Dry cleaner | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Dry cleaners use chemicals and solvents to clean clothes and other items that can't be washed in the normal way.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
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.
Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
Remove items

Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
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.
Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.
Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents.
Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.
Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles.
Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.
Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines.
Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry.
Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses.
Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics.
Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors.
Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.
Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents.
Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors.
Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.
Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines.
Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes.

Average salary
18,171 GBP *
per year

Average salary for Dry cleaner

19,161 GBP
17,721 GBP

Average salary for part-time Dry cleaner

Average salary for full-time Dry cleaner

Showing:

9,301 GBP
9,093 GBP
10,293 GBP

18,171 GBP
17,721 GBP
19,161 GBP

Salary over time for Dry cleaner

Salary for this role has increased over time

14,436 GBP
14,763 GBP
15,167 GBP
16,099 GBP
16,652 GBP
17,090 GBP
18,171 GBP
18,074 GBP

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Future outlook for Dry cleaners

Balanced outlook

18 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

3% yearly wage growth (on average)

Fair outlook

66% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Dry cleaner and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

65% of people in this role have do not have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications
34% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent
1% of people in this role have a post-secondary qualification such as a Higher National Diploma

You could apply directly for jobs. Employers will often be more interested in your personal qualities like reliability, timekeeping and customer care than qualifications.

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Dry cleaner

Functional Skills

What technical skills do I need?

Technical skills are programmes, softwares and things you need to know in order to be a successful Dry cleaner. Check that you know:

Electronic mail software Email software

Office suite software Microsoft Office

Operating system software Microsoft Windows

Point of sale POS software Sales processing software

Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel

Improve your skills today

Functional Skills

Independence Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

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Dry cleaner | Average UK Salary & Outlook

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Future outlook for Dry cleaners

Dry cleaner - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

What technical skills do I need?

Things to highlight for your Dry cleaner interview

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