# Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers > Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles. - Code: 51-6011.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 51-6011) - Family: [Production](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-51), one of its 114 occupations - Tasks: 23 tasks (8 core and 15 supplemental) - Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/51-6011.00 - JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/51-6011.00.json ## What the work is made of 1. Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading. Core task · Task 12121 · Rated by 82 people who do the job, July 2015 2. Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives. Core task · Task 12118 · Rated by 83 people who do the job, July 2015 3. Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation. Core task · Task 12125 · Rated by 80 people who do the job, July 2015 4. Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so. Core task · Task 12124 · Rated by 81 people who do the job, July 2015 5. Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them. Core task · Task 12119 · Rated by 83 people who do the job, July 2015 6. Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment. Core task · Task 12123 · Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2015 7. Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required. Core task · Task 12120 · Rated by 80 people who do the job, July 2015 8. Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers. Core task · Task 12117 · Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2015 9. Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents. Supplemental task · Task 12136 · Rated by 80 people who do the job, July 2015 10. Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types. Supplemental task · Task 12127 · Rated by 81 people who do the job, July 2015 11. Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors. Supplemental task · Task 12128 · Rated by 81 people who do the job, July 2015 12. Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines. Supplemental task · Task 12131 · Rated by 80 people who do the job, July 2015 13. Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached. Supplemental task · Task 12137 · Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2015 14. Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles. Supplemental task · Task 12122 · Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2015 15. Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains. Supplemental task · Task 12135 · Rated by 80 people who do the job, July 2015 16. Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles. Supplemental task · Task 12138 · Rated by 80 people who do the job, July 2015 17. Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment. Supplemental task · Task 12126 · Rated by 80 people who do the job, July 2015 18. Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels. Supplemental task · Task 12133 · Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2015 19. Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines. Supplemental task · Task 12142 · Rated by 80 people who do the job, July 2015 20. Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry. Supplemental task · Task 12143 · Rated by 80 people who do the job, July 2015 21. Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents. Supplemental task · Task 12140 · Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2015 22. Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors. Supplemental task · Task 12147 · Rated by 82 people who do the job, July 2015 23. Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs. 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