Throughout March we will be focusing on what’s going on inside the machines and behind the scenes — the chemistry and products that actually get the clothing and other textiles clean. Every sector of the industry (dry cleaning, wet cleaning, industrial laundry, laundromats) is dependent on the availability and an understanding of these key ingredients.
Chemistry: Small Cost with Outsized Impact
How laundry chemistry quietly controls cost, quality, and efficiency
SERIES: Our Liquid Industry
By Becca Anderson
Chances are, unless you need to order supplies, you didn’t arrive at work today thinking about the chemistry behind your machines or the outcomes they produce. You’re focused on how much work needs to be done — and the best way to get from dirty to clean. But chemistry is at the heart of everything you do, and it can have a substantial impact on both your costs and your overall quality of work.
I asked Steve Tinker, Senior Vice President of Research & Development, Marketing at Gurtler Industries, to break down the ways chemistry can dictate your overall success.
Catch the New Conference Wave
Laundry Summit — April 1, Vancouver, BC
By Becca Anderson
There’s a new and exciting direction in industry conferences, and if you’re serious about your business, you should jump on this wave with enthusiasm. Instead of generalized gatherings that try to offer something to everyone, these conferences focus in on one part of the industry and drill down on the issues and information you need.
A great example of this is the upcoming Laundry Summit in Vancouver, BC, on April 1. (See details on our Conferences & Events Page.) Organized by Electrolux/Wascomat, the topics are designed to help both newcomers to the industry and those who want to freshen their approach and profitability.
I asked Jason Fleck, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Electrolux, to explain what’s different about the Laundry Summit, and how it fits into the overall scheme of industry gatherings.
ALM Announces Inaugural IMPACT Legacy Circle Honorees
The Association for Linen Management (ALM) will formally introduce the IMPACT Legacy Circle on March 4 during its annual IMPACT conference, recognizing distinguished leaders whose careers have significantly shaped and advanced the textile care industry.
The IMPACT Legacy Circle honors individuals whose leadership, innovation, and service have strengthened professional standards, elevated operational performance, and guided generations of industry professionals. The recognition extends beyond career achievement. Each honoree has committed to making a formal Legacy Contribution to ALM, ensuring their insights, lessons, and perspective are preserved and archived for future generations of industry leaders.
READ MORE IN INDUSTRY NEWS…
Kannegiesser North America Adds Director of Project Management
Nicole Kragthorpe joins Kannegiesser North America, Minneapolis, as the company’s director of project management. She brings more than 10 years of experience in heavy construction and civil engineering project management to the role.
At Kannegiesser North America, Kragthorpe will guide the project management team in supporting customers across the commercial laundry industry. Her focus will be strengthening the strategies and processes that help deliver smooth installations, high‑quality system performance and a better overall experience for Kannegiesser North America customers.
2026 Associations Directory
Our 2026 Associations Directory is now live and there has never been a better time to join an association. It’s a great opportunity for individual operators and suppliers to make connections, share ideas, and together, make the important decisions that will shape the industry for years to come.
This year’s directory includes listings for Canadian, International, and American industry associations.
Find the one that best suits your business here.
CONFERENCES & EVENTS ABOUND
Save the Date!
Now that you’ve got your 2026 calendar nicely centered on your desk, it’s time to add some important dates. Plan now to up your game by attending one or more conferences or events this year and learning from others how to improve your business and yourself.
We keep our Conferences & Events page up to date, but here are a few we want to call your attention to:
DLI March Lineup
Focuses on Skill Development, Marketing, and Member Connection
The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) and its regional partners continue their 2026
momentum with a March lineup of skill-building programs, expert-led education, and high-value
networking opportunities designed to help garment care professionals strengthen operations,
improve customer experience, and drive business growth.
SEE LIST OF COURSES ON OUR CONFERENCES & EVENTS PAGE
DL EXPO WEST 2026
The Southwest Drycleaners Association (SDA) and the California Cleaners Association (CCA) are announced the return of the Drycleaning & Laundry Expo West (DL Expo West), scheduled for March 27–29, 2026, at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas.
Laundry Summit — Vancouver
The Laundry Summit is coming to Vancouver, April 1, 2026, and will be bringing together laundromat owners, operators, and investors from across Western Canada for a high-impact, one-day event focused on real growth, smarter decisions, and scalable operations.
