Laundryheap Blog – Laundry & Dry Cleaning

Same-day collection. Free delivery in 24 hours.

Tag Archives: washing


by Leave a comment

How to limit your laundry load

Photo by Sarah Chai from Pexels

The less time you spend doing laundry the more time you can spend doing the things you enjoy. Limit your laundry load with these handy hacks. 

  • Sort through your clothing
  • Wait until your laundry basket is full
  • Spot clean clothing 
  • Hang towels 
  • Air clothing 
  • Know how frequently items need to be washed 
  • Treat clothes appropriately
  • Use Laundryheap 

Sort through your clothing 

The easiest way to limit your laundry load is by sorting through your clothing and getting rid of any items that you don’t wear. Ask yourself: when was the last time you wore the item? Does it still fit properly? Would you miss it if you were to get rid of it? If the clothing that you decide to get rid of is in good condition, donate it. Clearing out your clothes is a great way to limit your laundry load and help those in need. 

Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels

Wait until your laundry basket is full 

It can be tempting to wash your clothes as soon as there are a few items in your laundry basket. This, however, will only lead to a constant cycle of laundry. Instead, wait until your laundry basket is full. This will limit the number of times you have to do laundry in a week, or even a month, and is better for the environment. 

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Spot clean clothing 

If your garment has a small stain or mark on it, don’t immediately throw it in the laundry, spot clean it first. Use a damp sponge to gently dab at the mark, making sure that you are not rubbing as this can set the stain further into your garment. If you notice that your mark is not lifting, try and use an alternative pre-treatment. Spot cleaning avoids the need to wash your whole garment for the sake of a small stain. 

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels

Hang towels 

Towels can be used 3 times before needing to be washed. Folding towels whilst they are still damp traps moisture and encourages mould to grow. Instead, hang your towels in an open, airy, space, and allow them to completely dry. This will help to prevent any mould growth and will ensure that your towels can be reused before needing to be washed. 

Photo by Centre for Ageing Better from Pexels

Air clothing 

Sometimes clothing can become slightly musty, especially if they have been folded in a draw or cupboard for an extended period of time. If you notice that your clothing has taken on this stale smell, air them out rather than wash them. Hang your garments outside in the fresh air, or in an open space within your home, and allow your clothing to breathe. As the air wafts through the fibres of your clothes, it will push any bad odours out of the fabric, and leave them smelling fresh and ready to wear. 

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels

Know how frequently items need to be washed 

Not all of your items need to be washed at the same time. For example, bedding must be washed every two months, whereas jumpers should be washed after every 5 wears. Knowing how frequently each of your washable items needs to be laundered will help you to limit the frequency that you are washing each item, therefore limiting your overall laundry load. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Treat clothes appropriately

Your clothing needs to be treated with care to ensure that it stays in good condition. This means making sure that clothing is neatly folded or hung up when dry, treating stains as soon as possible, and washing each item as stated on its care label. Treating your clothes appropriately will limit how often you need to wash each item, allowing you to spend less time doing your laundry.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Use Laundryheap 

One of the best ways to limit your laundry load is by giving it to Laundryheap to do for you. We are an online, on-demand, laundry service, working around your schedule to deliver your fresh laundry within 24 hours. To book your Laundryheap service head to the Laundryheap website, or download the free Laundryheap app. 


by Leave a comment

How to wash your dishdasha

Image by Jasmine Halki

Your dishdasha needs to be adequately cared for when being washed. This is how you should be washing it.

  • Pre-treating
  • Washing
  • Drying 
  • Ironing

Pre-treating 

Before washing your dishdasha, you need to pre-treat any stains that may linger on the material. Depending on the stain, depends on how you must pre-treat it. 

Ink- If you have an ink stain soak it in milk for 24 hours before washing it as normal. 

Sweat/yellowing- To get rid of sweat and yellowing stains, mix three aspirins with two tablespoons of water until a paste is formed. Smear the paste on the stain and leave it for an hour before washing as normal. If you don’t have any aspirin, sprinkle a handful of salt on the stain and squeeze some lemon over it until it’s soaked. Rub the lemon juice and salt until the stain has been removed or lightened, before washing as normal. 

