Laundryheap has completed the acquisition of Laundrapp, one of the key competitors in the UK laundry market industry. Founded in 2014 as a start-up on-demand laundry service, Laundryheap’s mission was to give the public a convenient laundry service and the growth certainly hasn’t stopped! Acquiring Laundrapp is a testament to the astronomical rise of Laundryheap.
What does this mean for Laundryheap?
The acquisition of Laundrapp means Laundryheap has expanded its regional reach across the UK, making us the market leader in the UK. Previously, Laundrapp acquired Wash box and merged with competitor Zipjet.
CEO and Founder Deyan Dmitrov made the following comments:
‘The acquisition of Laundrapp is a testament to the resilience of our model and ongoing demand for high-quality, reliable on-demand laundry services. We’re delighted to be expanding our UK footprint‘ Source: City A.M
Essentially, this also means Laundryheap’s customer base has increased. The hard work doesn’t stop, and the mission and objectives will remain the same. Laundryheap will still make it a key priority to give you, the consumer, the best on-demand laundry service that is fast, easy, and convenient for your laundry duties!
What will happen to Laundrapp?
Laundrapp’s employees will be retained. Before the acquisition of Landrapp, both laundry services worked to make laundry easier for everyone and this won’t change now! We are looking forward to welcoming the team from Laundrapp and getting involved in working together!
Over the coming months, however, the Laundrapp brand will be replaced by the Laundryheap brand.
What’s next for Laundryheap?
The magnitude of Laundryheap’s success has been massive. Operating globally in countries such as UAE, Denmark, Singapore, Netherlands, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Ireland and USA was a success in its own right. Becoming the main market leader in the UK now bodes well for the future. There is still a (laundry) list of goals and objectives that we’ll work on.
The focus on helping the environment, even more, remains a priority still. Laundryheap has recently invested in e-cargo bikes. It’s great that customers get their laundry cleaned within 24 hours but doing it in a sustainable way is the icing on the cake!
We would like to thank everyone that has been involved in the journey since 2014! The Laundryheap members, partners and especially the customers have all been essential to the success and growth!
Book with Laundryheap today by visiting our website or downloading the free Laundryheap app on iOS or Android.
Cleaning Aprons is a big duty after you’ve left the kitchen. They take care of us, by protecting our clothes from germs and stains, so it’s only fair we take care of them. If you spent a lot of time in the kitchen, you’ll know why it’s essential to keep aprons clean.
What’s The Best Way to Clean Aprons?
Whether you’ve cooked, brewed coffee, or owned a restaurant, we could imagine how messy the kitchen gets and naturally, aprons will get dirty. Cleaning aprons can be a daunting task but fortunately, there are ways to make this easier for you.
Hand washing
If your apron isn’t very dirty and you just need a few stains to be removed, handwashing would be the solution. Simply start off by filling a bucket with hot water and soak your apron in it. Afterwards, pour lemon juice and table salt on the dirty stains.
You always want to be prepared – check if the weather is warm and hang your aprons outside. If it starts to rain, leave your aprons to dry in a drying rack.
Finally, rinse the apron once again with water to remove any salt remaining and dry it once more to ensure the fabric remains of good quality!
Laundry
When it comes to cleaning aprons, laundry can also be effective.
As a rule of thumb, always read the Apron label to see if its material is suited for laundry, ironing or dry cleaning. For Nylon and PVC aprons, we advise against machine washing.
Using the washing machine when cleaning aprons needs careful planning and awareness. We recommend washing the aprons separately from other clothing. Separate white aprons from bright or darker clothing or aprons to avoid colour mixing.
Cleaning Aprons may need their own special laundry day to avoid strings tangling with other clothes or aprons. However, you can always tie the apron’s strings together in a bow as a solution.
For better results, always read labels on the cleaning liquids to make sure they match the apron colour. Brightly coloured or darker aprons are cleaned with colour-safe liquids to maintain quality.
