Peter Blake: Dry Cleaning Is Changing

<p>Peter Blake has spent nearly 40 years in the Dry Cleaning Industry, and he’s seen just about every major shift along the way.<br /><br />In this episode of Cleaner Conversations, Peter joins Justin Kane and Sam Taylor to talk about how dry cleaning has changed, where the industry is heading, and why he remains optimistic about its future.<br /><br />From changing consumer habits and the decline of traditional formalwear to pickup and delivery, route growth, consolidation, new ownership, regulation, and the growing importance of community, Peter shares a perspective shaped by decades of working directly with cleaners across the country.<br /><br />Peter also breaks down what he sees from visiting roughly 185 dry cleaning businesses a year, including the problems owners are facing most often and why many of those problems come back to systems, management, and communication.<br /><br />In this episode:<br />• How dry cleaning has changed over the last 40 years<br />• Why cleaners can no longer wait for customers to simply walk through the door<br />• Why Peter believes the future of dry cleaning is still bright<br />• What successful pickup and delivery operators do differently<br />• Why routes should be treated as their own business unit<br />• The shift toward laundry, wash-dry-fold, convenience, and fabric care<br />• What consolidation means for cleaners and industry associations<br />• Environmental issues including Perc, PFAS, OSHA, and heat stress<br />• DLI’s new HR resources for cleaners<br />• The new DLI Connect program for owners entering the industry<br />• Why getting involved with other cleaners can dramatically shorten your learning curve<br />• Peter’s advice for any owner who feels like they’re struggling alone<br /><br />Peter sums up the future well: the industry will not stay the same, but people will continue paying for services that save them time and make their lives easier. The opportunity is for cleaners to keep adapting to how customers want to buy those services.<br /><br />If you own or operate in this industry, this is an episode worth listening to.<br /><br />Subscribe to Cleaner Conversations for conversations with the operators, leaders, and innovators shaping the garment care industry.<br /><br />Connect with Peter here: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:PeteBlke@aol.com" target="_blank">PeteBlke@aol.com</a>⁠<br />OR here:<br />⁠<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/DryLaunInst/⁠" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/DryLaunInst/⁠</a><br />⁠<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/southeasternfabricare⁠" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/southeasternfabricare⁠</a><br />⁠<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/nefabricare⁠" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/nefabricare⁠</a><br />⁠<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/macassociation.org" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/macassociation.org</a><br /><br />👍 Like the episode<br />💬 Tell us what change you think will have the biggest impact on dry cleaning over the next 5 years<br />🔔 Subscribe for future episodes<br /><br />#DryCleaning #DirtyClothes #PickupAndDelivery #GarmentCare #SmallBusiness #CleanerConversations #DLI</p>