It’s hard to know when and how to wash your microfibre cloths, so we’ve made this handy guide to help.
What is a microfibre cloth?
How long do microfibre cloths last?
How often should you wash microfibre cloths?
Wash
Dry
What is a microfibre cloth?
A microfibre cloth is a cloth made from very small fibres of polyester and nylon. These tiny fibres are split, creating more fibre surface and making the cloth incredibly absorbent. This makes them excellent for cleaning dirt, dust, and bacteria from surfaces around your house.
If looked after appropriately, your microfibre cloth can last for up to 5 years. Of course, this also depends on how often you use your cloth and what for.
You should be washing your microfibre cloths on a weekly basis, especially if they are regularly used. If your cloth is heavily soiled or pungent, it should be washed immediately.
Wash
Microfibre cloths can be washed in a washing machine on a warm or hot water cycle with mild detergent. Do not use fabric softener as you will clog the open spaces in the fabric, making the cloth less absorbent. Ideally, you should wash your microfibre cloths by themselves as they are likely to cling to any other material, such as cotton. You can, however, wash your microfibre cloths with other microfibre items, such as clothing or towels.
If you would prefer to hand wash your microfibre cloths, fill a basin with hot water and mild detergent. Use your hands, or a soft-bristled brush, to gently scrub at the fabric, removing any stains and releasing embedded dirt. Once you are satisfied that your cloth is adequately clean, thoroughly rinse it by running it under clean, warm, water.
Dry
To ensure that your microfibre cloth lasts, it’s best to leave it to air dry. Exposing your cloth to high-temperatures damages the fibres and will render your cloth useless. Instead, leave your cloth to completely air dry, refraining from using it until it is completely dry. Luckily, microfibre is an incredibly fast-drying fabric.
Rather than washing your own microfibre cloths, or any cloth for that matter, why not give them to Laundryheap? We will pick up your cloths, clean them, and redeliver them to you all within 24 hours. Head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app to book your service today.
Halloween is almost upon us and if you haven’t got your outfit sorted don’t panic. These 4 DIY costumes are easy to make and perfect for a Halloween full of thrills and chills.
Ghost
Skeleton
Strawberry
Zombie bride
Ghost
Let’s start easy. A ghost costume is incredibly easy to achieve, very comfortable, and requires limited supplies.
To make a ghost costume you will need…
A white sheet
Scissors
Light coloured hat
Pen or pencil
Safety pins
Black marker
To begin making your ghost costume place your light coloured hat on your head. If your hat has a brim you must either cut it off or wear your hat backwards so that it doesn’t get in the way.
Next, drape your white sheet over your head so that it’s laying evenly over your body. If your sheet is slightly too long, get a friend to use a pen to mark the excess fabric to a comfortable length. Whilst you are still wearing the sheet, get your friend to mark where the top of your head is, and use your fingers to demonstrate where your eyes are, marking them as well.
Once the appropriate areas have been marked, take your sheet off. Use one safety pin to attach your hat to your sheet using the mark in the centre of the head. Use your remaining safety pins to make sure that the hat is secured to the sheet.
With your scissors cut eye holes where they were marked. Once you have cut your eye holes, use your black marker to draw around them, making them more defined. You can also use your black maker to draw a nose and mouth if you wish.
Finally, use your scissors to cut the excess fabric at the bottom of the sheet. For a more ghoulishly looking ghost, cut your fabric in a haphazard manner rather than in a straight line. You are now ready to put your costume on and enjoy a day of tricks and lots of treats.
If you are looking for a costume with a bit more body to it, why not go as a skeleton?
To make a skeleton costume you will need…
White masking tape
Black clothing to cover your top and bottom half
To begin making your skeleton costume lay out your black clothing on a flat surface. Make sure that your clothes are adequately spread out so that you can see the whole garment.
Create your skeleton by tearing off strips of masking tape of various lengths and sticking them to your black clothes. Your skeleton doesn’t have to be accurate, so don’t worry too much about getting the lengths and placement of the tape right. Make sure that you have covered the general areas, such as your arms, legs, and torso, before putting your costume on.
To add to your slinky skeleton look you can paint your face to look like a skeleton using black and white face paint. Alternatively, you can print out a mask of a skeleton for an equally frightening look.
Halloween costumes don’t always have to be scary. Go as something sweeter, and easy to make, like a strawberry.
To make a strawberry costume you will need…
Red clothing, ideally a dress
White felt
Long cylinder can (a crisp can will do)
Green cardboard
Pencil
A stretchy headband
Scissors
Hot glue gun
To begin making your strawberry costume, use your scissors to cut out lots of small teardrop shapes from your white felt. To make this step faster, layer 2 or 3 sheets of felt and cut through them at the same time. These teardrop shapes will be the seeds of your strawberry.
