What Is a Laundry Assistant and How to Become One

Laundry assistants, sometimes called laundry attendants, work in hotels, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. They wash, fold, and put away linens and other laundry that needs to be cleaned in the facility. In some facilities, the laundry assistant may also be required to perform dry cleaning duties. Laundry assistants are responsible for keeping the laundry area clean and tidy and making sure the washed items are returned to their proper location. There are no education requirements for this position, and most employers provide on-the-job training. The best candidates for this career are organized, able to lift heavy laundry baskets, and can work independently.

The primary qualifications for getting a job as a laundry assistant vary by company, but they typically include some experience with cleaning many different types of fabric. Companies often have guidelines and regulations for different types of laundry, so the ability to understand and follow directions is one of the most useful skills for this role. Skills that you can only gain through practice are crucial in this career, so the more experience you have with different types of laundry, the easier it is to get a job in this field. Physical stamina is also helpful, especially if you need to carry and clean larger items like rugs or blankets.