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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ironing Assistant

💰 $22,000 - $36,000 per year

HospitalityLaundry & Dry CleaningRetailTextile Services

🎯 Role Definition

An Ironing Assistant (also called Garment Press Operator, Pressing Attendant, or Finisher) is responsible for preparing, pressing, and finishing garments and linens to meet quality, presentation, and customer requirements in laundry, dry-cleaning, hotel, or textile production environments. The role requires hands-on use of steam presses, hand irons, steamers, and finishing tables; careful handling of delicate fabrics; adherence to care labels and safety procedures; and consistent delivery of wrinkle-free, pressed items for retail, hospitality, or commercial clients.

Key SEO terms: Ironing Assistant, garment pressing, steam press operator, finishing attendant, textile care, linen pressing, steam ironing, dry cleaning finishing.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Laundry Attendant or Laundry Room Assistant
  • Dry Cleaning Counter Assistant
  • Textile Production Support or Housekeeping Aide

Advancement To:

  • Senior Pressing Operator / Lead Finisher
  • Pressing Supervisor or Production Supervisor (Laundry/Dry Cleaning)
  • Quality Control Specialist or Dry Cleaning Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Dry Cleaning Technician
  • Linen Room Supervisor
  • Shipping & Receiving / Inventory Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate commercial steam presses, electric irons, hand irons, and finishing equipment to press shirts, trousers, dresses, blouses, uniforms, linens, and specialty garments to company quality standards and customer specifications.
  • Sort incoming garments by fabric type, care label instructions, color, and level of soiling to determine appropriate pressing and finishing treatment and to prevent damage or color transfer.
  • Read and interpret garment care labels (symbols for dry clean, hand wash, tumble dry, low heat, etc.) and apply correct heat and steam settings for different fibers (cotton, linen, silk, wool, polyester, blends).
  • Perform hand-finishing techniques—collars, cuffs, pleats, ruffles, and delicate trims—using tailors’ boards and hand irons to achieve a crisp, professional appearance without scorching or stretching.
  • Inspect finished garments for defects, stains, missing buttons, loose threads, or pressing marks and perform minor repairs such as sewing on buttons, reattaching hems, or applying removable fabric adhesives as needed.
  • Apply starches, sizing agents, or finishers accurately when required and according to customer requests to achieve desired stiffness or drape while maintaining fabric integrity.
  • Steam garments to remove wrinkles and odors using upright steamers or handheld steam irons for non-pressable items or quick touch-ups.
  • Operate and maintain pressing machinery and equipment—cleaning steam lines, descaling boilers, replacing iron soles, and reporting mechanical issues promptly to maintenance—to ensure safe and consistent operation.
  • Tag, fold, and package finished items according to in-house standards and customer instructions, ensuring correct labeling, order completeness, and presentation for pick-up or delivery.
  • Maintain throughput and meet daily production quotas while balancing speed with meticulous attention to finish quality and accuracy of orders.
  • Follow chemical handling and safety procedures when using spot-cleaning agents, starches, or other finishing chemicals, including proper PPE use and SDS adherence.
  • Record and track workflow in logbooks or POS/order management systems, noting special instructions, damages, or work that required supervisor approval.
  • Collaborate with dry cleaning technicians, laundry operators, and front-of-house staff to prioritize orders, expedite rush items, and coordinate special handling for wedding gowns, uniforms, or high-value garments.
  • Handle delicate and specialty garments (silk, beading, sequins, leather trims) with extra care, using protective pads, lower heat, or alternative finishing techniques to avoid damage.
  • Communicate directly with customers or front-desk staff to clarify pressing preferences, confirm special instructions, and provide estimated turnaround times when required.
  • Assist with inventory control for pressing supplies (starch, hangers, garment bags, tags) and report low-stock items to supervisors to avoid workflow interruptions.
  • Keep the pressing and finishing area clean, organized, and compliant with workplace hygiene standards—removing lint, fabric scraps, and ensuring blocked steam vents are cleared.
  • Participate in training sessions for new pressing techniques, fabric care updates, or new equipment operation to continuously improve finishing quality and safety.
