AI exposure Production
Will AI replace laundry and dry-cleaning workers?
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers. US occupation 51-6011.
The reading
0.0%
of the time laundry and dry-cleaning workers spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of laundry and dry-cleaning workers' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.
Ranked 346 of 756 US occupations. No AI use seen in the work yet, along with 410 other occupations.No handover started yet, along with 410 other occupations.
Per cent of working time Square-law scale
Average US job 7.7%
Among the least exposed jobs there are.Still waiting for liberation.
What AI already does for laundry and dry-cleaning workersWhat laundry and dry-cleaning workers no longer do alone
O*NET lists 32 tasks for laundry and dry-cleaning workers. None of them shows meaningful AI use at work yet.
What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human
32 of the 32 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.
- Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.Core task
- Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.Core task
- Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.Core task
- Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.Core task
- Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.Core task
- Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.Core task
Show the other 26
- Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.Core task
- Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.Core task
- Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.Core task
- 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.Core task
- Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
- Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents.
- Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses.
- Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes.
- Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry.
- Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.
- Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors.
- Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines.
- Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.
- Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines.
- Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
- Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.
- Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles.
- Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.
- Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
- Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
- Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors.
- Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
- Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.
- Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents.
- Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics.
- Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions.
How that compares
Among the 98 production occupations, laundry and dry-cleaning workers rank 53. The group averages 0.8%, and its most exposed job is Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers at 12.1%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.
Level with 0.0%
What this does and does not mean
Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.
A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.
Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.