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washing temperature cycles


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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)

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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


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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.

silk


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How To Wash Silk Clothing

What comes to your mind when you think about cleaning a delicate silk fabric? If your answer is wash with extreme care and caution, then you have the right idea.

Cleaning silk can come across as complicated because it requires a lot more labour than normal clothes. If you own silk garments, then you know that some just can’t be thrown into the washing machine.

So, here’s a quick guide for the proper way of washing silk.

How To Wash Silk Clothing

  • Read the label first

Trust me when I say this, the label knows what’s best! There are instructions on the label for a reason; we must follow a specific procedure to get things done the right way. Check the label to see if its machine washable, hand washable or dry clean only. This is the very first crucial step in the know-how of washing your silk properly.

  • Wash gently in cold water

whatever way the label says you must wash your clothes, always wash them in cold water. For a machine wash, use the delicate cold wash cycle and for a hand wash fill a basin with cold water. This maintains the delicacy of the fabric along with the help of a gentle detergent. Avoid washing silk with heavy garments and only wash with similar fabrics.

  • Dry naturally

Just as you would do to dry yourself after a shower, use a towel to dry silk. Simply place the silk garment on a flat towel and roll it gently like you’re making a Swiss roll; this will get rid of the excess water. Then, hang or lay out flat to completely dry. Avoid using the tumble dryer as this will ruin the delicate fabric.

If that’s too much to handle, let Laundryheap take care of your silk garments. We pride ourselves in handling with complete care and returning your clothes in great condition. Besides, it will make your life that much easier.

If you have any questions or comments, we’re all ears 😊


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COMMON LAUNDRY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

With laundry being the most boring chore, there’s nothing worse than having to deal with mishaps. It’s annoying to see your favourite white shirts turn pink, or your most fitted pair of jeans shrink. Irrespective of how embarrassing these problems are, we’ve all been there.

Keep reading for our guide to your laundry problems and solutions.

  • DISCOLOURATION: Experiencing discolouration is sometimes a result of the washing machine not being set up properly. It is advisable to read the manual in order to understand the specs of the machine to avoid surprises. Another factor is the wrong choice of washing detergent or not washing your clothes with the required amount of detergent. To avoid white turning grey or yellowish, you should soak your whites immediately once you take them out especially if you happen to notice any discolouration on areas such as the armpit, or neck. Wash if possible. That way your white stays whiter.

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  • DETERGENT RESIDUE ON CLOTHES: Overloading your washing machine is one of the most common factors to this problem because it restricts the water from circulating well enough on your clothes. It’s advisable to re-wash and rinse your clothes before drying if you notice any form of detergent on your clothing. Don’t just over-look detergent residue on clothes because it can result in a skin reaction. But if you’re not overloading your machine yet experiencing such problems, that might be an indicator of some malfunction in your washing machine. Hence you should have it checked and fixed.

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  • WRINKLED CLOTHES: Ensure the washing machine is set to the appropriate cycle otherwise it can generate excessive heat and water hence resulting in wrinkles on clothing. Often times, it is almost impossible to avoid this problem but there are a couple of less time-consuming yet efficient ways to avoid such inconveniences especially with fabrics such as polyester, nylon, wool etc. Sorting is one of the most efficient ways to avoid this problem especially when you take out your clothes from the dryer. Avoid piling your clothes. Rather put them away. That way it’ll save you ironing time. 

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  • GREASE STAINED: Some stains can be really stubborn and don’t come off easily. In order to avoid putting your machine through a long cycle as well as putting pressure on the other items, it’s best you pre-treat the stain or apply a detergent solution suitable for the type of stain, directly on the stained area before washing your clothes.

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  • SHRINKAGE: Heat and agitation are the most common reasons for shrinkage. Your laundry method and the type of fabric can result in clothing shrinkage. To avoid this problem, hand-wash,  hang, or air dry your clothes that have the possibility of shrinking. A bonus would be reading the labels when purchasing or before washing.

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  • PILLING AND SHEDDING: Some fabrics do have a  have a natural tendency to shed and pill especially synthetic texture fabrics. In order to avoid or minimize this problem, it is best to regulate the washing machine cycle to gentle wash and avoid using extremely hot water, or better still avoid using the washing machine altogether and wash by hand as it’s safer and mostly gentler that way. Moreover, turning your fabric inside out before washing will help eliminate excess pilling.

When drying, you should either air-dry on a line or lay flat on a surface instead of using the machine dryer, especially with knitwear.

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Plus you can always save yourself a headache when you book our service for all your laundry and dry cleaning needs.


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LAUNDRY TIPS FOR BUSY PARENTS

With the chaos of getting things done and having to look after the little munchkins, it’s almost impossible to not get overwhelmed by chores, especially the never-ending story of doing laundry.

Here are a few laundry tips to help you save time.

  • PRE-SORTING THE LAUNDRY: Let’s face it, laundry is a chore that is time-consuming. A good idea is to have different baskets for different fabrics, colours, and the condition of laundry. Not only is it time-efficient when the need arises to do the laundry, it also prevents mistakes and having to deal with the possibility of colours bleeding onto another fabric and ruining your clothes.