As a general rule, aprons are laundered for 30 minutes.
A reminder that all apron materials have different washing needs. Cotton Denim and Cotton Canvas are better washed separately as colours may latch on each other.
Every Apron tells a hundred stories. Some need cleaning attention while others can remain in the kitchen. When cleaning aprons, take into consideration how long you have used your apron. Usually, if the apron is used after two or three times then it needs to be cleaned.
We hope your Apron needs are fulfilled. Cleaning Aprons is important not only for you but for people around you.
A reminder that if your laundry or responsibilities piles up, our services can help you!
Whether you’re a business or just someone who needs their Apron cleaned, visit our website to book with us or download our free Laundryheap app on iOS or Android!
April is Stress Awareness Month, but these last two years have been quite challenging and understandably stressful. With all the balancing between work, family and house chores, it’s okay to feel stressed but it’s more important you follow the tips to manage stress.
In this blog, we will present you top tips to manage stress.
Physical Activity
Eat Well
Get Good Sleep
Book A Laundry Service
Make Time for Yourself
Physical Activity
A top tip to manage stress is physical activity; put on your headphones, listen to your playlist, and go out for a walk. The warmer weather calls for more time outside so make the best of it.
You can even go out for a jog or use the gym for stress relief. Exercise releases endorphins shifts your energy to positivity and improves your mood to manage stress. Set your fitness goals to keep yourself motivated.
Don’t worry about your dirty gym laundry, we’ll do the heavy lifting by doing your laundry for you!
Eat Well!
We’ve all been there. When we are having a bad day, the first thing we do when we are free is rush to the fridge and start to stress-eat. This feels good now, but it adds to the stress in the long term.
Maintaining a good diet is the key to stress management. Cut down the caffeine. Drinking Chamomile tea is highly recommended for stress relief as it helps relaxation.
We are approaching the summer so even the basics like staying hydrated help in managing stress.
Another good tip to manage stress is keeping your Vitamin D in check; eat eggs and mushrooms. Eat a healthy amount of broccoli and green beans as they are excellent for stress relief.
Get Good Sleep!
Getting a goodnight’s sleep is not only good for the heart but it helps us wake up in a good mood, stay productive and recharge our battery. Waking up tired makes us more stressed.
To manage stress and your sleep, we recommend sleeping at the same time daily and getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep. Turn your phone off as they are a distraction and will only keep you awake.
The key to a goodnight’s sleep could be your bedsheets and linen so make sure they’re comfortable, fresh, and cleaned!
Book a Laundry Service
Laundry is a never-ending chore and if you have kids, work or a busy lifestyle, a mountain of dirty clothes can be stressful.
However, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Managing your laundry is a great stress relief and we at Laundryheap love to help.
Simply book a service with us, schedule a collection and you’ll get your laundry back in 24 hours.
No hassle, no stress! A very basic tip to manage stress is to simply feel good and with freshly cleaned and well-ironed clothes, you’ll feel happier!
Make Time for Yourself
When you get stressed, it’s okay to take a break and make time for yourself. Don’t overwhelm yourself with daily responsibilities and chores. Reading a book, travelling to new places, shopping online and meeting friends are all proven to be great stress relievers.
Doing things we love is a great tip to manage stress and one we strongly recommend.
We hope your stressful days are less frequent. If you do get stressed, remember to follow the tips above to manage your stress.
Eat well, stay active and book with Laundryheap so you have more time to pamper yourself!
Trainers are perfect for throwing on when we know that we’re going to be on our feet all day, or when we are exercising. Unfortunately, this means that they often end up smelling unpleasant. Luckily, these methods will freshen up your trainers in no time.
Bicarbonate of soda
Dry shampoo
Teabags
Newspaper
Dryer sheets
Rubbing alcohol
Washing machine
Bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda is amazing for removing odours as the fine powder is incredibly absorbent. Sprinkle a thin layer of bicarbonate of soda in each shoe and leave it to sit for 24 hours. After 24 hours, shake the powder from your shoes and marvel at their fresh smell. For an even fresher smell add a couple of drops of essential oil to your bicarbonate of soda.
