You’ve booked your Amsterdam getaway (WOOP WOOP), but what are you going to pack? These are 10 travel essentials that you must take on your trip to Amsterdam.
Waterproof jacket
Comfortable clothing
Comfortable shoes
Travel adapter
Backpack
Mosquito repellent
ID
Earplugs
OV-chipkaart
I Amsterdam City Card
Waterproof jacket
The weather in Amsterdam is unpredictable and there are a severe lack of mountains to block any incoming depressions from the sea. On average, Amsterdam receives 700 millimetres of rainfall a year, most of which falls in November. Even if you aren’t visiting in November, it is wise to take a waterproof jacket with you just in case. A waterproof jacket will protect your clothing from becoming damp in a downpour, ensuring that you are comfortable and dry whilst you are travelling around the city.
Amsterdam is the denim capital and is known for its fashionable, yet comfortable, clothing. As a city break, with an abundance of must-see attractions, you will find yourself doing a lot of walking whilst you are visiting Amsterdam, so comfort is key. Take your favourite pair of jeans and a handful of tops, shirts, and jumpers (depending on the season), with you to wear. These outfits can be dressed down during the day and dressed up if you are going out in the evening.
Amsterdam is not just the denim capital, but the biking capital as well. If you aren’t wandering the beautiful cobbled streets of Amsterdam on foot then you must be experiencing it by bike. Regardless of if you are biking or walking, you will need to wear comfortable shoes, such as trainers. You don’t want to be enjoying the sights of Amsterdam only to get sore feet from inappropriate shoes halfway through your day. Instead, take a pair of comfortable shoes that you know you can spend all day in.
The Netherlands uses the Type F electrical plug, which has 2 round pins spaced 2cm apart. This is the plug commonly used in Continental Europe. When packing for your trip to Amsterdam make sure that you include a travel adaptor so that you have full use of the plugs in Amsterdam whilst you are away. You can buy a travel adaptor online or at most convenience stores.
Depending on how long you are in Amsterdam, and how lightly you can pack, you may want to avoid taking a suitcase and use a backpack instead. Amsterdam is notorious for its narrow cobblestone streets which, although incredibly pretty, can be difficult to navigate with a suitcase. Rather than struggle wheeling a suitcase, take a backpack instead. It is a much easier alternative and a great way to prevent you from overpacking.
If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam during the months of July and August then go armed with plenty of mosquito repellent. The humidity of the summer months, coupled with the water from the canals, creates the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, and your blood is the perfect snack. Douse yourself in mosquito repellent every night and before you leave for the day, and you should be safe from the bloodsuckers. If not, you risk being covered in itchy red blotches for the duration of your holiday.
In the Netherlands, everyone is required to carry some form of official identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, with them at all times. If you do not have an official form of identification and you get caught by the police you will face a fine. Carry your ID with you at all times to be safe. You never know when you might need it.
Amsterdam is home to over 1 million people so the streets can get noisy. If your room overlooks a main street, particularly one with lots of bars and coffee shops on it, you could experience a lot of noise pollution at night. If you are a light sleeper, you may want to invest in a pair of earplugs to help you sleep more soundly. Simply pop them in, and drift off, ready to face a new day in the city tomorrow.
When you get to Amsterdam buy yourself an OV-chipkaart from the nearest railway station. An OV-chipkaart is similar to a London Oyster card. You simply put money onto your card and use it on the buses, trams, and metros around Amsterdam. This is a much faster and easier alternative to buying single-use tickets and can be used if you visit Amsterdam in the future.
There are so many amazing things to see and do in Amsterdam and an I Amsterdam City Card can help you see and do them all. An I Amsterdam City Card can be purchased for 24, 48, 72, or 96 hours, and gives you unlimited use of public transport, free entry to over 60 museums and attractions, free canal cruises, and discounts in certain shops, restaurants, and theatres. With prices starting at just €59, an I Amsterdam City Card is the perfect travel essential for those looking to see a lot of Amsterdam in a short amount of time.
Whilst you’re packing your Amsterdam travel essentials, we’ll be laundering the rest of your clothing. Book your Laundryheap order today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
We love our furry friends, which is why it’s important that we take care of their accessories. From leashes to beds, collars to harnesses it’s important that your dog’s accessories are regularly cleaned and thoroughly dried so that your dog stays happy and healthy.
Fabric or nylon collar and leash
Leather collar
Harness
Bed
Fabric or nylon collar and leash
Your dog’s collar and leash need to be washed regularly, at least once every 2 weeks, as they are likely to get dirty when you take your dog for a walk. You may find yourself washing your dogs collar more frequently, perhaps once a week, as it will come into close contact with your dogs skin and therefore needs to be kept clean and sanitary to prevent your furry friend from becoming ill.
To clean a fabric or nylon collar and leash you will need…
Lukewarm water
Pet shampoo or hypoallergenic detergent
Soft bristled brush
To begin washing your dogs fabric collar and leash fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a few drops of pet shampoo or hypoallergenic detergent. If you are using detergent you must make sure that it is hypoallergenic as anything stronger will be too harsh on your dogs skin and could cause irritation.
