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Cleaning Your Children’s Dirty Sports Kits

Cleaning your little one’s sports uniform is a problem faced by mothers the world over. Whether you are a soccer mom, rugby mum or athletics mother, at one point or another you will find yourself faced with grass stains that seem impossible to tackle. 

Fear not though, this guide will help you regain the joy you first felt watching your children play sport and no longer shudder every time they come home with a dirty kit. 

  1. Act straight away
  2. Know your fabric
  3. Pre-soak
  4. Pre-wash 
  5. Avoid Chlorine Bleach
  6. Removing Grass
  7. Cleaning mud
  8. Cleaning Sweat
  9. Drying
  10. Consult The Professionals 

Act Straight Away

You could be forgiven for wanting to bury your head in the sand when your child first comes home with a fresh bag of wet, muddy and smelly clothes . Especially if it isn’t laundry day. It is important to keep in mind that by doing this you will be making the whole process much harder for yourself in the long run. If you take one thing away from this guide today let it be this. Tackle that kit as soon as it comes through the door.

Know Your Fabric

Standard football kits are made predominantly from a polyester-nylon mesh. School rugby kits are often made from polyester with a lycra blend. Both sets of materials are made for their durability and thankfully are both easier to clean than cotton.

Pre Soak

Once you’ve established the fabric you want to get that kit soaking as quickly as possible. Try to run the tap and get as much mud off as possible. Some parents have even been known to hang the kit on the washing line and rinse with a hose. 

Once you have got as much mud off as possible, fill a bucket with warm water, mix with one cap of laundry detergent and a cup of baking soda. We would advise leaving the kit to sit for at least an hour or more.

Pre Wash

Check to see if your washing machine has a pre-wash option. If so, take advantage of it! Using your pre-wash setting allows the main wash to be as clean as possible. 

We advise using half a cup of standard washing powder and a half a cup of oxidizing stain remover in the pre-wash. Do the same when it comes to the main wash but use a full cup of stain remover this time.

laundry machine

Avoid Chlorine Bleach

Despite how tempting it may seem to use chlorine bleach, don’t! Polyester and chlorine do not see eye to eye. If you feel you have to use bleach try to find an all-fabric bleach. You don’t want to be forking out more money for a new kit because you ruined the last one. 

Removing Grass Stains

The absolute best way to get rid of grass is to use non-chlorine bleach. But as mentioned above make sure this bleach is not chlorine bleach as it won’t end well for anyone involved. Make sure you soak the kit in this for a solid hour before using the heavy-duty detergent to finish the job.

Removing Mud

Mud can be a tricky one. This is because the key to removing it is by letting it completely dry. If your children used their kit at the start of the school day then this shouldn’t be a problem for you. 

If this is not the case and the mud is still wet, do not attempt to wipe it away as it will only rub deeper into the fabric. A good hack is using a toothbrush or plastic cutlery to gently scrape the mud from the kit.

Cleaning Sweat

We seem to never stop mentioning the benefits of baking soda and white vinegar on this blog. Cleaning sweat stains or smells is where this unlikely couple truly show they are a match made in heaven. Simply rub some on the affected area before placing your kit in the wash. The outcome will be a fresh smelling sports kit.

Drying

Always air dry sports kits to make sure no shrinkage occurs. If you have to use a tumble dryer we advise setting it to low heat. 

Consult The Professionals

When in doubt, go to the professionals. Laundryheap will give you a fast and professional service on any dirty sports kits you can’t bare to wash again. We pick up and deliver in 24 hours and charge no delivery fees. 


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Complete Guide To Removing Different Sauce Stains

Is there anything worse than dry food? Sauce, in all its incredible different varieties, has meant we never have to worry about our food being too dry again. These moist and flavoursome little bottles of joy do come with there own problems though.

It doesn’t matter if it is the bright red ketchup, golden yellow mustard, or the infamous brown BBQ sauce that your taste-buds desire most. All of these wonderfully tasty condiments can leave us in a state of panic every time we carelessly spill them onto our new white t-shirt. We are here to try and ease that panic. Next time you find yourself overindulging in a hot dog that is drowning in mustard and ketchup, make sure you know how to remove the stains once the inevitable happens. 

  • Tomato Sauce
  • Mustard
  • BBQ Sauce 
  • Mayonnaise
  • Chilli Sauce 

Tomato Sauce 

 You can find this versatile vegetable (or fruit!?) in cuisine all over the world. Whether its ketchup on your fries, spaghetti sauce or bloody mary’s, sauces that mostly contain tomatoes can make it seem like the end of the world when spilt on our clothes.

