How to Prepare Your Laundry for Pickup Like a Pro

Start With the Right Bag - And Your First One Is Free

The laundry bag you use for pickup matters more than most people realize. Plastic bags trap moisture and can cause mildew, strong odors, or color transfer. Cardboard boxes aren’t ideal either - they hold smells and collapse if damp.

The best choice is a breathable, durable fabric laundry bag, which allows airflow while keeping everything secure.

To make things easy, Tip Top Laundry gives every new pickup customer their first branded laundry bag at no cost. We deliver it to you with your first completed order. From then on, every pickup is as simple as filling your Tip Top bag, tying it closed, and placing it by the door.

It’s cleaner. It’s neater. It’s easier.

And it’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Empty Pockets Thoroughly Before Pickup

This is one of the most important steps. Items left in pockets can cause stains, machine damage, or ruined clothing.

Before pickup, quickly check for:

• Pens or markers

• Lip balm or cosmetics

• Receipts or tissues

• Vape pens or lighters

• Coins, keys, or earphones

• Snacks or wrappers

It takes less than a minute, but it protects your garments - and our machines. Even though our team checks during sorting, catching items at home ensures the best results and prevents accidental ink or oil stains.

Separate Items That Need Special Attention

You don’t have to fully sort your laundry - your professionals will sort everything by color, fabric type, and wash method. But if you have a few items that require special care, separating them makes sure they get the attention they need.

Examples include:

• Delicates

• Lace or lingerie

• Work uniforms with stains

• Baby clothes that need gentle detergent

• Items needing fragrance-free washing

Place these in a smaller labeled bag, then put that bag inside your main Tip Top Laundry bag. This ensures nothing gets missed or mixed.

Label Stains or Special Requests

You know your clothes better than anyone else - so if a stain has been sitting for a week or was caused by something specific (oil, wine, makeup, food, etc.), a simple note helps us treat it correctly.

You don’t need to write paragraphs. Something like:

• "Grease stain on khaki pants"

• "Wine stain on collar"

• "Sweat stains on shirt - please pre-treat"

• "Air dry this sweater"

These small notes help our team give you the best possible cleaning results. If you submit your order online, you can also leave special instructions in the pickup notes.

Keep Wet or Damp Clothes Separate

Damp towels, just-rinsed shirts, or swimwear should not go into the main closed bag unless they’re fully dry. Trapping moisture in a sealed environment can lead to mildew - especially in Arizona heat.

If you have damp items:

• Air dry them briefly before pickup

or

• Place them in a small bag labeled "damp items"

Our team will wash them right away so they don’t sit too long, but separating them protects the rest of your clothes.

Bundle Bulky Items Thoughtfully

Pickup laundry isn’t just for clothes. Many customers send in:

• Sheets, Pillowcases, Duvets

• Comforters, Blankets

• Mattress covers

• Heavy towels

These items are perfectly handled by our commercial machines. But bundling them together or labeling them makes processing smoother. Your Tip Top Laundry bag is large enough to hold quite a bit, but for oversized bedding, separate bags are best.

Don’t Overstuff the Bag

A well-filled laundry bag should close comfortably. Clothes need room to shift and breathe. If the bag is stretched to the point of bursting or the drawstring barely closes, it’s too full.

Over-filled bags can:

• Cause wrinkles

• Stress seams on the bag

• Trap moisture

• Make sorting more difficult

If you regularly fill multiple bags, ask for additional branded bags - we’re always happy to provide extras for recurring pickup customers.

Give Clear Instructions for Pickup Locations

This is one of the easiest ways to ensure a smooth pickup. When scheduling:

• Tell us where your bag will be (front door, patio, by the gate, concierge desk, office lobby)

• Add gate codes, building numbers, or access instructions

• Note pets, special entry points, or locked areas

• Indicate contactless pickup if desired

Clear instructions = a fast, friendly, efficient pickup.

Our drivers follow your directions exactly and will text or email when your laundry is collected. When your first order returns, your free Tip Top Laundry bag will be included.

Use Your Branded Bag for All Future Pickups

Once you receive your free bag, the entire process becomes effortless. For every future pickup:

1. Fill the bag

2. Tie it securely

3. Set it in your designated spot

4. We pick it up and return it clean, folded, and ready

The bag is durable, branded, and designed to last. Many customers say it’s one of their favorite perks of signing up for Tip Top Laundry pickup & delivery.

Remember - You Don’t Need to Be Perfect

These steps help, but they’re not required. You’re using a professional laundry service to simplify your life, not complicate it. If you forget to label a stain or toss one damp shirt inside, don’t stress.

Our job is to make laundry something you never have to worry about again.

Final Thoughts: Pickup Laundry Should Feel Effortless

Preparing your laundry for pickup doesn’t take long - and with your free branded bag, it becomes even easier. A little organization ensures cleaner clothes, fewer surprises, and a faster turnaround.

And whether it's your first pickup or your fiftieth, Tip Top Laundry is here to make laundry day the easiest part of your week.