National Clothesline

Perhaps the most important reason a customer remains loyal to a cleaners is the quality of the final product. In the case of stained garments, the customer’s satisfaction largely hinges on whether or not the spotter’s efforts were successful.

Less experienced stain removers can take their skills to the next level by attending an upcoming class at the Southwest Drycleaners Association’s school in Lubbock, Texas.

The facility, which is located on the campus of Texas Tech University at the International Textile Center, will host a stain removal class for beginner spotters from November 8-10, headed by seasoned industry expert Jane Zellers.

The two-and-a-half day course will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during its first two days, and then from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Zellers will use that time to instruct students through the use of demonstrations, lectures, class discussion and even hands-on experience.

Attendees will learn proper stain removal techniques, including the correct application of dyes, pigments, prints and finishing.

The cost is $320 for SDA members, $395 for other IFI members and $465 for non-members.

Students who complete that class — or cleaners with some experience in spotting — may want to take their skills to another level with SDA’s advanced stain removal class from November 10-12.

The class will run from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, and 8: 30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday morning.

The advanced class will explore more complicated aspects to the cleaning process, such as fiber content, weaves, garment construction and how to test fiber content by burn testing.

The class will also gain a better understanding of terms such as wetside, dryside, alkaline and acid.

The cost is $310 for SDA members, $380 for other IFI members, and $450 for non-members.

The classes can accommodate up to 24 people, so in order to ensure enrollment, early registration is recommended.

There is a 24-student maximum for both classes, so early registration is recommended.

For more information, call the Southwest Drycleaners Association’s office at (210) 826-4684.

For its next annual convention, the Southwest Drycleaners Association will be spicing things up by heading down to Cajun Country.

In 2005, the event will be held from March 3-6 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a city famous for Cajun and Creole cuisine, lush plantations and Zydeco dancing.

SDA plans to offer an exciting program filled with educational sessions, social gatherings and a relaxing round of golf.

The association will host its annual general membership meeting and its quarterly board of directors meeting, as well.