We use a Bowe Permac P 546 4th generation dry cleaning machine. It has all the latest environmental controls and is the most up to date with all the components that are required not only by the Southern California Air Quality Management District (S.C.A.Q.M.D.) but also California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.) who has now set additional standards in our industry as to what type of equipment is indeed permitted to operate to fulfill VERY stringent rules in our industry. At the time of purchase it was considered by many in the industry to be the “Rolls Royce” of dry cleaning machines. It has a programmable computer controlled brain (which we have personally written many programs to sustain the unique cleaning techniques of the Pantorium), an environmentally friendly hazardous waste removal system, and a catch pan that ensures NO solvent ever gets into the soil or into the air from the unit. In short, it has all the bells and whistles. We take great pride in its upkeep and it is visually and technically inspected weekly to ensure all the standards set by the appropriate governmental agencies are followed and the pre-determined record keeping standards are met, but also to the higher standards set forth by my father and grandfather before him. It also has a feature that allows us to add a water repellent to some items like raincoats to replace the now outlawed dip-tanks that used to be the industry standard. It also automatically injects the pre-set amounts of detergent and liquid fabric finishes ensuring the best in quality cleaned clothes. If you can not already tell, we are very proud of this unit. We know of no other cleaners in our area to operate such a unit.

Finishing Equipment

The pants station has a Cissell Manually operated Utility Press. It also has a pressure control that allows for the proper pressure that ensures the proper press of the legs of pants and slacks finished here. Also at this station, (different than most of our competitors) is a Cissell manually operated Mushroom Press. This ensures the proper press of the tops of the pants and slacks again utilizing a pneumatically controlled pressure switch for that purpose. It works well to ensure a straight pleat from the top of the pants to be inline w/the crease on the legs of the pants finished here.

Other pieces of equipment at this station include: a small puff pad to aid in the steaming out of hard pressed wrinkles, and a Steam/electric Lowboy Iron with a fully adjustable temperature dial, and a dedicated water spray hose to aid in the misting of items that need to be damp to help remove wrinkles. This is very common in the finishing of many natural fiber contained garments.

At the coat station this equipment can be found in operation: An Ajax Utility Press with an adjustable pressure regulator, an all steam iron, dedicated “Susie” for the initial blowout of coats, another dedicated water spray hose to assist like the one at the pants station.

Also, these two Antique pieces of equipment have been in operation since the original plant was installed in the ‘50s. One is a Collarmaster to ensure a proper press of all collars on most coats and a Cissell Sleever that blows out sleeves that have hard pressed wrinkles in them.

One last work station titled Silk Unit includes: Another Ajax Utility Press with an adjustable pressure valve like the one at the coat station, another dedicated “Susie”, 3 bank puff iron station, another water spray hose and another dedicated steam/electric Lowboy Iron.

In summary, all personnel are trained in the proper operation of each piece of equipment at their respective work station and each employee is instructed to do a QUALITY job as opposed to a quantity type of job. All finishing equipment is outfitted with the highest quality components down to the press pads themselves.