Laundry assistant

Laundry assistants sort, label, wash, dry, press and pack large quantities of bedding and clothes. They might also operate machinery and equipment in a laundry.

Work activities

Laundry assistants operate the machinery used to wash, dry and press items brought into a laundry to be cleaned. A laundry deals with fabrics that can be cleaned in water with soap or detergent. This could include bedding, towels, tablecloths, clothes, uniforms and other workwear. The laundry assistant takes dirty items, puts them through the cleaning process and packs them ready to go back to the customer. Dirty items arrive at the laundry, usually in large bags. The laundry assistant empties the bags and checks the items against the customer’s list. Customers could include hotels, hospitals, care homes, restaurants and individual households. The washing might have to be weighed before it is put into the washing machines. Some items might have to have stains treated with chemicals; some might need to be dry cleaned. Once the machines are loaded, the laundry assistant switches them to the right settings and turns them on. At the end of the wash programme, the wet washing is loaded into dryers. Laundry assistants must make sure that batches of laundry from different customers don’t get muddled up with each other. In some laundries, all the sorting, weighing and loading for washing and drying is done by machines, so that the assistant only has to check that the process is working smoothly. Some laundry operations use computers to control and monitor the operations, and to identify and locate customers’ goods. Clean, dry washing is pressed, folded and packed. These processes might also be automated, but there is usually some ironing done by hand. Some laundry assistants might carry out minor repairs on clean items. Laundry assistants usually learn how to do all or most of the tasks in the laundry, so that they can move from job to job as the workload demands. If you who suffer from allergies, breathing problems or skin complaints, you should be aware that this work involves contact with chemicals and chemical fumes. Laundries can get hot and steamy.

Personal qualities and skills

As a laundry assistant, you need:

• A good level of fitness.
• Stamina: You’ll be on your feet a lot and there can be some heavy lifting.
• The ability to operate different machines.
• To be able to follow instructions.
• Awareness of health and safety regulations.
• To be methodical and careful not to mix customers’ items up.
• Good customer service skills.
• The ability to work quickly and pay attention to detail.

Pay and opportunities  

The pay rates given are approximate. Laundry assistants earn in the range of £15,000 per year, rising to £19,000 with experience.

Laundry assistants normally work a basic 39-41-hour week, Monday to Friday, with occasional overtime. Part-time posts are common.

Employers include hotel, hospital, care home or prison service laundries, as well as industrial laundry operations. Opportunities for laundry assistants occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. You could also approach possible employers directly to ask about vacancies.

Entry routes and training

You can usually go straight into this kind of job, by applying directly for vacancies. An level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship in the role of commercial laundry operative is an ideal place to start.

Basic training is on-the-job. The Guild of Cleaners & Launderers (GCL) has a Qualification Star Scheme, which provides qualifications on aspects relating to laundering. The GCL suite of qualifications covers all skill levels in the sector, with practical skills being tested by job skill assessment and theory being assessed by written exams. The GCL also runs an apprenticeship scheme in laundry. A certificate in laundry operations is available at level 2.

Laundries that use solvents in their work need to be registered and hold a permit. Staff need to fill in forms and keep records to show how much solvent is being used. Staff need to be trained in operating and safety procedures.

With training and experience, it could be possible to move into supervisory or managerial positions.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

An Edexcel (BTEC) level 2 First qualification might be useful for entry.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have relevant skills and abilities gained in areas that involve practical hand skills.

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