Once your basin is full, submerge your leash and collar in the water and leave it to soak for 30 minutes. This will allow your detergent, or shampoo, to penetrate the leash and collar, removing any dirt and bacteria.
After 30 minutes, use a soft bristled brush, such as a toothbrush, to scrub at any stains. For deeper set stains, work a drop of pet shampoo or hypoallergenic detergent directly into the stain, to loosen it.
Once you are confident that you have lifted all of the stains and that the collar and leash is clean, rinse the items with lukewarm water. Continue rinsing until no more shampoo or detergent residue is released from each item.
Finally, set your collar and leash to one side and leave them to air dry. Do not use them until they are both completely dry.
Leather dog collars can be made with finished or unfinished leather. Finished leather has a coating that makes it more durable and water resistant, whereas unfinished leather is softer because no dyes or finishes have been applied. Regardless of the type of leather your dog collar is made from, it can not be washed in the same way as a nylon or fabric collar.
To clean a leather dog collar you will need…
Microfibre cloth
Lukewarm water
Leather or saddle soap
Clean cloth
To being cleaning your leather dog collar mix a solution of lukewarm water and leather or saddle soap. You must make sure that you are using soap that is specifically formulated to be used on leather, or you risk damaging your dog’s collar.
Once you have mixed your solution, dampen a microfibre cloth with the mixture and wipe down both the inside and outside of the collar. You may need to wipe each side a few times to ensure that it is adequately cleaned.
After wiping down both sides of the collar, use a clean, dry cloth, to wipe each side dry, before setting it to one side to air dry. Make sure that you leave the collar to air dry away from direct heat as this can damage the leather.
Your dogs harness should be washed once a month, or as soon as it has become noticeably soiled by dirt. You may find that you are washing it a lot more frequently during the autumn and winter months as these are the seasons it is likely to get easily soiled.
To clean a harness you will need…
Warm water
Pet shampoo or hypoallergenic detergent
Soft bristled brush
To begin cleaning your dog’s harness first shake off any loose dirt or debris that may be lingering and secure all of the buckles.
Next, fill a basin with warm water and add a few drops of pet shampoo or hypoallergenic detergent. Submerge your harness in the water and leave it to soak for at least 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, use a soft bristled brush, such as a toothbrush, to scrub at any deep-set stains. You may need to add a drop of shampoo or detergent to the stain in order to loosen it.
Once you have removed all of the stains, rinse your harness in warm water, making sure that all of the detergent or soap is removed.
Finally, set your harness to one side to air dry. Do not use your harness until it is completely dry.
It’s important to keep your dogs bed clean as it’s an area your dog frequents on a daily basis. To make sure that it stays clean you should be washing your dogs bed every week.
To clean your dogs bed you will need…
Mild detergent
Baking soda
To begin cleaning your dogs bed first shake out, or hoover, the bed, collecting as much hair as possible. Then, check for and pre-treat any stains. You want to pre-treat stains before washing the bed for a higher chance of removing them.
Once you have removed as much hair as possible and pre-treated any stains, you can put your dog’s bed in the washing machine. Dog beds are safe to machine wash as long as your machine is large enough to fit the bed. To your washer add a mild detergent and 1 cup of baking soda. The baking soda will help eliminate any odours from your bed and help lift dirt. Do not add any fabric softener to your machine as the perfume can irritate your dog’s skin.
After your machine has finished its cycle leave the bed to air dry. If the weather permits, line drying your dog’s bed will help eliminate any lingering odours and dry the item faster. If not, leave the bed in an open and airy space to completely dry before using.
Whilst you prioritise caring for your dogs accessories, we will prioritise caring for your clothing. Book your Laundryheap service today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
The Christmas decorations are down, the festive food has been eaten, and the new year has well and truly begun. Your first day back at work is looming and it seems like Christmas was only yesterday. Don’t worry though, because these tips will have you feeling ready to get back to work in no time.
Get organised
Wear your mood
Schedule your time for you
Set goals
Eat happy
Catch up with your colleagues
Try to keep a positive attitude
Give yourself a break
Get organised
As the saying goes: fail to prepare, prepare to fail. The evening before your first day back at work get everything you need for the next day organised. Think about what you are going to wear and make sure that each item is freshly washed and ironed. Pack your bag, making sure that you have everything you need, including a spare charger, keys, purse, etc. This will prevent a mad rush to find missing items in the morning. Finally, make sure that you have breakfast provisions. Even if your breakfast is a coffee and a breakfast bar, make sure that you have the essentials in. Even if you are working from home it’s important to be organised the night before your first day back as it will help you get back into a working mindset.
Whether you are working from home or back in the office, wearing your mood will make your first day back at work a lot more enjoyable. Whether you want to dress in a colour that makes you happy, wear a piece of jewellery you received for Christmas, or wear an outfit that makes you think of a fond memory, wearing something that makes you smile will make your first day at work a little less painful.
It can be overwhelming going back to work after an extended period of time off, so it’s important that you schedule your time. Rather than scheduling a week full of meetings and catch-ups, schedule your time for you. Use your first day back as a way to ease in to your workflow. Blocking out time to look through your emails, catch up on projects, and evaluate what there is to do. Your first day, or even your first week, back at work may not seem very productive, but it is a great opportunity to reorganise yourself, and your time, ready for the year ahead.
