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51-6011.00 · Task explorer

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.

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This source lists 32 tasks, including 10 marked Core and 22 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

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32 tasks shown

Core · Task 12125 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.

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Core · Task 12124 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.

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Core · Task 12121 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.

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Core · Task 12119 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.

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Core · Task 12118 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

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.

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Core · Task 12120 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.

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Core · Task 12123 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.

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Core · Task 12127 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.

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Core · Task 12135 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.

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Core · Task 12126 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.

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Supplemental · Task 12139 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents.

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Supplemental · Task 12117 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.

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Supplemental · Task 12136 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.

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Supplemental · Task 12133 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.

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Supplemental · Task 12131 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.

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Supplemental · Task 12122 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.

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Supplemental · Task 12144 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions.

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Supplemental · Task 12138 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.

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Supplemental · Task 12129 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles.

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Supplemental · Task 12142 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines.

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Supplemental · Task 12143 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry.

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Supplemental · Task 12128 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.

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Supplemental · Task 12146 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines.

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Supplemental · Task 12141 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes.

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Supplemental · Task 12130 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics.

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Supplemental · Task 12137 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.

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Supplemental · Task 12148 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses.

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Supplemental · Task 12132 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents.

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Supplemental · Task 12145 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors.

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Supplemental · Task 12147 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors.

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Supplemental · Task 12140 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.

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Supplemental · Task 12134 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.