave is 1 over, 1 under, with the yarns at a 90-degree angle.

A twill weave is also stable when mechanical action is applied. A twill weave is 1 over, 1 under, but with the yarns at a 45-degree angle, giving the weave a characteristic diagonal impression. All other weaves and knits should be approached with caution.

Special attention should be placed on a satin weave (yes, it is a weave, not a fabric), which is 1 over, 4+ under, and is easily distorted by yarn slippage. Satin should always be spotted with a pad, not a brush, and always tamped and never brushed.

A challenging red wine stain would be in an aquacolored silk blouse, with a satin weave.

Turn the blouse inside-out and flush the stain over the vacuum nose of the board, from the back side, holding the gun a little farther away from the garment than usual.

Pull the stained area over the solid portion of the board and apply a liberal amount of NSD. Apply light mechanical action with a padded “brush” or your regular brush wrapped in a cloth. Bristles are great for most fabrics, but fragile items like silk fiber and satin weave require a less aggressive approach.

Pull the stained area back over the vacuum nose of the board and flush again with steam, using the same extra

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distance as a margin of safety. By removing much of the stain with steam and NSD, you have made the rest of the job much safer and easier.

Place the stained area over the solid portion on the board and apply a mild tannin formula. Tamp the stain with your padded brush, then flush the area over the vacuum nose of the board.

Test a stronger tannin, then use that tannin the same way as before. Test general formula, then use that tannin the same as before. When the stain is gone, dry the area over the vacuum nose of the board using a circular motion and working from the outside to the center.

It would be nice if safe stain removal was simple, but it is not. It would be great if safe stain removal could be taught in an hour or two, but there are far too many variables.

Effective stain removal is far more than just squirting something on a red wine stain and hoping good things happen. Take the time to improve your odds of not ADC having to use a “Sorry” tag.

Martin L. Young Jr. has been an industry consultant and trainer for 20 years, and a member of various stakeholder groups on environmental issues. He grew up in his parents’ plant in Concord, N.C., Young Cleaners, which he operates today. Phone: 704-786-3011, e-mail: mayoung@ctc.net.

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A R O U N D T H E I N D U S T RY

Palms up for peer review Top dry cleaners from across the United States and Canada recently gathered in Nassau, Bahamas, and San Francisco, Calif., to review and develop their management skills, the Methods for Management (MfM) group reports.

The group says its dry cleaners “gained skills in problem-solving strategies and contingency planning. Lana Lee-Brogdon of New Oriental Cleaners not only showed the group true strength and skill but also a wonderful time exploring the island from sun, sand, and a feast fit for kings.”

In San Francisco, the group visited Laundry Locker, which MFM described as a technology-forward company.

Local TV personalities and pageant winners from Omaha, Neb., and the surrounding communities volunteered to model some of the top donated dresses for the Ultra Chic Boutique Style Show. A chance to purchase each of the featured dresses was raffled off, with all proceeds benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter. (Photo: Max I. Walker)

sociation Nebraska Chapter. The proceeds will be used to further its mission of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Room with a view The Methods for Management (MfM) group met in Nassau, Bahamas, to review New Oriental Cleaners, and members posed for this sunny photo at the beach. Shown, from left, are Rich Volk, Sharra Volk, Mike Harris, Kermit Engh, Dave Cass, Kelly Massey, Mary Cass, John Massey, Joe Hallak, Rhonda Wernick, Alan Wernick, Janet Garman, John-Claude Hallak, Polly Nemec, Dave Nemec, Joe Lancaster, Christy Garman, Lana Lee-Brogdon, and Chris Brogdon. (Photo: Methods for Management)

Operating in what it calls a transparent environment, like in its Frisco, Texas, store, OXXO Care Cleaners® celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its location there.

“Marisol and Francesco Cerrito were very successful restauranteurs in Venezuela, owning several familyservice businesses,” says Salomon Mishaan, franchisor.

“They contributed these qualities to the Texas market when opening the store in Frisco.

Prom magic happens The 11th Annual Max I. Walker Ultra Chic Boutique was a success again, the company reports, with both a new home and a new beneficiary of the funds raised.

The doors opened at 9 a.m. Feb. 3, in Omaha, Neb., the cleaners says, “at the event’s new home, A View on State Street, to a line of several hundred excited shoppers. More than 100 volunteers manned the dressing rooms, rehung dresses and cashed out shoppers.”

