CLIO, Mich. — Industry professionals from across the Midwest and beyond gathered here recently for a two-day, hands-on training seminar designed to bring advanced stain-removal and drycleaning maintenance techniques back to the forefront of professional garment care.
The event at Jan’s Professional Cleaners was led by owner Jan Barlow and industry professionals Dennis Schmidt and Chris Hogard. The seminar, organizers say, was intended to provide attendees with the tools, vocabulary and confidence to tackle the toughest cleaning challenges.
“Several years ago, manufacturing advances in drycleaning machines made it possible for almost anyone to operate one,” Barlow says, “with modern soaps and surfactants removing about 80% of stains. Over time, however, some of the specialized knowledge for removing the remaining 20% was lost. This seminar aimed to reclaim that expertise through immersive, hands-on practice.”
Industry representatives Rob Hellier of Seitz and Jeff Quail of Sankosha also attended, lending their expertise and support.
Core training topics during the seminar included:
- Fabric Classification — Four main types and their handling requirements
- Stain Remover Categories — Three main types, each with multiple levels of application
- Bleach Types — Two primary kinds, each with specific uses and safety considerations
- Drycleaning Machine Maintenance — Preventive care, operational tips, and a “to-do” checklist for peak performance
Participants hailed from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Idaho. Organizers say that plans are already in place to host another session next year, with expanded content and advanced techniques.
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