Once you have finished cutting out your shapes, lay out your red clothing on a flat surface, making sure that you can see the whole garment. Using a hot glue gun, glue your felt shapes to your red clothing in a random pattern, making sure that your whole garment is covered. Once you have glued your white felt down, set your red clothing to one side to dry.
Whilst your clothing is drying, you can make your leafy headpiece. To begin creating your headpiece use a pencil to trace the shape of 2 different sized leaves on your green cardboard. Ideally you want 4 large leaves and 5 or 6 slightly smaller leaves. Once you have drawn all of your leaves, use your scissors to cut them out. To make your strawberry leaves look more realistic, use your fingers to gently pinch the base of each leaf and slide your fingers up to the tip. This will create a gentle curl.
Your can will be the base of your hat, so make sure that it is a comfortable height to place on your head. Use your glue gun to glue the biggest leaves around the can. Next, use the second biggest leaves to fill in the gaps in between the big leaves, making sure that you can no longer see the can. To finish off your headpiece, stick your headband to your can by making a line of hot glue at the base of your can.
Once your headband is secured you can shimmy your strawberry outfit on, and top it off with your leafy headpiece for more of a treat than a trick.
We’ve all heard of bridezilla, well this costume is bridezilla if she were dead. Luckily, this outfit is a lot easier to put together than a wedding, so hopefully there won’t be any meltdowns.
To make a zombie bride costume you will need…
A white dress
White veil (not essential but a nice touch)
Moisturiser
Light shade of foundation
White powder
Light blue eyeshadow
Smokey eye eyeshadow palette
Black pencil eyeliner
Black mascara
A zombie bride look is less about the outfit and more about the makeup. That being said, to achieve the bridal look you will need a white dress and a veil. To make your zombie look really come to life, cover your dress in black makeup or any product that will make it look dirty. You may also want to tear the bottom of your dress to zombiefy it.
To make your zombie bride come alive, begin by smoothing moisturiser into your face. Add the lightest shade of foundation that you can find on top of your moisturiser, blending it in until smooth. Once smooth, add white powder to your face, giving yourself a very pale complexion. To add to the undead look, blend a light blue eyeshadow into your makeup, giving your skin a blueish grey tone.
Next, use a smokey eye eyeshadow palette to add colour to your eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Use a combination of purple, pink, red, and black eyeshadow underneath your eyes to make dark circles, making sure to blend the colours together with a brush. Use a black eyeshadow to highlight your cheekbones and wrinkles on your forehead, blending the lines slightly to give you a more dead-like look.
With a black pencil eyeliner, heavily line the lids of your eyes, using your fingers to smudge the eyeliner into your skin. For added effect, use the eyeliner on your lashline, smudging that as well. This will create the effect of sunken eyes.
Finally, finish the look by applying a heavy amount of mascara to your bottom lashes. Use your mascara brush to clump some of your lashes together, in a messy, haphazard way.
With your dress on and makeup done, you are ready to head out into the world to find your groom… dead or alive.
At Laundryheap there are no tricks, only treats. Whilst you have fun creating mischief on Halloween, we will pick-up, launder, and redeliver your clothing to you. Simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app to book your order today.
As we adjust to the changing autumn weather, it’s time to dig out and brush off our coats. The best way to ensure that your coat lasts the whole autumn and winter season is to properly care for it. This is your trench coat care guide.
Always check the care label
Spot clean
Pretreat
Machine wash
Dry
Keep fresh
Store
Always check the care label
As with any item of clothing, before you begin caring for your trench coat you must check the care label. Checking your coats care label will inform you of what fabrics your coat is made from, whether it is safe to machine wash, what temperature you should be washing it at, and whether it is tumble dryer safe. All of this information will help you to care for your trench coat in the appropriate manner.
Spot clean
Per season you should only be washing your coat 2-3 times. If your trench has a handful of stains, don’t immediately wash it, try and spot clean. To spot clean your trench coat dampen a soft, clean, cloth with diluted vinegar, and gently dab at each stain until it lifts. Avoid rubbing or wiping motions as this can set the stain further into your coat rather than lifting it. You should notice your stains lifting after a handful of dabs, leaving your trench coat clean and ready to wear.
If you have decided that it’s time to wash your trench coat, make sure that you pre-treat any stains before putting it in the washing machine. To pre-treat your stains make a paste from equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Rub this paste into your stains using your fingers, or a soft-bristled brush, and leave it to soak for a minimum of 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, rinse the paste off with lukewarm water. If your stains persist, add two tablespoons of vinegar and two tablespoons of laundry detergent to a bucket of water and leave your trench coat to soak overnight. The mixture will penetrate the stains, lifting them and leaving your trench coat ready for the washing machine.