Throughout the sale, it says, $20,000 was raised for the Ultra Chic Boutique’s new partner, the Alzheimer’s As34

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OXXO Care Cleaners “operates within a transparent environment in which work, including hand ironing, is done in front of the customers,” the company says. OXXO recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its Frisco, Texas, store (pictured).

(Photo: OXXO Care Cleaners) www.americandrycleaner.com

5/18/18 12:15 PM

Broadway honors cleaner Ernest Winzer Cleaners, located in New York City, will receive the 2018 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre, owners Bruce and Sarah Barish report. The business is being recognized this year as one of three outstanding contributors to the Broadway industry.

In 1908, Ernest Winzer was the master dry cleaner and dyer to the Broadway productions of the day. Bruce Barish notes that “110 years of cleaning Broadway costumes is being recognized at the 72nd Tony Awards. Pretty safe to say we are the longest-running Broadway production.”

The 72nd Annual Tony Awards will be staged at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, hosted by Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban, on Sunday, June 10, 8-11 p.m.

Eastern. It will be televised by CBS.

In memoriam: Jim Isberg Jim Isberg, technical service manager for R.R. Street & Co., died March 30 at his Albany, Ga., home while surrounded by his family.

A native of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Isberg had over 45 years of experience in the drycleaning industry.

“What some in the industry may not know about Jim,”

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Sarah and Bruce Barish, owners of Ernest Winzer Cleaners are encircled by (clockwise, from left) Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League; Thomas Schumacher, chairman of The Broadway League; William Ivey Long, immediate past chair of the American Theatre Wing; and Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing. (Photo: Ernest Winzer Cleaners)

his obituary says, “was that he was past director of the Alberta Quarter Horse Association and, at one point in his life, was active on the rodeo circuit, riding bulls and bareback horses, calf roping, and team roping, and even winning the All-Around Cowboy Championship in 1967 at a local rodeo.”

Isberg and his wife Sharon were married 35 years. He is survived by seven children and 13 grandchildren. ADC

11/3/14 2:27 PM

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5/18/18 12:15 PM

P RO D U C T N E W S

UL-approved fan fights dust

New finishing cabinet

SonicAire Inc., a manufacturer of overhead dust control fans, has a new fan designed for operation in hazardous locations. The new SA XD2 is UL approved for Class II, Division 2 environments.

“We are pleased to offer the new fan to those facilities needing a solution to combustible dust accumulation in hazardous locations,” says John Sanders, VP of marketing and sales. “This fan continues our commitment to providing remarkable equipment and continued innovation.”

Along with reducing manual cleaning expenses for a facility, the new fan also helps facilities maintain compliance with relevant NFPA and OSHA regulations, the firm points out. Most importantly, “the SA XD2 and other fans help keep employees safe from combustible dust hazards,” it adds.

Leonard Automatics just introduced a new and upgraded steam-heated finishing cabinet that can reach production rates, depending on size of garment, in excess of 100 garments per hour, the company says.

“The Leonard SC-34 is perfect for removing wrinkles and refreshing garments or other products while on a hanger,” it relates. “A perfect fit for dry cleaners, retail distribution centers, department stores or any other facility that needs to remove wrinkles quickly and efficiently.”

The all-stainless steel construction will protect your investment for many years and includes the entire frame, floor, insulated panels, interior, and garment rod, the company says. The SC34 has a special base for easily maneuvering with a forklift or pallet jack.

www.sonicaire.com | 336-712-2437

www.leonardautomatics.com | 704-483-9316

Garment sorting system The S-200 garment sorting conveyor system from SRS Conveyors is a fast, flexible, efficient system available on the market with patent-pending manual push or fully automated feeding, the company says.

It has the capacity of 5,000 garments per hour, with sorting capabilities of unlimited drops, and can be easily integrated into existing software.

Whether expanding an existing sorting system or planning a new system, “our experienced and knowledgeable team of engineers offers free, no-obligation

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consultation for a custom solution,” SRS says. www.srsconveyors.com | 905-475-7717

www.americandrycleaner.com

5/18/18 11:44 AM

O F F TH E C U F F

Get to Know....

Henry W. D. Parker Co-owner, with wife Jan, of Safety and Environmental Compliance Consultants Inc.