During your first day, or week, back at work think about what you want for the upcoming year. You may have made personal new years resolutions, but what about your professional ones? What are your professional goals for this year and how are you going to achieve them? You won’t be able to get back into the flow of work without knowing what goals you are working towards achieving, so use your time wisely to think about what you want.
They say that you are what you eat, so eating happy will make you happy. By eating happy, we mean eating food that makes you feel good. This should be food that is nutritious, balanced, and, above all, tastes amazing. Eating a well-balanced and nutritious meal will keep your energy up throughout the workday. You may also want to make your plate as colourful as possible as looking at bright and vibrant colours is proven to make us feel happier.
On your first day back at work make time to catch up with your colleagues. It may feel like you have so much to do that you don’t have time to catch up, but it’s important to make time to socialise with the people you work with and show an interest in their lives outside of the office. Schedule a coffee break with your work friends, even if just for 30 minutes, to catch up on what they’ve been up to and share holiday anecdotes. You can even share your first-day back stresses. You, and your colleagues, will feel a lot better afterwards.
Going back to work can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming. It’s much easier said than done, but on your first day back, try and keep a positive attitude. Focus on the positives of going back to work, such as seeing colleagues and getting back in to a routine, rather than the stressful aspects. This will help to keep your stress levels low, and help you manage your workload better. Just remember that the first day back is hard for everyone, so a positive attitude can brighten your day as well as everyone else’s.
The most important thing to remember when getting back to work is to give yourself a break. Accept that you will have a lot to catch up on, but won’t be as productive as you many want to be. Give yourself time to ease back into your routine, catch-up with colleagues, and think about what you want from the upcoming year. Start your year at work off right by being kind to yourself.
Whilst you get back to work, we will tick laundry off of your to-do list. To book your Laundryheap order head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
It’s been another successful year at Laundryheap. Despite the set backs that the continuing pandemic has thrown our way, the hard work and dedication of the Laundryheap team has allowed us to push through and continue delivering our high-quality laundry and dry cleaning service to you, our dedicated customers. These are just a few of Laundryheap’s 2021 highlights.
Rebrand
E-Bikes
Sustainability
Hotel laundry
Continued pay it forward scheme
Keeping our customers safe
Looking forward to 2022
Rebrand
The biggest change that Laundryheap has seen this year has been our rebrand. The old Laundryheap brand prioritised functionality which, although important, didn’t allow us to create the personal relationship with our customers that we wanted. Enter the brand new Laundryheap. A sleeker logo, vivid colour palette, bold typography, and empathetic imagery has allowed us to better convey to our customers who we are, what values we have, and why we should be your first choice for all of your laundry and dry cleaning needs.
E-Bikes
In October 2020 we launched an E-bike trial in London, with bikes designed by EAV Cargo. This was in a bid to help lower our carbon footprint and help us work towards making Laundryheap an environmentally conscious business. After the success of the trial period, in 2021 we ordered a further 200 E-Bikes and, as of December 2021, have been trialling their use in Dubai. Our CEO, Deyan Dimitrov, commented, “Our EAV’s can move around the city almost twice as fast as vans, and the fact that they make almost no environmental impact whatsoever gives us a much more carbon-neutral status as a business.”
Sustainability
Our E-Bike program is just one of the steps that we have taken to help make Laundryheap a more environmentally sustainable business. Sustainability standards define the way that we operate, and we take the challenge of climate change extremely seriously. With that in mind, in 2021 we implemented several ways to help make Laundryheap a more environmentally conscious business. Firstly, we always wash at 30 degrees Celsius, unless a hot wash service is specified, to help lower our energy usage. Secondly, we only use environmentally friendly detergents that are made from natural alternatives to the synthetic chemical compounds that most mainstream detergents contain. Finally, we switched the plastic bags that we delivered our customers fresh laundry in to cotton, which has encouraged our customers to reuse the same bag an average of 5 times.
In 2021 we began our hotel laundry service. Partnering with hotels, internationally, to provide their guests with a fast, on-demand, laundry and dry cleaning service. Currently we are partnered with over 3,000 hotels, including Premier Inn, Holiday Inn, and Best Western, with plans to partner with even more in 2022.
In March 2020, when the world went in to its first COVID 19 lockdown, we began the pay it forward scheme. Each time a Laundryheap gift card was purchased we would add an additional amount to the total on the gift card. Throughout 2021 we continued this scheme, ensuring that our customers were able to use the services they needed.
When the COVID 19 pandemic began in 2020 our top priority was the safety of our customers and staff. This remains our number 1 priority. In order to keep our customers and staff safe we are still picking-up and delivering all of our orders contactless to prevent the spread of COVID 19. Additionally, we have continued to offer a hot wash service that has a higher success of killing bacteria.
Looking forward to 2022
As 2021 draws to a close we are immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of every Laundryheap employee, and the continued support of our customers. As we look towards the new year we hope to continue our expansion, providing our high-quality dry cleaning and laundry service to more customers across the world. We will also continue to work towards becoming as environmentally friendly as possible, consistently improving how we work, with the environment in mind. Above all, we will continue to provide our customers with a fast, reliable, quality laundry and dry cleaning service. Happy New Year!