Makeup- Whether your makeup stain is powder or liquid based, shampoo will lift the stain. Spread a small amount of shampoo on the stain, before rubbing it in with soap and water. Once the stain has lightened or lifted wash as normal.   

Deodorant- Rub a denim item on your deodorant stain, being careful to not press too hard and damage the fabric. The roughness of the denim should lift the stain from your dishdasha and leave it stain free.

Washing

Wash darker coloured dishdashas in the washing machine, on a cold cycle, using a mild detergent.  

If you have a white or lighter coloured dishdasha it is best to hand wash it to avoid colour fading. To hand-wash, fill your basin with warm water and use a mild detergent. If you do wish to use the washing machine, make sure that you wash your garment with similar colours to avoid colour running, and only on a warm cycle. 

Drying

Never use a tumble dryer to dry your dishdasha as this will put the fabric under too much strain and result in it becoming misshapen. Instead, hang it out to naturally dry, ideally in direct sunlight.

Ironing 

Unlike with other items of clothing, you want to iron your dishdasha when it is still slightly damp, using the cool setting on your iron. This being said you need to iron at the right time- if you begin ironing when it is too wet then your ironing will be useless but leave it for too long and it will become too dry. 

If you have left your dishdasha to completely dry before ironing, a steam iron will be most effective. The steam will add a bit of moisture to your garment and help smooth out the creases. 

The best way to ensure that your dishdasha is adequately cared for is by using Laundryheap’s dry cleaning service. For just KWD1.00 you can get your dishdasha picked up, dry cleaned, and re-delivered to you within 24 hours. To book your Laundryheap service head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app. 


by Leave a comment

How to motivate yourself to do laundry

It seems that laundry is a never-ending chore. The longer you let your laundry pile up, the more exhaustive the task seems and the less likely you are to do it. Here are some tips on how to motivate yourself to get your laundry done.

  • Put your dirty washing in plain sight
  • Pre-plan your time
  • Don’t do it alone
  • Set small goals
  • Give yourself an ultimatum 
  • Use your favourite scent
  • Make it fun
  • Play music
  • Reward yourself
  • Use Laundryheap

Put your dirty washing in plain sight 

There is no better way to motivate yourself to do laundry than to put it somewhere that is unavoidable. If you leave your laundry in plain sight, your only two options are to do your laundry or to look at your dirty washing, and nobody wants to spend their day looking at dirty washing. 

Pre-plan your time

If you know that you’re not a fan of doing your washing, then pre-plan your time. Block out a section of your day that will be used solely for completing your washing. Don’t fill that block of time with anything else other than washing duties. This way, you will know in advance when you will be doing your laundry and can complete the task free from distractions.

Don’t do it alone

Some people find motivation in being surrounded by others. If you are one of those people, invite someone round whilst you are doing your laundry. A friend, a family member, a partner, whoever you decide. You can catch up whilst simultaneously getting your washing done. That laundry pile will be non-existent in no time. 

Image by CDA

Set small goals 

If you have a large pile of laundry to get through, break down the workload by setting yourself small goals. It can be overwhelming when you have a mountain of laundry to tackle, but breaking down the job into smaller goals will make it more manageable. Once you begin achieving these small goals you will become more motivated to achieve the next one, and before you know it your laundry will be done. 

Give yourself an ultimatum

If you are drastically unmotivated to do your laundry, set yourself an ultimatum that will force you into doing it. This could be something as simple as not seeing a friend if your washing isn’t completed by the end of the week. You want to give yourself an ultimatum that will motivate you into doing the laundry so think of something that you really want to do. 

Use your favourite scent 

Everyone loves the smell of fresh laundry, and if your laundry smells of something you particularly love it can motivate you to get it done. Pick a laundry detergent smell that you love and watch as you look forward to doing your laundry every week. 

Make it fun

Let’s face it, doing laundry is boring. That being said, if the boring nature of doing laundry is what is preventing you from completing the task, why not have some fun with it? Turn doing the laundry into a game, or hide (wrapped) treats in your dirty laundry to find. Whatever it is, add a fun element to doing your laundry and you will not hesitate to do the laundry again. 