When used for its intended purpose, dry shampoo soaks up the oils in your hair and is usually scented to make it smell fresher. Spraying it on your trainers works in exactly the same way. Spray a liberal amount of dry shampoo in your shoes and leave them to sit for 24 hours. After 24 hours they will be ready to wear and smelling beautifully fresh, and oddly like your hair…
Breakfast teabags contain tannins which help to kill bacteria and eliminate odours. Put your teabags, one for each shoe, in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, before removing them and leaving them to cool. Once your teabags have cooled, place one in each shoe and leave them for 1 hour. After an hour, remove the teabags from your shoes and soak up any excess tea. Be warned that the tannin can stain so you may be left with a brownish stain inside your trainer, but at least they’ll smell fresh.
Foul-smelling trainers are often caused by the moisture created from wearing them all day. This moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. To absorb this moisture, scrunch up newspaper, tissue paper, or a paper bag, and stuff it inside your trainers. Leave the paper for 24 hours before taking it out and wearing your trainers. To help eliminate odours, add a few drops of essential oil to the paper.
Dryer sheets do exactly as their name suggests and suck the moisture from their surroundings. If you don’t have any newspaper, dryer sheets will absorb the moisture in your trainers in exactly the same way. Simply scrunch a dryer sheet for each shoe and insert it in your trainers. Take the sheet out the next time you want to wear your trainers and enjoy the freshness. You can also use dryer sheets to eliminate odours from the area you store your trainers, such as your gym bag. Just place a dryer sheet in the area and leave it to soak up any moisture.
Rubbing alcohol kills odour-causing bacteria, making it the perfect thing to use on your trainers. You can either put rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and spray the inside of your trainers or apply the rubbing alcohol to cotton balls/pads and use them to wipe the inside of your trainers. Not only is rubbing alcohol great at eliminating odours, but if your trainers can be wiped clean, you can use it to freshen the outside of them as well. A double win.
If you want to give your trainers a thorough freshen, it’s best to use the washing machine. Before putting your trainers in the washing machine, first, check their care labels to make sure that they are machine washable. If your trainers are machine washable, remove the soles and laces before putting your trainers in a pillowcase. This will protect them from the harsh cycle of the washing machine and also help soften the noise as they are spun. Put your machine on a gentle cycle, and let your trainers spin. Once they have finished their cycle, take them out and leave them to air dry. Never put your trainers in the tumble dryer as the heat will warp the material and cause irreversible damage. Make sure that your trainers are completely dry before wearing them or you risk creating an even worse smell!
Whilst you are freshening up your trainers, let us tackle the rest of your laundry. Book your Laundryheap order by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
Whether it’s fresh tomato in a salad, tomato sauce in a burger, or tomato paste in a pasta dish, tomato is a delicious and diverse fruit. If you spill it on yourself, these simple steps will help lift the stain in no time.
Fresh tomato
Dried tomato
Tomato sauce
Fresh tomato
Fresh tomatoes are pesky so don’t be surprised when you cut into one and its juices fly onto your clothes. Don’t panic though, because fresh tomato stains are incredibly easy to remove.
To remove a fresh tomato stain you will need…
Cold water
A clean cloth
Dish soap
To begin removing your fresh tomato stain rinse the stained area with cold water. This will help push out as much of the stain as possible and begin loosening the remaining stain from your clothes’ fibers. Make sure that you are using cold water to rinse the stained area as anything warmer will set the stain into your clothing.
Once you have rinsed as much of the stain away as possible, dampen a clean cloth with cold water and apply a small amount of dish soap to it. Dab your stain with the soapy cloth, making sure that you are dabbing and not rubbing. Continue dabbing until a strong amount of dish soap has been transferred to your stain.
