You’d be forgiven to think that the hot water temperature setting is the main way to get your clothes washed. However, you should also utilise cold water settings. In this blog, we’ll guide you on what you need to know about washing clothes in cold water.
Washing machines need no introduction – they are an appliance that helps us with laundry but like with all appliances, malfunctions are common. Fortunately, you can reduce the chance of malfunctions happening. If you want to spend less money on repair or avoid buying a replacement, here are 4 ways to make your washing machine last longer.
It may seem poetic that an appliance that primarily functions on cleaning, needs to be cleaned itself. Look for any signs that your washing machine needs cleaning. Check for any mould or mildew. Bad smells are usually a sign that your washing machine needs cleaning.
Sometimes, if your clothes aren’t in the best condition, it could stem from the washing machine not being cleaned properly.
Believe it or not but it’s common for people to throw clothes into the washing machine without checking the pockets first. This could be because they are rushing their laundry and often times, they forget to empty coins and other items from their pockets. Consequently, coins can damage the drum because they go around the cycle.
Always make a habit of balancing your laundry and avoiding overloading clothes. Use your judgement and decide if there are enough clothes for one cycle. Patience is required to ensure there is sufficient space for each load of clothes. If you overload too many clothes, the drums inside will get overwhelmed and as a result, will damage the mechanical parts and it will absorb a lot of water.
Make sure you’re using the right amount of laundry detergent. It can be tempting to put extra detergent on clothes with stains. However, more detergent can result in malfunctions and suds will only end up blocking the draining system; making it difficult for your washing machine to pump out water.
To be on the safe side, always pre-treat stains like chocolate, BBQ, ice cream etc.
Your washing machine takes care of your clothes, it’s only fair you take care of it by not overwhelming it.
If your washing machine isn’t working, just get in touch with Laundryheap! We’ll handle the laundry for you!
To learn more about Laundryheap, visit our website or download the free app on iOS or Android.
Your washing machine is your best friend when it comes to laundry. It’s best to always make sure it is looked after and cleaned. Unfortunately, there are items that could damage your washing machine. If you are putting these items in, now is the best time to stop.
It’s human to forget things. After all, we all lead busy lifestyles. Coins and keys are items that could damage your washing machine. If you do forget to check your pockets, these two items will spin around the machine and bang against the washer’s drum. To keep your washing machine scratch-free, always remember to check your pockets before you start laundry.
Another item that could damage your washing machine is a rubber mat because when the cycle starts, the rubber can tear apart inside. Consequently, this will lead to bits of rubber all over your machine which can cause all sorts of problems. To avoid this, it’s highly recommended you wash rubber mats by hand.
You’d be forgiven to think that lingerie will wash like any other clothes. To keep your washing machine safe, it’s best to handwash them to avoid problems. This is because the hooks and wires in your lingerie could very easily hook onto parts of the machine while the cycle is going on. As a result, this makes the machine slow down and could potentially damage it.
We all love pets even if their stubborn hair is everywhere in the house. If you are dedicating a day to doing laundry for your pet’s items, make sure their hair is removed from the items before starting the washing cycle. Use a rubber glove or lint roller to remove pet hair. If you leave this unchecked, pet hair can cause damage to your washing machine because it can clog the drain pumps.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but detergent is on the list of items that could damage your washing machine. You’d be forgiven to think that using more laundry detergent will make your clothes smell nicer and fresher.
However, you need to balance it correctly because using too much detergent will cause damage to the washing machine’s control panel and invite unwanted mould and mildew. Usually, bad odours inside the machine are a sign you’ve used too much laundry detergent. Bad odours can also be a major sign that your washing machine needs cleaning!
Now that you are aware of the items that could damage your washing machine, you’ll take care of your machine better next time!
If your washing machine is not working, just get in touch with Laundryheap and we’ll do your laundry for you!
To learn more about Laundryheap, visit our website or download the free app on iOS or Android!
Every now and then, you should check for signs that your washing machine needs cleaning. Washing machines go through cycles daily of dirty clothes so it’s not uncommon for dirt and odours to build up. Our washing machine takes care of our clothes so it’s only fair we take care of it regularly.
To keep your clothes in good shape, you need to take care of the washing machine first. Here are signs that your washing machine needs cleaning!
You set your washing cycle on, you wait for your clothes to finish and then find out they’re not cleaned to a high standard. If you find yourself in this position, it’s a sign that your washing machine filter needs to be clean.
Leaving your filter unchecked will cause laundry detergent to latch on your clothes and your clothes won’t dry well. The rule of thumb is to clean your washing machine filter every six months to avoid clothes’ condition decaying.