Image by Tim Mossholder from Pexels

Play music 

Listening to music makes any task go faster. Make yourself a special laundry playlist and include all of your favourite songs. You’ll be so busy listening to tune after tune that you won’t even realise that you’ve sorted, and washed, all of your washing until you’ve reached the bottom of your basket. 

Reward yourself

Laundry is such a mundane task to complete it’s only right that you should be rewarded once you’ve completed it. Choose any reward you want- unlimited TV watching for the rest of the day, a glass of wine, a bar of chocolate, whatever your reward is remember that it is waiting for you at the bottom of your laundry pile. 

Image by Wagner Cesar Munhoz

Use Laundryheap

If you really don’t want to do your laundry, and none of these motivational prompts are working, we’re here to help. Book your Laundryheap delivery slot and we will pick up, dry clean, and re-deliver your clothing straight to your door. Book your slot by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.


by 1 Comment

How to wash your underwear

Photo by 🐴chuanyu2015 from Pexels

If you’re wondering why the lace in your underwear is coming unravelled or why the elastic in your waistband isn’t doing its job anymore, it’s probably because you’re washing your underwear wrong. Have no fear, because we are here to rid you of ALL your underwear washing woes. 

  • Should you be washing underwear with normal clothes?
  • Killing germs
  • How to wash your delicates
  • How to wash cotton
  • How to wash bras
  • How Laundryheap can help

Should you be washing underwear with normal clothes?  

Unless you wash your clothing at a minimum of 60 degrees, the bacteria from your underwear can transfer to the rest of your load. You may now be wondering why we are advised to wash clothing at anything less than 60 degrees. Aside from the environmental benefits of a cold wash, cold water will CLEAN clothing but will not ELIMINATE microorganisms. Unless your clothing is particularly dirty, simply cleaning it will suffice. 

Killing germs 

There are several ways that you can rid bacteria from your underwear asides from a hot wash. Using an oxygen bleach detergent can kill the bacteria from underwear at as low as 20 degrees. After washing underwear in the washing machine, you should always clean your machine. The e-coli and bacteria from your underwear can stick to your washing machine and transfer to other loads of laundry. To wash your machine, simply add two cups of white vinegar and run an empty cycle. This will leave your machine sparkling clean and ready for your next load of washing. 

Running an empty cycle every time you wash your underwear is not very environmentally friendly. Rather than wasting water, energy and detergent try hand washing your underwear instead.

How to wash your delicates

Washing your delicate underwear is always difficult. Lace can become unravelled, silk can lose its silkiness and colours can fade. 

It’s always best to hand wash your delicates to avoid any unnecessary trauma to the material. Use warm water and a detergent without enzymes. Be careful not to use too much detergent as this will leave behind a soapy residue. Use a gentle plunging action when washing and avoid vicious rubbing. When drying NEVER hand-ring out residual water or use the tumble dryer. Instead, hang your underwear outside, but avoid drying in direct sunlight. This process will ensure that lace stays in tact and your silks stay silky. 

If you do want to use your washing machine to wash your more delicate underwear make sure you check the care label first. This will give you an indication of what cycle and temperature you should use. Additionally, put your underwear in a laundry bag or pillow case to avoid lace being snagged in the washing machine.

Photo by Emms x

How to wash cotton 

Unlike underwear made from silk or lace, cotton is a more durable material, and, therefor, is less likely to be damaged in the washing machine. That being said, it is still important to use a laundry bag or pillow case to ensure that your cotton stays soft. Additionally, don’t wash your underwear with jeans, towels or any other rough materials. Unlike with delicate underwear, you can use any detergent to wash your cotton underwear, just don’t overuse it as you will leave a soapy residue.

Photo by Eric Wüstenhagen

 How to wash bras 

Bras can be worn 2-3 times before they need to be washed. Regardless of if you hand wash or use a washing machine, its best to use a detergent that doesn’t contain bleach or alcohol. If you can’t find a detergent without either of these ingredients, use a small amount of baby soap for the same effect. 