Even if your trench coat is safe to wash in the washing machine it’s best to take precautions. Before putting your coat in the washing machine turn it inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag. This will help protect any buttons, zips, and fastenings your trench coat has. Wash your coat on a normal, warm water, cycle, using a gentle laundry detergent. Avoid washing your coat with any other items.
Once your trench coat has been washed, remove it immediately from the washing machine to limit creasing. You should avoid using your tumble dryer, or any other form of heating, to dry your trench coat, instead opting to air dry. Hang your trench coat on a wooden hanger, making sure that it is sitting on the hanger properly to avoid any stretching, and leave it to air dry in an airy open space. It may take a while for your coat to dry completely, but air drying is the best way to ensure that your coat maintains its shape and is not damaged by heat.
To keep your coat healthy it’s important to freshen it up in between washes. If you own a steam cleaner steaming your trench coat a handful of times between washes will help kill bacteria and remove any creases in your coat. To lift odours, you can spray your trench coat with fabric spray, which is perfect for not only removing smells but giving your coat a quick refresher. The final way to keep your coat looking fresh is by regularly brushing it. Gently run a soft-bristled brush over your coat in between wears to lift lint, hair, and fluff. This will ensure that your coat stays looking pristine and ready to wear at all times.
During the autumn and winter months make sure that you hang your trench coat up using a clothes hanger, never on a coat peg. Hanging your trench on a clothes hanger will ensure that it maintains its shape and will not stretch. You may also want to avoid hanging your trench in direct sunlight as this can sometimes make the colour fade.
When the autumn and winter is over, wash your trench coat one last time, making sure that your pockets are empty, fold it, and store it in a cotton storage bin. This will help keep it fresh and mould free until you need it again next year.
If you are concerned about washing your trench coat, or your coat is dry clean only, we’re here to help. Book your Laundryheap service by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
Holiday’s are expensive, so finding free things to do is a great way to save money. Luckily, Rotterdam is brimming with fun, free, things to do, see, and explore.
Stroll along the harbour
Explore the Markthal
Wander the markets
Sail on the SS Rotterdam
Learn about Rotterdam on a walking tour
Visit De Ster
Take in the views at Lührs viewpoint
Enjoy the peace and quiet of Eiland van Brienenoord
Cycle the city
Visit Rotterdams iconic structures
Stroll along the harbour
Rotterdam is home to the largest harbour in Europe. As you journey along the harbour, you will come across some of Rotterdam’s most famous landmarks, including the Erasmus bridge, Hotel New York, and the SS Rotterdam. If you find yourself stuck for something to do on a clear, dry, day in Rotterdam, a stroll along the harbour is the perfect solution.
In the heart of Rotterdam you will find the Markthal, a quirky take on the classic market square. A large arch of 228 apartments covers a central market hall of 96 food stands where you will sample some of the best food you will find in Rotterdam. From classic cuisine to exotic eats, the Markthal is a culinary lovers dream. Whilst sampling Rotterdam’s finest foods, look around at the mural painted on the arch covering the square. “Cornucopia” shows enlarged food items alongside flowers and insects in reference to Dutch paintings from the 17th century. The masterpiece was created by artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam, and provides a glorious view to enjoy with your food.
The Markthal is not the only market in Rotterdam. There are an array of street markets running 6 days a week, selling all manner of fresh produce, trinkets, and flowers. The biggest market in Rotterdam is at Binnenrotte near the Rotterdam Blaak train station. Here you will find more than 250 stalls selling everything including fresh fruit, fish, cheese, flowers, vintage goods, and even furniture. If you are visiting the city during the Christmas season, there are plenty of Christmas markets selling perfect stocking filler gifts and traditional Danish food and drink.
Sail on the SS Rotterdam
The SS Rotterdam is iconic. Launched back in 1953, the ship sailed for 41 years, ferrying passengers from Rotterdam to New York. In 2000, the SS Rotterdam was returned to the city, where the ship has since been turned into a hotel, restaurant, event space, and tourist attraction. You can explore the ship for free, learning about it’s rich history and tales of it’s transatlantic voyages. If you are willing to splash out on dinner on the boat, there are plenty of options for you to indulge in. Whether you fancy a relaxing afternoon tea, suave fine dining experience, or simply some greasy finger food, there is something to satisfy everyone’s tastes on the SS Rotterdam.
The best way to get to know a new city is by exploring it with the locals. Free Walking Tour Rotterdam is run and conducted by volunteers who live in Rotterdam and truly love their city. The tour begins at the Markthal and takes you to some of the most iconic areas of the city where you will learn about the history of Rotterdam. The tour runs every day from 1:30pm and there is an additional morning tour on a Saturday beginning at 10:30am.
