Every now and then, you should check for signs that your washing machine needs cleaning. Washing machines go through cycles daily of dirty clothes so it’s not uncommon for dirt and odours to build up. Our washing machine takes care of our clothes so it’s only fair we take care of it regularly.
To keep your clothes in good shape, you need to take care of the washing machine first. Here are signs that your washing machine needs cleaning!
1. The Clothes Aren’t In The Best Condition
You set your washing cycle on, you wait for your clothes to finish and then find out they’re not cleaned to a high standard. If you find yourself in this position, it’s a sign that your washing machine filter needs to be clean.
Leaving your filter unchecked will cause laundry detergent to latch on your clothes and your clothes won’t dry well. The rule of thumb is to clean your washing machine filter every six months to avoid clothes’ condition decaying.
2. The Washing Machine Has a Bad Odour
If you spot a bad odour lingering from your washing machine, it is a major sign that it needs to be cleaned. Expectedly, a washing machine contacts germs and bacteria from dirty laundry so it’s not surprising mould builds up inside.
Nonetheless, this mould can go on your clothes, which is extremely unhygienic, so it’s better to clean without delay.
3. The Rubber Seal Around The Door Has Black Stains
A major sign that your washing machine needs cleaning is noticing any black stains on the rubber seal around the door. In a damp environment, mould, and bacteria build up and these get stuck on the rubber seal. Always make sure you act fast and clean the rubber seal to avoid further dirt forming.
Sometimes, any stains left on the washing machine door could be from laundry detergents that haven’t been rinsed away. Always make sure you are keeping an eye out for any stains.
Our guide should help you to spot the signs that your washing machine needs cleaning and make your laundry experience better!
If your washing machine is faulty or you missed the day to give it a good clean, get in touch with Laundryheap! We’ll launder your clothes and return them back to you within 24 hours until your washing machine is in good condition again!
If you’re a regular gym-goer, you’ll know the feeling of breaking a sweat in the gym and the benefits of a gym towel; it absorbs water and gets rid of sweat. You may have questions on the best ways to look after your gym towels and luckily for you, we have both the answers and the laundry tips to keep your gym towels clean!
1. Wash Gym Towels Immediately
You’ll undo the hard gym work if you don’t look after your gym towels after a productive workout session because maintaining hygiene is crucial. Our laundry tip for you is to wash your gym towels after every use. Aside from your sweat, your towels are touching gym equipment. Washing towels immediately reduces the chances of bacteria and germs spreading and if you wait too long, you’ll towel will get very mouldy!
Secondly, baking soda is great for many different types of clothes and materials. Gym Towels aren’t an exemption. The secret of a baking soda is that it helps nullify the bad odours that gym towels bring.
Simply put your gym towels in the washer then add one cup of baking soda to the front loader. Wash with hot water (more on this below).
3. Use Vinegar Monthly
Furthermore, adding vinegar is a good way to care for your gym towels. Just like Baking soda, vinegar has many uses and one of them is being used to help clean your gym towels. Vinegar helps keep towel odours at bay and brings back the freshness but it is recommended to wash with vinegar monthly.
After the full cycle with baking soda is finished, add a full cup of vinegar to the front loader. Afterwards, start your washing machine on the hottest cycle. After the cycle is finished, begin drying gym towels and then they will look fresh and good as gold!
An additional tip when doing this is always to put baking soda first and not wash at the same time as vinegar to avoid strong smells afterwards!
Image from Shutterstock.com
4. Keep Temperature In Check
Our laundry tip for good gym towel care is to keep the temperature in check. Knowing what water settings to choose makes the difference between good and bad results. Our recommendation is to use warm water for coloured towels for less chance of colour fading. Whereas hot water is best suited for white towels. Try not to mix the towels.
A rule of thumb is always read the labels to avoid gym towels with poor washing results and shrinking!
5. Choose a Laundry Service
Our previous laundry tips were all if you were washing the gym towels yourself at home. However, if you live a busy lifestyle and are drowned by other responsibilities, Laundryheap is here to give you a hand and look after your gym towels!
You shouldn’t skip leg or arms day at the gym, but you can skip laundry day as we’ll do your laundry for you! You can put your gym towels in one bag, book a service with us, choose a collection day and we’ll arrive and return it back to you within 24 hours! All clean, fresh, and high quality!