To ensure that your bras stay in good shape it’s best to hand wash them. Hand washing is the best way to eliminate sweat and odours and prevents them from losing their shape. The best way to hand wash your bras is to leave them in warm water with a small amount of detergent. Leave them for 40 minutes to 1 hour before taking them out of the water and hanging them over your shower curtain pole, or leaving them flat on a towel to dry. Never tumble dry your bras as this will lead to them losing their shape. 

If you want to use your washing machine to wash your bras, use a delicate cycle setting and a laundry bag. Additionally, make sure you don’t wash your bras with any rough or heavy materials as this will break down the fibres of your bra and lead to their deterioration. 

Photo by Castorly Stock from Pexels

How Laundryheap can help 

If you don’t want to risk ruining your underwear, Laundryheap can help. Simply book your slot using our app and we will pick up, wash and deliver your underwear back to you within 24hrs. We now offer contactless collection and delivery, among other support services to limit physical interactions.


by 1 Comment

Does your Zodiac sign match your laundry habits?

Do you love to do laundry every week? Or are you more of a, leave your dirty clothes in a heap until they HAVE to be cleaned, kind of person? Regardless, your laundry habits could be a result of your Zodiac sign. Find your sign and let us know how accurate we were.

  • Aquarius- the eco-washer 
  • Pisces- the generous washer 
  • Aries- the impatient washer 
  • Taurus- the resilient washer
  • Gemini- the sneaky washer 
  • Cancer- the loyal washer
  • Leo- the dominant washer 
  • Virgo- the strict washer 
  • Libra- the friendly washer 
  • Scorpio- the determined washer 
  • Sagittarius- the lazy washer 
  • Capricorn- the disciplined washer
  • Helping all the signs

Aquarius- the eco washer 

If you’re an Aquarius then you are all about solving the problems of the world. You’re a humanitarian, progressive and intent on saving the world. That’s why when you wash you do it in the most eco-friendly way. Always using the most natural detergents, or making your own, and never buying laundry products that contain single-use plastic. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Pisces- the generous washer  

This Zodiac sign is compassionate and intuitive, always willing to lend a hand. When it comes to their laundry, they’re the first to dish out the detergent and share their fabric softener. They’re an empathetic individual, always ready to help others in or out of the laundromat. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Aries- the impatient washer 

Aries are enthusiastic and determined individuals and are always the first to put on their washing. However, this zodiac sign is notorious for being short-tempered and impatient- if their washing can’t be done on a ‘Quick-15’ setting it can lead to tantrums. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Taurus- the resilient washer 

The complete opposite of the Aries, a Taurus is patient and resilient. A Taurus will always see a task through and will patiently wait for their washing to be done- no matter how long that may take. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Gemini- the sneaky washer

Gemini’s have a tendency to be restless. They can’t stay still for too long, so washing their clothes proves to be their worst nightmare. Watch out, because their quick-witted and gentle nature makes them very appealing and could lead to them off-loading their dirty laundry on you. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Cancer- the loyal washer 

Cancer proves to be the most loyal Zodiac sign of them all. After finding a laundry detergent that works for them they will never leave it. They are very pessimistic about new detergents and softeners making their way into the laundry market and would much rather stick to their tried and tested methods. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Leo- the dominant washer

This fire sign dominates every aspect of their life, including the way they do their laundry. They are natural-born leaders with a knack for organisation, so their laundry is always perfectly timed and completed on schedule. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Virgo- the strict washer

Virgo’s are analytical, hard-working and practical. They often have a methodical approach to life and they treat their laundry in the same way. Their clothes are washed on a schedule and in the most practical way.