Next, use your fingers to work the dish soap into your stain. Be firm but not rough whilst doing this as the aim is to penetrate the stain with the soap not cause damage to your garments’ fibers.
Once you are satisfied that the dish soap has been adequately worked into your stain, rinse it off with cool water. As soon as you have rinsed off all of the soap, launder your clothing as you usually would. When your clothing has been washed, check to see if the stain has been lifted. If it has, then you can dry your garment, but if it hasn’t then you must repeat the stain removal process.
Dried tomato stains are slightly trickier to remove because they have already set into the fibers of your garment. They aren’t impossible to remove though.
To remove a dried tomato stain you will need…
Cold water
Laundry detergent
Ice cube
Clean cloth
Vinegar
To begin removing a dried tomato stain rinse the stained area with cold water. Before you begin rinsing your stain, turn your garment inside out so that you are rinsing it from the back. This will help the water to penetrate the back of the stain directly, loosening and removing it from your garment.
Once you have rinsed your stained area, apply a small amount of laundry detergent directly to the stain and leave it to sit for 15 minutes. During this time, the laundry detergent will penetrate the dried tomato stain and begin to loosen it from the fibers of your clothing.
After 15 minutes have passed, take an ice cube and rub it over the stain for roughly 1 minute. The ice cube will help to work the detergent further into your stain. By the time the ice has melted it should look like your stain has completely, or at least partially, disappeared.
Once your ice cube has melted, use a clean cloth to gently dab at the area, allowing you to better see if there is any remaining stain. If there is a stain remaining, spray the area with vinegar and blot at it with a cloth. Continue doing this until the stain has completely lifted.
Tomato sauce makes pasta delicious but won’t make your clothing taste any better. When you notice a tomato sauce stain, act quickly for the best results.
To remove a tomato sauce stain you will need…
A spoon
Baking soda
Cold water
Toothbrush (optional)
Dish soap
To begin removing your tomato sauce stain use a spoon to scrape as much of the sauce from your garment as possible. Be careful when doing this as you don’t want to push the stain further into the fibers of your clothing, or spread the sauce to other areas of your garment.
After you have removed as much of the sauce as possible, make a paste from 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1-2 teaspoons of cold water. Once you have made your paste, lay it directly over your stain and use a toothbrush, or your fingers, to rub it in. Make sure that you are rubbing hard enough for the paste to penetrate your stain, but not too hard to damage the fibers of your garment. After rubbing the paste into the tomato sauce stain, leave it to sit for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, rinse the paste from the stain using cold water. Make sure that you are rinsing from the back as this will aid in loosening and removing the stain from your clothing. Continue rinsing until all of the paste has been removed.
Next, work in a drop of dish soap with your fingers. Dish soap is particularly good at tackling greasy stains, so it will help to lift the remaining stain not reached by the laundry detergent.
Once you have adequately worked the dish soap into your stain, launder your item as you usually would. When your clothing is cleaned, check that your stain has been removed. If it has, you can continue to dry your garment, but if it has not then you will have to repeat the stain removal process.
The best way to lift a stain is by letting Laundryheap lift it for you. To book your Laundryheap order today head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
Parka jackets are often thick-lined and accompanied by a fur hood, making them the perfect winter jacket. To adequately care for your parka, follow this guide carefully.
Always check the label
Remove any fur
Machine wash
Use detergent and only detergent
Tumble dry
Clean your fur
Store
Always check the label
Before washing your parka jacket, or any item for that matter, you must check the care label. The care label will give you all of the information that you need to guarantee that you are washing your item in the safest possible way. If your care label specifies that your jacket is dry clean only, do not try and wash it yourself. This will only lead to your jacket becoming damaged.
Parka jackets will usually come with a detachable fur trim hood. Remove this hood and set it to one side as it needs to be cleaned using a separate method. If you do not, it can become damaged in the wash and unwearable.