When it comes to laundry, we do the heavy lifting! Enjoy your workout and follow our tips for good gym towel care use but if you have a busy day ahead, we are available to help you wash your gym towels!
Restaurants have enough on their plates when it comes to business responsibilities. There are a lot of organisations involved, ordering food, preparing food, serving customers, cleaning and so on. Restaurants do need a helping hand, and this is where a laundry service comes in.
Here are the benefits of a Laundry Service for your restaurant!
1. Reduces Pressure on Staff
The nature of a restaurant is fast-paced and stressful. Every staff involved is on their feet for most of the shift and even when they finish their shift, the worry of cleaning their work uniform, aprons, kitchen linens or towels looms over their head.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. To reduce the pressure on your staff, a laundry service can help your restaurant take care of the laundry and deliver it back to you within 24 hours!
2. Cleaner Items, Better Results
Booking a Laundry service will maintain the highest level of cleaning standards while maintaining the quality of your kitchen linens and chef gowns. Restaurants aren’t only judged for their food quality but also for how their staff are presented and with Laundryheap, we are there to help your restaurant stand out with professional cleaned and well-ironed kitchen work gear.
Not only will your kitchen laundry items look good, but this will also help enhance your restaurant’s hygiene image!
3. Saves Costs and Time
Running an in-house laundry adds extra costs to your restaurant. Not only are you paying for the machines, but you are also drowning your staff with more tasks. Purchasing laundry equipment isn’t cheap and neither is finding the staff to run these tasks consistently.
However, the proof is in the pudding; Paying for a laundry service will save you cost, time and stress because all you must do is book the date and schedule a collection and your laundry will be delivered back to your business within 24 hours. It’s as easy as 123!
4. Better Preparations
Restaurants need to be prepared for the busiest days and seasons. By booking a laundry service, your restaurant can prepare and focus on other crucial business matters such as maintaining a high-quality food service. Next time, you get birthday parties or Christmas dinners at your restaurant, you’ll expect busy hours but with a laundry service, you’ll have that peace of mind that you can prepare better because Laundryheap will clean your kitchen aprons, and table linens etc. for you.
5. Convenient
It goes without saying that convenience is the one major thing that customers and businesses aim for. We understand that laundering kitchen gowns, aprons and table linens take time but booking a laundry service brings convenience. at Laundryheap, no pile is too big for us, and we’ll get everything cleaned to a professional standard and deliver them back to your restaurant within 24 hours conveniently.
Laundryheap has worked with other businesses in different types of industries. We are always here to make work easier for businesses.
To get started, book a service with Laundryheap on our website or download the free app on iOS or Android.
Cleaning Aprons is a big duty after you’ve left the kitchen. They take care of us, by protecting our clothes from germs and stains, so it’s only fair we take care of them. If you spent a lot of time in the kitchen, you’ll know why it’s essential to keep aprons clean.
What’s The Best Way to Clean Aprons?
Whether you’ve cooked, brewed coffee, or owned a restaurant, we could imagine how messy the kitchen gets and naturally, aprons will get dirty. Cleaning aprons can be a daunting task but fortunately, there are ways to make this easier for you.
Hand washing
If your apron isn’t very dirty and you just need a few stains to be removed, handwashing would be the solution. Simply start off by filling a bucket with hot water and soak your apron in it. Afterwards, pour lemon juice and table salt on the dirty stains.
You always want to be prepared – check if the weather is warm and hang your aprons outside. If it starts to rain, leave your aprons to dry in a drying rack.
Finally, rinse the apron once again with water to remove any salt remaining and dry it once more to ensure the fabric remains of good quality!
Laundry
When it comes to cleaning aprons, laundry can also be effective.
As a rule of thumb, always read the Apron label to see if its material is suited for laundry, ironing or dry cleaning. For Nylon and PVC aprons, we advise against machine washing.
Using the washing machine when cleaning aprons needs careful planning and awareness. We recommend washing the aprons separately from other clothing. Separate white aprons from bright or darker clothing or aprons to avoid colour mixing.
Cleaning Aprons may need their own special laundry day to avoid strings tangling with other clothes or aprons. However, you can always tie the apron’s strings together in a bow as a solution.
For better results, always read labels on the cleaning liquids to make sure they match the apron colour. Brightly coloured or darker aprons are cleaned with colour-safe liquids to maintain quality.
