National Clothesline

By Bill Bogus

As much as we dislike regulations, they are necessary. Without regulations, the drycleaning industry would be in chaotic disorder. Accidents would happen. At the beginning when drycleaning was discovered on a tablecloth, accidents that did happen were caused by flammable chemicals.

Today, more so than in the past years, we live and work by rules. What would traffic on the highways be like without regulations?

When regulations are politically motivated, practicality goes out the window. When regulations are being made for the drycleaning industry, cleaners will need representation. The International Fabricare Institute is recognized by the government as an organization that speaks for the drycleaning industry and is privileged in government decision making.

IFI has steered the drycleaning industry by a safe set of rules, and with government permission, they became regulatory. The rules were made with knowledge and research in 1907. Without the Institute, this could not have happened.

In the very early years, at the beginning of drycleaning, “dryclean only” was unheard of. Drycleaners devised their own method of cleaning clothes with chemicals. That caused accidents. Some were fatal and some were catastrophic. Something was wrong. This wasn’t the way drycleaning was supposed to be.

Serious-minded, and scared, drycleaners were ready to give up on drycleaning. Fortunately, a number of drycleaners, 25 to be exact, said, “Hold on. We know we are doing something wrong, so let’s make it right.” And then they did. They formed an association to learn to become better drycleaners.

Most all cleaners at that time wanted to learn, so they joined the association and gained more knowledge.

Today we have too many drycleaners who are not members and are guided by self-learning and opinion. This method is what caused problems in the beginning of drycleaning.

We think of the environmentalists and the “greenies,” not as giant-size, but as little buggers trying to get media attention in order to slander drycleaners, claiming we pollute the air and water.

Being drycleaners, we have a tendency to remain silent and ignore such remarks. However, silence is golden only when it diminishes the noise. On the other hand, demagoguery will persist if not challenged. Drycleaners must speak up with the truth or fade into the shadows.

Professional environmentalists have come to the forefront, thinking that money can be made by protesting and by being an environmental protectionist. And they are the big ones — known as “not-for-profit” organizations. Most of the money they get comes from corporate America as donations.

The big industrialists want to build a friendly environmental image instead of being referred to as polluters. This can happen when you seek help from an organization that has millions of followers and plenty of clout.

IFI can do more legitimately within the law with a greater following in membership.

Unfortunately, too many cleaners don’t care to learn more about their drycleaning business. They are paradoxical in belief and opposed to common sense. As long as people have choices, there will be differences.

Today, that same association that gave drycleaners a future is now known as the International Fabricare Institute. William Fisher is chief executive officer. He, along with his staff, are facing more complex problems than what his predecessors experienced. IFI and its members are winning battles in keeping the drycleaning industry alive, knowing that the oppressors are getting to be bigger and stronger.

To meet the challenges for today and the future, the IFI needs a large, strong membership. Join now — IFI’s strength comes from its members.