Did you really go the the Netherlands if you didn’t visit a windmill? The Kralingse Bos forest is a beautiful recreational area, perfect for running, cycling, or simply taking a stroll. The forest encases Kralingse Plas lake, along which you can find windmill De Ster (the star). Dating back to 1866, windmill De Ster is a fully functional windmill which is still used to grind tobacco leaves to create snuff. Guided tours of the windmill are available every second Saturday of the month between 10am to 4pm. Entrance to the windmill is free, however any generous donations made do go towards maintaining the windmill.
Lührs viewpoint is a Rotterdam hidden gem. After hiking up a 40 meter hill you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the Rotterdam skyline and, on a clear day, The Hague. It is the perfect place to escape the city, enjoy nature, and unwind with a beautiful view.
Enjoy the peace and quiet of Eiland van Brienenoord
Under the Van Brienenoord Bridge in Rotterdam you will find a slice of peace and tranquillity- Eiland van Brienenoord. Grassy plains, open waters, and a forest make up the island, giving a home to a multitude of plants, birds, and animals. The island was created in the 19th century when silt plates formed in the Nieuwe Maas and became overgrown. Whether you are looking to do some bird watching, enjoy a gentle jog, or simply stroll around the island, Eiland van Brienenoord is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
There are many ways that you can enjoy the city of Rotterdam, but none are as fun as cycling. You can spend hours cycling across the city, from the city centre to Delfshaven, exploring the hidden gems that the city has to offer. There are cycling routes that you can take, or you can make your own route, following the harbour and simply seeing where you end up.
Rotterdam is renowned for its quirky architecture and iconic structures. Spend a day charting the structures of the city, roaming from one icon to the next. From the Cube Houses to Hotel New York, the Witte Huis to the Euromast, create yourself a route to all of the famous landmarks in Rotterdam and spend the day exploring.
There are so many fun, free, things to do and see in Rotterdam that you won’t have time to do your laundry. Luckily, Laundryheap are here to help. Book your Laundryheap service today and have your laundry picked-up, laundered, and redelivered to you within 24 hours. To book your Laundryheap order today head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
Offering your guests a laundry service is another way that you can make their stay more comfortable and convenient. You can do your guests’ laundry in-house, using space and resources that could be used elsewhere, or you can offer an on-demand laundry service that removes the pressure off of your hotel and allows you to earn a commission.
Why a hotel needs on-demand laundry
Focus on your core business
Get commission from your guests’ outsourcing
A scalable model
A trustworthy service
Limits your costs
Free up space in your hotel
On demand service
Convenient for your guests
Affordable prices for your guests
Quick and easy
Focus on your core business
Offering your guests an in-house laundry service is convenient for them but adds extra pressure on you. By outsourcing your laundry to an on-demand laundry service, you remove the stress and hassle that comes with running an in-house laundry service, allowing your focus to rest solely on the other aspects of running your hotel.
Get commission from your guests’ outsourcing
Hotel guests are already outsourcing their laundry, so why shouldn’t you benefit from it? By simply placing a few marketing materials around your hotel advertising Laundryheap’s on-demand service, you can earn commission on each order placed. It’s as simple as that.
A scalable model
On-demand laundry for hotel guests is a model suitable for a single hotel or a chain. It’s a scalable model that will see your commissions rise as you open up the possibility of on-demand laundry to more of your guests.
A trustworthy service
At Laundryheap, we know laundry. We are an award-winning laundry service, operating globally, and offering a 24 hours a day seven days a week support system. When you use an on-demand laundry service you are trusting that your guests will receive a top-quality service. With an ‘excellent’ rating on Trustpilot, and ranked number one by customers in the categories of ‘Dry Cleaner’, ‘Laundry Service’, and ‘Launderette’, you can trust Laundryheap to give your guests the quality laundry service that they deserve.
Limits your costs
Running an in-house laundry service requires investing in expensive equipment, such as industrial-sized washing machines and dryers, alongside detergent and labour costs. When you use an on-demand laundry service these costs are eliminated.
Free up space in your hotel
Not only does running an in-house laundry service require investing substantial funds, but it also requires space within your hotel. On-demand laundry services operate outside of your hotel, freeing up the space you would have used on a laundry room for an alternative purpose, such as more storage for linen and cleaning supplies, improved staff facilities, or additional rooms.
On-demand service
When a guest stays at your hotel there is no guarantee that they will want their laundry done. On the other hand, guests could be left disappointed if a laundry service is not available to them. Offering an on-demand laundry service to your guests eliminates the expense of running an in-house laundry service, whilst satisfying the needs of guests who require their laundry to be done.