If you spot a bad odour lingering from your washing machine, it is a major sign that it needs to be cleaned. Expectedly, a washing machine contacts germs and bacteria from dirty laundry so it’s not surprising mould builds up inside.
Nonetheless, this mould can go on your clothes, which is extremely unhygienic, so it’s better to clean without delay.
A major sign that your washing machine needs cleaning is noticing any black stains on the rubber seal around the door. In a damp environment, mould, and bacteria build up and these get stuck on the rubber seal. Always make sure you act fast and clean the rubber seal to avoid further dirt forming.
Sometimes, any stains left on the washing machine door could be from laundry detergents that haven’t been rinsed away. Always make sure you are keeping an eye out for any stains.
Our guide should help you to spot the signs that your washing machine needs cleaning and make your laundry experience better!
If your washing machine is faulty or you missed the day to give it a good clean, get in touch with Laundryheap! We’ll launder your clothes and return them back to you within 24 hours until your washing machine is in good condition again!
Visit our website to make a booking or download the free Laundryheap app on iOS or Android!
Your shower curtain is a great bathroom accessory, but it also is prone to water, soap stains and mould. This means you need to wash your shower curtains regularly to preserve their life span and material.
In this guide, we are going to go through the essential information on washing your shower curtains.
A common mistake people make is that they think once their shower curtains get dirty, it needs to be replaced. However, this isn’t the case because shower curtains can be washed and re-used. This saves you money in the process.
A general rule of thumb is to wash your shower curtains every month. It’s important to consistently wash them monthly because they do generate bacteria and it also means you are getting rid of the mould that damages the fabric over time.
The good thing about washing your shower curtains is that it doesn’t take much time but it does require a little more care than a normal laundry chore.
Firstly, take down the shower curtain and remove any rings. Then place the curtain in the washing machine. It is recommended to put a few white towels into the load for better cleaning results as this will provide extra scrubbing.
Moreover, add the normal amount of laundry detergent and a ½ cup of baking soda. Once that is done, put the machine in a gentle and warm setting if you have a plastic curtain and run the cycle for 30 minutes.
If you have a fabric shower curtain, set it with the highest cycle of 40 to 60 degrees but as always, read the label for care instructions.
When your washing machine starts to reach the rinse cycle, at a ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar.
Lastly, when the cycle finishes, hang your shower curtain up to dry.
Sometimes your shower curtains don’t need washing machine attention and the good news is that handwashing is also effective in washing your shower curtains.
To begin handwashing, remove the shower curtain for better handling. Make sure the curtain is a little wet and then pour some baking soda on it to scrub any mould, dirt, water, or soap stains. We recommend using a brush or a cloth to rub the baking soda into the shower curtain.
Afterwards, turn on your tap to warm water settings and begin to rinse to remove any remaining stains. If you feel happy with the results, hang it up to dry.
Everybody wants their bathroom to look spotless. Make sure you add your shower curtains to laundry and cleaning duties. If you find yourself too busy or unsure about the instructions, book with Laundryheap so we can wash your shower curtains for you!
Visit Laundryheap today to book or download 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.
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.
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!
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.
We offer laundry, ironing and dry-cleaning services to help you out if your work or business gets too busy.
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!
As we move closer to the end of the year the weather is becoming increasingly colder. Luckily, a bathrobe will protect you from those cold winter days. To maintain the quality of your robe, it is imperative that you launder it properly.
As the winter days go on you will wear your bathrobe more often. Ideally, it should be washed after every 3-4 wears, even if there is nothing directly spilt onto it. If you wait for more than 4 wears you increase the risk of mould and bacteria growing on your robe.
The way that you wash your bathrobe depends heavily on what material it is made of. If you are constantly wearing your robe, you will find yourself washing it more frequently. To prevent the fibres becoming damaged, you need to make sure that you are adequately caring for it whilst it is in the wash.
Cotton is a durable material so you can wash your cotton bathrobe with other clothing if you want.
Wash your robe at 60 degrees, using half the amount of detergent you would use in a regular wash. Once your 60 degree wash is finished, add half a cup of distilled vinegar to the load and set to a rinse cycle. This will clear away any lingering detergent residue.
To ensure that your bathrobe remains soft and fluffy, dry it in the tumble dryer on a low heat setting.
Fleece is a more delicate material and should never be washed on a hot wash as this can damage its fibres.
Before putting your fleece bathrobe in the washing machine turn it inside out to prevent pilling. You should also avoid washing fleece with other materials as lint will easily transfer onto the material and be increasingly hard to remove.
It’s best to use a cold water cycle and liquid laundry detergent to wash your fleece bathrobe. Avoid using fabric softener in your wash as this can damage the fibres.