The best thing you can do when spilling tomato sauces on your clothes is act as soon as possible. Try to use heavy-duty laundry detergent and make sure you use the hottest water recommended for the fabric on the garment care label. Always ensure you check the laundry symbols before washing the garment. To start with, gently rub the liquid detergent directly on the stain. Next, place the garment into the machine to be washed. Make sure to air dry after, as heat from the dryer can set in any remaining stain particles that have not come off in the wash. 

Mustard

Like ketchup, mustard can cause most people to shriek when it’s spilt on your clothing due to its luminescent colour. Mustard contains a dye called Tumeric to enhance the yellow colour, which means it must be treated differently to other stains on this list. 

If a mustard stain does not get treated quickly, the turmeric dye can remain on your clothing as a permanent reminder of your carelessness. Try to catch the stain while it is still moist and blot immediately. Make sure you do not rub the stain, as you do not want to spread the turmeric onto unstained parts of the garment. 

Finally, mix a solution of three-quarters of dish soap and one quarter rubbing alcohol. Apply the mixture to the stain and allow to soak for 10 minutes, just long enough for it not to dry. The alcohol in the solution should turn the stain a dark colour, but not to worry, it will rinse right out! Rinse the treated area with hot water, and then launder like normal.

BBQ Sauce 

Would a barbecue even be a barbecue if it wasn’t messy to eat? Most people attending a barbecue know the risks going in, but that still doesn’t make the BBQ sauce stains any less harrowing. 

Removing the stain is a two-step process. Soak the affected garment just like you would soak a dirty dish in warm water with dishwashing detergent, this will help loosen the sauce from the fabric and help clean the stain. Once you have left to soak for at least ten minutes, pour some vinegar on the affected area and scrub with a kitchen sponge. After you’ve treated the stain, run the garment through the washing machine like normal. 

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is probably the least threatening colour of all sauces listed in this guide, but do not let its neutral colour fool you. Mayonnaise can leave oily spots on your clothing that are not always easy to remove.

When you spill a blob of mayonnaise on your clothing, use a blunt object like a butter knife or spoon to lift as much of the Mayonnaise off the fabric as you can. Never rub because this will push the stain deeper into the fabric, making it harder to remove. Seeing as the bulk of the issue is an oil-based stain, every Mayonnaise stain should be pre-treated using solvent-based stain removal products. If you don’t have any solvent-based stain remover at hand, apply a bit of heavy-duty liquid detergent instead. Then work it in by delicately rubbing with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Lastly, wash the garment in the washing machine on the highest heat it recommends on the label. 

Chilli Sauce

Need some spice in your life, but don’t like it trickling onto your clothes? A good old fashioned spicy hot sauce is great for adding flavour to your dishes, but not so great for your new white work shirt. Most hot sauce ingredients consist of peppers, spices and vinegar. Assuming your favourite brand of chilli sauce doesn’t add too much artificial food colouring, the stains should be simple to remove. 

Acting immediately is proving to be a common theme in this guide. You guessed it, don’t wait until you’ve finished your food to act on a chilli sauce stain, get on the job straight away! 

First things first, run the stain under the tap for at least a minute. Do not rub the stain here, instead let the water flow do the work. We also recommend turning the item inside out and cleaning from the backside to remove it from within the fabric. After this, place the clothing in a sink filled with cold water, add a tablespoon of liquid detergent and vinegar, then gently scrub the stained area. Lastly, put the item in a washing machine and make sure to use warm water, never hot, as this will set the stain. 

If you don’t have the time or patience to clean a worrying stain out of your clothing, why not let the professionals help you? Laundryheap is here to help by offering same-day laundry & dry cleaning collection with free next day delivery.


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How To Remove Slime From Your Clothing

Slime is fun to make and play with until it accidentally gets stuck onto your or your kids’ clothes and you’re left with a slime stain that seems impossible to take out. Fortunately, removing a slime stain is easier than you think. 

How To Remove Slime From Your Clothing

There are 2 ways in which you can effectively remove slime from your clothing:

  • Ice 
  • Vinegar

Before using either of the slime removal methods, make sure to remove and scrape off as much slime as possible.

Ice

Take some ice cubes and place it on the remaining slime to completely freeze. Once it is completely frozen, scrape off the slime as much as possible without using much force before pre-treating it with laundry detergent. After letting the detergent sit for 10 minutes, soak the clothing in hot water for about 30 mins before washing as normal.

Vinegar

Pour distilled white vinegar on the stain and scrub the vinegar into the slime using a toothbrush. If the stain is tough, allow the stain to soak in vinegar for up to 5 mins before scrubbing. Once you’ve gotten rid of the slime, rinse the garment in warm water, with dish soap if you wish, to remove any residue, before washing as normal.

 

Should you wish to get your clothes professionally cleaned at a time that is convenient for you, book a laundry collection and delivery with Laundryheap.