To book your Laundryheap order head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
Christmas is officially over. It may not be time to take down the tree and decorations, but it’s time to reset your home and get ready for the New Year. Here are just a few things that might be on your post-Christmas clean-up list.
Tackle the dishes
Empty the bin
Hoover
Mop
Clean the oven
Tackle stains
Dust
Change bedding
Tackle the dishes
Christmas is not the time for doing dishes. This, although a lovely break at the time, does mean that there will be a build-up to get through post-Christmas. If you don’t have a dishwasher, this could take some time, so take it step by step. Consider dividing your dishes up by category, for example, washing all of the plates and cutlery together, followed by the cooking dishes, and finishing with the glasses. Enlist the help of loved ones to help make the task quicker, dividing the responsibility of washing, drying, and putting away between the 3 of you. With the help of loved ones, your dishes will be sparkling clean in no time.
The dishes aren’t the only thing that will be piling up throughout the Christmas festivities, the rubbish will be as well. Wrapping paper, empty food containers, and bottles are just some of the things that will be thrown away during the holiday season. Before emptying the bin, sift through the rubbish, dividing it up into recyclable and non-recyclable. You can then get rid of all of your non-recyclable rubbish, and take the recyclable materials to your closest recycling centre.
The excitement of Christmas gets to us all, so there will probably be at least a few crumbs to hoover up. Give your home a thorough hoovering, kitchen included, to quickly pick up any dust, dirt, or crumbs that may be lying around. It’s surprising how much fresher a room can feel once it’s been given a good hoover.
Once you have hoovered, it’s time to mop. Make your hard floors sparkle by using a mop to remove any tough, worn-in, stains- this will probably be mostly in the kitchen area. Make sure that you let everyone in your home aware that you are mopping or risk an accident on the slippery floor.
Your oven will be working hard throughout Christmas day to cook the perfect Christmas dinner for you and your loved ones, so it deserves a thorough post-Christmas clean. Remove all of the trays and shelves from your oven and soak them in a basin of hot, soapy water. Whilst they soak, sweep away any debris from the bottom of your oven and give the inside and door of your oven a clean. You can use a branded cleaning solution specifically designed for ovens, or baking soda and white vinegar. Once your oven is sparkling clean you can remove your trays and shelves from the soapy water, give them a thorough rinse, and put them back in your oven, ready to use.
Stains are a common occurrence at Christmas. Food and drink are dripped down clothing, mopped up by tablecloths and tea towels that will be permanently stained if not treated appropriately. Tackle all stains, both clothing and kitchen textiles, whilst doing your post-Christmas clean-up. Separate items by stain, material, and colour to make it quicker to treat each stain, and then launder each item as appropriate. Similarly to washing the dishes, you can enlist the help of loved ones, so whilst you are tackling stains, someone else is loading and unloading the washing machine.
Dust
It’s truly amazing how quickly dust forms. Avoiding dusting for even just the Christmas season will result in a build-up of the stuff. Whilst doing your post-Christmas clean up, grab a feather duster and run it across the surfaces in your home. You might not necessarily have to polish each area, but dusting will at least leave all of your surfaces clean and much more tidy looking. Dusting is an easy task, so you may want to hand the responsibility to a younger loved one to give them something to do.
If you had loved ones staying with you over the festive season you will need to change the beds. Strip the bedding from all the beds in the house, and launder as appropriate. Whilst your bedding is being laundered, you can make each bed with a fresh, clean, set of bedding. There is no better feeling than getting into a freshly made bed with freshly made sheets, especially after a day of post-Christmas cleaning.
You have enough on your post-Christmas cleaning list to deal with without adding laundry. Luckily, we’re here to tick that chore off of your list. Book your Laundryheap order today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
Once you have filled yourself with Christmas dinner, almost to the point of explosion, there is only one thing left to do- eat dessert. If you get a dollop of dessert on your Christmas outfit, don’t worry, because this handy guide will help you to remove the stain.
Brandy butter
Mincemeat
Double cream
Jelly
Toffee sauce
Brandy butter
Brandy butter is the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas dessert, especially if you’re having a Christmas pudding. Its combination of butter and alcohol though makes it a tricky stain to lift.
To lift your brandy butter stain you will need…
Dull knife or spoon
Talcum powder, baking soda, or cornstarch
Soft-bristled brush
Heavy-duty liquid detergent
To begin lifting your brandy butter stain use a dull knife or spoon to remove as much solid butter as possible. Be careful when doing this as pushing too hard could result in pushing the stain further into your garment.
Once you have removed as much solid butter as possible, cover the stain with talcum powder, baking soda, or corn-starch. Brandy butter stains are oil-based, and fine powders, such as talcum powder, can absorb oil quickly. Make sure that your full stain is covered by the powder, and leave it for 15-30 minutes. After 15-30 minutes, shake off as much of the powder as you can.
Next, use your fingers or a soft-bristled brush to work a small amount of heavy-duty liquid detergent into the remaining stain. Make sure that you are covering the whole of your stain with the detergent, and using a gentle scrubbing motion to ensure that your stain is being penetrated.
