The invention belongs to the field of activated carbon and particularly relates to a pretreatment method for preparing high-specific surface-area multi-hole activated carbon with cotton stalks. The pretreatment method includes: 1), smashing the cotton stalks into particles and screening to remove impurities; 2), rinsing materials prior to dehydrating; 3), adding the materials into an alkalescent solution for dump leaching, rubbing the materials mechanically to divide the same into threads, extruding excess fluid and performing dump leaching once more; 4), placing the materials into a closed pressure vessel, feeding high-pressure steam 1.0-2.5MPa in atmospheric pressure for 5-20 minutes, releasing the materials and the steam prior to releasing pressure to normal pressure and allowing the materials to come out; 5), rinsing with deionized water and performing dehydrating; 6), performing uniform drying. By the arrangement, natural microchannel structure of the cotton stalks can be effectively utilized and expanded, the specific surface area is increased, quality raw materials are provided for low-cost subsequent preparation of high-specific surface-area multi-hole activated carbon process, usage of activating agents in the subsequent process is low, and the pretreatment method is simple in activating process, high in sustainability and suitable for scale production.