How to pretreat white lab coats with color logos

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hello, first time here.We are slowly starting a small business of washing and pressing lab coats. So far everything is done at home with our regular household appliances.The problem we are having is that some of the coats come very dirty in the neck area and the end of the sleeves. We pretreat them using oxiclean dual power and persily proclean and let them soak for 48 hours. We don't get very good results out of this method. We end up having to brush manually and still most of it doesn't come off.What you guys recommend for pretreatment?Thank you in advance!

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Comments (12)

mamapinky0
5 years ago
What kind of washer are you using? What water temp for main wash and prewash?
Al Hernandez
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I am using a regular household washer at high temp. For pretreatment I use hot water from the tap.
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kris_zone6
5 years ago
I would use a pre-treatment like Resolve or Shout and let sit for a while before washing.
boba1
5 years ago
Try adding Biz Powder.
doreycrouse
5 years ago
What kind of stains are on the cuffs? Body oils? I find that Ammonia does wonders. Biz powder is great too, especially moxed with ammonia.
Al Hernandez
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you! Wouldn't the ammonia mess up colors?
mamapinky0
5 years ago
No the ammonia won't damage colors but depending on what thread type was used for the logos the oxy bleach might. Usually a poly thread is used which can hold the color quite well if using a oxygen bleach. I'd do a test. Also reduce your prewash from hot to cool. You don't want stains blasted with heat before flushed with cool water.

Since your running a business I think you should do some reading about how to properly launder these things. Your taking on a responsability to clean and I imagine iron others textiles. Its not as easy as tossing in a washer and adding detergent. You can start by asking all the questions you want here. Theres lots if folks here that can advise you well.

I would also recommend you order some pure Sodium Percarbonate (oxygen bleach) as it doesn't have all the added carbonates as over the counter oxy boosters do which can lead to yellowing when the white coats are under heat from an iron.

Good Luck
Cavimum
5 years ago
mamapinkyo is right, if the logos are stitched with poly thread, and they should be, they will not fade even from chlorine bleach. Nobody who does commercial embroidery would use rayon or cotton threads for that application.

Better to find a pretreat that is hypoallergenic, IMO. Resolve is heavily scented, so I wouldn't even be able to wear that. (I always could smell it on our granddaughter's clothes when she was a toddler) If the lab coats touch skin, laundry products could cause some clients with sensitive skin to have skin reactions. And the collar stains mean they are touching skin. For example, my husband's neck breaks out in a rash when Shout is used on his shirt collars. I use Charlie's Soap as a spray on collar and cuffs pretreat , and let sit 20-30 minutes. It does a good job when I give it time... which you might not have. Good luck!
Al Hernandez
Original Author
5 years ago
Oh wow that's great help. How is the sodium percarbonate used? As pre treatment to soak the garments for some time or to replace the detergent at the time of washing?

I just ordered biz powder for pre treatment it seems to work wonders based on the previous responses and amazon reviews.
MiMi
5 years ago
Soaking any garment for 48 hours isn’t s good idea and you shouldn’t have to. I also recommend Biz
mamapinky0
5 years ago
Al what water temperature are you getting in your washer? What type of lab work?
Jerrod
5 years ago
What type of washer? Top loader or front loader? If front loader does your washer have a heater to maintain water temp and to heat it hotter if necessary?

How to pretreat white lab coats with color logos

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mamapinky0

Al Hernandez
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How to pretreat white lab coats with color logos

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Al HernandezOriginal Author

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