Mastering the Spotting Board: The Technical Skill Every Dry Cleaner Needs in 2026

Improve stain removal, reduce re-cleans, and strengthen customer trust with proper training

The spotting board is one of the most powerful tools in any dry cleaning plant. It is where stain removal begins, where quality is either protected or compromised, and where your team has the greatest opportunity to prevent costly mistakes. Yet, despite its importance, most counter staff and even some production employees have never received formal technical training on proper spotting techniques.

This article explores why spotting fundamentals matter, the risks of incorrect handling, and how proper training improves quality, customer satisfaction, and plant efficiency.

Why Spotting Board Skills Matter

Spotting determines the success of nearly every garment that enters your plant. When a technician understands how steam, air, chemicals, and fabric types interact, they can remove stains more efficiently and avoid fabric damage. When they do not, the risks increase:

• Heat damage

• Yarn distortion

• Dye bleeding

• Water rings

• “Set-in” staining from incorrect steam use

Most re-cleans and customer complaints can be traced back to improper spotting or miscommunication at intake.

The Correct Way to Use the Spotting Gun

According to NCA training standards, proper spotting requires two critical steps: flushing and feathering. Both must be performed correctly to avoid permanent damage.

Step 1: Flushing

Flushing loosens the stain using a controlled combination of steam and vacuum.
Operators should:

• Position the stained area over a towel-covered Teflon heel

• Hold the spotting gun 4 to 6 inches from the fabric

• Apply steam in a fan pattern to avoid overheating

• Maintain vacuum to remove moisture and loosened soil

Step 2: Feathering

Feathering prevents rings and prepares fabric for cleaning.
Operators should:

• Use compressed air to dry the area

• Work from the center outward

• Maintain vacuum to keep moisture from spreading

Correct technique protects garments and improves cleaning outcomes.

Why Your Counter Staff Need Technical Knowledge

Even if they never touch a spotting board, your front-line team influences stain removal success.

Well-trained counter staff:

• Tag garments correctly

• Identify stains more accurately

• Set proper expectations with customers

• Communicate clearly with production

• Prevent intake errors that lead to re-cleans

This makes your entire operation faster, smoother, and more profitable.

Online Technical Training for Counter Staff

NCA’s Online Technical Training for Counter Staff is designed to give your front desk and new hires the technical foundation they need to support your plant.

They’ll learn:

• Fabric identification fundamentals

• Stain recognition and process guidance

• Clear communication standards

• How their decisions impact production quality

The result?

• Fewer re-cleans

• Fewer customer complaints

• Faster workflows

• Stronger quality control

This is one of the most cost-effective improvements cleaners can make going into 2026.