As a general rule, aprons are laundered for 30 minutes.
A reminder that all apron materials have different washing needs. Cotton Denim and Cotton Canvas are better washed separately as colours may latch on each other.
Every Apron tells a hundred stories. Some need cleaning attention while others can remain in the kitchen. When cleaning aprons, take into consideration how long you have used your apron. Usually, if the apron is used after two or three times then it needs to be cleaned.
We hope your Apron needs are fulfilled. Cleaning Aprons is important not only for you but for people around you.
A reminder that if your laundry or responsibilities piles up, our services can help you!
Whether you’re a business or just someone who needs their Apron cleaned, visit our website to book with us or download our free Laundryheap app on iOS or Android!
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.
Your wellies will help you through any cold and wet weather condition. To keep them intact, it’s important to regularly clean them.
General care guide for looking after your wellies
Exterior
Soles
Inside
Drying
Removing ‘blooming’
General care guide for looking after your wellies
Before explaining how to clean your wellies, let’s begin with some general care guide tips.
When you are not wearing your boots, keep them in a cool and dry area, standing upright with boot trees or rolled-up towels. This will help your boots maintain their strong shape. If you aren’t wearing your wellies for an extended period of time, you may also want to consider adding a sachet of cedar, lavender, or baking soda to the inside of them to keep them smelling fresh.
Make sure that you wear socks every time you wear your boots. They will help absorb excess moisture and prevent odours and stains.
Once you have taken your wellies off, allow them to completely air dry before wearing them again. You can speed up this process by stuffing them with dry, clean, towels or tissue paper for an hour.
Exterior
To maintain the flexibility and cleanliness of your wellies, you should wash them with lukewarm water after every wear to remove any mud or debris.
If there is dried mud and debris you will need…
A medium bristle brush
An old cloth
A clean cloth
Dish soap
Warm water
To begin cleaning your wellies, use a medium bristle brush to brush away any mud and debris. It’s best to use a circular motion to do this. To prevent getting mud and debris on your floor, complete this step on some newspaper or over the sink.
After you have removed as much mud and debris as possible, dip an old cloth in warm water until it is damp, and wipe the exterior of your wellies. This will help you identify any mud and debris lingering on your boots.
To remove the lingering mud and debris, mix one teaspoon of dish soap with two cups of warm water. Dip your old cloth into this solution and wipe your boot from the top to the bottom. The dish soap will help to break down the stronger mud and debris and remove it from your wellies.
Once you are satisfied that you have removed all of the mud and debris from the exterior of your boots, wipe them down with a clean cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
Soles
When you are cleaning the exterior of your boots it’s important that you don’t forget to clean the soles.
To begin cleaning the soles of your wellies, use a medium bristle brush to scrub the sole of your shoe. This will remove the mud and debris on the base of your sole.
Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of the base of your sole, use your small bristle brush to deep-clean the grooves of your sole. Use a vigorous scrubbing motion to lift the dirt from these grooves.
Inside
If you don’t regularly clean the inside of your wellies, they will become odorous and begin to grow athlete’s foot fungus.
To clean the inside you will need…
Heavy-duty laundry detergent
Warm water
Two clean cloths
Distilled white vinegar
A spray bottle
To begin cleaning the inside of your wellies, mix one teaspoon of heavy-duty laundry detergent and two cups of warm water. Soak a clean cloth in your mixture, and wipe down the entire interior of your wellies. Make sure that you reach every surface to prevent odour and bacteria growth.
After you have wiped down the interior of your wellies, dip your second clean cloth in warm water and rinse the detergent solution away. Again, make sure that you reach every surface so that all of the detergent solution is removed from the inside of your boots.
Next, mix a 50/50 solution of distilled white vinegar and warm water. Put this solution in a spray bottle and lightly spray the inside of your wellies. This is an added precaution to ensure that no odorous bacteria or fungi are lingering inside your wellies.
Drying
After you have cleaned the exterior, sole, and interior of your wellies, you need to leave them to completely dry before wearing them again.
To dry, leave them in a cool and dry location, away from direct sunlight and heat, to air dry. It is important that they are left to air dry away from heat as this will break down their strong structure and leave them droopy. If you want to speed up the drying of your wellies, insert dry, clean, towels or tissue paper, inside your boots for one hour. This will help absorb some of the excess moisture and limit the drying time.
