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Common Laundry Mistakes and How to Correct Them

Published on Monday, 29 June 2015 15:37

Charles

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Washing clothes need not be a troublesome affair. There are common mistakes that could make every washday hell day for you. Learn to avoid them with tips from The Laundry Center website. Learn to do laundry like a boss by avoiding these mistakes:

1. Excessive rubbing on stains will make them worse. Instead of rubbing, dab on the stain gently so it would not spread. Too much friction can damage the fabric. Treat the stain as early as possible with an effective cleanser. The longer it stays on the garment, the more difficult it will be to remove it.

2. Limit the use of bleach. There are natural stain removers out there that are not too strong to cause damage to your clothes. If you really have to remove the toughest stains, research on the best ways to approach the problem.

3. Too much detergent is bad. Surplus suds can hold dirt which usually get caught under the collar and other problematic areas. Add only half the amount of detergent you usually need. If the clothes are not as clean as you want them to be, add more soap.

4. An overloaded washing machine will result in a sloppy wash job. Clothes need to float in the washer to get properly cleaned. This will also prevent them from wrinkling. Packing in garments also put pressure to the appliance’s shock absorbers, which causes premature wear down.

5. Unbutton shirts before washing. Not doing so stresses the buttonholes. Before you know it, you will have major poppage problems.

6. Unchecked zippers snag delicate fabrics. Close them all the way to the top. Their metal teeth can cause much damage to clothes in the same load.

7. Save energy by running back-to-back loads in your dryer. Use the retained heat from the previous cycle in the new load.

8. Save yourself from the fruitless search. Toss those socks first in the washer. This will prevent them from attaching to other garments and getting lost in the process.

9. Do a thorough cleaning of the dryer once a year. Even though you regularly empty the filter, lint buildup can still occur over time. If you can spare the time, detach the hose from the back of the dryer and manually push the lint out using a long brush.

If you live in the NYC area, make your life a little easier and schedule your next free laundry pickup with The Laundry Center.

First order is 50% Off with code BUBBLES50 and your second order is Free!

Energy Saving Laundry Tips

Published on Monday, 22 June 2015 15:36

Charles

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Seven percent of a household’s energy bill is accounted for by laundry alone. That is just for the average washing machine. The cost can balloon depending on the size of family per household – the more clothes to wash, the bigger the energy cost.

Doing the laundry requires a significant amount of energy, and if people are not careful, it will take a huge toll on their monthly utility bills. That is why more and more are looking for energy saving tips and approaches to washing and drying clothes.

Smart use of washing machine can save almost fifty percent in the utility bill. Visit The Laundry Center website for great advice including the following fail-safe tips:

1. Avoid repeated washing due to stubborn stains on clothes. Soak and pre-treat the soiled items first using a stain removal treatment.

2. Use cold water in doing the laundry. Many detergents nowadays clean best in this temperature. Use only warm water for very dirty clothes.

3. Always have a full load in your washing machine. Washing a small load takes more or less the same amount of energy as it does a full one. You will not only save energy, but also water.

4. Do not, however, overload the washer and dryer. The machine will have a hard time cleaning the clothes. Overloaded dryers also use more energy as more items take longer to dry.

5. Do not add wet garments part way through a drying cycle. Let the cycle finish first. Next time, wait for your load to finish so you can dry them all together.

6. Use the energy saving settings in the machine. Some loads only need ten minutes of washing. Also, choose the high spin option to cut down on drying time.

7. Take advantage of the good weather and air-dry clothes. This will save you five percent energy in the bill. Pick clothes that dry quicker, hang them outside and let the sun do the work.

8. Consider how many times you do the laundry. Observe the way your family accumulates dirty clothes and schedule your laundry days accordingly. If you find wedding bounce house yourself having to wash your clothes more often because you do not have enough clothes in your closet, perhaps it’s time to invest in a few more pieces.

9. If your washing machine is over ten years old, consider buying a new one. Old appliances have the tendency to take up energy, making the bill unnecessarily high. There are a lot of energy-efficient models in the market. Choose the one that will work most for you.

If you live in the NYC area, make your life a little easier and schedule your next free laundry pickup with The Laundry Center.

First order is 50% Off with code BUBBLES50 and your second order is Free!

Removing the Toughest Stains

Published on Monday, 15 June 2015 15:32

Charles

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Stains in clothes can be very frustrating. No matter how many times they are scrubbed or bleached, they just would not go away. For some who do not want to be bothered, the only option is to throw away the ruined garment. Consider some of these helpful tips before resorting to the ultimate surrender, however. There is no need to chuck those stained clothes after all when you have the tips from The Laundry Center website up your sleeves.

The toughest of stains call for the toughest laundry action. Knowing the secret of stain removal will make your ordeal easier. The sooner you soak the garment in the solution, the better your chances of eliminating the stain. Enzyme detergents are great in lifting out the stains. Just make sure to test them first in a small area before using to avoid damage in the clothes.

Some of the most stubborn stains and their basic treatment are as follows:

1. Grass

Rub the cleaning product directly on the stain marks. An old toothbrush may also be used to better incorporate the stain remover into the fabric. Afterwards, apply diluted white vinegar. It is sure to remove any remaining traces.

2. Chewing gum

Place the garment in the freezer or put some ice cubes directly where the offending gum is. When it hardens, it will be easier to remove.