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No Pain- No Stain! Unusual Stain Removers Part 2

If you haven’t done so already, check out the first No Pain- No Stain! Unusual stain removers.

Unusual Stain Removers- Part 2

  1. Rubbing Alcohol- Removes ink and deodorant stains
    This antiseptic wonder can remove several types of stains provided that they are fresh. Remove ink and deodorant stains with rubbing alcohol simply by applying it directly onto the stain and dab (the ink) or wipe (deodorant mark) away before washing as normal.

  2. Coca Cola – Removes blood and oil stains
    Blood and grease stains are both tough ones to get rid off, so you’ve got to treat them as soon as you can. Believe it or not, cola will help take that stain right out. Soak garment in cola for a good 15-30 mins or so depending on how bad the stain is, before washing as normal.  Don’t worry about a cola stain, as it will come right off once you put it straight into the wash after pre-soaking.

  3.  Shampoo- Cleans collared shirts & great for hand washing
    A dirty collar is something that a little shampoo can fix. Shampoo works to break down body oils in your hair and will do the same for fabrics too. Just rub a bit of cheap shampoo on the collar and watch it remove the dirt. You can also use shampoo as an alternative soap to hand washing clothes.

  4. Shaving Cream- Removes food and grease stains
    To get rid of stubborn food and grease stains, add a bit of shaving cream on the stain and continuously dab it lightly for a few minutes and let it sit for about 30 mins. Then, blot the shaving cream away and wash as usual.

You can save yourself the trouble by scheduling a collection with laundryheap for even the most toughest stains you have on your clothes and we’ll have it returned to you as good as new in less than 24 hours.


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3 Ways To Remove Underarm Stains

Underarm stains on your clothes from sweat and deodorant can be difficult to get rid of, especially when the stain has now turned yellow. The reason why this happens is simple, you either didn’t treat the stain right away or at all. Fortunately, there are some effective methods you can use to remove these stains from any type of clothing.

3 Ways To Remove Underarm Stains

  1. White Vinegar: Pour some white distilled vinegar directly onto the stain and gently rub it in. Leave for a few mins before washing as normal.
  2. Baking Soda: Create a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water (3:1) and use a toothbrush to apply the paste and scrub gently onto the stained area. Leave for a few minutes or up to 2 hours if the stain is really bad, and then wash as normal
  3. Lemon juice: Mix equal parts of lemon juice and water and scrub the stain with the solution. You can also choose to soak the stained area in the mixture for 10 mins up to an hour depending on how bad the stain is.

If you prefer to have a professional take the stain out and have your clothes freshly cleaned, you can count on Laundryheap to do the job. 


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How To Remove Chewing Gum From Clothes

Chewing gum is the most annoying thing to get rid of when it gets stuck on…well… everything! It’s more irritating, however, when you get chewing gum stuck on your clothes as it’s more difficult to remove.

Nevertheless, there are several ways to remove chewing gum from your clothes.

How To Remove Chewing Gum From Your Clothes

  • Ice

Apply ice on the chewing gum affected area until it has fully hardened. Then use a spoon or blunt knife to immediately scrape it off. You can apply ice on both sides of the material for quicker removal.

Alternatively, you can put your garment into a zip lock bag, folded, with the gum stain facing outside and place it in the freezer overnight. You should be able to gently peel off the gum the following morning.

  • Heat

All you need to do is apply heat onto the gum, whether it be by hot air or by submerging in hot water. There are several ways you can use heat to remove gum:

Method 1: Blow Dryer

You can use a blow dryer, on the highest temperature setting, to melt away the chewing gum. Which you can then peel off from the surface.

Method 2: A Kettle

Boil some water in a kettle, and place the gum affected area over the mouth of the kettle, so it catches the steam. Leave it for a minute or so until the gum softens. Then, remove the gum with a toothbrush.

Method 3: Hot Water

Submerge gum affected area into a pot of hot water and scrape off the gum with a toothbrush or blunt knife. Let garment dry and repeat if necessary. 

Method 4: An Iron

Place the garment on a piece of cardboard, with the gum facing on the cardboard. Using an iron on medium setting, iron the back of the chewing gum so it transfers onto the cardboard. Repeat process until the gum is nearly removed.

  • Rubbing Alcohol

This method is a much simpler one. All you need to do is pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a rag or sponge and rub the gum with it.

  • Hairspray

Spray some hairspray on the gum so it hardens, and then scrape off the chewing gum with a blunt knife or spoon.

  • Vinegar

Heat up a cup of vinegar in the microwave, to just below a boil. Use a toothbrush and dip it into the vinegar and start brushing off the gum. Keep dipping and brushing until the gum comes off. This method works best when the vinegar is hot.