Removing ‘blooming’
‘Blooming’ is when a white marbled film develops on the outside of your wellies. This happens as a result of the rubber, which is a natural product, in your boots being exposed to certain temperatures, causing insoluble particles to rise to the surface. It doesn’t affect the durability of your wellies, however, it can be removed if you don’t like the cosmetic look.
To remove ‘blooming’ you will need…
Olive oil
A clean cloth
To remove ‘blooming’ from your wellies, simply add a few drops of olive oil to a clean, dry, cloth and wipe it over your boots. For the best results, work from the top of your wellies down to the bottom, working on small areas at a time to ensure that every surface is covered.
Never add the olive oil to the sole of your wellies. This will only result in the sole of your wellies becoming slippy and could result in you falling over.
Whilst you are cleaning your wellies, we can clean your laundry. From general washing to dry cleaning and ironing, we have a service that will fit your needs.
To book your Laundryheap service head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
Self-isolation is not as easy as it sounds. Currently, it is the safest option for everyone, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be mentally and physically straining. Spending all day working, relaxing, eating and sleeping in one household can be incredibly draining. Believe it or not, cleaning your home could be the most effective way to rid yourself of self-isolation slump.
The physical benefits
The mental benefits
The health benefits
The working benefits
How Laundryheap can help
The physical benefits
It can be hard to establish an exercise routine when you are confined to the space in your home. Regular cleaning is an easy and productive way to stay active without venturing outside. In addition, vigorous cleaning, such as wiping down walls and cleaning the oven, is a great way to rid yourself of any negative energy you may be carrying, due to the energy that is burnt carrying out the task.
The mental benefits
Although it may not be the most exciting activity to do, cleaning your home comes with an array of mental health benefits. For example, when people experience high levels of anxiety, they tend to gravitate towards repetitive behaviours, such as cleaning. Carrying out the repetitive task of cleaning makes them feel in control and, therefore, decreases their anxiety level.
It is vital during this precarious time that we all remain as calm as we possibly can. On average, people who have messy homes have higher levels of cortisol, a stress induced hormone. Alternatively, researchers have found that cleaning your home can lead to feelings of accomplishment and subsequent calmness. If you are feeling irritated whilst stuck in self-isolation a quick 15-minute tidy of your surrounding area could help reduce that irritation and make you calmer.
In addition to keeping your home clean, it is important to keep your linens clean. A study by The National Sleep Foundation found that 75% of people sleep better when their sheets are freshly washed due to feeling more comfortable. A good night’s sleep leaves people feeling well-rested and both physically and mentally ready for the day ahead. Despite being at home throughout the day, it is important whilst self-isolating to remain in a routine, which includes getting a good night’s sleep.
The health benefits
It’s now more important than ever to clean our homes and eliminate harmful germs and bacteria. Germs can weaken our immune system and make us more susceptible to becoming ill. However, regularly cleaning our homes with disinfectant can kill up to 98% of the daily bacteria we could come into contact with.
As a result of increasing the amount of time we are spending indoors, it is vital to be aware of indoor air pollution. Dust, dirt and poor ventilation are all contributing factors to indoor air pollution and can result in increasing the severity of an individuals allergens. The longer you put off cleaning your home the more polluted the air will become. Fifteen minutes of cleaning a day can sufficiently decrease the air pollution in your home.
The working benefits
When you are working from home it can be very easy to become distracted and forget about your work. In 2011 a Princeton University study found that clutter can increase the difficulty of focusing on a task. On a subconscious level, clutter is associated with negative emotions, such as confusion, tension, irritability and worry. Decluttering your home can not only make cleaning more efficient, but can also lead to a clearer mind and heightened sense of calm. This can make it easier to focus on your tasks.
If you ever become mentally blocked whilst your working from home try washing the dishes. A study published in the journal, Mindfulness, found that people who engaged in mindfully washing the dishes- taking in the scent of the washing-up liquid and letting the water soak into their skin- experience a 25% improvement in mental inspiration.
If you are running low on cleaning supplies, our Essentials Pack is available across London and includes cleaning supplies, as well as toilet paper and toothpaste. Additionally, our services are still fully operational in all cities we operate in. Book your delivery slot now.