ALM 2026 Impact Conference
Scheduled to take place March 2-5, 2026, at the distinguished Marriott Grand Resort, in Point Clear, Alabama, ALM’s IMPACT conference will bring together thought leaders and professionals to share insights, discuss the latest trends, and explore new opportunities for their laundry and linen operations.
TCATA 2026 Management & Educational Conference
The Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) has announced “Summit of Possibilities” as the official theme for its 2026 Management & Educational Conference, taking place August 2–5, 2026, at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina.
SEE DETAILS FOR THESE ON CONFERENCES & EVENTS PAGE
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MARCH ARTICLES: Our Liquid Industry
Chemistry: Small Cost with Outsized Impact
How laundry chemistry quietly controls cost, quality, and efficiency
SERIES: Our Liquid Industry
By Becca Anderson
Chances are, unless you need to order supplies, you didn’t arrive at work today thinking about the chemistry behind your machines or the outcomes they produce. You’re focused on how much work needs to be done — and the best way to get from dirty to clean. But chemistry is at the heart of everything you do, and it can have a substantial impact on both your costs and your overall quality of work.
I asked Steve Tinker, Senior Vice President of Research & Development, Marketing at Gurtler Industries, to break down the ways chemistry can dictate your overall success.
FEBRUARY ARTICLES: Social Media Stars
How to Win the Web Wars
SERIES: Social Media Stars
By Becca Anderson
Websites—and the people who access them—have changed a great deal in recent years. Have you and your website kept up? Do you even know who is the first reader of your site, and how important it is to give them what they are looking for? Don’t become invisible.
More than just Social
Making an excellent social media post
SERIES: Social Media Stars
By Becca Anderson
In the first installment of this series, I talked about how website searches and rankings have changed drastically in the last few years as AI has become more involved. In the same way, the value and viewability of your social media posts has also evolved from the quest for being viral, to a demand for understanding.
Websites that Work—Example 1
SERIES: Social Media Stars
By Becca Anderson
In this series, I have explained guidelines for successful websites that meet the criteria for selection and recommendation by AI and search engines today. But what does such a website look like? And how labor intensive is it? Let’s look at one company that has put thought and effort into structuring its website to bring it to the top of local searches.
Social Media Posts that Sing
SERIES: Social Media Stars
By Becca Anderson
If you want to get your feet wet in the social media arena and are looking for a role model, look no further than Lisa Loscerbo, CEO of Best Care Dry Cleaning in Winnipeg, MB. Lisa’s posts are engaging, informative, and have her customers talking—everything a good post should be.
Before you call Technical Support, READ THIS
How to get the most out of Tech Support when a machine goes down
By Kevin Marois
Your machine is down. The mechanic won’t be there for two days. The bags of dirty laundry are now waist deep. Who ya going to call?
“Technical Support!”
Where is the Canadian Voice in Laundry’s Social Media Boom?
When laundry advice comes from everywhere but Home
By Jeff Moak
I recently had a call with a client on the distribution side of my business—a new investor looking to get into the industry. We covered the usual ground: locations, equipment mix, pricing strategies. As the conversation was coming to an end, it shifted from logistics to learning—and influencers.
“No problem,” I said. “Let me recommend some people to follow.”
PR Without the Panic
How to Get Media Coverage
By Linley McConnell
If you had told me a few years ago that I would regularly be invited onto national television to talk about ‘laundry,’ I would have been skeptical. Like many dry cleaners, I assumed media coverage was reserved for big brands, famous founders, or companies with expensive PR teams. And yet, today, “Laundry with Linley” (me) has become a regular on Canadian TV, averaging at least one national television segment per month!
This month, I aim to demystify public relations and demonstrate how to build a media list and pitch your business in a way that feels manageable, repeatable, and realistic for your dry cleaning business.
Turn First-Time Customers into Loyal Regulars in 3 Visits
By Francis Flair
Most operators get excited when a new customer walks through the door. New ticket. New name in the system. New chance for business. But here’s the real question: Do you have a plan for turning that new customer into a regular? Or do you just hope they come back?
In dry cleaning and laundry, it’s not the first visit that grows your business. It’s the third. If you can make the first three visits feel easy, friendly, and consistent, you’re no longer “one of many” options. You start to become their place. Here is a simple framework forthinking about those first three visits and what to do at each one.