T

ell us where you were born, grew up, and reside today.

“Born in Coachella, Calif. Grew up in Perris, Calif.”

Hobbies (that you’ll admit to)?

“Car flipping. I have had 14 car flips.”

What gets you excited at work?

“Solving client problems that their employees create.”

Lastly, tell us a secret (keep it clean) nobody knows about you.

“I have driven a car in all but one state, Maine, and I am still trying to ADC get there.”

Henry and Jan Parker

(Do you want to take part, or know someone who does? E-mail tburke@ atmags.com.)

(Photo: Remi Jacquaint/Unsplash)

YARNS SPUN HERE

How You Felt

By Tim Burke, Editor

D

on’t go bounding down a sand dune unless you’re sure your feet are feeling comfy in those felt socks.

(It worked for two saints long ago; more on that later).

Try it. You’ll realize how they must have felt.

Consult the dictionary and you’ll find that felt is the past tense of feel.

Sometimes when you do something that excites you, puts you in the groove, you get “the feels.”

Songs like Journey’s Feeling That Way ask: “Are you feeling, feeling that way too, or am I just, am I just a fool?” Lots of “feels” there.

But consider, if you do acquire feelings, then realize what you feel, is a feeling very well-felt.

Felt, for us here today, is a textile made from compressed fibers. These fibers can be natural-made animal fur or synthetic, such as from a petroleum-based acrylic.

In feeling-out Wikipedia, it explains: “Felt from wool is considered to be the oldest known textile. Many cultures have legends as to the origins of felt-making.”

Now we come back to those saints, it continues: “The www.americandrycleaner.com

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story of Saint Clement and Saint Christopher relates that the men packed their sandals with wool to prevent blisters while fleeing from persecution. At the end of their journey, movement and sweat had turned the wool into felt socks.”

As Norman Oehlke writes in his Complete Spotting Guide & More available at AmericanDrycleaner.com, “Felting is a compact material formed by submitting wool fibers, or wool in combination with other fibers, to chemical and mechanical action, moisture, pressure and heat so they tangle, shrink, and mat.”

It would seem then that the story about the sandals worn by the two sweaty-footed saints in the desert, padded with wool that turned into felt, is possible. Now that you know a little more about this fabric, do you feel the same? If you do, then I’m not going to argue it, because that’s simply what you felt.

ADC American Drycleaner, June 2018

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American Drycleaner, June 2018

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Dry cleaning plant for sale in Ossining, NY. For more info contact 301-820-5558 or nyca23@aol.com.

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For example, for a June ad, the closing date is May 1st.

PAYMENT FOR CLASSIFIED ADS: Must accompany order.

Laundry Pro of Florida is the 2016 Dexter Distributor of the year. We are looking for new prospects to join our team. Come work where people vacation, in sunny Florida. We are seeking: • Proven Laundry Equipment Salesman Great work environment, highly competitive compensation, paid relocation expenses.

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REWEAVING SERVICES WITHOUT-A-TRACE WEAVERS—More than 60 years’ experience. We are the experts in silks, knits, French weaving and piece weaving. Reasonable prices. Send garments for estimate to: 3344 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60659; 800-475-4922; www.withoutatrace.com.

SUEDE & LEATHER SERVICE LEATHER-RICH INC. • High quality cleaning, refinishing & repair Leather, Suede and Fur; • Free shipping in USA and rewards program FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.leatherrich.com E-mail: leatherrich@att.net Call 800-236-6996 Route Service in Upper Midwest

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www.AmericanDrycleaner.com

American Drycleaner, June 2018

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W R I N KL E I N T I M E

Heard About Rubber Water?

10 YEARS AGO. The worst housing market since the Great Depression is encouraging Fannie Mae — the largest U.S. mortgage provider — to change its lending rules effective June 1. Fannie Mae has been tightening its standards since December to cut its losses, introducing new fees and raising credit requirements. Meanwhile bargain-hunters boosted home sales 22% in Southern California by snapping up homes threatened with foreclosure. Nearly 38% of homes sold in April had entered foreclosure in the last 12 months, compared to just 5% in April 2007.

