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Microbial agents have promise for the bioremediation of Pb(II)-polluted environments and wastewater, the biodecontamination of foods, and the alleviation of toxicity in living organisms. The dairy bacterium <i>Propionibacterium freudenreichii</i> is poorly able to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solution at 25 ppm, ranging from 0 to 10% of initial concentration. Here, we report on an original strong enhancement of this activity (ranging from 75% to 93%, <i>p</i> < 0.01) following the addition of a polysorbate detergent (Tween^® 80) during or either shortly after the growth of a <i>P. freudenreichii</i> culture. We evaluated the optimal Tween^® 80 concentration for pretreatment conditions, documented the role of other detergents, and explored the possible mechanisms involved. Our results reveal a novel, environmentally friendly, low-cost pretreatment procedure for enhancing the selective removal of lead from water by probiotic-documented bacteria.