When laundry shops face the delivered clothes with obvious stains, some operators may tend to put the clothes directly in the industrial washing machines for overall washing and think that this method is more convenient and quicker. However, the truly time-saving, highly efficient, and clothes-careing method, which can also ensure the washing quality, is doing scientific stain pretreatment. It is not only an important link in the washing process, but also directly affects the appearance and service life of the clothes. It even concerns the operating costs and energy consumption of the laundry shops.
Importance of Stain Pretreatment
- Maintain the appearance of cleanliness and tidiness
Customers’ clothes easily become contaminated with all kinds of common stains in daily life. (oil stains caused by food, handwriting, paint, green grass juice, and so on. ) Some special stains cannot be removed by detergents. Only detergents with special functions and special stain removal methods can completely remove these stains. If the clothes are directly washed without pretreatment, the washing effect will be poor, and the stains will even solidify in the washing or drying process, leaving a permanent residue. Local stain pretreatment can help dissolve and remove these stains, restore the original cleanliness of the clothes, and improve customer satisfaction.
- Extend the service life of clothes
The accumulation of stubborn stains will continuously erode the fiber structure of the textiles, causing reduced strength, loss of elasticity, or even damage. Removing stains by pretreatment can remarkably slow down fabric aging, extend the wearing life of clothing, and help customers save the cost of repeated purchases.
- Reduce energy consumption during washing and reduce operating costs
If there are still obvious stains during the main wash stage of an industrial washing machine, it is often necessary to increase the number of washes or raise the water temperature and mechanical strength. This not only increases the consumption of water, electricity, and steam, but also leads to excessive use of detergent. Pretreatment can reduce the repeated washing requirements from the source, help the laundry shop save energy, and reduce consumption, which conforms to the trend of green operation.
- Improve the efficiency of the main wash and shorten the operation cycle
The stain pretreatment makes the detergents and the stain removal ingredients better act on the remaining dirty areas, thus making the main wash process more efficient. Also, the washing duration can be controlled, and the overall handling ability has been improved. This helps the laundry shops take on more orders without affecting the quality of laundry service.
- Avoid discoloration and cross-contamination
If some stains (bloodstains, wine stains, mold stains) are directly washed without pretreatment, it not only causes the discoloration or local yellowness of current clothes but also contaminates other cloths of the same batch during the washing process. Stain pretreatment can help lock in color, prevent the spread of stains, and ensure that each piece of clothing is washed independently, cleanly, and safely.
Steps for Pretreatment in a Laundry Shop
The ideal stain pretreatment should be systematic and standardized. It is suggested that the laundry shops establish the following operation procedures.
- Identification and classification of stains
Choose agents and methods according to the types of stains. (protein-based stains, oil-based stains, pigment stains…)
- Local treatment and control of reaction time
Apply professional stain remover by spot and let it stand for a reaction to fully exert the chemical effect.
- Mild mechanical auxiliary
Use a soft brush or a cloth surface to pat to increase the stain removal effect and avoid damaging the fibers.
- Timely main wash and final inspection
Enter the main wash process instantly after the pretreatment and do the final stain inspection before entering the drying process.
Conclusion
The stain pretreatment is definitely not unnecessary. It is the essential step for modern laundry shops to achieve an operation of high quality, high efficiency, and low energy consumption. It not only helps maintain the beauty and durability of clothes but also improves the professional level of the laundry services and sustainability. By establishing the scientific pretreatment system, laundry shops can control costs and significantly enhance their competitiveness in the market, so as to achieve a win-win situation for customer trust and brand value.
