How to Prepare Your Clothes for Pickup: A First-time User's Checklist

Sorting your laundry before pickup doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does make a big difference in how smoothly your order is handled. First-time users often skip this step simply because they’re not sure what the service expects.

Think of it the same way you’d prep your clothes before tossing them into your own washer –  just a quick once-over to separate the basics from anything that needs a little more attention.

How to Sort Your Laundry Before Pickup

• Separate everyday wash-and-fold items from dry-clean-only pieces to avoid mix-ups once they reach the facility.
• Keep towels, bedding, and heavier items in their own section to prevent them from overwhelming lighter garments.
• If you're unsure where something belongs, place it in a “check with the cleaner” pile so the team can assess it when it arrives.

It’s easy to forget what you tucked into pockets during a busy week, but those little items can cause big problems once they hit commercial washers or dryers. Pens, loose change, headphones, and receipts often get overlooked, and they can damage fabric or even the machines. Taking one last sweep through your pockets is a small step that protects your fabrics.

What to Remove Before Pickup

• Take out all paper items like receipts, sticky notes, or wrappers, as they shred into dozens of tiny pieces.
• Remove anything metal, especially coins or keys, which can leave scratches or rip fabrics during cleaning.
• Check back pockets and hidden interior pockets on coats, jeans, and dress pants, as these are the most commonly overlooked.

Every laundry Pickup and Delivery Service appreciates it when customers flag stains ahead of time because it helps them treat the issue correctly from the start. Whether it’s a coffee splash, deodorant mark, or oil spot, noting it early improves the chances of removing it completely.

Most first-time users assume stains will automatically be handled, but pointing them out creates a smoother and more accurate cleaning process.

How to Identify and Communicate Stains

• Use a sticky note, a piece of painter’s tape, or a quick text in the app to mark the garment and describe the stain.
• Hold items up to the light for hidden marks, grease, sweat, and water spots that often only show at certain angles.
• If you’re unsure what caused the stain, just note the location; the cleaner will choose the safest approach.

The bag you choose matters more than people realize, especially during transportation. Sturdy bags keep your items contained and clean, while flimsy bags tend to tear or spill open as soon as they’re moved. If it’s your first time using the service, aim for something simple but reliable so the driver can load it quickly without worrying about rips or lost items.

Best Practices for Choosing a Pickup Bag

• Use a drawstring laundry bag, hamper bag, or thick disposable bag if your service hasn’t given you a permanent one yet.
• Avoid grocery bags, as they rip easily and aren’t big enough to handle a full load without spilling.
• If you’re sending dry cleaning, try to keep those items in a separate bag to avoid crushing delicate pieces.

Some items just need a little extra love – lace tops, wool sweaters, silk pieces, or anything you’d normally hesitate to put into a regular wash. Separating them ahead of time makes sure they receive the proper cleaning method the moment they reach the facility. This step is especially helpful if your order includes both regular laundry and specialty items.

How to Handle Delicates and Special-care Clothing

• Place delicates into a mesh bag or separate lightweight tote to help the team identify them instantly.
• Keep dry-clean-only garments in their own clearly labeled bag so they’re processed separately from wash-and-fold.
• For items with beading, sequins, embroidery, or lace, add a quick note saying they need gentle treatment.

If you have preferences about how your clothes are washed, dried, or folded, now is the time to speak up. Whether you like shirts folded a certain way, prefer hypoallergenic detergent, or want specific pieces hang-dried, your laundry service can almost always accommodate it. The key is making your requests clear before pickup so they can follow your preferences from the start.

How to Communicate Your Laundry Preferences

• Use the notes section in your pickup app or leave a simple message with your driver about detergent preferences or drying methods.
• Let the team know if certain items should not be machine-dried, especially activewear or anything prone to shrinkage.
• If you have repeat preferences, such as “fold shirts flat” or “use fragrance-free detergent”, ask that they be saved to your account.

Pickup day runs more smoothly when your bags are already waiting where the service expects them. Whether it’s your front porch, apartment lobby, or a designated corner by the door, having your items ready ensures you don’t miss your slot. Drivers run on routes, so having everything in place keeps your pickup moving and gets your order returned on time.

How to Set Up Your Pickup Spot

• Set a phone reminder so you don’t forget to put your laundry out before the driver arrives.
• Make sure your bags are visible and protected from pets, sprinklers, or unexpected weather.
• If access is needed (i.e., a gate code or lobby instruction), send it ahead of time so the driver doesn’t get delayed.

Ready for your first pickup? Iron Press Cleaners keeps the whole process easy and hassle free, so you can skip the confusion and enjoy fresh, clean clothes and home essentials at your doorstep. With FREE Pickup and Delivery Service for Midland residents, this is the easiest way to keep your clothes and home linens looking their best without adding a single errand to your day.

Book your FREE Pickup and Delivery Service today and lock in a time that fits your schedule. Our team handles everything from doorstep pickup to expert cleaning and on-time delivery. Schedule now and see why first-time customers instantly trust Iron Press Cleaners with their personal wardrobes, and even that of their whole family.

Contact Iron Press Cleaners

📍 Serving Midland, Texas

📞 Call: (432) 300-6935

📝 Schedule Your Pickup: Book Online