|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Cleaning Clothes Is A Precise
Science That Takes Years of Practice
by Cecilia Barriault
Valley View Cleaners |
|
| |
 |
| When you bring your clothes to Valley View Cleaners, the first thing
that Cecilia does is check to determine if there are any stains or minor
repairs to be made. If a stain is noticed, she brings the item to the spot
removal centre and uses one of a large variety of cleaning materials. The
nature of the stain and the type of material will determine which product
will use best. Here, she is shown preparing an item for the dry cleaner by
first of all treating a spot that she discovered during her routine check
of the clothing.
The next thing Cecilia does is determine whether the article of
clothing should be ‘wet cleaned’ or ‘dry cleaned’. For clothing
that must be dry cleaned, she places it in the bin which contains items
which are to be placed in the dry cleaning machine shown to right. For
articles which must be ‘wet cleaned’, she prepares to place them in
the ‘wet cleaning machine’ shown in the photo below.
"Some clothes cannot be dry cleaned," explained Cecilia.
"I check with the label to see if the item must be wet cleaned. I
then like to make sure my customer knows if it has to be wet cleaned and some of them take
them home to try to wash the clothes themselves. Many of them simply leave
the clothes with me to do the job."
 Cecilia explained that wet cleaning is more environmentally friendly
and actually easier on the clothes. It is also more effective at removing
stains. So whenever clothing can be wet cleaned, this is the procedure she
prefers to use.
Whether the cleaning process involves dry cleaning or wet cleaning, the
result is always the same. Clean clothes which are then ready to be moved
on to the Pressing and Finishing Area.
|
 Pierrette
Leclerc, an employee with Valley View Cleaners since 2000,
takes care of the pressing and finishing of the cleaned clothes. Here she
is shown pressing a shirt on the automatic press. In the foreground you
can see two Flat Ironers which are also used on other clothes. |
 The Form Finishing Machines, shown
to the side, also called "Suzies"
are specially designed to steam press suits, jackets, dresses, etc. The
steam comes up from inside and an air bag inflates to press the item. Once
pressed, the clothes are placed in plastic bags and
then on to the conveyor rack for pick up. Many customers wash their shirts at home and then bring them in for
pressing. The charge for having shirts pressed only is 2/3 of the combined price for
cleaning and pressing. |
|
|
|