The cost of laundry can really add up. Clothing, underwear, bed linen, towels, the list of things you need to wash is endless. Unfortunately, the laundry detergent you use is not. Constantly having to stock up on detergent is not cost effective, which is why you should save yourself the money and make your own DIY detergent.
The benefits of DIY detergent
What you’ll need
The recipe
Top tips
How Laundryheap can help
The benefits of DIY detergent
Aside from being cost effective, there are a lot of benefits of DIY detergents. Firstly, you have complete control over the ingredients that you want to include. This means, there are no harmful chemicals or added toxins that could cause skin irritation. Not to mention, the lack of harmful chemicals and toxins is much better for the environment. Additionally, through making your own detergent you are not buying unnecessary packaging and are, therefore, decreasing the use of single-use plastic.
What you’ll need
To make your DIY detergent you need three simple ingredients:
Borax
Washing Soda
A bar of natural soap
The recipe
You can make your DIY detergent in three easy steps:
Grate your bar of soap- using a food processor will make this step a lot easier, but a hand-held greater will work just fine.
Add the grated soap to 250ml of washing soda and 250ml of Borax
Stir the mix well
Top Tips
Use three level teaspoons per wash and store the rest of your detergent in a lidded container. Don’t forget to label your container so people know what’s inside- for extra safety add a list of ingredients to your label.
If you want to make your DIY detergent last longer, make a bigger batch by doubling the amounts of each ingredient, but using the same ratios.
If you want to save your DIY detergent for clothing only, our Home and Bedding service can be used on the remainder of your washing. We will pick up, launder and deliver your items back to you within 24 hours, at no extra cost. Book your slot on our Laundryheap app.
Leather goods are remarkably durable and hardwearing, but sometimes leather does need to be taken care of. The subject of cleaning leather can be quite a sensitive subject amongst leather enthusiasts.
Because of the properties of leather, using the same cleaning methods as you would when washing clothes is going to result in damaged leather goods. Basic methods for cleaning leather are generally simple, can be done at home, and can tackle stains, grease, and all the other bad stuff we get on our leather products.
Always start with a great leather protector
Know your different types of leather
Removing grease stains
Getting rid of denim stains
Cleaning leather bags or purses
How to clean leather furniture
Suede needs special treatment
Cleaning leather naturally
Always start with a great leather protector
Before you begin to think about cleaning your new leather product, you must first think about how you will protect it. It is imperative to protect your bag before taking it out for the first time.
For smooth leathers, we recommend using an appropriate leather cream. This will create a layer of protection over the leather and will defend it from scratches. Similarly, applying the cream after you have already used the product will minimise any existing marks the item might have picked up already.
Know your different types of leather
Leather products are not all created in the same way. So that also means we have to use different techniques when cleaning different types of leather. Leather, suede and nubuck all require different methods of cleaning.
With this in mind, you should always approach with caution when cleaning leather. We advise testing the product on an inconspicuous area of the item first, making sure to apply with a slight hand – never use unnecessary force. When cleaning grained leather, you can use the same leather cleaner but must apply it differently. This can be done by using a leather-cleaning brush to apply the soap, ensuring the solution finds its way into the grooves of the leather.
Removing grease stains
There are endless amounts of ways we can procure grease stains on our leather products. Hand cream is often one of the main culprits, which is why you so often find fingerprint-like stains on the handles of your leather bag. The problem with grease-based stains is that they absorb so quickly.
If you listened to our first piece of advice and protected your leather, you will have some time to remove the marks before they settle in. Although, if you haven’t followed this first step, the grease will absorb into the leather. Consequently, the stain will darken and leave an oily mark on the leather. If you are at home and can get to some cornstarch fast, then do so, apply it onto the stain to soak up the greasy residue. Talcum powder is also a great tool for soaking up the grease. We advise applying to the affected area and leaving overnight.
Getting rid of denim stains
Denim stains are some of the most common when it comes to leather products. These stains occur when the leather rubs against a pair of jeans (or indeed, a denim jacket). The dye used in denim is similar to hair dye, meaning it will penetrate fast and deep. If the leather is a pale colour, these stains will be painfully visible.
