Only Austin Cleaner to Earn Triple Certification from the Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute

Austin, TX, October 9, 2007—Westbank Dry Cleaning has earned three prestigious industry certifications from the Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute. Westbank is the only drycleaner in Austin, and one of only a handful in the entire country to have passed the requirements to earn recognition as a Certified Professional Drycleaner, a Certified Environmental Drycleaner and as a Certified Professional Wetcleaner.

The Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute’s program (formerly the International Fabricare Institute) is designed to promote the environmentally safe operation of drycleaning businesses. DLI is a world-wide trade association of drycleaners and launderers. Certified Drycleaners must adhere to a set of professional standards developed by the industry and they must be retested every three years. Candidates for the CED are tested on their knowledge regarding environmentally responsible equipment operation, proper disposal of waste, occupational safety and health issues, and other Federal regulatory requirements.

Candidates for the Certified Professional Drycleaner are tested on their knowledge regarding drycleaning standards, physical plant facilities, fabrics and fibers, detergents and solvents and equipment knowledge. Certified Professional Wetcleaner candidates are tested on all aspects of garment care using water rather than drycleaning fluids. They must know fabrics and fibers and have knowledge of finishing techniques for the wet cleaning process.

“Westbank’s passing the requirements for triple certification must certainly be a reflection of the quality and service they are providing to their customers,” stated Susan Bale, a DLI Registrar, in a letter from the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute.

Owner William Charnes received his CED in 1995 and has kept current with the certification.

Charnes is proud of his employees who passed the intensive self-study tests, which are the only independent tests for the drycleaning industry. Drycleaner Joe Trujillo took and passed the Certified Professional Drycleaner test while General Manager Diana Van Brunt passed all three tests. Charnes plans to test other production employees in the near future. “It’s nice to have drycleaning owners who know the rules, but we want our employees to know and understand the constantly changing rules and regulations of our industry….as they pertain to the environment and to employee health and safety, says Charnes. Our customers can be assured that their clothing is being handled by professionals who both know their trade and care about the world we live in.”

About Westbank Dry Cleaning:

Westbank Dry Cleaning operates eight Austin locations and has provided high quality dry cleaning and laundry service since 1993. The business is affiliated with the Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute; The National Cleaner’s Association, and is also a Sanitone Master Drycleaner. The Authentically Austin, Absolutely Clean business was recently voted a favorite local business by a West Austin News reader’s poll.

For more information contact:

Angie Charnes
512 451-1666
wbclean@texas.net

Pictured Left: Westbank Dry Cleaner Joe Trujillo and General Manager Diana Van Brunt