Convenient for your guests
At Laundryheap our top priority is our customers. That is why we have designed our on-demand service to be as flexible and accommodating as possible. When your guests book a Laundryheap service, they specify the time they would like their laundry to be picked up and when they would like it redelivered. Additionally, guests can track their driver when they are en-route to their hotel and even contact the driver with any questions or queries.
Affordable prices for your guests
Partnering with an on-demand laundry service does not only earn you commission but is also affordable for your guests. When you partner with Laundryheap, a unique voucher code will be printed on each marketing material placed in your hotel offering your guests a discount to use Laundryheap’s services. This works as an incentive for each guest to have their laundry done at an affordable rate, whilst you earn commission on each order that is placed.
Quick and easy
Using an on-demand laundry service is quick and easy. Guests can book their Laundryheap order by downloading the free Laundryheap app or via the Laundryheap website. They must simply specify the service they require, the time they want their order picked up, and when they would like their clothing redelivered. All of our transactions are done cashless, contactless, and with the guests in mind.
Laundryheap is an on-demand laundry and dry cleaning service offering contactless collection and delivery within 24 hours. Globally, we service over 3,000 hotels, from chains, such as Premier Inn and Ibis, to independent hotels. Our on-demand laundry service will work for any budget.
Welcome to the new Laundryheap brand- strong and dynamic, and putting you at the centre. With a brand new logo, vivid colour palette, and bold typography, Laundryheap has never felt more like a brand that you can trust. Let us reintroduce you to who we are and tell you more about our new brand.
Who is Laundryheap?
The old Laundrheap
The new Laundryheap
The future of Laundryheap
Who is Laundryheap?
Laundryheap is a global on-demand laundry and dry cleaning service. We offer a flexible and convenient solution to laundry, giving you more time to spend doing the things you love. At Laundryheap, we value your time, which is why we offer a 24-hour turnaround at no additional charge. We are fast, reliable, and strive to ensure that our customers receive a quality service.
The old Laundryheap
The old Laundryheap brand prioritised functionality, but we now want to increase our focus on creating a personal relationship with our customers. We felt a disconnect between our brand and those who were using our services. This, coupled with the rapid growth that we have experienced over the past year, urged us to create a new and dynamic brand that better represented who we are as a company, and brought us closer to you, our customer.
The new Laundryheap
We are still the same Laundryheap, offering a fast and reliable 24-hour laundry and dry cleaning service for customers and businesses, we have just built a stronger brand that better reflects our reliability and ability to empathise with our customers. Don’t believe me? Let me show you the new and improved Laundryheap brand.
Logo
You may notice that the new Laundryheap logo is not dissimilar to our old logo. We didn’t want to completely change our icon, simply modify it to look sleeker and more human-centred, achieved by creating softer edges to better combine the image of a freshly laundered shirt with a heart. Our logo remains strong and focused, the emblem of a company that you can trust with your laundry, whilst also showing the happiness we achieve by providing our customers with the quality laundry service they deserve.
Colour palette
Our new colour palette has been designed to be vivid but non-intrusive with a mixture of light pastel colours and darker, more vibrant, shades. We wanted to highlight the happiness and warmth of Laundryheap, whilst remaining consistent and professional, creating a colour palette that reflects the trustworthiness and confidence of the Laundryheap brand.
Imagery
Laundryheap’s new imagery perfectly combines the functionality of using Laundryheap’s services with the joy our customers feel at having an empty laundry basket. We want to highlight the ways that you could spend your time after the stress of doing your laundry has been eliminated, doing so with a series of bright and happy imagery.
Typography
The typography that we have chosen is bold and distinctive to assure you that we are a company that understands laundry and can adequately care for yours. That being said, there is a slight curve to the lettering we have chosen, giving it a softer, friendlier, and less authoritative tone.
Guidelines
For Laundryheap’s new brand to be cohesive across all of our platforms, we have created a brand new set of guidelines. Our guidelines clearly outline how our new imagery, typography, colour palette, and logo should be used to convey Laundryheaps ethos to you, our customers. With our new visual brand, comes a change in tone. Rather than being distant and overly professional, we want our voice to allow you to get to know us. At Laundryheap we are confident, witty, and trustworthy, and we want to share that with you.
The future of Laundryheap
Our mission is to become the first choice for outsourcing laundry globally. Providing everyone with a fast, quality laundry service, which allows them to focus more of their energy on doing what they love. As a company, we are committed to working sustainably and are adjusting the way we work every day to lower our carbon footprint and help save our planet. Above all, we hope to continue serving our customers, both old and new, and we hope that our new brand will help us to achieve a more personal relationship with you.
Creased bedding is not very appealing to the eye, but ironing can be an arduous task. These hacks for getting crease-free bedding without an iron are the solution to all of your creased-bedding problems.
