types of staining
The different kinds of stains on fabrics such as invisible, perspirative, and oxidation stains. The nature of the stain, the type of fabric (absorbed, built up and compound staining) and the colour fastness of the dye.
Drapery and carpet cleaners clean draperies and carpets for their clients by removing stains, dust or odors. They do this by applying chemical and repellent solutions and with the use of brushes or mechanical equipment.
Competences and skills
37 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 4 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceCross-sector
3 competencescleaning techniques
Various techniques and tools used to clean different types of surfaces to achieve a certain degree of cleanliness such as sweeping, vacuuming, degreasing and wet cleaning.
types of brushes
Tools with bristles used for a wide variety of purposes such as cleaning, painting, putting on make up and grooming hair. Materials used for bristles include animal hair, synthetic fibers and plastic. Various shapes exist such as cylindrical brushes and twisted-in wire brushes for cleaning brushes, and flat, round or mop for painting brushes.
types of carpet
Different types of carpet based on materials, production method, backing, fitting techniques, cost, durability, aesthetics and other criteria.
Essential skills and competences 14 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencesgroom carpets
Inspect the rug and use a groom to set the nap in the direction in which the knots are tied. Use detergents and non-chlorine bleaches to regroom, clean and brighten the fringes of the carpet, treating spots and odors.
operate carpet centrifugal machine
Set up and operate a machine which unwinds, spins and dries the rug, extracting the majority of the water out of it. Hang it up to dry afterwards.
Sector-specific
6 competenceseliminate stains
Use stain removal equipment to remove stains without damaging the fabric. Carry out garment and stain detection to identify the specific staining type such as wet or dry side staining in a safe and appropriate manner.
guarantee customer satisfaction
Handle customer expectations in a professional manner, anticipating and addressing their needs and desires. Provide flexible customer service to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.
maintain personal hygiene standards when cleaning
Make sure to keep yourself clean and tidy and wear protective equipment when performing cleaning activities, as required by the health and safety procedures of the task or the organisation.
remove dust
Remove dust from furniture, blinds and windowsills using specialised dust cloths or hand-cleaning items.
rinse cloth articles
Flush out detergents, soil and odors from cloth materials and articles using a water hose.
vacuum surfaces
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and small particles from floors, drapes, carpets or furniture.
Cross-sector
6 competenceshandle chemical cleaning agents
Ensure proper handling, storage, management and disposal of cleaning chemicals (CIP) in accordance with regulations.
- Scope note
- The chemicals include hazardous materials.
maintain a safe, hygienic and secure working environment
Preserve health, hygiene, safety and security in the workplace in accordance with relevant regulations.
maintain cleaning equipment
Clean and preserve the equipment and material used for cleaning purposes in a proper state.
maintain customer service
Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
- Scope note
- Might include keeping the customers informed about the current status of their orders or waiting times.
operate floor cleaning equipment
Set up, maintain and operate roto, extractor and walk behind scrubbers and other floor care equipment to clean carpets and scrub hard floors.
use solvents
Clean products or surfaces by using solvents to dissolve or extract other unnecessary substances.
Optional knowledge 1 competence
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceproperties of textile materials
The characteristics and properties of different textile and fabric materials. These include strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, low weight, water absorbency/repellence, dyeability and resistance to chemicals. Moreover, the influence of chemical composition and molecular arrangement of yarn and fibre properties and fabric structure on the physical properties of textile fabrics; the different fibre types; the materials used in different processes and the effect on materials as they are processed.
Cross-sector
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Optional skills and competences 18 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
8 competencesapply prespotting
Remove stains in dry-cleaning by using the pre-spotting technique. Use a spotting board, which vacuums the garment attached to the spotting board through air suctions. Use a spotting gun to apply steam to loosen the stain and use a blow dryer to dry the fabric.
clean household linens
Wash linens such as sheets, towels and table cloths with water and soap or detergent. Clean linens by hand or by the use of a washing machine.
clean upholstered furniture
Use appropriate cleaning techniques and materials to clean upholstered furniture depending on the type of fabric used in its fabrication: cotton, synthetic, microfibre or leather.
follow up orders for customers
Follow-up/tracking of an order and notifying the customer when the goods have arrived.
inspect dry cleaning materials
Check which items are suitable or unsuitable for dry-cleaning by interpreting care labels and decide which dry cleaning processes may be required.
maintain inventory of cleaning supplies
Follow the stock of cleaning materials, order new material when the stock is empty and follow their usage to maintain a constant supply.
maintain relationship with customers
Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.
operate tunnel finisher machine
Handle wide or narrow body tunnel finishers which remove wrinkles from garments. Insert the material in a steam chamber, making the fabric moldable.
Cross-sector
10 competencescarry out pressure washing activities
Use high pressure equipment in order to clean areas, surfaces and materials.
clean equipment
Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.
clean surfaces
Disinfect surfaces in accordance with sanitary standards.
- Scope note
- Including walls, floors, tables, kitchen and service equipment
iron textiles
Pressing and ironing in order to shape or flatten textiles giving them their final finishing appearance. Iron by hand or with steam pressers.
sell products
Encourage sales by identifying the customer’s buying needs and by promoting benefits and features of the organisation’s products. Respond to and resolve customer objections and agree to mutually beneficial terms and conditions.
sell services
Encourage sales by identifying the customer’s buying needs and by promoting benefits and features of the organisation’s services. Respond to and resolve customer objections and agree to mutually beneficial terms and conditions.
set up machine controls
Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
sort waste
Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
trim excess material
Trim surplus material of fabric such as fiberglass mats, cloth, plastics or rubber.
work with chemicals
Handle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.