 

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  • HANG ACCORDINGLY:If you despise ironing, one practical trick to consider is to hang your laundry once out of the machine to prevent extreme creasing. Moreover, if you’re dealing with washed and dried clothes, it’s best to put away on hangers and if possible colour coordinate hangers for specific clothes. Not only does this give your wardrobe a very refined and colourful look, it also creates space and helps differentiate your clothes for different purposes. Nothing is worse than having to ransack your closet for one specific outfit on a busy day.

 

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  • HAVE OTHERS CHIP IN: There’s nothing wrong with you asking for a helping hand. Your children can do simple things like allocating their dirty clothes to the right laundry basket or sorting and folding after themselves. In addition, that gives you an opportunity to focus on other pressing chores around the house.

 

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  • SET SPECIFIC DAYS: To avoid the laundry from overflowing, try to wash the clothes that are used the most; that way you don’t get intimidated or overwhelmed by your laundry. Set specific days for different types of laundry, for example, Wednesdays for coloured fabrics and Sundays for bedding, towels, rugs etc.


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  • MULTI-TASK: While waiting on the laundry in the washer, you can either put the other batch in the dryer or try to invest your time in doing the ironing. It helps immensely with your productivity as well as decreases your chances of procrastination.


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If you’re still uncertain or don’t have time to do the laundry, you can schedule your laundry with us and we’ll gladly sort it out for you.

 

laundry


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5 WAYS TO MAKE DOING LAUNDRY A BREEZE

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Laundry isn’t a fun task at the best of times – and that’s before the duller than dull job of putting it out to dry. Depending on where your washing machine is, you may either find it easy or super stressful to do. Limited space has become a big issue, especially in shared houses and flats.

Here’re some tips on how to make the most of the space you have and take the stress out of doing your laundry.

  1. INVEST IN STORAGE – If you’re already fighting for space, tripping over detergent, baskets and piles of clothes isn’t going to make an already tricky job easier. Whether you’ve got space in between the washing machine and dryer or can install some shelves – both things will maximise your floor space and save valuable laundry time. You can even store your iron and washing products in storage baskets, boxes or cabinets.

 

  1. SEPARATE YOUR WASH – Dragging two weeks-worth of laundry to the machine and dropping socks isn’t the only way. Have two separate bags or baskets – one for whites and one for darks. That way, you won’t end up with a whole load of dirty grey clothes! If you want to go one step further, get another one for colours. The bags/baskets can be slid under a kitchen counter or in the utility room (if you have one) to save floor space.

 

  1. USE A LAZY SUSAN – Better known for separating dishes at a Chinese restaurant, a Lazy Susan provides perfect compartments for detergents, fabric softeners and pegs. Hide it away in a cupboard or display it neatly on a worktop. It’ll save you keeping the boxes and packaging detergents normally come in and make laundry a little less boring!

 

  1. DITCH THE BASKETS – Sorting laundry and buying multiple baskets isn’t for everyone – particularly if space is an issue. Cut out that step altogether by using a large towel or sheet to wrap the clothes up in and say goodbye to dropped socks! When you’re using the dryer, the same thing applies. Throw a clean towel or sheet in with the clothes and do the same thing in reverse.

 

  1. FOLD DIFFERENTLY – Once your clothes are clean, it’s tempting to just shove it on the ‘laundry chair’ in your room or crumple it up in a drawer. Instead of folding your clothes and stacking them top to bottom in the drawers, fill them front to back so you can see everything you have. Save laundry time and getting dressed time.

 

If you’re still not convinced, forget about doing your own laundry and hand your washing over to LAUNDRYHEAP. No messing about, just professional, efficient service and super-clean clothes.


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5 TOP LAUNDRY HACKS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER

Laundry can come with its downfalls – stubborn stains, items shrinking in the wash and generally just taking ages to finish. Sometimes shoving clothes in the wash with detergent isn’t enough and we need some help. There are some great laundry hacks out there to save you time, money and lots of frustration.

Here are 5 handy laundry hacks by Laundryheap to make life easier – when you do your own laundry, that is!

  1. BABY POWDER FOR OIL STAINS – oil is notoriously difficult to remove from clothing and is especially annoying if it’s on something white or of delicate material. Shake some baby powder over the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before removing the excess. Repeat until the stain is gone, then wash as normal.

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  2. FRESHEN WITH VINEGAR – for sweaty gym clothes or bath towels, white vinegar is your secret weapon. One cup added at the beginning of the wash fights bad smells and leaves your clothes super-soft. It also helps to keep white shirts looking fresher for longer.

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  3. LINGERIE BAGS – the secret weapon for families and anyone who is constantly losing socks in the machine, lingerie bags are so useful for keeping your delicates separate from the rest of your clothes, without doing extra washes. They are also great for washing the kid’s toys.

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  4. IRON WITH WATER – When ironing, a dry shirt isn’t always the best way. Fill a spray bottle with water and spritz over the shirt, making it easier to iron and giving you a better finish. Suave!

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  5. USE TOWELS FOR DRYING – If you’re using a tumble dryer, it can feel like it takes forever to dry your clothes, especially if you’re in a hurry. Turning up the heat or waiting impatiently definitely won’t work – wet clothes will stay wet until the moisture is absorbed. Speed up the process by putting a dry towel in with it, that’ll work like a sponge to soak up the water.

towels

If you’re still not convinced, forget about laundry hacks and hand your washing over to LAUNDRYHEAP. No messing about, just professional, efficient service and super-clean clothes.