Hi memphisblues,
Most official reports are going to cost anywhere from $300 or more
which will define exact statistics between onsite operations and off
site operations of dry cleaners.
From my experience I can say the dry cleaners I've done business with
do the cleaning onsite.
Working long ago, I held the job of incoming counter girl at three
small dry cleaning operations located in different parts of the
country and all performed cleaning in the building... ie., had their
own plant.
That of course, is not definitive. Because there are unique
challenges when operating a dry cleaning business such as
environmental exposures, state governing rules and regulations,
environmental insurance, etc. many will send out to a third party or
to a shop-owned warehouse.
Statistics will change from year to year, but on average 60% send out
and 40% have their own plant on site.
===============================================================================
Dry Cleaning Evolution
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning1.htm
"Like many inventions, dry cleaning came about by accident. In 1855,
Jean Baptiste Jolly, a French dye-works owner, noticed that his table
cloth became cleaner after his maid accidentally overturned a kerosene
lamp on it. Operating through his dye-works company, Jolly offered a
new service and called it "dry cleaning."
Early dry cleaners used a variety of solvents -- including gasoline
and kerosene -- to clean clothes and fabrics. In the United States,
the dry-cleaning industry is fairly new and has developed only during
the past 75 years. Since World War II ended, the volatile synthetic
solvents carbon tetrachloride and trichlorethylene gave way to a
product known as perchlorethylene (perc)..."
[edit]
"It was not only safer and faster, but did a much better job of
cleaning, required less massive equipment, less floor space, and could
be installed in retail locations offering excellent quality one-hour
service."
[edit]
"the majority of clothes today are cleaned by perc. A proliferation of
cleaning franchises and dry-cleaning businesses offering fast service
from convenient, clean, and attractive locations evolved to change the
industry into what we see today."
===============================================================================
Terracon Consulting Engineers & Scientists
http://www.terracon.com/np_newsyou_drycleaning.htm
"A study by Terracon’s Dallas office indicated that 80 percent of all
Phase II site investigations it performed on dry cleaning sites (or
adjacent sites) resulted in perc contamination being identified in the
soil and/or groundwater. This statistic, while not necessarily
applicable to the nation as a whole, should raise a red flag for any
entity purchasing or lending on a site that has (or may have had) dry
cleaning operations taking place. Many dry cleaning stores are simply
"drop-off and pick-up" locations that do not perform actual dry
cleaning operations. These sites should not be considered a reason for
concern in most cases."
===============================================================================
The Process
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning2.htm
"When you drop your clothes off at the cleaners, the employees follow
a pattern that holds true at just about any dry-cleaning operation
running today. Your clothes go through the following steps:
Tagging and inspection - Some method, whether it is small paper tags
or little labels written on a shirt collar, is used to identify your
clothes so they don't get mixed up with everyone else's. Clothes are
also examined for missing buttons, tears, etc. that the dry cleaner
might get blamed for otherwise.
(Tagging)
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning3.htm
Pre-treatment - The cleaner looks for stains on your clothes and
treats them to make removal easier and more complete.
Dry cleaning - The clothes are put in a machine and cleaned with a
solvent.
Post-spotting - Any lingering stains are removed.
Finishing - This includes pressing, folding, packaging and other
finishing touches.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning7.htm
"The final phase of dry-cleaning operations includes finishing,
pressing, steaming, ironing, and making any necessary repairs to
restore the garment. This is the least mysterious process since most
dry-cleaning stores have their professional finishing equipment in
plain view of customers."
(see photos)
===============================================================================
Dry Cleaning
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning5.htm
"While there are many brands and makes of cleaning machines, they are
all basically the same in principle and function. A cleaning machine
is a motor-driven washer/extractor/dryer that holds from 20 to 100
pounds (9 to 45 kg) of clothes or fabrics in a rotating, perforated
stainless-steel basket. The basket is mounted in a housing that
includes motors, pumps, filters, still, recovery coils, storage tanks,
fans, and a control panel. In all modern equipment, the washer and the
dryer are in the same machine. Doing this makes it possible to recover
nearly all of the perc used during cleaning, which is better for the
environment and saves the dry cleaner money.