  • Adhere to company quality assurance standards and participate in periodic audits or spot checks to maintain uniform finishing quality across shifts.
  • Prioritize and manage multiple pressing orders, balancing rush requests with scheduled jobs to meet deadlines and maintain customer satisfaction.
  • Assist in loading and unloading washers, dryers, and conveyors when needed, ensuring garments are transferred appropriately to prevent wrinkling before pressing.
  • Ensure accurate documentation for lost, damaged, or altered garments and escalate claims through proper channels according to company policy.
  • Maintain reliable attendance and flexibility to work early, late, or weekend shifts during peak seasons (hotel events, holidays) and cover for co-workers as needed.
  • Support special projects such as large linen turnovers for hospitality clients, bulk uniform reconditioning, or seasonal pressing campaigns by adjusting workflow and staffing coordination.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide basic garment care advice to customers and front-desk staff, suggesting appropriate cleaning and pressing options for fabric types and special garments.
  • Assist with inventory audits, bin labeling, and organization of storage racks to improve picking efficiency and reduce lost items.
  • Participate in cross-training for reception, ticketing, and delivery roles to help ensure seamless operation during peak demand periods.
  • Help maintain environmental controls in the pressing area—ventilation, temperature, and humidity—to protect fabric quality and worker safety.
  • Support team-based continuous improvement initiatives such as reducing rework rates, improving packaging standards, and enhancing finishing consistency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient operation of commercial steam presses, clamshell presses, sleeve and trouser presses, and hand irons.
  • Fabric identification and fiber care knowledge for cotton, linen, wool, silk, synthetics, and blended textiles.
  • Starching, sizing, and application of finishing agents with correct dilution and technique.
  • Garment inspection and minor garment repair skills: sewing on buttons, small hemming, patching loose seams.
  • Experience using upright steamers and finishing boards for delicate or specialty garments.
  • Knowledge of garment care symbols and ability to apply care instruction to pressing workflows.
  • Familiarity with dry cleaning and laundry workflow systems, order tagging, and basic POS or ticketing systems.
  • Basic machine maintenance: descaling boilers, cleaning steam valves, replacing iron soles, and safe troubleshooting.
  • Spot-treatment and stain-preparation techniques to identify when pressing is appropriate versus additional cleaning.
  • Adherence to chemical safety and PPE protocols; ability to read Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and visual quality control to detect subtle fabric imperfections or press marks.
  • Strong time management and ability to meet production targets while preserving quality.
  • Good manual dexterity and steadiness for precise hand-finishing and sewing tasks.
  • Reliable communication skills for coordinating with team members and clarifying customer requirements.
  • Customer-service orientation, patient and professional when advising customers or handling complaints.
  • Teamwork and cooperation in high-volume, fast-paced environments.
  • Physical stamina and endurance for standing, lifting, and repetitive movements during shifts.
  • Adaptability to changing workloads, peak periods, and new finishing techniques.
  • Problem-solving mindset to adjust pressing methods for unusual garments or unexpected fabric behavior.
  • Initiative and willingness to learn new equipment or techniques to improve finishing outcomes.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent basic education; on-the-job training in pressing and ironing accepted.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate or short course in textile care, garment finishing, or hospitality services; relevant apprenticeship or accredited laundry/dry cleaning training.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Textile Technology
  • Apparel Construction / Fashion Technology
  • Hospitality and Hotel Services
  • Vocational Laundry & Dry Cleaning Operations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years for entry-level ironing assistant roles; 2–5+ years preferred for skilled press operators and specialty garment finishing.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years operating commercial pressing equipment in a dry cleaning, laundry, hotel, or uniform service environment. Experience with delicate or couture garments and basic sewing/mending skills is a strong plus.
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