How to Handle Stains Before You Drop Off

The single most important thing you can do when something gets stained is bring it in quickly. Time is the enemy of a stain — every hour a stain sits, it can bind more deeply to fabric fibers and become harder to remove completely.

What to do immediately

For most fresh stains, blot — do not rub. Rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper into the weave. A clean cloth pressed gently over the stain, absorbing liquid upward, is usually the right move. Then bring the garment in as soon as possible.

• Blot, never rub
• Remove excess solid material with a spoon or dull knife, not a tissue that can shred
• Do not apply heat
• Do not use random household products on delicate fabric
• Bring it in before the stain dries completely if you can

What not to do

The most common mistake is treating a stain at home with a product before bringing it to the cleaner. Some home stain treatments can interact badly with fabrics or cleaning processes, making the stain harder to remove or damaging the garment. If you use anything at home, tell us exactly what you used.

Always tell us about a stain when you drop off, even if it has been there a while. It gives us the best chance to treat the garment correctly.

Stains we see most

Oil and grease stains from food, cooking, or lotions are common and often respond well when caught early. Red wine, coffee, ink, and makeup can be more difficult, but timing matters. Protein stains like sweat, food, egg, and blood should come in as soon as possible.