Photo by Numerology Sign

Libra- the friendly washer

The Libra will avoid confrontation at any cost, so if you’re looking for someone to do your washing for you search for a Libra. They are one of the more social zodiac signs, so, if you do ask them to do your washing, make sure you sit and have a chat with them first. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Scorpio- the determined washer 

Scorpio’s are determined. Any task they set their mind to will be completed, whether it’s a project at work, or getting to the bottom of their laundry heap. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Sagittarius- the lazy washer 

The Sagittarius is constantly on the move. They love to travel and hate being confined in one space for too long. Undoubtedly, they won’t even begin their washing until they have absolutely nothing left to wear. They are too curious for washing- they want to explore the world, not their laundry basket. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Capricorn- the disciplined washer 

Capricorns possess a sense of discipline and self-control like none of the other Zodiac signs. Everything in their lives in spotless- especially their laundry. They are excellent managers and take full control over their lives, including their laundry, which is always done to the highest standard. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Helping all the Zodiac Signs 

Regardless of your Zodiac sign, at Laundryheap we can pick up, launder and deliver your clothes back to you within 24 hours, completely free of charge. Download the Laundryheap app to book your time slot. 


by 1 Comment

How To Wash Duvets And Pillows

Our duvets and pillows are often the most neglected items when it comes to washing bedding. Since these items are the bulkiest and do not come into direct contact with our skin, having it cleaned is not exactly a top priority. 

Did you know you should wash your duvets every 6 months and pillows at least every 3-4 months? Although we may not notice it, bacteria and bodily fluids build up on our duvets and pillows over a short period of time.

Having said that, let’s take a look at how to wash duvets and pillows at home:

Duvets

Synthetic:

  • Use a gentle cycle that has minimum agitation.
  • Only add about 1/3 of laundry detergent than you normally would.
  • Use a normal spin cycle setting.
  • Make sure to completely air dry your duvet before it is used again.

Feather:

Check the care label before going to wash, as some feather duvets require to be dry-cleaned only.

  • If the feather duvet is machine washable, wash on a gentle cycle, with a gentle detergent.
  • Make sure to air dry duvet before using.

Removing Stains

Clean up any stains as soon as possible! To remove a stain, move as much filling away from the stain, until isolated for effective stain removal. Tie the stained area with an elastic band and treat stain accordingly. 

Pillows

Many pillows, whether it be cotton, down or synthetic, can be put into the washing machine, if not dry-clean only. It’s always important to check the care label before going to clean your pillows to make sure.

If they can be put into the machine:

  • Use a gentle cycle.
  • Only use 1/3 of laundry detergent.
  • Wash two pillows at once if it fits, to balance the load.
  • Make sure pillows are completely dry- If the care label allows tumble drying, set it to low heat, otherwise air drying is the way to dry.

Removing Stains

Again, you want to take care of any stains right away. Always dab, not rub stains with a stain pre-treat before washing as normal.  If it’s a feather pillow, isolate stain by shaking feathers away and treat accordingly. 

We know that it can be difficult to wash bulky duvets and pillows at home, especially if your washing machine won’t fit them. That’s why we at Laundryheap are more than happy to clean your duvets, pillows and other bedding!

clothes


by 4 Comments

How Often You Should Be Washing Your Clothes

Raise your hand if you’re guilty of not knowing how many times you’ve worn a specific piece of clothing, so you smell it to see if it’s still okay to wear ?

Fun fact: There are a certain number of times you should wear your clothes before washing them. For some it’s after every wear, for most it’s after 3 wears, it all depends on what garment it is.

Below is an infographic guide on how often you should wash your clothes, determined by the number of wears..When to wash clothes

The reason why some garments have to be washed after more than two wears is because washing them often than necessary will cause damage to the fabric and decrease it’s longevity.

These are just general guides, for normal days, if you don’t over sweat or soil your clothes easily. However, should you be perspiring heavily, or get your clothes dirty, then you need to put that straight in the wash! Or book a laundry collection service with us, we’re not just your 24 hour dry cleaning service you know.

washing machine


by 9 Comments

How To Clean Your Washing Machine

Is it just me or isn’t it quite ironic that you have to clean a machine that’s made for cleaning? Well, yep, it’s vital to maintain the cleanliness of your washing machine to: 1) clean your clothes properly, and 2) preserve its cleaning life.

So, just how can you banish that awful smell and disgusting mould? Let’s find out:

  • Manual instructions: Be on the safe side and read the manual for instructions on how to clean your washing machine, as some manufacturers may not allow you to use products or cleansers in your machine.