Finally, after working the detergent into your stain, launder your garment as you usually would. Check that your stain has been completely lifted before drying your item. If it hasn’t then repeat the process.
Mince pies are a Christmas staple. Sticky mincemeat filling, encased in a beautiful buttery pastry makes for the perfect after-dinner treat. If you drop mincemeat filling down yourself, follow these simple steps.
To lift your mincemeat stain you will need…
A spoon or blunt knife
White vinegar
Clean cloth
Washing powder
Warm water
Sponge
To begin lifting your mincemeat stain use a blunt knife or spoon to remove as much of the mincemeat as possible. Be careful when doing this as mincemeat is incredibly sticky and can easily spread to other parts of your garment.
Once you have lifted as much mincemeat as possible, pour a small amount of white vinegar on to a clean cloth and gently dab at the remaining stain. White vinegar contains a mild amount of acetic acid which is strong enough to lift stains without causing damage to your clothing. Continue dabbing at your stain until it has lightened in colour.
Next, mix 1 teaspoon of powder detergent to a mug of warm water and mix thoroughly until the powder has dissolved. Use a sponge to gently dab the detergent mixture on to your remaining stain.
After you have dabbed your stain, wash your garment as your usually would. Before drying, check that your stain has been completely lifted. If not, repeat the process.
If you are not a fan of brandy cream, double cream is the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas dessert. Be careful though, because it is very easily dripped.
To lift your double cream stain you will need…
Clean cloth
Cold water
Heavy duty liquid laundry detergent
Soft bristled brush
To begin removing your double cream stain use a clean cloth to soak up as much of the cream as possible. Carefully blot at the cream using your cloth, making sure that you are blotting and not rubbing as this will set the stain further into your garment.
Next, flush out the remaining stain by holding it under a cold running tap with the underside of your fabric facing up. The constant stream of cold water will push the protein molecules from the fibres of your clothing, ultimately lifting the stain.
After flushing your stain, wash your garment as you usually would. Before drying check that the stain has been completely lifted. If it has not, fill a sink with cold water and add a teaspoon of heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent. Place your stained item in the water, making sure that it is completely submerged, and leave it to soak for at least 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove your garment from the water and wash it again. If your double cream stain still has not been lifted, repeat the process.
Sometimes after a big Christmas dinner you just want something light for dessert, like jelly. Eat with caution though as this wibbly wobbly dessert can easily fall from your spoon and straight on to your lap.
To lift your jelly stain you will need…
Dull knife or spoon
Cold water
Clean sponge
Rubbing alcohol
Oxygen based bleach
Tepid water
To begin lifting your jelly stain, use a dull knife or spoon to scoop up as much of the jelly as possible. Be extra careful when doing this as you don’t want your jelly to fall off of your utensil and back on to your clothing.
Once you have removed as much jelly as possible, flush the remaining stain by holding it under a cold running tap. Make sure that your water is nothing warmer than cold as jelly stains are protein based and any warmer water will cook the protein, making the stain harder to lift.
After flushing your stain, use a clean sponge to gently dab rubbing alcohol onto the area. The rubbing alcohol will help lift the remaining stain. Continue dabbing your stain with the alcohol until it has completely lifted. Once it has been lifted, wash your item as you usually would.
If, after a while of dabbing, you notice that your stain is not getting any lighter, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach and tepid water. Completely submerge your garment in the water for a minimum of 4 hours. The oxygen-based bleach will penetrate your stain, removing the artificial colouring and leaving your garment stain-free. After 4 hours, remove your clothing from the water and wash as you usually would.
A sticky toffee pudding would not be complete without it’s deliciously sweet toffee sauce. Unfortunately, a toffee sauce stain is quick to dry, so to remove it you have to act fast.
To lift your toffee sauce stain you will need…
Dull knife or spoon
Borax
Cold water
Heavy duty liquid laundry detergent
Hot water
Hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar
To begin lifting your toffee sauce stain, first use a dull knife or spoon to lift as much of the sauce as possible. Be careful when doing this as pushing too hard will cause the stain to set further into your garment.
Next, mix a paste of 1 tablespoon of water with 3 tablespoons of borax. Spread this paste over your stain, making sure that the whole area is covered. Leave your garment to sit for 15-20 minutes, giving the borax adequate time to penetrate your stain and lift the sticky toffee sauce from the fibres of your clothing. After 15-20 minutes, rinse your garment thoroughly, making sure that all of the borax paste has been removed.
Once you have removed all of the borax paste, rub a small amount of heavy duty liquid laundry detergent directly onto your stain. Use your fingers to work the detergent in to your stain, saturating the area with detergent. Leave your garment for a minimum of 5 minutes, before flushing your stain, and detergent, with hot water. Make sure that the water is as hot as possible as this will help push the stain from your clothing.
If your stain has been removed, or is significantly lighter, wash your garment as you usually would. If it has not been removed, use a sponge to gently dab a small amount of hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar on to the stained area. This should only be done on white or colour-fast clothing to avoid bleaching and ruining your garment. Continue to blot until your stain has lifted, and then wash your item as you usually would.