A suitably protected (as mentioned above) piece of leather will repel the indigo dye for a longer duration than something unprotected. If, however, you have no protected that new leather handbag, then the key to cleaning denim stains depends on speed. The cleaner should be applied to the leather the second the dye has marked the leather. The longer the mark is left on the leather, the higher the chance it will be absorbed into the fibres.
Cleaning leather bags and purses
Leather bags and purses are the most susceptible to stains as they are used frequently and often come into contact with drinks, food and the floor. Thankfully, there is a simple method that can be done at home to tackle these challenging stains.
Start with mixing one part mild soap – anything like facial soap or delicate clothes detergent – with eight parts water. We advise using bottled water, if possible, to avoid any harmful particles in tap water. After that, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray onto a microfiber cloth. Avoid spraying directly onto the leather as this can cause over-saturation. Next, gently wipe the stain, going with the grain of the leather. Once the stain has faded, leave the bag to dry, keeping it out of sunlight. Finally, once the bag is dry, apply a pea-sized amount of leather moisturiser to protect the material.
How to clean leather furniture
Many people love leather furniture, but few actually know a lot about leather care. This can lead to many sofas and cushions being wrecked by stains that are easy to care for. A common mistake is using heavy-duty household cleaners, which can lead to the leather becoming worn, so make sure to choose a much gentler soap.
Firstly, vacuum the furniture to remove any dust or particles before cleaning. After that, use a cloth to wipe a small amount of mild detergent onto the furniture. With a separate cloth, wipe again with cold, clean water, making sure you don’t over-saturate the fabric. Lastly, leave to dry out of direct sunlight to ensure the colour does not fade. Remember to spot test your chosen cleaning product on a small area before applying to the whole sofa. You don’t want to do any further damage to your leather furniture when trying to clean.
Suede needs special treatment
You should clean suede and nubuck more regularly than conventional leather products. This is because removing stains from these materials can be complicated. These materials need different treatment entirely. They can react very differently depending on finish, colour or stain, so we would generally recommend leaving this cleaning jobs to the professionals.
To start off, find a soft-bristled brush, ideally a suede brush but you can also use a toothbrush if that’s all you have. Use the brush to go over the affected area. Gently brush the stain using short, gentle strokes. Make sure you always go in the same direction to start with as this will help loosen the fibres and dirt. Next, lightly go over the affected area with a clean sponge.
Cleaning leather naturally
If you do not want to use cleaning products on your leather, you can try steam cleaning it. You can do this by hanging your purse or bag in the bathroom just after you take a hot shower. The damp air will loosen the stains. Once that is done, leave the bag to dry before going back over it with a soft-bristled brush.
There are also a variety of household products that can be very beneficial for cleaning leather. Lemon juice mixed with cream of tartar works well for removing spots and stains. Likewise, white vinegar can be used for general cleaning to ensure the material remains healthy.
If you don’t feel comfortable treating your leather products yourself, why not seek professional help? Laundryheap offers a quick and professional service with free next day delivery.
Unfortunately, there is just no way around getting your shoes dirty. No matter how much you try to keep them clean, walking around puddles or checking the weather forecast before leaving the house. Somehow, someway, they won’t stay clean.
While cleaning your footwear seems like a simple enough task, there are a few factors to consider. For instance, what type of material are your shoes made of, what cleaning product to use, and how you should apply the product. To help you figure this all out, we’ve put together this helpful guide. So, follow these handy tips to have your shoes looking box fresh once again.
Know Your Material Before You Start
What You Will Need
Leather
Suede
Sheepskin Boots
Canvas Shoes
Running Shoes
White Sneakers
Don’t Forget The Laces
Know Your Material Before Your Start
When thinking about how to clean your footwear, the crucial factor to keep in mind is what material they are made from. Cleaning leather is an entirely different operation than cleaning suede. Likewise, techniques for cleaning canvas footwear can vary from cleaning sheepskin boots.
So, before you start cleaning your beloved new boots, make sure you know if they are leather or suede. Similarly, make sure you know the difference between your canvas’ and your running shoes. Having this knowledge will allow you the best possible chance of restoring your footwear to their former glory.
What You Will Need
Before you start the cleaning process, there are a few things you should have available before starting. A dry brush is useful for almost all types of shoes. If you don’t have access to an actual soft-bristled shoe brush, don’t fear. An old toothbrush should do the trick just fine. But, when cleaning suede, we would advise using a suede brush, as this material is more delicate than others.
