DLI’s First-Ever Spanish Stain Removal Course Sets New Industry Standard

Groundbreaking Program Fuels Skills, Confidence, and Inclusion

In an industry first, the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) launched its all-new Spanish-language Basic Stain Removal Course – taught entirely in Spanish, with no live translation, and designed from the ground up for Spanish-speaking professionals.

Forty-four students from Canada to Curaçao logged in twice a week throughout November for this immersive, hands-on virtual training. Over four dynamic sessions, they mastered stain identification, chemistry, stain board tools, and step-by-step removal processes for everything from ink and nail polish to mustard, red wine, grass, and more.

Big Impact, Immediately Felt

For many attendees, this was the first time world-class technical training had been available to them in their native language.

“Learning such useful tools was exciting to me since I’m new to this industry,” said Ivan Aguilar, Managing Director at VIP Textile Restoration in Guelph, Ontario. “I will replicate what I learned with my employees so they can also benefit from it.” Aguilar reports he’s now removing stains with renewed confidence and is eager for more DLI courses in Spanish.

The impact was just as powerful for seasoned operators.

“This will help me immensely with training,” said Heather Larson, General Manager at St. Croix Cleaners/Treasured Garment Restoration in Stillwater, MN. “A good percentage of my staff does not speak English.” Larson enrolled four staff members—three with more than a decade of experience, and one brand-new hire—and said all left the course energized, equipped, and more strategic in their stain-removal work.

Hands-On Excitement—Even Over Zoom

Instructor Georgina “Gina” Hernandez Loranzo, owner of Ortega Cleaners in San Juan Capistrano, CA, spent more than a year preparing the Spanish curriculum alongside DLI Director of Education & Analysis Brian Johnson. Her preparation included multiple English-language course sessions and attending DLI’s Introduction to Drycleaning Course in Laurel, MD – all to ensure the inaugural Spanish class would deliver the same rigor, clarity, and practical value as the English version of DLI’s Virtual Basic Stain Removal program.

The result: A virtual classroom buzzing with enthusiasm.

“It never gets old seeing the students hold up their swatches when they get the stains out,” Johnson said. “They get so excited—as happy as kids on Christmas morning.”

Hernandez agreed. “The most rewarding part was witnessing the students’ excitement as everything clicked for them,” she said. “Knowing the effort we put in directly empowered people in their day-to-day work was the highlight.”

A Milestone for Accessibility in Fabric Care

Students repeatedly expressed gratitude for having access to professional education in Spanish—many for the first time in their careers.

“Knowledge is power!” Larson emphasized. “Learning in their native language is easiest. Building up my team means a lot to me and shows we value those who choose to work for us.”

Johnson noted the emotional impact on participants who had never before received industry training they could fully understand: “Even as a non-Spanish speaker, I could tell they felt valued. They were engaged, happy, and having a really good time,” he said.

Part of DLI’s Full Line of Courses
DLI offers in-person, online, and on-site courses to cover all aspects of the drycleaning business. Registration is open for all 2026 DLI courses. Learn more and register at DLIonline.org/Education.

DLI exists to help member drycleaners succeed.

Learn more at DLIonline.org

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