As the clothes rotate in the perforated basket, there is a constant
flow of clean solvent from the pump and filter system."
[edit]
The solvent sprays into the basket and chamber constantly..."
"As an example, a typical machine might pump perc through the clothes
at a rate of perhaps 1,500 gallons (5,678 liters) per hour. Perc is
about 75 percent heavier than water. If a cycle lasts for eight
minutes, the clothes would be doused during mechanical action with 200
gallons (757 liters) of solvent."
[edit]
"The next cycle drains and rapidly spins the clothes to expel the
solvent..."
[edit]
"The distilled solvent is separated from any water (that may have
remained in the clothes or system) and returned to the tank as
distilled solvent. Since any moisture that may have condensed into
water during the process floats on top of perc, it is relatively
simple to separate it.
Cleaning plants using petroleum solvent rather than perc are exposed
to a different set of circumstances and face some challenging
considerations. The solvent is flammable, and therefore many
fire-prevention steps must be taken for safety. The solvent is very
slightly lighter than water and the two mix easily. There is also a
need for higher temperatures to dry and deodorize the garments, which
makes shrinkage and re-deposition of soil into the clothes more
likely. These disadvantages are the reason why the industry currently
uses perc almost exclusively.
Regardless of which solvent the dry cleaner uses, the quality of
cleaning, the degree of soil removal, the color brightness, the
freshness, the odor and the softness all depend on the degree to which
the cleaner controls his filter and solvent condition and moisture.
Quality control can vary day to day unless the cleaner is constantly
attentive to these factors."
===============================================================================
U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA)
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/drycleaning/
"Several hazards are associated with dry cleaning processes, including
chemical, fire, and ergonomic hazards. Exposure to hazardous chemicals
commonly used in dry cleaning shops can occur through skin absorption,
eye contact, or inhalation of the vapors. Perchloroethylene (PERC), a
potential human carcinogen, is the most commonly used dry cleaning
solvent. Symptoms associated with exposure include: depression of the
central nervous system; damage to the liver and kidneys; impaired
memory; confusion; dizziness; headache; drowsiness; and eye, nose, and
throat irritation. Repeated dermal exposure may result in dermatitis.
Dry cleaning shops contain all elements necessary for uncontrolled
fires: fuels, ignition sources, and oxygen. Potential combustible
materials include furniture, garments, lint, and portions of the
building. The greatest risk of fire and explosion exists if the dry
cleaning shop uses a petroleum-based solvent in dry cleaning machines.
Ergonomic risks occur during garment transfer, pressing, and bagging.
These activities, combined with a high work rate and frequency, may
cause physical discomfort and musculoskeletal problems for workers.
Disorders can include damage to tendons, muscles, nerves, and
ligaments of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, neck, and back."
===============================================================================
Dry Cleaning - Industry
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/cheklist.html
Pollution Prevention Opportunities for the Dry Cleaning Industry
"The keys are to ensure proper PERC or PEC (perchloroethylene)
separation in the water separator and to warn against illegal disposal
of still bottom residuals to the newer. The preferable program in zero
discharge to sewer, with the water and still bottom transported for
off-site reclamation by a contract service."