  • Maintenance wash: In more simpler terms, clean the drum! Let your machine self clean by putting it through a hot temperature cycle (without clothes, of course) at least once a month, with a cup of vinegar thrown into the drum to help it sanitise.

  • Let it breathe: Leave the door of the washing machine open every so often to let the air circulate in the drum and prevent bacteria from growing. I would also recommend you do the same for the detergent drawer- you can never be too careful when it comes to cleanliness.

washing machine

  • Wash out the detergent drawer: Simply remove the detergent drawer and give it a good sponge clean! Scrub away any detergent residue that has been built up. Give it a thorough rinse and let it dry before putting back into the machine.

  • Wipe the rubber: Give the rubber door seal a good clean with a damp cloth on a regular basis, being sure to completely clean out any hidden residue.

  • Clean the filter: The filter is the one that collects debris in order to protect the washing machine pump from blocking. If that doesn’t sound germ ridden to you, then I don’t know what does. So, what must you do? Empty it regularly to remove the dirt that has been gathered. The filter can be found at the bottom corner of the washing machine behind the removable plate/tab.

Oh and one more thing, you can leave your laundry to Laundryheap whilst you clean your washing machine.

washing temperature cycles


by 4 Comments

Washing At The Right Temperature

Washing at a warm temperature isn’t the only option for a thorough cleansing, cold washes can clean just as well if you use the right detergent.

Doing your laundry at the right temperature will give you the best results for your laundry.

Just a little summary: Warm washes are best for durable or heavily soiled garments to kill germs and bacteria and remove mould. Whereas, cold washes are best for lightly soiled garments, delicates and coloured clothes.

Of course, there are downsides for washing at either temperature…

Warm washes can:

  • Cause colours to fade
  • Damage delicate/ light fabrics
  • Shrink clothes
  • Use more energy= higher bills!

With cold washes, killing bacteria or germs can be limited but as mentioned previously, it can still do a good job at cleaning your clothes with the right detergent.

Here’s a quick illustration demonstrating the best fabrics to wash at the best temperatures.

Cold cycle wash (30° and below)

Washing

Warm cycle wash (40° and above)

Warm washing temperature

And there you have it! An easy guide you can come back to when in doubt about what temperature you should wash your load at.

Then again, if in ‘double doubt’, you know Laundryheap is here to help!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section 🙂

laundry detergent


by 7 Comments

Are You Using The Right Laundry Detergent?

With a huge variety of laundry detergents, it may seem a little overwhelming choosing the right laundry detergent for you. Many decisions are made based on what your mothers use, and some people just go for what’s on sale. Nevertheless, your choice of detergent can really impact the cleanliness of your laundry.

One thing for sure is that ALL forms of laundry detergent will clean your clothes well. The only difference is how each type of detergent is designed specifically to clean.

Let’s take a brief look at the options:

  • Powder: For a one-size-fits-all detergent, powders are suitable for all types of fabrics. With a bleaching and optical brightness agent, they are extremely effective in removing stubborn stains and leave clothes ‘squeaky’ clean. Best for use in high temperatures and long wash cycles.

powder laundry detergent

Quick note: There are powders designed for coloured laundry that do not contain bleaching agents.

  • Liquid and gels: These versatile laundry detergents are bleach free and are great for keeping colours bright! For stain removal, they can be used as a pre-wash spot treatment. These detergents are great for washing at low temperatures, delicate cycles, quick wash cycles and hand washes.

liquid laundry detergent

  • Capsule: This compact liquid detergent comes with just the right amount of liquid for each laundry cycle, so you don’t need to worry about over or under filling your load with detergent. Great for washing at any temperature.

capsule laundry detergent

Other things to consider…

To choose the right detergent, it’s best to consider the cycle type and temperature you’ll be washing the clothes at. Don’t forget to think about the type of fabric you’re dealing with too.

Ask yourself: Is it white? Colourfast? Wool or silk? A good stain removal? What temperature and type of cycle?

We at Laundryheap can imagine the struggles you’re put through in choosing the right laundry detergent, that’s why we do the dirty work for you. Schedule your laundry with us so you don’t have to worry about a thing.