Christmas is for spending time with loved ones, not doing your laundry. Give yourself a well deserved Christmas break and book your Laundryheap service today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
Solo travelling is one of the most unique experiences you can have. You can go on an adventure, doing the things that you want to do, and exploring the things that you want to explore. If you are travelling solo, these hacks will help you on your journey.
Research
Have a rough plan
Pack light
Take home comforts
You are your own entertainment
Don’t forget your phone
Keep cash on hand
Be friendly
Take advantage of free experiences
Embrace the experience
Research
Before booking your flights, organising accommodation, and making an itinerary, it’s important to research the destination you are going to. Solo travelling, although fun, can be dangerous. You are in a foreign country, on your own, with no other person to help you if you get into trouble. That is why it’s integral to thoroughly research the country and specific location that you will be travelling to. Figure out what their laws are, how to contact the emergency services, and read about other solo travellers experiences in the country. The more information you have about the location you are visiting the safer you will be.
One of the joys of solo travelling is being able to do what you want without having to consult anyone else. Even if you prefer to live in the moment rather than stick to a rigorous schedule, it’s always wise to have a rough plan of what you want to do. There is so much exploring to do when you are in a different country, and you never know if you will be back there again, so making a list of things you want to see and do ensures that you don’t waste any of your time.
Packing is one of the hardest parts of any holiday. It’s easy to panic about what you need, overpack, and end up having to lug around a heavy suitcase for the duration of your holiday. When you are solo travelling, you must remember that you are responsible for your own bag, meaning that you will have to carry it around regardless of how heavy it is. Be brutal whilst you are packing and only pack your essentials. Make a list of what you need, and stick to it, or risk having aching hands on your holiday.
As incredible as solo travelling is, it can get lonely. When packing, slip a couple of small home comforts into your suitcase for moments when you may feel alone. These could be photographs, a candle, a teddy, or even a special pillow. Whatever it is that makes you feel comfortable, pack it. You don’t want feeling homesick ruining your holiday.
When you are travelling with other people you can rely on them for entertainment, but when you are travelling on your own, you are your own entertainment. Take this opportunity of being on your own to read that book you’ve been meaning to, or finish that series. You won’t want to be otherwise occupied when you reach your destination, but you will need to entertain yourself somehow on the journey there and back.
Solo travel is a great time to go off the grid, escape from your usual routine and have an adventure. That being said, it is important that you keep your phone on you, fully charged, and with the appropriate sim card. Your phone is handy to have for 2 reasons. Firstly, you will want to remember the adventure you have been on and you can use your phone to take pictures and videos. Secondly, if you find yourself in trouble you may need your phone to get in contact with the emergency services or a relative or friend. You may not need your phone whilst you are away, but it’s always best to have it on hand just in case.
Although most places accept card payments it’s always best to have a small amount of cash on hand. This, similarly to having your phone with you, is just in case of an emergency. You never know when you will need cash, so it’s wise to get a small amount out before you leave. As well as this, some places you visit on your travels may not take cards so it’s best to have cash for buying food, drinks, and any souvenirs you may want to pick up along the way.
Solo travelling is a great way to meet new people, both locals and fellow travellers. Whilst you are wandering around, don’t be afraid to speak to people. Ask locals for suggestions on what to do, where to eat, or where to get a drink. Speak to fellow travellers about their holiday experience so far. Being friendly is the best way to begin speaking to people, and you never know, you may find yourself meeting a life long friend.
Any form of travelling can be expensive, which is why it’s good to do as many free experiences as possible. A lot of locations will do free walking tours, which is a great way to meet fellow travellers whilst you explore your new location. Do as many free experiences as you can so that you can save your money for food, drinks, and any other experiences you want to try whilst in a new country.
The most important thing to remember about solo travelling is to embrace the experience. Enjoy your time travelling alone, experiencing a new country, and taking on a new adventure.
Whilst you are travelling we will be doing your laundry. To book your Laundryheap order head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Copenhagen turns into a wonderland during the festive season. Twinkling lights hang above the streets, shops are filled with people completing their Christmas shopping, and the true spirit of hygge is embraced. It is a truly magical experience, and these are just 5 things to do at Christmas in Copenhagen.
Frederiksberg Runddel ice rink
Tivoli Gardens
Højbro Plads Christmas Market
Drink Juleøl
Hotel d’Angleterre
Frederiksberg Runddel ice rink
Every winter Frederiksberg Runddel, by the entrance of the iconic Frederiksberg Garden, is transformed into a glorious ice rink. Despite not being the biggest ice rink in Copenhagen, it is one of the prettiest. As you skate around the rink you can see the tops of the parks beautiful trees and a peek into the grounds. Admission to the ice rink is free, and you can hire a pair of skates for DKK 50, or have yours sharpened for DKK 70. Skating at Frederiksberg Garden is the perfect way to begin your Christmas in Copenhagen, so get your skates on and start, well, skating.
Tivoli Gardens is transformed into a mesmerising winter wonderland during the festive season. The park is decorated with fake snow, glittering Christmas lights, and finished with over 1,000 Christmas trees, decorated with more than 70,000 baubles. The feeling of stepping into the North Pole would not be complete without a visit from Santa and his reindeer’s, as well as Christmas performances and parades. In addition to this magical fun, Tivoli also hosts a Christmas market with more than 60 stalls of traditional food, drink, and perfect stocking-filler gifts. Tivoli Gardens is truly a magical Christmas experience for all ages.