(See Chart)
I. Good Operating Practice, Mainly for Minimizing Air Missions
"Keep lids on containers - To reduce evaporation and spill
Label all raw material containers - To prevent unnecessary disposal
Store in shake-proof containers - To prevent spill in earthquake
Replace *sale regularly on dryer deodorizer and aeration valves - To
reduce emission leaks
Replace gaskets around cleaning machine door or tighten enclosure -
To recover more solvent
Repair holes in air and exhaust ducts
Secure hose connections and couplings
Clean lint screens to avoid clogging fans and condensers - To reduce
solvent vapor losses
Open button traps and lint gaskets only long enough to clean
Check baffle assembly in cleaning machine bi-weekly"
[edit]
II. Process & Equipment Changes and Modernization
"Convert to "dry-to-dry" machine Install solvent leak detectors - To
monitor for vapor losses
[edit]
===============================================================================
Neighborhood Cleaners Association
252 West 29th Street
Second Floor
New York, New York 10001
(212) 967-3002
The Neighborhood Cleaners Association is a worldwide membership
organization of dry-cleaning establishments and associations
===============================================================================
BizStats.com Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services - National Industry
Averages
http://www.bizstats.com/dryclean.htm
Net Income and Operating Expenses as % of Revenue - Sole
Proprietorships
Dry Cleaning Coin-op Laundry
------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenue 100.0% 100.0%
Total expenses 82.3% 80.8%
Net Income to owner 17.7% 19.2%
Detail of Expenses:
Cost of Sales 13.6% 8.4%
Advertising 3.4% .2%
Car & Truck Expenses
[edit]
===============================================================================
Dry cleaners pondering their options
... systems are too expensive for most independent dry ... this could
be the opportunity to
do something positive ... Dry cleaners complain that landlords are not
renewing ...
http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:4L1TDABw8gAJ:www.suburbanchicagonews.com/business/j07cleaners.htm+do+most+dry+cleaners+clean+on+site&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
(cached version of page)
New rules: Make the job more difficult
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - LAS VEGAS
"The ins and outs of dry cleaning are hardly a concern for most
consumers. The mysterious process that takes a dirty piece of clothing
and turns it into a clean, crisp garment is more often taken for
granted than analyzed.
"What do I think of dry cleaning? Who does the best job," said
Menachem Spira, dropping off shirts at Pride Cleaners in Los Angeles.
"Who doesn't burn my shirts, who takes out the stains. That's what I
think about dry cleaning."
But for dry cleaners, the issue of how clothes should be cleaned is at
the heart of a debate prompted by increasing questions about
perchloroethylene, or perc, the industry's most popular cleaning
solvent.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies perc, used by more than
90 percent of dry cleaners, as an air and water pollutant and
suspected carcinogen. In December, the South Coast Air Quality
Management District, the air pollution control agency for the greater
Los Angeles area, voted to end use of the chemical by 2020.
Old ways tug
Many of the nation's 30,000 dry cleaners are..."
===============================================================================
EPA Regulates Dry Cleaners in First Air Toxics Rule Under New Clean
Air Act
http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/caa90/08.htm
[EPA press release - September 14, 1993]
"In the first air toxics rule under the Clean Air Act Amendments of
1990, EPA today announced that, to protect public health, it will
reduce air emissions of the most widely used solvent in dry cleaning
nationwide.
The solvent, perchloroethylene (PCE or "perc"), is on the list of 189
toxic air pollutants that Congress said EPA must regulated under
Section 112 of the Clean Air Act.
"This regulation reflects the Clinton Administration's commitment to
protecting public health from toxic air pollutants while minimizing
the economic impact on America's small businesses," said EPA
Administrator Carol M. Browner. "EPA has worked closely with major dry
cleaning industry representatives to minimize the cost of this rule to
neighborhood 'mom and pop' cleaners. We estimate that consumer dry
cleaning prices will go up less than one percent as a result of this
action."
The rule will dramatically reduce emissions of PCE from approximately
25,000 dry cleaners throughout the country. The rule will cut the
total amount of PCE emissions from uncontrolled dry cleaning machines
by up to 80 percent.
The rule will require, in effect..."
[edit]
===============================================================================
Google search:
dry cleaners
drop off dry cleaners
dry cleaning operation industry statistics
mom and pop dry cleaners
Best regards,
tlspiegel |