Don’t overload
Ice cubes
DIY wrinkle spray
Hairdryer
Laundryheap
Don’t overload
It’s always best to prevent a problem rather than solve one. To limit the creasing of your bedsheets make sure that you don’t overload your washing machine. Overloading your machine will cause your sheets to become tangled, therefore encouraging creases. Consider washing your bedding separately from the rest of your laundry to ensure that your items have adequate space to be washed.
The best way to remove wrinkles from bedding is with steam. You don’t need a steamer or an iron to use steam to remove wrinkles, all you need is a handful of ice cubes and a tumble dryer. Once you have put your bedding in your tumble dryer, throw in 2-3 ice cubes and use a high heat setting for 15 minutes. The heat will melt the ice cubes, creating steam, which will relax the fibers in your bedding and remove any wrinkles.
You can buy wrinkle spray, but why buy something that you can make at home?
To make wrinkle spray you will need…
An empty spray bottle
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon of fabric softener
1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol
Combine your water, fabric softener, and rubbing alcohol in your empty spray bottle. Give your bottle a shake, ensuring that all of your ingredients are adequately mixed together. Once you are satisfied that your wrinkle spray has been adequately mixed, spray it directly onto your sheets. You should notice your wrinkles disappearing, and the fabric softener leaving behind a pleasant, fresh, smell.
If you have made your bed, only to realise that your sheets are covered in wrinkles, then this simple hairdryer technique will lift the wrinkles in no time. Simply spritz your bedding with water, don’t be afraid to spritz additional water on deeper-set wrinkles, and turn your hairdryer on to the highest heat setting. Move your hairdryer from side to side over each sprayed wrinkle, and watch as they disappear. You’ll have crease-free bedding in no time.
The best way to remove wrinkles from your bedding is to send it to Laundryheap. We will wash, iron, fold, and re-deliver your bedding to you, all within 24 hours. To book your order simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
Dubai is a cultural mecca. It’s a city that combines the innovation of technological advances with Dubai tradition. These are just 5 of the culture hotspots to check out the next time you visit Dubai.
Al Fahidi
Grand Mosque
Al Shindagha Museum
Alserkal Avenue
Hatta
Al Fahidi
Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in Dubai during the late 19th century? If your answer was yes, then the historic town of Al Fahidi is the perfect culture hotspot for you. Located along the Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi was originally built in the early 1900’s, and many of the towns original buildings are still intact. As you trek the winding streets, admiring the historical buildings, you will come across several museums, art galleries, and traditional food stalls which will transport you to 1900’s Dubai. To get as much historic knowledge about Old Dubai as possible, book yourself on a walking tour of the town.
The Grand Mosque is the hub of religious and cultural life in Dubai. Holding up to 1,200 worshippers, it is an architectural masterpiece with intricate geometric carvings and blue mosaic. The original Grand Mosque was built in 1900, but was replaced in 1960 and re-built again in 1998 to resemble the original structure. Non-Muslims can enter The Grand Mosque from 9:30am to 11:30am Sunday to Thursday for free tours.
If you would like to learn more about Dubai’s creek history, and wider Emirati culture, than head to the Al Shindagha Museum. Sat along the Dubai Creek, the Al Shindagha Museum offers a carefully curated tour of interactive videos, historic photos, and artefacts that show exactly what it was like to raise a family by Dubai’s waterway. Then, explore the legacy and trading importance of Emirati fragrances at The Perfume House. The Al Shindagha Museum is a fascinating day out, overflowing with beautiful artefacts and interactive fun.
Alserkal Avenue is the cultural hotspot of modern Dubai. What was once an industrial area of 40 warehouses has been transformed into a cultural bohemian of art galleries, dance studios, and artisanal cafes. The transformation of Alserkal Avenue began in 2008 when one gallery moved to the area. Word soon caught on, and over the past 13 years contemporary artists have been relocating to the area, creating the Alserkal Avenue you see today. Discover new art and some of the best coffee Dubai has to offer at Alserkal Avenue.
Venture outside of the skyscraper city of Dubai and to the beautiful mountain village of Hatta. Many people visit Hatta to take part in activities such as mountain biking and paddle boarding, however the historic village of Hatta is also incredible to explore. In the town centre, you can find Hatta Heritage Village, which has been preserved and reconstructed to showcase centuries of rural living in Dubai. You can wander through traditional Dubai huts, and even observe villagers carrying out traditional activities, such as making jewellery, weaponry, and pottery. The beautiful surroundings of Hatta, coupled with learning about the historic culture of the village, make for an unforgettable day out.
Don’t let laundry stop you from exploring the cultural hotspots of Dubai. Book your Laundryheap service today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
Family holidays create memories that will last a lifetime. They can be incredible for family bonding and enjoying time together away from the home. That being said, they can also be incredibly stressful, so here are some hacks to take some of that stress away.