Once your wash is finished, dry your robe, ideally in direct sunlight, or using the lowest heat setting on your tumble dryer.
Silk and satin are incredibly delicate fabrics, so it is always best to hand wash these items.
To hand wash your silk or satin robe, begin by filling a basin with lukewarm water, enough to submerge your robe in. Once your basin is full, add a few drops of delicate detergent and stir it into the water. Submerge your robe in the water and leave it to soak for 3-5 minutes. After 3-5 minutes, use your hand to plunge your robe up and down in the water to remove any dirt. Once your robe is sufficiently cleaned, remove it from the water and rinse it off with cool water.
Initially dry your robe with a clean, dry, towel, before hanging it up to dry, ideally in direct sunlight.
If you wish to wash your robe in the washing machine, always use a delicate wash cycle and delicate laundry detergent to avoid any damage.
The best way to care for your bathrobe is to get it dry cleaned. Book your Laundryheap dry cleaning service by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
When it comes to doing laundry it’s important not to forget the household items that need to be regularly cleaned. This is how to wash your bath mat.
Bathrooms are the perfect environment for mold and bacteria. They are damp and humid, providing a ripe environment for mold to grow on every surface, including your bath mat. In addition to mold, bath mats can become slippy with oil buildup from spilled shower products. Regularly washing your bath mat will prevent these hazards.
Washing your bath mat largely depends on how many people use your bathroom and how often. This being said, as a rule of thumb, it is best to wash your bath mat at least once a week to prevent a build-up of bacteria and oil.
The easiest way to wash your bath mat is by putting it in the washing machine. That being said, it is best to check the care label as it may be hand wash only.
After checking your bath mats care label, take it outside and give it a good shake to remove any loose dirt. Shaking your mat out will also allow you to better see if there are any stains on your mat that need to be pre-treated.
Once you have shaken out your mat, pre-treat any stains that you can see. You can use a standard stain remover or a natural stain remover, such as hydrogen peroxide.
Next, put your bath mat in the washing machine as normal. It’s best to use a warm setting for your wash as you want to successfully get rid of any lingering bacteria. It is also best to wash your mat on its own as this will ensure it has optimal space in your washing machine and will guarantee a successful clean.
When your wash is complete, dry your mat completely before putting it back in your bathroom. The best way to dry your mat is in the fresh air, however, if the weather does not permit this, you can use a low setting on your tumble dryer, or use a drying rack. If you are using a drying rack, make sure that there is ample ventilation to prevent musty smells and damp.
If you would prefer to not use your washing machine you can hand wash.
Similarly to when using the washing machine, before you begin hand washing your mat shake it out to remove any loose dirt.
To hand-wash your bath mat you will need to prepare a diluted bleach solution. It is best to do this in a bath or shallow sink so that you have plenty of room. Before preparing your bleach solution make sure that you are wearing gloves to protect your hands from coming into direct contact with the bleach. You must also ensure that your room is well ventilated to prevent the toxic fumes from the bleach causing you any harm.
Begin preparing your bleach solution by adding one gallon of cold water to your bath or sink. For every one gallon of cold water that you add you can add one teaspoon of bleach. Depending on how long it has been since your bath mats last clean depends on how much bleach you decide to use.
Once the diluted bleach solution has been made, place your bath mat in the solution and leave it to soak for three to four hours.
After three to four hours, remove your bath mat and leave it to dry under the same instructions as when using a washing machine.
Finally, drain and rinse the bath/sink and clean away the dirt left behind from your bath mat.
If your bath mat is proving particularly difficult to clean, or you just don’t want to clean it yourself, leave it to us. We will pick up, professionally dry clean, and re-deliver your bath mat to you all within 24 hours. To book your dry cleaning service head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
We are now available in Los Angeles.
We have all been advised to wear face coverings when entering enclosed spaces outside of our own home- but do you know how to care for your face covering? These are your face covering questions, answered.
You should wash your face covering after every wear. Your face covering will create a barrier to catch any virus-filled droplets that are breathed out in your everyday life. It is important to remember that you may encounter some people who will not be wearing masks and their virus-filled droplets could attach to the front of your face covering. To avoid any cross-contamination of COVID bacteria it is safest to wash the front and inside of your face mask after every wear.
Remove your face covering with care. Use the strings securing your covering to loosen and take it off. When removing, and once removed, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth until you can wash your hands. You should wash your hands immediately after handling your face covering to remove any harmful bacteria that may have been transferred.
If you can’t immediately wash your face covering, simply place it in a disposable bag until you can. Avoid placing your covering directly onto a surface as this can spread potentially harmful bacteria. If you do place your covering on a surface, make sure to disinfect the surface as soon as possible.
