Before Your First Pickup: Nine Notes From the Pressing Room
Photo: Kid Keen 47, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The first collection is usually the hardest. Not because the process is complicated, but because nobody wants to hand over a bag of crumpled shirts and discover they have committed some unspoken laundry sin. So here is the honest version from the pressing room: what helps, what hinders and what nobody will judge you for.
1. Sort by fabric, not by panic
You do not need a colour-coded system or a label maker. A quick sort into shirts, knitwear, delicates and household linen is enough. It helps the pressing team choose the right approach for each item. If you are short on time, at least keep embellished party pieces away from heavy cotton and anything with a zip that could snag a delicate sleeve.
2. Do not bag anything damp
This is the big one. A sealed bag plus damp cotton equals a musty smell that no amount of steam can fully fix. Let items dry completely before they go in the bag. If a jumper came in from the rain or a shirt has just come out of the wash, give it time to air. Your future self will thank you.
3. Tell us your hanger preference
Some people want everything on hangers; others want shirts folded and knitwear flat. There is no wrong answer. Mention it when you book, or pop a note in the bag. If you have favourite hangers, keep them. We do not need wire ones, and your wardrobe will look calmer without them.
4. Empty pockets properly
Tissues, receipts, a stray mint, a train ticket from three weeks ago: pockets are full of surprises. A tissue left in a dark trouser pocket can decorate an entire load. Check coat pockets, shirt pockets and jeans before bagging. It takes thirty seconds and saves everyone a fiddly clean-up.
5. Label the bag, not every item
A clear name and collection address on the bag is enough. Special instructions are welcome, but you do not need to write a biography of each sock. A simple note such as 'shirts on hangers, please' or 'knitwear folded' is far more useful than a full inventory.
6. Flag the delicate bits
Sequins, velvet, silk, beaded party dresses and anything with a delicate trim. These are not a problem, but they need a different approach. A quick note saves time and protects the item. If something has a loose button or a small repair, mention that too so it can be handled carefully rather than discovered halfway through pressing.
7. Treat turnaround as a guide, not a dare
Standard turnaround is usually a few working days, but party season is busy. In November and December 2026, book early. If you need something for a specific date, say so when you book. We would rather know than guess, and it is much easier to plan a collection around a Christmas do than to rush a velvet dress the morning of it.
8. Do the time-saving maths honestly
Add up the minutes spent setting up the board, filling the iron, waiting for heat, re-ironing the same collar and putting it all away. Then add the weekend you would rather spend elsewhere. Outsourcing is not a luxury if it buys back a chunk of your week. For busy UK households, the maths often looks better than expected once the hidden faff is included.
9. You do not need to tidy the whole house
Just have the bag ready near the door. Nobody is inspecting your hallway. The collection is quick, the return is quicker, and the pile disappears. That is the point. A first collection is not a test; it is a handover. Bag it, book it, forget it, and let the pressing room take it from there.
