Production & ManufacturingO*NET: 51-6011.00
Will AI Replace Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers?
Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
83out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
83/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
8
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸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.
- ▸Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
- ▸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.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (4)
- 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.
- Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
- 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.
👤Requires Humans (1)
- Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
⚡AI-Assisted (3)
- Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
- Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
- Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
Key Skills Analysis
Active Listening
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.62/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.50/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.38/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.38/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.38/5.00
Related Occupations
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
85/100 — Critical Risk
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
86/100 — Critical Risk
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
87/100 — Critical Risk
Sewing Machine Operators
65/100 — High Risk
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
87/100 — Critical Risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 83/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research