School of Drycleaning Technology
Since 1927, the school of Drycleaning Technology has been the educational system that has taught dry cleaners the basics and advanced methods of effective cleaning. Every year we teach hundreds of students from all around the world and take pride in the alumni who have gone on to add value to the industry.
We believe that excellence comes from relentless improvement. We evaluate each part of our curriculum every time it is taught. Over the years, we have devised a highly refined set of lessons that accelerate learning for all students.
Our combination of classroom and practical area allows students to master lessons in an optimal environment. Lectures are broken down into manageable chunks and applied soon afterward on the latest industry equipment to accelerate learning.
Courses
Two-Day Stain Removal
$649
Non-member price- Two days of instruction and practical application on stain removal. This course teaches the principles and chemistry behind stain removal, including how to identify stains by type and remove stains properly.
Topics
Removing coffee, ink, grease and other stains from clothing.Identifying cotton, silk, polyester, and other fabrics.Using bleaches without damaging the fabric color.Using specialty products such as digesters, amyl acetate, and acetone in stain removal.Removing spotting rings and watermarks.Identifying fibers and fabric construction.Upcoming Course Dates
September 23 - September 25, 2020 - Apply Now
Five-Day Introduction to Drycleaning
$1,595
Non-member price- Geared toward individuals new to the industry or who have less than one year of experience.
Topics
Sorting loads for dry cleaning
Cleaning silk, satin and other fabrics
Operating a dry cleaning machine
Removing coffee, Ink, grease and other stains from clothing
Pressing pants, coats, skirts
Using tensioning equipment to improve finishing qualityUpcoming Course Dates
February 24 - February 28, 2020 - SOLD OUT
July 13 - July 17, 2020
August 17 - August 21, 2020
October 19 - October 23, 2020 - Apply Now
Ten-Day Advanced Drycleaning
$2,195
Non-member price- This ten-day Advanced Dry Cleaning Course is for individuals who have completed the Introduction Course or have hands-on production experience and knowledge of basic stain removal and finishing techniques.
Topics
Identifying cotton, silk, polyester and other fabrics
Using bleaches without damaging the fabric color
Pressing blouses, dresses, ties, pleated garments, silks, velvets, corduroy
Wetcleaning wool, silk, and more
Maintaining and changing filters
Troubleshooting problems with the dry cleaning machine
Using tensioning equipment to improve finishing quality
Current regulations facing the dry cleaning industry
Customer service techniques for dry cleaners
Getting clean, white laundry
Cleaning and preserving wedding gowns
Understand the difference between solvents including perc, GreeEarth ® hydrocarbon and SOLVONK4
Pressing laundered shirts
Designing a dry cleaning plant with the most effective work flowUpcoming Course Dates
March 2 - March 13, 2020 - SOLD OUT
July 20 - July 31, 2020
October 26 - November 6, 2020 - Apply Now
Fifteen-Day General Drycleaning
$2,895
Non-member price- This fifteen-day general course is made up of the introduction and Advanced Courses, These classes also can be taken individually, but DLI affiliates save $499 when taking them together.
Topics
Sorting loads for dry cleaning
Cleaning silk, satin and other fabrics
Operating a dry cleaning machine
Removing coffee, Ink, grease and other stains from clothing
Pressing pants, coats, skirts
Using tensioning equipment to improve finishing qualityIdentifying cotton, silk, polyester and other fabrics
Using bleaches without damaging the fabric color
Pressing blouses, dresses, ties, pleated garments, silks, velvets, corduroy
Wetcleaning wool, silk, and more
Maintaining and changing filters
Troubleshooting problems with the dry cleaning machine
Using tensioning equipment to improve finishing quality
Current regulations facing the dry cleaning industry
Customer service techniques for dry cleaners
Getting clean, white laundry
Cleaning and preserving wedding gowns
Understand the difference between solvents including perc, GreeEarth ® hydrocarbon and SOLVONK4
Pressing laundered shirts
Designing a dry cleaning plant with the most effective work flowUpcoming Course Dates
February 24 - March 13, 2020 - SOLD OUT
July 13 - July 31, 2020
October 19 - November 6, 2020 - Apply Now
Premier members get FREE access to all DLI courses, products, and services for only $255/mo
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Frequently Asked Questions
Courses are held at the school of Drycleaning Technology located in Laurel, Maryland, just outside of Washington D.C and Baltimore. The address is :
Drycleaning & Laundry Institute
14700 Sweitzer Lane
Laurel, MD 20707
14700 Sweitzer Lane
Laurel, MD 20707
Class hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Please make travel arrangements to coincide with the ending time of 4:30 p.m.
There are three airports serving the metropolitan Washington DC and Baltimore area:
- Baltimore Washington International (BWI) located in Maryland - Approximately 20 miles.
- Reagan National (DCA) located in Virginia - Approximately 35 miles.
- Dulles International (IAD) located in Virginia - Approximately 50 miles.
The course fee covers lunch, classroom instruction, notebook, and other materials. Breakfast, dinner and lodging expenses are not covered by the registration fee.
Scholarships are available to Drycleaning & Laundry Institute members located in the United States and Canada. Contact DLI's register at 800-638-2627 or (301) 622-1900 ext. 1103 or education@dlionline.org for more information.
We will be taking a class picture the first day of all courses. We ask that you wear appropriate business attire, as it will be published in the Fabricare magazine.
- Females: please wear a cleaned and pressed dress, dress shirt with pants (not jeans), skirt or suit, the first day.
- Men: Please wear a cleaned and pressed dress shirt or shirt and tie, pants (not jeans), jacket or suit the first day.
For the remainder of the class, you can wear comfortable clothing (jeans, shorts, sneakers, etc.) for working in a drycleaning plant. For safety reasons, you are not allowed to wear sandals, open-toed shoes, or any loose-fitting jewelry or clothing (e.g. scarves).
A pen or pencil. A calculator will be helpful during the Advanced class.
Student's progress will be evaluated in class by daily participation in practical exercises as well as periodic written and verbal assessments conducted by the instructors.
We suggest that you bring travelers checks or credit cards to cover all your expenses while attending class. Meals, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs vary widely among participants, but generally average $20-$40 per day.
Online Self-Studies
DLI’s Self-Study Courses cover eight topics essential in today’s dry cleaning industry. Each course is divided into easy-to-learn chapters that assures complete mastery of the material. The included exams will be reviewed by DLI staff. Certificates are awarded to cleaners who successfully complete each course.
Covers fibers sources through fabric preparation and general processing including fabric construction, identification and color dyes and design.
A fundamental course that discusses stain removal techniques and procedures, stain composition, precautions and troubleshooting.
Reviews the steps in the wetcleaning process—inspection, testing for colorfastness, stain removal, load classification and proper drying including wet cleaning chemistry as well as equipment and supplies.
Introduces beginners to drycleaning operational techniques and procedures including drycleaning principles, filtration, distillation, solvents, detergents and moisture, and equipment.
Learn more about our self-study programs
Apply Now