There are many Christmas markets to wander around in Copenhagen, but Højbro Plads Christmas Market is the best. Located between Strøget, one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe, and the Christiansborg Palace, it is the perfect market to get your Christmas shopping done. The market area exudes the Christmas spirit with its Christmas trees, 280,000 sparkling lights, and festive decorations. Vendors sit inside log cabins, which are imported each year from Tyrol, selling Christmas gifts, sweet treats, and traditional Gløgg. Whilst you’re busy shopping and taking in the festive atmosphere, look out for Santa and his reindeer who circulate the market, greeting children and making sure that you stay on the nice list. If you don’t find all of the gifts that you are searching for at Højbro Plads Christmas Market, head to Strøget to finish the task.
Image by Orf3us
Drink Juleøl
Juleøl is Danish for Christmas beer, one of the most beloved drinks in Copenhagen during the festive season. Traditionally, Juleøl is strong and spiced with cinnamon, orange peel, cloves, and vanilla. Today, more than 220 Danish breweries produce a record number of Christmas beers of roughly 350 varieties. From bodegas to trendy craft beer pubs, you will see Copenhagers across the city toasting the festive season with a Christmas beer. It would be remiss to be in Copenhagen during the festive period and not join in on the tradition. Cheers!
Each year the Christmas lights on the Hotel d’Angleterre are a wondrous spectacle for all to marvel at. They tend to be extravagant displays, based on characters from the iconic fairy tales of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, who had spent Christmas in the hotel. Once you have marvelled at the beautiful lights adorning the Hotel d’Angleterre, head inside to warm yourself up with a glass of gløgg. The Hotel d’Angleterre is known across Copenhagen as the best place to enjoy a traditional glass of gløgg or their bespoke Snow Queen’s gløgg. The perfect way to get you in the Christmas spirit.
After spending your day enjoying the festive spirit, you don’t want laundry to pull you out of your festive haze. Instead, let Laundryheap do your laundry for you. Book your Laundryheap order today by heading to the Laundryheap website, or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
It’s going to take more than just a coat to keep you warm this winter. Luckily, your trusty winter warmers are here to help. Just make sure that you look after them by following our handy guide.
Hat
Scarf
Gloves
Hat
10% of your body’s heat is lost through your head. Luckily, a warm hat will help prevent this heat from being lost. In winter, the most common type of hat to wear is a beanie, a close-fitting hat that clings to the head and can be worn over the ears. In the autumn and winter seasons, you will find yourself wearing your hat most, if not every, day, so to keep it clean it’s best to wash it 3-5 times each season.
Machine wash
Most beanie hats are made from polyester or wool and cotton blends, which are safe to wash in the washing machine. Before machine washing your beanie, first, check the care label. This will tell you if you can wash your hat in the washing machine and, if you can, what temperature and cycle to use.
To machine wash your beanie, first put it in a laundry bag to prevent it from being snagged in the machine. Next, select a cool wash setting, ideally 30 degrees Celsius, and a gentle cycle. Beanies are made to be stretchy so that they can fit over your head, however, they can stretch in the washing machine and become misshapen. A gentle cycle and cool temperature will help to prevent this from happening.
Hand wash
If you are worried about machine washing your beanie, hand wash it instead.
To begin hand washing your beanie, first fill a sink with cool water and add a teaspoon of mild laundry detergent. Submerge your hat in the water, and gently move it around. Make sure that you are not wringing or scrubbing your beanie whilst it’s in the water as this will cause it to stretch. Gently swirl your hat in the water for roughly 5 minutes. If it is heavily stained, allow your hat to sit in the water for 15-30 minutes so that the dirt and oils can break down and be removed.
After you have washed your beanie remove it from the detergent water and submerge it in fresh, cold, water. Swirl your hat in the fresh water until all of the detergent has been removed- you will need to replenish your water frequently until no more detergent is released. You may be tempted to hold your beanie under a stream of cool water, however, this will only result in it stretching.
Drying
Regardless of how you wash your beanie, the drying process is the same. Lay your beanie flat on a clean, dry, towel, and lay another clean, dry, towel over the top of it. Leave your top towel over your beanie for a few minutes to soak up as much excess water as possible, before removing it completely to finish air-drying. Do not wring or twist your beanie to remove water, or use a tumble dryer, as this will stretch and misshapen your hat. Leave your beanie to completely dry before wearing it.
A scarf is perfect for keeping your neck warm whilst you brave the brisk winter day. Most winter scarves are made from cotton, wool, or cashmere as these materials are thick and therefore better at keeping you warm. To ensure that your scarf keeps you warm throughout autumn and winter, wash it 3-5 times per season.
Machine wash
Washing machines are too harsh for some materials, such as wool and cashmere, so before washing your winter scarf make sure that it is made from cotton or polyester.