Once you have detached your hood, you are safe to machine wash your jacket. It’s best to use a down-specific laundry detergent as these are specifically formulated for jackets, such as parkas. Alternatively, you can use a gentle laundry detergent. Use a cool or warm water setting on your machine that will not be overly aggressive on your jacket and unintentionally cause any damage. Finally, Before you begin your wash, make sure that there is nothing else in your machine. Your parka jacket should not be washed with any other items of clothing.
You may be tempered to add fabric softener to your washing machine, but don’t. The only thing that you need to effectively wash your parka jacket is detergent. Adding additional chemicals to your machine can lead to irreversible damage.
Now that your parka jacket is washed, it’s time to dry it. The most effective way to dry your jacket is on a low heat setting in the tumble dryer. Don’t set your tumble dryer’s temperature too high or you risk scorching the fibres of your jacket. Instead, use a low temperature and add a few wool dryer balls to help fluff the down and prevent it from clumping together.
Whilst your parka jacket is drying, it’s time to clean your fur trim. Begin by filling a basin with cool water and adding 1-2 teaspoons of gentle detergent. Completely submerge your fur in the mixture, gently moving it through the water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, lift out the fur and gently squeeze it to remove as much soapy water as possible. To remove the remaining suds, refill your basin with clean water, and rinse your collar until all of the suds have been removed. Next, gently squeeze out as much excess water as possible by rolling it in a thick bath towel. Finally, allow your fur to completely air dry– this could take up to 48 hours. Once dry, use a soft-bristled brush to lift any matted fur, before reattaching it to your clean parka jacket.
Now that your parka jacket and collar is clean, hang it up on a wooden coat hanger in an airy room. This will keep it looking and smelling fresh until you decide to wear it again.
The best way to care for your parka jacket is to let Laundryheap do it for you. To book your Laundryheap order simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
When we stain our clothes we go into panic mode. We want to get the stain out as fast as possible and in the easiest way. This, however, can lead to us making the situation much worse. These are some of the most common stain removal faux pas to avoid.
Leaving it
Rubbing not blotting
Using hot water
Not spot testing
Using too much solution
Throwing bleach at the situation
Drying before checking
Leaving it
Although tempting, the worst thing to do when you notice a stain is to leave it. The longer you put off pre-treating a stain the more it will set into the fibres of your garment, making it much more difficult to remove when you do get round to lifting it. Instead, as soon as you notice a stain, treat it. This will save you a lot of time and effort.
One of the worst things to do when treating a stain is to rub rather than blot it. Regardless of what the stain is, rubbing will only set it further into the fibres of your clothing, making it more difficult to remove. Blotting, on the other hand, gently lifts as much of the loose stain as possible without forcing it into your garment.
As a rule of thumb, never use hot, or even warm, water on a stain. Hot and warm water will only cook your stain into your clothing, making it much harder to remove. If your stain is protein-based, such as milk, hot water will curdle the protein and make it near impossible to lift. Instead, use cold water to flush out and soak stains, unless it is specifically mentioned that hot water should be used.
Not spot testing
If you don’t spot test before using any stain removal product then you risk permanently staining your garment. A spot test is when you apply a small amount of the stain remover to a hidden area on your garment, such as an inside seam, to test if it will cause any permanent damage, such as bleaching, to your item. It is a fool-proof way to avoid causing damage in the stain removal process.
It may seem logical to use as much stain remover as possible to lift your stain, but the opposite is in fact true. Using a lot of stain remover on one small stain can cause irreversible damage to your clothing, and may not even lift the stain. Instead, use the suggested amount of remover and complete the full stain removal process. If this doesn’t work continue repeating the process until your stain is lifted.
Bleach is a very powerful cleaning agent and can be very effective at removing stains. That being said, it can also cause lasting damage to your garment. Before attempting to lift your stain using bleach first look for alternative methods that use less harmful products. If you can’t find any alternative treatments, make sure that bleach is the safest option for your clothing- this is especially important if your stain is on coloured clothing. Finally, if bleach is safe to use on your stained garment, only use a small amount. Bleach is incredibly powerful and only a small amount is necessary to lift stains.