Try to find family-friendly accommodation
Use a backpack
Pack spare clothes
Use vacuum seal bags
Comfort is key
Think about entertainment
Don’t forget plane sweets
Share the responsibility
Bring some home comforts
Don’t forget to enjoy yourself!
Try to find family-friendly accommodation
Before you begin to contemplate travelling, think about your accommodation. Although staying in a generic hotel or renting short-stay accommodation may be cheaper, consider finding family-friendly specific accommodation. Family-friendly accommodation is built with children in mind, so there are usually additional activities available to keep your children entertained. It may be slightly pricier, but it could make your family holiday more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Between checking in to your flight, getting through security, and making sure that your children are safe and happy, it will be rare to find your hands empty whilst you are at the airport, and on your holiday. Using a backpack for your carry-on rather than a travel bag will guarantee that your hands are accessible when you need them, and will guarantee that you don’t misplace or lose sight of your carry-on.
In your carry-on make sure that you pack a spare change of clothes for all the family. If you have young children you may already have packed a spare change of clothes for them, but make sure that you also pack spare clothes for yourself. Children can become travel sick, or could spill juice and/or food down themselves and you, so it’s always best to be prepared. Even if you just pack a change of top, it will at least help towards making everyone feel fresh once you have arrived at your holiday destination.
There is a lot of packing involved for a family holiday. To save yourself some space in your suitcase, use vacuum seal bags. Assign each person in the family one or two bags to put all of their belonging in. Once each bag is packed, seal them shut and put them in the suitcase. Not only will this save you space, but it will also make packing, and unpacking, much easier.
When deciding what to wear for traveling remember that comfort is key. All members of your family should prioritise comfort over style, so think about wearing loose-fitting clothing made from lightweight materials. These types of clothes will be easy to move in, and perfect for if you are traveling to or from a hot country. Consider packing a couple of small blankets or thick long scarves in your carry-on just in case you or the members of your family get cold whilst traveling. It’s always good to be prepared for all weather whilst on the move.
Think about entertainment
Children can become irritable whilst traveling, especially on particularly long journeys, so make sure that you have an ample amount of things that will entertain them. It could be their favourite toy, a tablet to watch TV and films on, or a game that can be played. Alternatively, you could entertain your children by getting them excited about the holiday.
One of the most unpleasant things about traveling is when the airplane is taking off and landing and your ears pop. This can be disorientating for both children and adults alike, so be prepared with plane sweets. Anything that can be sucked on will help to un-pop your ears on a plane, so choose some age-appropriate sweets and have them on-hand for your flight.
The responsibility of traveling as a family should not land on one person. If you are traveling with another adult or with older children share the responsibility. Make a list of responsibilities before you leave and divide them between the other adult(s) and older children in your family. You could even share some of the smaller responsibilities with the younger children, such as deciding on travel entertainment or what snacks to take with you. Traveling as a family can be stressful, so sharing the responsibility will help ease that stress and ensure that everyone has a good time.
We all get homesick at times, and, for younger children especially, it can be scary and disorientating staying in a new location. To make the transition from home to holiday easier for them, pack some home comforts. This could be their nightlight, pillows, or favourite teddy. You don’t have to pack anything too big or difficult to travel with, just something small that will make them feel safe and at home.
A family holiday is for the whole family, not just the children, so don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Whilst you are away take some time out of your day to do something that you want to do. Maybe it’s reading a book on the beach, going for a swim, or taking a walk on your own. A family holiday is just as much about enjoying yourself and getting away from the stresses of everyday life, as it is enjoying time as a family.
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Fall has finally arrived, and there is no city to enjoy the changing colours and festivities of the season quite like Chicago. Here are just 10 things that you can do this fall in Chicago.
Lincoln Park
Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns
Sonny Acres Farm
All Seasons Orchard
Harvest Wine and Cheese Festa
Chicago International Film Festival
The Magnificent Mile Light Festival
Thanksgiving Parade
The Chicago Marathon
Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
Lincoln Park
You will find Lincoln park in the north of Chicago. Home to immaculate gardens, a hidden lily pond, and the Lincoln Park Zoo, there is an abundance of things to see and do in Lincoln Park. Despite the park being accessible at all times of the year, it is most beautiful during the fall. As you walk the expanse of the grounds there are plenty of trees showcasing the changing colours of the fall, and plenty of crunchy leaves to satisfyingly walk through. If you want a day in the fresh air whilst in Chicago, explore Lincoln Park to its extent.