You can wash your face covering with other laundry items, as long as your covering is not overly delicate. COVID bacteria are highly unlikely to transfer from one material to another before the laundry detergent eliminates it.
The best way to wash a face covering in the washing machine is dependant on the material of your covering. Put your face covering in your washing machine with similar materials so that it does not get damaged. Prior to putting your covering in your machine check the care label to see what the highest appropriate temperature is. There is no need to buy a specific laundry detergent, whatever brand you usually use is completely fine. Once you have inserted your face covering with your other laundry items and inserted the detergent, set your washing machine to the highest appropriate temperature, and wait for your cycle to finish.
If your face covering is made from a particularly delicate material it may be best to hand wash it. If this is the case, all you need is laundry detergent and warm water. Pour a decent amount of laundry detergent onto your mask and use some warm water and a scrubbing motion to make the material soapy. Scrub your mask for a minimum of 20 seconds, making sure that all areas of it have been covered. After 20 seconds or more, rinse your mask with warm water, making sure that all of the soapy residue has been washed off.
The most effective drying method for a face covering is either by tumble drying or air drying. If you are using the tumble dryer, set the dryer to its highest temperature, and leave your covering in until it is completely dry. Alternatively, lay your face covering completely flat on a flat surface and wait for it to air dry. If possible, dry your mask in direct sunlight.
If you decide to air dry your mask make sure that you iron it once it has been dried. You want to use some form of heat to make sure that all of the bacteria from your mask have been eliminated and using an iron is the fasted way to do this.
At Laundryheap, we want to ensure that you stay safe. That is why we offer a hot wash service and will deliver your laundered clothes contact-free. Book your slot by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
With COVID19 restrictions being eased, it is more important than ever to make sure that your clothes are properly disinfected. These top tips for disinfecting clothing will ensure that your clothes remain clean and that you remain safe.
It is not enough to simply clean your clothing, you need to disinfect them. Cleaning your clothes involves removing dirt and germs from the surface of the fabric. Disinfecting your clothes involves using chemicals that guarantee the removal of bacteria, preventing the spread of bacteria to other surfaces.
Before you begin your laundry put on a pair of gloves. Your gloves will protect you from getting any of the bacteria from your clothing onto your hands, therefore limiting the risk of bacteria spreading to other surfaces. Once you have completed your laundry you are safe to remove your gloves and immediately wash your hands.
To ensure that your clothes are adequately disinfected it’s best to use bleach detergent. The bleach will denature the protein in any bacteria lingering in your clothing, subsequently killing it. Before using bleach detergent, always check the care label on your clothing as bleach may damage you more delicate items of clothing.
Washing your clothes at 55-60 degrees will help ensure that your laundry comes out bacteria-free. Hot water makes many detergents more effective at tackling bacteria on clothing, plus the heat of the water aids in deactivating the bacteria. Similarly to when using bleach, always check the care label of your clothing as more delicate items of clothing may become damaged if hot washed.
Before you re-wear any freshly washed item of clothing you must make sure that it is completely dry. Bacteria thrive in damp environments, so wet clothing provides the perfect breeding ground for it. To make sure that your clothes are completely dry before re-wearing them, either dry them in the tumble dryer or put them in the dryer for a quick 5-minute blast. The heat from the tumble dryer will warm your clothing and kill off any of the remaining bacteria.
If you need to disinfect more delicate items of clothing that can’t withstand a hot wash or bleach detergent, try steam cleaning your clothes. A steam cleaner uses steam to disinfect your clothing, removing bacteria as well as odours. In addition to removing bacteria, steam cleaning also removes wrinkles from your clothes so there is no need to iron them.
After using your washing machine to disinfect your clothes it’s important that you disinfect your washing machine. If not cleaned, your washing machine could transfer lingering bacteria from a previous wash onto a fresh load of laundry, resulting in the spread of bacteria. To adequately clean your machine, either insert a dishwasher tablet or 2 cups of white cleaning vinegar into the machines detergent dispenser and set your machine to a hot wash.
Similarly to your washing machine, it’s important to disinfect your laundry basket once all of your dirty laundry has been removed from it. The best way to disinfect your laundry basket is to use 0.1% sodium hypochlorite to completely wipe down every surface of your basket. This will leave your laundry basket completely clean and unable to spread bacteria.
If you want to make sure that you laundry is completely disinfected book you Laundryheap slot now. Our hot wash service will disinfect your clothing, plus our contactless delivery will ensure that both you and our drivers are safely distanced. Book your delivery by visiting the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
