Ever toss a stained shirt in the wash hoping it’ll come out clean only to find that the stain is still there after the cycle? You’re not alone. Stains can be stubborn, especially once they’ve gone through a full wash and dry. That’s why pretreating stains before heading to the laundromat is one of the best things you can do for your clothes. Don’t let it sit in the hamper for days allowing the stain to get deeper and deeper embedded.
Why Pretreating Works
When you pretreat a stain, you’re giving it special attention before the full wash cycle. Pretreating helps loosen the stain, break down oils, or lift dyes from the fabric—giving your detergent a better chance to do its job.
Once a stain gets set in the dryer, it becomes much harder (and sometimes impossible) to remove. Pretreating gives you the best shot at removing it the first time around.
What to Pretreat (and How)
Common stains like coffee, grease, sweat, wine, or grass all benefit from pretreatment. You don’t need anything fancy—a basic stain remover, liquid detergent, or even baking soda paste can do the trick. Gently rub the solution into the stain and let it sit for at least 5–10 minutes before washing.
Got a stubborn or older stain? Let the pretreatment soak in longer—just make sure not to let it dry out before washing.
Why It Matters at the Laundromat
At BetterClean Laundry in Northeast Philadelphia, our machines give your clothes a powerful, professional wash. But pretreating at home gives those machines a head start. By the time your items go into the wash, the stain has already begun to break down—meaning better results in less time.
Whether you’re using our self-serve machines or dropping off for wash-and-fold, pretreating helps us help you get the best possible clean.