Fall means Halloween. There are several ways Halloween can be celebrated in Chicago, one of which is the Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns. Hosted at the Chicago Botanical Gardens, Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns is a celebration of the humble Halloween classic- the pumpkin. More than 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins light a paved path with a variety of faces from celebrities to iconic Chicago landmarks. Each pumpkin is true art. As you walk the Jack-o-Lantern path, the Halloween festivities continue with costumed entertainers, pumpkin-carving demonstrations, and a light fare. Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns is only running from the 13th-17th and 20th-24th of October so make sure that you get your tickets ASAP.
Sonny Acres Farm
Keeping with the Halloween theme, Sonny Acres Farm is the perfect place to spend a spooky day out. If you are in Chicago with children, the farms Haunted Daytime Fun is ideal. You can experience fun hayrides around the farm, pumpkin picking, and, if brave enough, even take a visit to the Haunted Barn. For older children and adults who are looking for the fright of their lives, wait until the evening to experience the Haunted Barn. With live actors taking on a variety of horrifyingly creepy characters, expect to be scared from the moment you step into the barn to the moment you leave. You can experience all of the Halloween fun at Sonny Acres Farm until the 31st of October.
If you are looking for a more wholesome Chicago fall experience then head to All Seasons Orchard. There is an abundance of fall fun to be had, including picking fruit from the 15,000 apple and pear trees, picking the perfect pumpkin from the 10 acre pumpkin patch, and getting lost in the All Seasons corn maze. There are two pathways you can take in the corn maze, a shorter one for those with young children, and a longer, more challenging, alternative. After tackling the corn maze, explore the All Seasons Orchard Barnyard, complete with petting zoo, mini zip line, and pumpkin bowling. All Seasons Orchard is the perfect fall day out for every age.
For those cheese and wine lovers visiting Chicago this fall, book your tickets for the Harvest Wine and Cheese Festa. Over the course of an hour and 15 minutes you will be treated to a special selection of ten Tuscan wines, each paired with a chef-curated selection of artisanal cheeses. Once you have sampled each wine, you can further indulge yourself by purchasing the wines at the on-site marketplace. A ticket for the Harvest Wine and Cheese Festa is $59 and the event will only be running on Friday the 22nd of October and Saturday the 23rd of October.
The Chicago International Film Festival is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. The festival is presented by its parent company Cinema/Chicago, which was founded in 1964 by filmmaker and graphic artist Michael Kutza. The festival has been running since 1965 and is a celebration of the best in international cinema. All proceeds from the festival go to Cinema/Chicago’s programmes that help foster better communication between diverse cultures through film and moving images. The Chicago International Film Festival is a great opportunity to see international films and is perfect for any lover of cinema in Chicago this fall.
Halloween isn’t the only fall festival to look forward to, there is also Thanksgiving. The week before Thanksgiving, along the length of Michigan Avenue, 200 tress are illuminated by over a million lights. The festival began in 1949 and has only grown in scale since. After the initial lighting ceremony, a parade of floats begins, featuring festive favourites such as Santa Claus, cartoon characters, and musical performances. To end an evening of magical fun, a firework display lights the nights sky, brining the event to a perfect close. The Magnificent Mile Light Festival begins at 11am.
Just one week after The Magnificent Mile Light Festival is Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade. On Thursday 25th of November 2021 thousands will gather on the streets of Chicago to celebrate Thanksgiving and watch the Parade. From balloons of your favourite cartoon characters to parade floats, dance acts, and extra special guests, Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade is a spectacle for all. The parade begins at 8am and runs until 11am, however it’s best to head to State Street as early as possible to secure yourself a good viewing spot.
The Chicago Marathon is held every October and sees 45,000 runners cover 26.219 miles of the city. The track forms a loop both beginning and ending at Grant Park, and the runners will travel through 29 of Chicago’s neighbourhoods. If you would like to support the runners of the Chicago Marathon you can do so at one of the three ‘Cheer Zones’. The ‘Cheer Zones’ are located at the 8 kilometre mark, 15 mile mark, and 26th mile mark. The Chicago Marathon will be held on Sunday the 10th of October 2021 and races begin from 7:20am.
For those who are visiting Chicago interested in exploring art and culture, the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is a must see. At the Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germaina Club you can experience the legendary work of Vincent Van Gogh like never before. Van Gogh’s work is highlighted through 500,000 cubic feet of flawless projections that allow every brushstroke to be observed up close. From Starry Night to Sunflowers you can view Van Gogh’s work at an astonishing scale that will give you a new appreciation for his artistry. The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit will be running throughout October and November and tickets start from $40.
Chicago is a beautiful city, especially during the fall season. Too beautiful to miss out on because you’re doing laundry. Head to the Laundryheap website, or download the free Laundryheap app, to get your laundry picked-up, laundered, and redelivered to you within 24 hours.