After checking that your scarf is safe to machine wash, place it in a laundry bag and into your washing machine. The laundry bag will ensure that your scarf doesn’t get snagged whilst being washed. Next, select a gentle and cold water cycle on your machine. Even though your scarf’s material is safe to machine wash, it is still delicate and therefore needs to be washed using a delicate cycle. Finally, add gentle laundry detergent to your machine and begin the wash cycle. Make sure that you are using a gentle laundry detergent as they are softer on fabrics and don’t contain dyes or harsh chemicals.
Hand wash
If your scarf is made from wool, cashmere, or any other delicate material, it must be hand-washed only.
To begin hand washing your scarf, fill a sink with cold water and add 1 tablespoon of gentle laundry detergent. Completely submerge your scarf in your detergent water and gently swish it around. You may want to gently squeeze each section of your scarf to ensure that it is absorbing as much water as possible. After you have swished your scarf in the water a few times, leave it to sit for 10 minutes, giving it ample time to soak up as much detergent as possible.
After 10 minutes, remove your scarf from the detergent water and rinse it under a cool running tap. Make sure that your tap is on a low water pressure to avoid any damage to the fibres of your scarf. Avoid wringing or twisting your scarf whilst you are rinsing it as this can also damage its fibres. Continue to rinse your scarf under the cool running tap until no more detergent runs from it.
Drying
Unless your winter scarf is made from fleece, you should never use a tumble dryer to dry your scarf. Instead, lay it flat on a clean, dry, towel, and place another clean, dry, towel over the top of it. Gently press down on the top towel to remove as much excess water as possible. After removing as much water as possible, remove the top towel, and leave your scarf to air dry. If your scarf is made from cotton or polyester, you can hang it on a clothes horse or outside to continue air drying.
If your scarf is made of fleece, you can dry it on a low heat setting in your tumble dryer. Make sure that you are not using a high heat setting as this will damage the fibres of your scarf.
When your hands get cold they become stiff and achy, not a particularly pleasant feeling. Gloves keep your hands warm and mobile by insulating them. To ensure that they stay in top shape, wash your gloves roughly 3-5 times each season.
Machine wash
Gloves can be made from a variety of different materials, however, cotton or those made with synthetic fibres are the only ones that can be machine washed. Before machine washing your gloves, check their care label to make sure that they are safe to wash in the washing machine.
To machine wash your gloves, first put them in a laundry bag and then into the washing machine. This will firstly ensure that your gloves don’t get snagged whilst in the machine, and secondly prevent them from getting lost. Next, select a cold and gentle wash cycle that won’t be too abrasive on the fibres of your gloves. Finally, add oxygen bleach to your wash and begin your cycle. Oxygen bleach will help keep the colour of your gloves vibrant, whilst killing any bacteria that may be on your gloves.
Hand wash
If your gloves are not made from cotton or synthetic fibres, then you will have to hand wash them. Not all gloves can be hand washed in the same way though.
Leather and faux leather
To clean your leather gloves, first use an oil-based soap to remove any stains. Gently rub the soap onto your gloves, paying extra attention to the heavily stained areas, before setting to one side to dry.
Once your gloves have dried, use a microfiber cloth to polish your gloves. This will help keep them looking shiny. Be careful not to press too hard with your microfiber cloth as this could lead to scratching the leather of your gloves.
Once you have cleaned the outside of your leather gloves, sprinkle a light dusting of corn-starch or baking soda inside your glove. The powdery particles will absorb any oils and odours inside your gloves, leaving them smelling good as new. Leave your corn-starch or baking soda for 15 minutes, before shaking it out of each glove.
Wool
To hand-wash your wool gloves, begin by filling a sink with warm water and adding a drop of gentle laundry detergent. Make sure that you are only using a drop of detergent as gloves are reasonably small and don’t require a lot of detergent.
Next, submerge your gloves in the detergent water and use a swishing motion to allow the detergent to soak into each glove. Leave your gloves for 10-15 minutes, before draining the detergent water and re-filling the sink with fresh, warm, water.
Repeat the swishing motion with your gloves, removing all of the detergent from each one. You will have to refill your sink with fresh water each time it becomes too soapy. Once you have removed the detergent from your gloves, drain the water and leave your gloves at the bottom of your empty sink. Using your hands, gently push down on each glove to remove as much excess water as possible.
Waterproof
Waterproof gloves are often used for skiing and don’t require much cleaning. To clean your waterproof gloves, generously spray the outside of each glove with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. This will help disinfect the outside of your gloves. To clean the inside of your gloves, sprinkle either corn-starch or baking soda into each glove and leave it for 15 minutes. The powder will work in the same way as with leather gloves, removing oils and odours.
Drying
Regardless of what material your gloves are made from you must avoid using the tumble dryer to dry them. Your waterproof and leather gloves won’t require drying because they have not come into contact with water.
To dry your cotton and wool gloves place the gloves on a clean, dry, towel and roll the towel up so that the gloves are encased. This will help squeeze any excess water from each glove without causing them to lose their shape. After a few minutes, unroll the towel and rearrange your gloves so that they are lying flat. Leave your gloves in this position to air dry, refraining from wearing them until they are completely dry.
The best way to take care of your winter warmers is by letting us take care of them. We can pick up, launder, and have your hats, scarves, and gloves back to you, and ready to wear, within 24 hours. All you have to do is head to the Laundryheap website, or download the free Laundryheap app, to book your order.
