Tips for Prepping Your Laundry Before Dropping It Off

1. Sort Your Laundry Ahead of Time

   Tip Top Laundry offers sorting services, but doing it yourself beforehand can prevent potential issues and ensure your clothes are washed just the way you like. Here are a few tips for sorting:

   • Separate Lights and Darks: Avoid color bleeding by sorting whites and light-colored clothes separately from darks and bright colors.

   • Sort by Fabric Type: Group similar fabrics together, such as cottons, synthetics, and delicates. This helps ensure each type is washed and dried under the appropriate conditions.

   • Group Heavy and Lightweight Items: Washing heavy fabrics like towels with lightweight items like T-shirts can lead to uneven cleaning. Keep these categories separate.

   If you’re short on time or unsure how to sort, rest assured that Tip Top Laundry’s sorting services will ensure your clothes are handled with care.

2. Check All Pockets

   Pockets are sneaky places where small items like tissues, coins, pens, or even earbuds tend to hide. Forgetting to empty pockets can lead to unpleasant surprises, such as ink stains or shredded tissues. To avoid mishaps:

   • Turn each item inside out to double-check for hidden items.

   • Pay extra attention to coats, jeans, and pants, as their pockets often hold the most forgotten objects.

   • Remove loose change, which could damage washing machines or create noise during the cleaning process.

   Checking pockets not only protects your clothes but also ensures the laundromat’s machines stay in good working condition.

3. Separate Delicates

   Delicates such as lace, silk, and thin fabrics need extra care. By separating them from heavier or rougher items, you’ll help prevent snags, rips, and other damage. Consider these steps:

   • Use a Mesh Laundry Bag: Place delicates like lingerie, hosiery, or baby clothes in mesh laundry bags for added protection.

   • Spot Treat Stains: If you notice any stains on your delicates, spot treat them before handing them over to improve the chances of complete stain removal.

4. Remove Tough Stains

   Professional laundromats like Tip Top Laundry do their best to remove stains, but it’s always a good idea to let them know if there are any. Pre-treating tough stains before having them picked up or dropped off can also increase the likelihood of success.

   • Identify the stain’s origin (e.g., coffee, grease, ink) and apply the appropriate stain remover.

   • Dab—don’t rub—the stain to avoid spreading it further.

   • Allow the pre-treatment to sit for 5-10 minutes before including the item in your laundry bag.

   If you’re unsure about handling a particular stain, let the laundromat know so their team can take extra care with it.

5. Bundle Large Items Separately

   If you’re including large items like comforters, blankets, or curtains in your pick-up, delivery, or drop-off service, it’s a good idea to bundle them separately from your regular laundry. These bulky items often require different machine settings and detergents to ensure a thorough clean. Labeling these items with specific instructions (e.g., “cold wash only” or “dry on low heat”) can also be helpful.

6. Review Care Labels

   Clothing care labels provide valuable information about how to properly clean and maintain your garments. Before handing over your laundry, take a moment to:

   • Check for any "dry clean only" or "hand wash only" labels and remove those items from your laundry pile.

   • Note any special instructions, such as "do not tumble dry" or "wash in cold water."

   • Share this information with the laundromat staff to ensure they handle your items appropriately.

7. Avoid Overstuffing Your Laundry Bag

   Overloading your laundry bag might seem like a good way to save time or money, but it can lead to less effective cleaning. Clothes need room to move freely in the washing machine to be cleaned thoroughly. Use multiple bags if necessary and make sure your laundry isn’t tightly packed.

8. Secure Fasteners and Close Zippers

   Open zippers, loose buttons, or unsecured straps can damage clothing or washing machines. Before preparing your laundry for pick-up or drop-off:

   • Zip up all zippers and button shirts to minimize the risk of snagging.

   • Tie loose straps to keep them from getting tangled.

   • Remove or secure any removable decorations, such as brooches or pins.

9. Communicate Special Requests

   If you have specific preferences for how your laundry should be cleaned, don’t hesitate to communicate them to the laundromat staff. Some common requests might include:

   • Using hypoallergenic or fragrance-free detergents.

   • Avoiding fabric softeners or bleach.

   • Folding clothes a certain way.

   Many laundromats are happy to accommodate these requests, but it’s important to let them know in advance.

10. Take Note of Missing or Damaged Items

    Before arranging for pick-up or dropping off your laundry, do a quick inventory of your items to ensure nothing is missing. If any of your clothes are damaged, point this out to the laundromat staff so they’re aware. This helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures that any pre-existing issues are documented.

Conclusion

By taking a few extra steps to prepare your laundry before using a professional service like Tip Top Laundry, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your clothes are in good hands. Sorting your laundry, checking pockets, separating delicates, and pre-treating stains can all contribute to better cleaning results and longer-lasting garments. Plus, clear communication with your laundromat staff ensures your specific needs are met. Whether you’re opting for drop-off, pick-up, or delivery, these tips will help make the process smoother and more efficient for everyone involved.