Once you have completed a stain removal treatment and washed your garment, check that the stain has been completely removed before drying your item. If your stain has not been removed you need to repeat the stain removal process. Drying your garment will only cause the remainder of your stain to set further into the fibres of your clothing, making it harder to lift.
The easiest way to remove stains, and avoid making any stain removal faux pas, is by letting Laundryheap take care of your stained items for you. Book your Laundryheap order today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
Traveling with friends is an experience unlike any other. Not only do you get to experience a completely new part of the world, but you get to do it with your besties. These hacks will make traveling with your friends the ultimate experience.
Plan the logistics together
Create a group chat
Consider renting a property
Create a kitty
Don’t overpack
Make plans together
Be flexible
Communicate
Stay present
Have fun!
Plan the logistics together
Whether you are traveling with 1 or 100 of your friends it’s important that you plan the logistics of your trip together. This includes, your destination, the length of your holiday, transportation, and accommodation. It’s important that you plan the initial logistics together so that everyone has a say in the holiday plans and is aware of the important details. Once you have sorted the initial logistics, you can divide the arrangement of the tasks between you.
If you don’t already have a group chat with your friends, make one. A holiday group chat will allow you to discuss arrangements without needing to be physically together. This will ensure that everyone stays up-to-date on the holiday plans, and you can discuss ideas for what to do on the holiday. Try to keep your group chat solely holiday-related so that it doesn’t become congested with general chat.
If you are traveling with a big group of your friends it may be more cost-effective to rent a whole property rather than book individual hotel rooms. Look into the properties available to rent and compare the price, per person, to the price of individual hotel rooms. Renting a whole property comes with the added bonus of having communal areas to yourselves so that you can plan what the days ahead hold. In addition to this, if you are holidaying on a budget, whole properties come equipped with kitchens so you can save money on eating out.
One of the more awkward parts of traveling with friends is deciding what to do when it comes to money. If one of your friends pays for dinner, and another friend pays for drinks, and a different friend pays for brunch, it can all become incredibly confusing trying to figure out who owes each person what. Instead, create a kitty before you go on your holiday. Everyone puts an agreed amount of money into a pot, either physical or an assigned person’s bank account, and that is the money used whilst on the holiday. It is the fairest way to ensure that everyone is paying equally towards the holiday.
When traveling with friends there is always somebody who overpacks and can’t carry their luggage. You don’t want to be that person, so pack your suitcase smartly. Take clothing that is weather appropriate and can easily be transferred from day to night. When it comes to toiletries and electronics, such as cameras and chargers, divide the items up between yourself and your friends. There is no point everyone taking their own shampoo and charger if you can share.
A holiday with your friends should be filled with spontaneous fun and laughter, not a rigorous schedule of things to see and do. That being said, make plans with your friends and schedule a handful of activities to fill your days. Do activities that are both fun and unique to where you are going- something that you can’t do at home. Make sure that all plans are discussed and signed off with every member of your group before anything is booked. You don’t want to isolate any of your friends who may not want to do certain activities.
Although you should plan certain activities, remain flexible whilst you are on holiday. Be open to changing plans depending on what others in your group would like to do, and remember that this holiday is supposed to be a fun experience for you all. Spontaneous activities, or even just having a lazy day, can create the ideal situation for life-long memories with your besties.
Holidays are supposed to be relaxing, but when you are with a big group 24/7, even if that group is made up of your best friends, it can become overwhelming. Don’t feel guilty about needing some time on your own to gather your thoughts, simply find a quiet area to relax. Before you go, however, communicate with your friends how you are feeling and what you are going to do. This will both make them aware of where you will be, and also ensure that they know what headspace you are in.
Whilst you are away stay present rather than on your phone. You are supposed to be enjoying time away with your friends, not updating the world on what you are doing. Take your phone with you to take pictures and videos, but limit your screen time and your friends’ screen time. Enjoy spending time and making memories together, and update the world when you get back.
