National Clothesline

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Kaeser Compressors Inc. is introducing its new Condensate Filter (KCF), which is designed to filter out oil and other contaminants, making the water safe for disposal.

Disposing of compressed air condensate is an environmental concern because the oil/water mixture is classified as hazardous waste and cannot be discharged into municipal wastewater systems unless the oil and contaminants are removed.

Key to the KCF’s function is a three-stage, self-contained plastic filter cartridge, which is convenient for replacement and disposal. The unit requires no electricity and little maintenance.

The KCF is designed to handle most compressor lubricants and is available in two sizes. The KCF-20 is designed for flows of approximately 100 cfm, while the KCF-100 will handle flows up to 500 cfm. For larger flows, connect multiple KCF units with an optional flow splitter.

RIVIERA BEACH, FL — The East Coast School of Drycleaning is setting up special courses on how to convert laundry dryers and home dryers into a wet-drycleaning dryer for less than $500.

The technique is based on a patent owned by Dan Eisen, one of the instructors at the school. The dryer uses special additives to release soil from cloths and eliminate odor. Special spotting techniques and kits are used along with the dryer, which can be used to supplement the existing drycleaning machine to avoid buying expensive new equipment. It can also reduce hazardous waste and save on power and water, while cleaning garments that can’t be immersed in drycleaning solvent.

TULSA, OK — Royaltone’s Spot Magic is a non-oily POG spotter that rinses wet or dry in wetcleaning, drycleaning and laundry and will not leave oily rings. It provides the spotting power of a heavy duty full-strength POG but without the oils used in many POGs which can cause problems with rings, streaks, swales, graying, reduction in filter life and oily residues.

Spot Magic works on oil-based stains like tar, shoe polish, wax, paint, varnish, rubber, resins, cosmetics, lipstick and ball point pen ink. It also works well on oxidized oils such as salad oil, fish oil, linseed oil and contaminated grease and oil as well as perspiration rings and odor.

For best results, apply appropriate prespotter to the stain, then apply Spot Magic and tamp gently with a brush and work lightly with a scraper to break up the stain. Rinse and then wetclean, dryclean or launder.

SYRACUSE, NY — Thermopatch has introduced the Penguin HS21 for small and medium volume requirements.

The first of a new generation of heat seal machines, the Penguin HS21 incorporates two sealing platens to effectively double the output. It is manually operated, so no compressed air is required. A graphical display shows the current status of the machine, including temperature, sealing time and energy saving mode. The “sleeping” mode means the Penguin consumes less energy.

BOLOGNA, ITALY — ILSA SpA is introducing new developments in its drycleaning technology, including Compact for perc, which provides a small footprint and increased productivity, the narrow Piccola for hydrocarbon solvent, which offers a 10 kg load capacity and the heavy-duty Industria 75 kg capacity perc machine. ILSA also announced an improved series BW, Senza TopLine and TopSpeed with self balancing system. All are equipped with on-line diagnostics.

WILLOWBROOK, IL — “How to Start a Profitable Fire Restoration Cleaning Service” is a new instructional guide being offered by the Golomb Group.

Written by industry educator Kenney Slatten, the book answers many questions cleaners might have about entering into this add-on diversification. First, a cleaner needs to determine if he has the expertise to be a fire restoration expert and whether he is properly equipped to handle a grand-scale operation. If these requirements are met, the book tells how to market the service and deal with insurance adjusters. The book also addresses how to charge for restoration services.

The Golomb Group is offering a discount for orders placed by Aug. 31.

FOXBORO, MA — Solo Slide Fasteners is offering two-sided signs using the MegaFrame patented lift-up lens system which holds two posters back-to-back to create marketing messages for both the inside and outside of a store window. The signs are available in 8.5" x 11", 11" x 17" and 22" x 28" formats with promotions for a variety of professional garment care services.

SILVER SPRING, MD — A new training guide for shirt finishing has been released by the International Fabricare Institute. “Quality Shirt Finishing,” which is available on either CD or video tape, illustrates the proper use of equipment, time and personnel with step-by-step explanations of shirt production standards and how to achieve them. A real-time demonstration shows shirt pressers how to get up to speed.

The video covers shirt equipment, quality shirt areas, adapting work flow for efficiency, machine placement, finishing principles, inspection, hand ironing, common mistakes and achieving quality and production standards.

The video is available in English and Spanish.