35 YEARS AGO. Following a 90-day congressional review period, newly issued amendments to the Federal Trade Commission’s rule governing care labeling for apparel and textiles are expected to take effect next fall. The amendments to the 1971 rule, as published in the Federal Register on May 20, explicitly state what information must appear on care labels for washing, bleaching, dry cleaning, ironing and drying. First produced in 1976, in response to numerous questions from the public, the amendments are designed to help consumers compare the care requirements of products they are considering purchasing and to enable consumers and cleaners to avoid damaging clothing because of inconsistent or incomplete cleaning instructions.

50 YEARS AGO. Heard About Rubber Water? Water used to just dribble. Now, like a basketball, you can dribble water. A company in Louisiana says it has developed an additive that will solidify water to the consistency of stretchable water. … We’ve been very good about not passing along mother-in-law stories, but we can’t resist this one. Dial soap is offering a “one-week dream vacation with your mother-in-law” as second prize in its new sweepstakes contest. Third prize is a two-week vacation with the dear lady. … A formal invitation was mailed recently by a cleaner in California, to customers and prospects of its newly acquired cleaners. It invited recipients to bring in one garment for a free cleaning

and followed this with an announcement of the change of ownership. To control the free work, the owner sent out 10 announcements — designed and printed like a formal invitation — each day.

The closing line said, “Because of scheduling, this card must be presented with the garment of your choice before ______.” The filled-in date helped to regulate the free work. The owner reports a “terrific response” to the promotion. Many prospects were impressed by the quality image of the announcement and brought work without realizing that they were being offered a free cleaning, too.

75 YEARS AGO. During the recent membership campaign, 877 new members came into the National Association of Dyers & Cleaners (NADC). The Laundry & Cleaners Allied Trades Association cooperJune 1943 ated with the NADC in the campaign, and both organizations are delighted with the results. The largest gain in membership was in Illinois, where there was an increase of 126%. The increase for the entire country was 31%. Even though the campaign is over, new members are still coming into the association daily as a result of groundwork laid by allied trades repreADC sentatives.

— Compiled by Tim Burke, Editor

To read more of American Drycleaner’s chronicling of the industry over the years, visit www.americandrycleaner.com.

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www.americandrycleaner.com

5/18/18 11:40 AM

4 REASONS TO CHOOSE PARKER BOILER

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1

2

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Since 1919 Parker boilers have been engineered for more efficient operation (whether gas, oil, or combination gas/oil fired)for delivery of hot, dry steam in less than 10 minutes.

And Parker boilers have a longer service life for a greater return on your investment.

3

All Parker boilers are delivered complete, ready to connect to utilities.

What’s more, every boiler is test fired before it leaves the factory so you can count on getting up and running as soon as possible.

Kompact mount mounted return systems are available on 3 to 25 hp boilers to save on installation costs.

4

Better Designed

Better Value

Parker boilers are designed for ease of routine maintenance, annual inspec inspections, and on site repairs, so there is less down time, more reliability. Parker boilers also have extra heavy, insulated, double-wall steel cabinet construction (Stainless steel cabinet lids and/or sides available).

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Each generation gets better and better with their engineering design and maintenance. It puts this end of my business on cruise control!”

~Kurt and Drew Skasik, Skasik’s Quality Dry Cleaners “Ten days ago we made the transition from a Columbia perc machine to a Columbia SENSENE machine. Having been a perc operator for so long, I was very nervous about making the move.

Fast forward 10 days, I can honestly say I am very happy with the purchase! The learning curve is minimal, the solvent does the job as advertised, we are down to 4 spotting chemicals, the running cycle is just a little bit longer than perc, the clothes come out soft and the colors are vibrant. And when you open the door at the end of the cycle, instead of getting a blast of perc, you get a pleasant and refreshing smell.”

“I’ve been in the drycleaning business for 28 years, always using perc. I have been searching for an alternative solvent for the past two years. After researching Sensene, visiting plants running with Sensene for the past few months, it has been beyond my wildest expectations. It’s better than perc! As the owner of Ruthie’s Cleaners, Owasso, MI, I am a hands-on operator and the one that has always done the cleaning. This solvent is just phenomenal. This is my second Columbia machine. In 23 years Columbia has always been the leading company in technology and my new Columbia is a testament to that fact.”

~Robert Marks, Ruthy’s Cleaners

“Having finally bought my Columbia, I can honestly say I’ve entered the 21st Century. This machine produces exceptional cleaning and is efficient, whites are white and I don’t have to worry about anything after I hit Start. My only regret is having waited so long!”

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