The most important thing to remember when traveling with friends is to have fun. Going away with your friends is supposed to be fun, spontaneous, and exciting, so don’t sweat the small stuff, and open yourself up to new experiences. Most importantly, have the best time with your best friends.
Whilst you’re living it up with your besties, don’t worry about your laundry because we’ll be taking care of it for you. Book your Laundryheap order today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
Saving energy in your home is both good for the environment and your bank. Implement these tips and make your home as energy-efficient as possible today.
Turn off lights and appliances when leaving a room
Use energy-saving lightbulbs
Reduce water consumption
Cold wash
Air dry
Only wash when full
Invest in efficient appliances
Get a smart meter
Turn off lights and appliances when leaving a room
One of the easiest ways to save energy in your home is to turn off all lights and appliances when you leave a room. Leaving lights on when the room is empty is an unnecessary waste of energy, as is leaving appliances on. To save even more energy, unplug your appliances from the wall. Even when turned off, they still use energy, so removing your appliances completely from any source of power will ensure that they do not use any energy whilst not in use.
Energy-saving lightbulbs do exactly as their name suggests, they save more energy than standard lightbulbs. Although they use a reduced amount of energy to power them, energy-saving lightbulbs are brighter and last longer than their standard counterparts, which use 90% of their energy to heat rather than illuminate the bulb. You will find energy-saving lightbulbs in most stores or online in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit most common light fixtures.
It’s shocking the amount of water that we waste on a daily basis. Heating water for cooking, showering, and drinking uses a significant amount of energy, and most of it goes to waste. To reduce your water consumption consider taking shorter showers and turning the water off whilst you are brushing your teeth. Try to also use the required amount of water for cooking or making hot beverages as it takes more energy to boil a large amount of water than to boil the smaller amount that you will use.
Cold wash
Unless your clothing is heavily soiled or needs to be disinfected your clothing can be adequately cleaned using a 30-degree Celsius setting. Lower washing machine temperatures use significantly less energy than higher temperatures, and most laundry detergents work perfectly well in cold washes, with some detergents being cold-wash specific.
Air drying your clothes uses no energy and has many benefits for your clothing. Firstly, drying your clothing in its original shape, rather than spinning them in a tumble dryer, reduces the number of wrinkles, therefore limiting the need to iron. Secondly, air drying is much gentler on the fibres of your clothing, increasing the longevity of your garments. Finally, if the weather permits and you can air-dry outside, your clothing will be left with the refreshing scent of fresh air.
An easy way to save energy in your home, as well as your own energy, is to only use your appliances when they are full. This means waiting until you have a full laundry basket to use the washing machine and tumble dryer, and waiting until your dishwasher is full until you put it on. Rather than doing small loads of laundry and dishes several times a week, which uses up your own energy as well as the energy in your house, limit yourself to 1 load of laundry and a maximum of 2 dishwasher cycles a week.
Most modern appliances, such as washing machines, tumble dryers, and fridges, have a high-efficiency rating. Due to the growing environmental crisis, many appliance manufacturers are designing their products to run more environmentally consciously, therefore using less energy. If your appliances are aging, they are more likely to be using more energy. Consider updating your appliances to newer models. Although it may be costly in the short term, in the long run you will find yourself saving money on your energy bills, as well as helping save the environment.
A smart meter is an excellent way for you to monitor how much energy you are using and how much it is costing you. This is a great way for you to see how you use energy in your home, and evaluate where you can save energy.
At Laundryheap we are constantly improving the way that we operate in a bid to become as environmentally conscious as possible. To book your Laundryheap order head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to our everyday health and wellness. But it isn’t always easy to fall asleep. Creating the perfect sleep environment is the first step to achieving a good night’s sleep.
