Handling Laundry to Go Without Damaging the Fabric

You use a laundry to go service. Maybe you don’t have time to do laundry, you travel often, or you use a pickup and delivery laundry service. Laundry to go services are convenient, but they can damage clothes if not handled right. Here’s how to handle laundry to go without damaging the fabric.

Laundry to go refers to laundry pickup and delivery services that wash, dry, and fold your clothes for you. These services are convenient but can damage clothes if they use the wrong settings, harsh detergents, or rough handling. The key to protecting your clothes is sorting before pickup, labeling special care items, communicating your preferences, and checking clothes when they’re returned.

To handle laundry to go without damaging fabric, sort clothes before pickup, label special care items, communicate your detergent and temperature preferences, use a gentle detergent like Tide Free and Gentle, check clothes when returned, and report any damage. Don’t send dry clean only clothes, don’t send delicate items without labeling, and don’t leave returned clothes in the bag.

How to Prepare Clothes for Laundry to Go

Step 1: Sort Your Clothes

Sort clothes by color (whites, lights, darks), fabric type (cotton, synthetics, delicates), and care level (machine wash, hand wash, dry clean). This helps the service wash your clothes correctly.

Step 2: Check Pockets

Check all pockets for items that could damage clothes (pens, keys, gum, tissues). Remove everything.

Step 3: Label Special Care Items

Label any items that need special care (cold water, gentle cycle, hang dry). Use a note or tag on the item.

Step 4: Separate Delicates

Place delicates in a separate, labeled bag. Don’t mix delicates with regular laundry.

Step 5: Don’t Send Dry Clean Only Clothes

Don’t send dry clean only clothes to a laundry to go service unless they offer dry cleaning. These clothes can be damaged by machine washing.

Step 6: Communicate Your Preferences

Tell the service your preferences for detergent, water temperature, and drying method. Request Tide Free and Gentle if you have sensitive skin.

How to Check Clothes When Returned

Step 1: Check for Damage

Check each item for damage (tears, stains, shrinkage, color bleeding). Report any damage to the service immediately.

Step 2: Check for Stains

Check for stains that weren’t there before. If you find new stains, treat them immediately with OxiClean Max Force Spray or Dawn Ultra Dish Soap.

Step 3: Check for Odors

Check for any unusual odors. If clothes smell musty, they may not have been dried properly. Rewash with Lysol Laundry Sanitizer.

Step 4: Remove from Bag Immediately

Remove clothes from the delivery bag immediately. Don’t leave clothes in the bag, which can trap moisture and cause odors.

Step 5: Store Properly

Hang or fold clothes and store them in your closet or dresser. Don’t leave them in the delivery bag.

What to Tell Your Laundry to Go Service

Preference	What to Tell Them	Why
Detergent	Use Tide Free and Gentle	Gentle on clothes and skin
Water temperature	Cold for darks and delicates	Prevents fading and shrinking
Drying	Hang dry delicates	Prevents shrinkage and damage
Fabric softener	Don’t use, use vinegar	Prevents residue buildup
Stain treatment	Pre-treat with OxiClean	Removes stains before washing
Bleach	Don’t use chlorine bleach	Can damage colored clothes

Recommended Products

Detergent: Tide Free and Gentle

Stain removers: OxiClean Max Force Spray, Dawn Ultra Dish Soap, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

Laundry sanitizer: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

Ink remover: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover

Machine cleaner: affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

Baking soda: Arm and Hammer Baking Soda

What Not to Do

Don’t send dry clean only clothes. Dry clean only clothes can be damaged by machine washing. Don’t send them unless the service offers dry cleaning.

Don’t send delicates without labeling. Delicates need special care. Label them so the service knows to use gentle settings.

Don’t leave returned clothes in the bag. Leaving clothes in the delivery bag traps moisture and causes odors. Remove and store immediately.

Don’t skip checking for damage. Check each item when returned. Report damage immediately.

Don’t use a service that uses harsh detergents. Harsh detergents can damage clothes and irritate skin. Request Tide Free and Gentle.

Don’t send stained clothes without pre-treating. Pre-treat stains before pickup with OxiClean or Dawn dish soap for better results.

FAQ

What is laundry to go? Laundry to go is a pickup and delivery laundry service that washes, dries, and folds your clothes for you. It’s convenient but requires proper preparation to protect your clothes.

How do you prepare clothes for laundry to go? Sort by color and fabric type, check pockets, label special care items, separate delicates, don’t send dry clean only clothes, and communicate your detergent and temperature preferences.

What should you check when laundry to go returns your clothes? Check for damage (tears, stains, shrinkage), check for odors, remove from the bag immediately, and store properly. Report any damage to the service.

Can you send delicates to a laundry to go service? Yes, but label them for special care (cold water, gentle cycle, hang dry). Place delicates in a separate, labeled bag.

What detergent should you request from a laundry to go service? Request Tide Free and Gentle. It’s gentle on clothes and skin and doesn’t leave residue that can cause irritation.

References

1. Tide. “Laundry Service Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Laundry Delivery Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Laundry Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Consumer Reports. “Laundry Service Guide.” consumerreports.org.