Tagging

• The first thing that a dry cleaner does is tag the garments. Tagging involves separating the clothing according to customer, the date they were dropped off and the date the cleaning will be completed. The traditional method of tagging involves nothing more complicated than a pin holding a piece of paper in place on the garment. This is still the way things are done at most dry cleaners.
  
  

Pre-Treatment

• The second step in a dry cleaner's day involves pre-treating the stain. The method of pre-treatment depends entirely upon the properties of the stain itself. Any stains that were created by water-based material are pre-treated with simple water. Stains that are more difficult to get out are treated with a strong solvent.
  
  

The Cleaning

• The third part of the cleaner's day is the actual process of dry cleaning itself. An industrial-strength cleaner is used that can contain as much as 100 pounds of clothing. Garments tumble inside this machine in much the same way that they do in a home washing machine. As the tumbling continues, solvent continues to be sprayed onto them regardless of whether the stain is water-based or oil-based.
  
  

Post-Spotting

• Often a stain does not get fully removed during the cleaning part of the process. In these cases, the dry cleaner's day involves what is known as post-spotting, which requires the stubborn, lingering stains be attacked with a combination of steam, water and a vacuum. Once again, a stronger solvent is used for tougher stains.
  
  

Finishing

• The final part of the dry cleaner's day is taken up with a combination of pressing, steaming, vacuuming and ironing to complete the cleaning procedure. The steam is used to soften the material in order to reshape it to its original condition. The moistness of the steam treatment is removed with a vacuum. Finally, the garment is pressed to remove wrinkles. Any rips, tears or lost buttons are then repaired before handing the garment back to the customer.