Make sure that your bed is comfortable
Change your bedding
Declutter
Remove electronics
Create a sanctuary
Experiment with aromatherapy
Darken your room
Decrease the temperature
Silence any noise
Make sure that your bed is comfortable
The first step in creating the perfect sleep environment is to make sure that your bed is supporting you. Do you find yourself wasting hours trying to find a comfortable sleeping position? Or wake up with a stiff and sore body? If so, you may need to invest in a new mattress and/or bed. Our bodies respond differently to different mattress firmness, so explore different options before you commit to one. You may find that your current mattress is too firm or soft for your body. If your bed is old, or ill built, consider getting a new one that is strong and unlikely to fall apart. You want a bed that makes you feel comfortable, safe, and completely as ease.
Getting into a bed with freshly washed sheets is one of the greatest pleasures in the world, and can immediately make you feel as ease. Your bedding should be cleaned every two week to get rid of lingering bacteria and dead skin cells. To enhance the calming effect of fresh bedding, buy a detergent that you like the smell of. This will help you to feel happy and relaxed as you drift into sleep.
A cluttered room causes a cluttered mind. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary for sleep and nothing else. You should not be keeping any items in your bedroom that could distract you, most importantly exercise equipment and work materials. Instead, move all potential distractions to another room in your home where you do not have to see them, and therefore think about them. Out of sight, out of mind.
Part of removing all distractions from your bedroom is removing all electronics. There should be no technology, including a TV, in your bedroom, and you should be avoiding it an hour before you sleep as well. Technology emits a blue light that suppresses the melatonin levels in your body that help you to sleep. Additionally, the content consumed on technology is likely to keep you awake due to its level of engagement, leaving you alert hours after you’ve put your phone down. Instead, switch off all of your technology, leave it in another room, and let your bedroom be a place of relaxation.
Create a sanctuary
Your bedroom should be the most relaxing area in your home for you. As such, you should decorate it in a way that makes you feel at ease. For most people, this includes calming colours, soft furnishings, and maybe even a couple of plants. You want your bedroom to make you feel comfortable and safe, so decorate your room to reflect this. At the end of the day, when you enter your room, you want to instantly want to crawl into bed and drift off into a relaxing slumber.
Experiment with aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the process of using aromatic materials, such as essential oils, to improve your psychological and physical wellbeing. Aromas, such as lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang can help create a serene environment that relaxes your body and mind and helps you drift off more easily to sleep. Try experimenting with a couple of essential oils, perhaps using them in a diffuser, to see if they have a positive impact helping you sleep.
It’s best to sleep in the dark as this is when we produce melatonin, which helps relax the body and enables us to sleep. Our bodies are sensitive to light, and when it is bright we assume that we should be awake, regardless of what time it is. To ensure that your bedroom is perfectly dark invest in a pair of quality, well-lined, curtains and/or a blackout blind. This will help keep out any early morning sun or street lights. For further protection, you may want to keep an eye mask on hand for when light may break through your curtains.
As the evening progresses your body’s temperature naturally drops to prepare you for sleep and begin the production of melatonin. If your room is too hot, draughty, or cold, you will find it difficult to fall asleep. The optimum temperature for your bedroom is 16-18 degrees Celsius. Curtains and/or blinds will help with cold and draughty rooms as they block out any wind coming from your window. For particularly draughty rooms you may want to buy a draught excluder to prevent air from your home being blown under your door. If your room is too hot, try cooling it down by opening a window and encouraging air flow into your room. Use a duvet with a lower tog and cotton sheets that are more breathable. Finally, tie back long hair and make sure that you stay hydrated. A room that is a comfortable temperature will help send you in to a comfortable sleep.
The final way to create the perfect atmosphere for a good night’s sleep is to silence any noise. Sudden, loud, and repetitive noise can hinder, awake, or startle us from sleep, leaving us feeling groggy and less refreshed the next day. Some noises are beyond our control, such as traffic or other outdoor noises. The best way to combat this is with double glazing that helps to muffle the sound. For the summer months, and for extra noise pollution protection, try using foam earplugs.
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