Also, access to some laundry detergent and vinegar will prove helpful depending on what type of material you are cleaning.
Leather Shoes
Leather shoes are an essential part of most peoples work attire. Consequently, keeping them clean is necessary for people hoping to look smart at work.
When cleaning leather, start by removing any debris by wiping a solution of equal parts water and vinegar over the affected area. Once the leather is dry, rub with a soft cloth. Likewise, when trying to remove scuffs, use a wet cloth dipped in baking soda. After this, wipe your shoes off, then buff them again once they’ve dried.
Suede Shoes
Cleaning suede often strikes fear into most peoples hearts. But, try not to panic, there is an art to cleaning suede, that can leave you with fantastic results.
Start by finding a nailbrush or suede brush. Once you have one of these, work in one direction to gently buff away stains. Now you have removed the surface dirt from the suede, start adding pressure, going back and forth with the brush to work at the harder to remove stains. For the extremely stubborn stains, use a white washcloth to rub either white vinegar or rubbing alcohol onto the affected area. Don’t worry this won’t leave a watermark, but it will give your suede a new lease of life.
Sheepskin Boots
Sheepskin is a material similar to suede, which means extra care is needed when dealing with it. Like with suede, use a nailbrush or scrub brush, to gently wipe off any dirt at the surface of the boots. After that, wipe the outside of the boot with a damp cloth. Make sure it is not too wet, as you could ruin the material. Next, using a mixture of equal part’s cold water and vinegar, gently rub the areas that need spot cleaning. Finally, finish by wiping the mixture off with a damp cloth and leave to dry.
Canvas Shoes
People often use canvas shoes for playing sport or in their everyday activities. Because of this, they require cleaning more regularly than the other types of shoes already mentioned in this guide.
Start cleaning by wiping dirt off the canvas shoes with a clean toothbrush. Next, make a paste of equal parts baking soda and water. Administer this paste onto the soles of the canvas trainers using the toothbrush to remove any unwanted dirt. Finally, run the gentle cycle on your washing machine with cold water, adding roughly half the amount of detergent you would usually use and toss in your shoes. Make sure you leave them out to dry, using the dryer could shrink your shoes and no one wants that!
Running Shoes
Running shoes bring there own unique issues when it comes to cleaning. One of the major ones being the smell from the sweat produced when using them for sport.
Start with removing loose dirt off with a toothbrush, then clean the brush after. Once the brush is clean, dip it into a teaspoon of laundry detergent mixed with a cup of water. Now use the brush on the fabric, mesh and rubber areas of the shoe. After this, use a wet sponge to wipe off the excess solution. Lastly, leave outside to dry in the fresh air to remove any unwanted odour picked up on your runs.
White Trainers
White trainers are often the ones we want to preserve the most. Nothing compares to the look of a fresh white pair of trainers but keeping them that colour is often an uphill battle.
To try and restore that pearly white colour your trainers was when you first purchased them, start with applying a small amount of nail polish remover to a cotton ball. Then use it to wipe away any stains you see on the white shoes. However, if the stains persist and you feel the need to resort to bleach, make sure you dilute it first, you don’t want to end up with discoloured shoes. Use a toothbrush to scrub the trainers with a solution of one part bleach to five parts water. Finish off by rinsing with warm water.
Don’t Forget The Laces
Keeping your shoelaces clean is an imperative aspect of maintaining that fresh out of the box look. Often people will clean the exterior of their shoe but neglect their shoelaces, leaving them with an unflattering contrast of clean and dirty.
To start with, remove the laces from the shoes, this will make cleaning the laces easier for yourself. Next, use a toothbrush to loosen any dried dirt or grime, this should come off with relative ease. After this, you can start mixing a solution of 3 tablespoons of bleach to 1 gallon of water in a sink or basin. Once the solution is ready, place the laces in a small mesh laundry bag and soak in the cleaning solution for several minutes. Be sure to wear gloves as you don’t want the bleach to irritate the skin. Finally, place the laces in the washing machine, then launder with detergent and a 1/2 cup of bleach. You can then hang the laces outside to air dry for fresh, clean laces.
If you are having a bad case of laundrophobia and don’t want to clean your shoes, we are here to help. Laundryheap offers a same-day laundry & dry cleaning collection with free next-day delivery.