3. Grease/Oil

Put cornstarch or baking soda directly on the oil stain. Let it sit for a while, then brush it off. Do not rub. Wash the garment using the hottest water temperature recommended by the care label.

4. Ink

Squirt hairspray on the ink stain. Let it saturate the spot and soak for several seconds. Blot the stain with a clean cloth. Repeat the process until all the ink traces are removed. Then wash with detergent.

5. Juice

Soak the stained garment in cold water for 30 minutes. Put a drop of detergent on the stain and rub thoroughly. Rinse with warm water. A solution of vinegar and water may also be applied on the stained area, let it sit for then minutes, then rinse.

6. Red Wine

Put salt on the stained area as quickly as possible. It will be tougher to remove once the wine dries. The salt will absorb the wine, making it pink in color. Dab on the stain, first using a dry towel, then a damp one. Club soda may also be used as a quick treatment.

If you live in the NYC area, make your life a little easier and schedule your next free laundry pickup with The Laundry Center. First order is 50% Off with code BUBBLES50 and your second order is Free!

Knowing Your Fabrics

Published on Wednesday, 10 June 2015 15:29

Charles

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It is easy to shop for new clothes, especially if your hard-earned money is clamoring to be spent. Buying that silk jersey or wool jacket can be done with just a swipe of a credit card, but washing and cleaning it? There goes the rub.

Different fabrics need caring for in different ways. There are times when the laundry labels do not really provide enough information on how to care for the clothes. If you are not careful, that expensive dress can be ruined due to inappropriate washing.

Here is a list of tips on washing and caring for the most commonly used fabrics. You can find a more comprehensive guide in The Laundry Center website.

1. Cotton

Comfortable and versatile, cotton can be made into casual shirts or elaborate gowns. It is also absorbent and long lasting. Unfortunately, cotton wrinkles easily, hence, it must be ironed regularly to keep its appearance.

Unless pre-shrunk, cotton will shrink the fist time it is washed. Look at the care label. If pre-treated, it is relatively low maintenance.

Cotton may be washed in hot, warm or cold water, depending on the garment color and label recommendations. It should be dried at a lower heat, then removed while still fairly cool.

2. Polyester

A wonder fiber, polyester fabric is strong and durable and can be made into colorful, easy-care garments. Usually blended with cotton, it helps the latter to retain its shape and prevent wrinkling. 100 percent polyester, on the other hand, is soft and smooth, almost satiny.

Most clothes made of this type of fabric may be machine-washed and dried on low heat setting. Warm water is usually used, but you have to check with the care labels first.

Polyester does not require ironing, although it can be ironed if needed. Just be careful as it has the tendency to be scorched due to high heat.

3. Silk

Sleek and shiny, silk is a luxurious fabric that drapes well on any figure. Its high level of absorbency allows it to be dyed in many different colors. It can also be quite cool to wear in the summer and warm in cold seasons.

Silk is one of the oldest fabrics in the world. It is also supple and strong, but can be quite tricky to clean. Let the garment labels guide you in washing. It all depends on the type of silk. Most needed to be dry-cleaned.

If hand washed, use only the mildest products then rinse with cold water. Never ring it out to dry as this could do damage. Dab on the excess water using a towel, then hang to dry.

If you live in the NYC area, make your life a little easier and schedule your next free laundry pickup with The Laundry Center.

First order is 50% Off with code BUBBLES50 and your second order is Free!

Should You DIY Dry Clean?

Published on Monday, 11 May 2015 08:23

Charles

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When you buy clothes, you’d often get turned off by those that are labeled as “dry clean only”. Usually, these clothes are made of high-maintenance fabrics. But there are those who are enterprising enough to use do-it-yourself dry cleaning kits, or special handwashing techniques to take care of these garments. But should you even try?

The fact is that experience is the sole effective teacher when it comes to making this decision. Those who are experienced enough will learn (and often in a trial-and-error basis) that there are ways to clean specific types of clothes effectively. For those who are not (i.e., those who still have to refer to the care label guidelines each and every time), it might be wise to entrust the care of your garments to the experts.

Here is a short checklist for you to answer:

Are there spots or other stains that you don’t know how to treat?

Is the garment made of sensitive fabrics? Those made from rayon or acetate can get misshapen even just by dipping it into water.

Is there a special type of finish on the garment? Some types of stiff fabrics usually have a stabilizing finish. This helps the garment hold its shape, and can be ruined by water.

Is the garment difficult to iron? Some garments have too many pleats or tucks, and you might not be able to make it look crisp again.

Is it a tailored or structured suit? Clothes such as coats or suit jackets have certain interfacings that give them their shape. These, too, can be ruined by water.

Does the garment have leather or suede trimmings?

Is the garment a special item for you, and will you be upset if it gets ruined by washing at home?

If you answered “yes” to just a single one of these questions, then it is best to take your clothes to your nearest laundry service. A professional laundry service will do a far superior job of making sure that your clothes are well-cared for. Certain garments are marked “dry-clean only” for a good reason, and this often includes preserving the fit, style, shape, and quality of the clothes. Handwashing these clothes can result in ruining them, which are more often than not irreversible. Come to think of it, your clothes are your investment, and you wouldn’t want to waste them simply due to mishandling.