 

If you still struggle with removing the gum or simply don’t want the hassle of trying to, send it to laundryheap and we’ll be able to take that gum stain right off.


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8 Natural Stain Removers

When a stain comes upon our clothing, many of us want to avoid using toxic stain removal products, with the obvious factor being that they contain harsh chemicals and solvents. Who would want the aftermath of that rubbing against their skin?

Fortunately for all of us, there are many ways to remove stains naturally.

8 Natural Stain Removers

  1. Borax
    Believe it or not, borax is a natural mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. Borax is a great cleaning agent that helps to disinfect and remove stains from clothes.
  2. Hydrogen Peroxide
    This antiseptic compound is a natural alternative to bleach and works well in removing stains such as curry, red wine and underarm yellowing.
  3. White Distilled Vinegar
    The acetic acid in the vinegar helps to lift stains and banish odour. See how else distilled white vinegar can do wonders for your clothes.
  4. Baking Soda
    Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) works as a natural cleanser and deodoriser. It is a mild alkaline powder so it’s completely safe to use on all fabrics.
  5. Lemon Juice
    Lemon is a natural lightener because of it’s acidity, it almost works as a natural bleaching agent.
  6. Talcum Powder/chalk
    For stains that need absorbing (grease and oil), these powders are a wonderful natural treatment to get the heavy stain out.
  7. Salt
    Salt works as a gentle abrasive element to help absorb moisture from liquid stains.
  8. Rubbing Alcohol
    Another antiseptic that works great in breaking down tough stains. It doesn’t penetrate the fabric and evaporates quickly. So you can be sure it won’t damage your clothes.
make-up q


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How To Remove Make-up Stains

How many times have you accidentally smudged a bit of foundation onto your white top? Well, it happens to most of us who wear make-up!

Get that stain right out with our infographic guide on how to remove stains from certain types of make-up:

how to remove make-up stains.png

  1. Mascara/Eyeliner: Liquid dish soap or a bar of soap.
  2. Lipstick: Toothpaste, rubbing alcohol, acteone or hairspray.
  3. Foundation/Concealer: Liquid dish soap, shaving cream or baking soda.
  4. Powders: White vinegar or liquid dish soap.

Other alternatives:

  • Heavy duty detergent 
  • Stain remover pen
  • Make-up wipes

Sometimes removing stains can be too time-consuming. If that becomes the issue, just remember that we’ll be able to wash, dry, fold and iron your clothes when you book a laundry service with us.


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No Stain – No Pain! Unusual Stain Removers

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Are you familiar with that sinking feeling in your gut when you accidentally spill some red wine on your favourite pastel coloured cocktail dress? Well, no need to stress next time. Here are some unusual, quick-fix remedies for removing stains without too much hassle.

  1. White Wine – Removes fresh red wine stains 

    Ironic as it seems, white wine acts as a neutralising agent for red wine. It disbands the anthocyanin compounds which are responsible for causing the red stains. Gently blot the excess liquid using a napkin or paper towel, before dabbing some white wine onto the affected area. Blot and repeat till the stain starts fading and follow it up with a regular wash.

  2. Baby Powder – Removes grease and oil stains 

    For grease and oil stains, especially from cooked food, sprinkle some talcum or baby powder onto the fabric taking care to cover the stain completely. The fine granules act as minuscule sponges and soak up the oil particles. Leave it on for approximately 20-30 minutes depending on the size of the stain. Use a toothbrush to gently brush off the powder. Take off as much as you can before soaking the cloth in warm water for a few minutes and running it through the usual laundry cycle thereafter.

  3. Milk – Removes ink stains 

    Got a leaky pen in your pocket? If you have some whole milk you have nothing to worry about! Simply soak the garment overnight in a bowl of milk, making sure that the stained portion is completely submerged. If there are slight traces of ink in the morning, gently rub the fabric to work out the stain. Then run it through the usual wash cycle. For better results, add some white vinegar to the milk. Milk is an emulsion which attracts both oil and water. Some inks with an oil-soluble base are therefore dissolved by the milk.

  4. Stale Bread – Removes dirt stains on suede 

    Use a slice of stale bread to lift surface grime and dirt off suede. Roll the slice into a ball and rub it over the affected area. Repeat the process till all the dirt is pulled out. Brush off the remaining crumbs with a toothbrush or makeup brush.

  5. Egg Yolk – Removes coffee stains 

    Yes, you read that right! Stubborn coffee stains can be completely removed by beating an egg and rubbing it into the stain with a sponge for a couple of minutes. Rinse the fabric with cold water and you have a stain-free garment in no time.

  6. Laundryheap – Removes a wide variety of stains

Stains removed at the tap of a button!  Book here to schedule collection.