In the heart of Emirati culture, the kandura is a symbol of tradition, grace, and heritage. This flowing white robe, worn by Emirati men, is more than just clothing; it represents a rich legacy. To keep your kandura looking its best, it’s important to know how to iron it properly. In this blog post, we will provide you with guidance on the best methods for ironing your kandura; keeping it in excellent condition.
Pride month is celebrated each year to honour the Stonewall Uprising which occurred in Manhattan in 1969. There are many ways to celebrate Pride month, and one of the easiest is through clothing. Show your support by following these simple clothing hacks.
Pride is a colourful celebration and there are many different flags that represent the different LGBTIQ+ groups. The traditional rainbow flag, consisting of the colours red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker. He wanted to design a symbol for the movement that would last, and took inspiration from movements, such as the civil rights movement, to create something bold, bright, and timeless. Now, there are bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, lesbian, and asexual flags, just to name a few. Show your Pride support by wearing any of the colours, or all of them, of these flags.
The rainbow has become synonymous with the LGBTIQ+ community because of its connection to their original flag, often named the rainbow flag. During Pride month it’s not unlikely to see clothing, shoes, and badges featuring the rainbow flag, in support of the celebrated month. Wear a rainbow throughout the month of June, no matter how small, to show your allyship to the LGBTIQ+ movement.
Pride month isn’t just about wearing bright colours and celebrating, it’s about making a statement and bringing attention to the LGBTIQ+ community. Another way to celebrate Pride via clothing is to wear a statement T-shirt or jumper. You can find many different slogans, from ‘Love is Love’, to ‘Trans Rights are Human Rights’, you simply have to search for the one that expresses most accurately what you want to say.
Glitter is heavily tied to LGBTIQ+ culture, particularly the world of drag. You won’t be able to walk through a Pride parade without coming out COVERED in the stuff. Have no fear though, glitter is a fun addition to any Pride celebration outfit. Whether you wear it on your face, your outfit, or in your hair, glitter can elevate your look to the next level, whilst showing support for the LGBTIQ+ community.
One of the best ways to celebrate Pride month through clothing is by buying from LGBTIQ+ stores. Buying from an LBGTIQ+ store is a great way to support an independent business, and show your support and allyship to the community. In addition to this, many LGBTIQ+ businesses donate part of their profits to LGBTIQ+ charities and organsiations.
You will notice around Pride month that many brands will use LGBTIQ+ colours and pledge support to the LGBTIQ+ community. Whilst this is useful at bringing attention to the community, it is not always done for the right reasons. Before buying from a company that is not run by members of the LGBTIQ+ community but pledges support to them, do a bit of research. Find out whether they truly are allys, or are simply using the month as a marketing ploy.
Don’t let laundry get in the way of celebrating Pride month, let Laundryheap sort it for you. Simply book your Laundryheap order by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
If you have heard about dryer balls, but have questions about them, this guide will help answer those questions.
Dryer balls are small spherical balls that can be used in tumble dryers. They are often made from felted wool, rubber, or plastic.
Dryer balls are used to reduce static electricity, soften clothes, and reduce drying time.
You may notice that your clothes don’t evenly dry when you use a tumble dryer. This is because, as they dry, clothes clump together, meaning that air is not evenly distributed through each item. Dryer balls roll in between the layers of your clothing as they spin, separating each item. This decreases drying time and reduces the static caused when fibres rub together.
For the best results, use 2-3 dryer balls per load.
On average, dryer balls will last up to 1,000 washes. This is equivalent to roughly 2-5 years depending on how often you tumble dry your clothing.
There are several environmental benefits to using dryer balls. Firstly, because they reduce drying time, they save energy on tumble dryer use. Secondly, dryer balls are reusable, unlike drying alternatives, such as dryer sheets. This means you can make a one-time dryer ball purchase, and reuse them for up to 5 years before having to repurchase. In addition to this, dryer balls are usually made from biodegradable wool or recycled plastic.
To make your own dryer balls you will need…
Begin making your dryer balls by preparing your fabric. If you are using old clothing, such as jumpers, simply use a pair of scissors to cut your clothing into strips.
Once you have a sufficient amount of strips, you can begin forming your ball. Start by wrapping your stips around your fingers, making sure that you switch directions to get an equally rounded ball. Continue wrapping until you have a ball that is roughly the size of a tennis ball. When you are satisfied with the size, secure the end by running it under several strands of yarn- you can do this with a large needle.
Once you have secured your dryer ball, place it into an old sock or pair of tights, and use cotton string to secure it. Next, place your sock/tights in a pan of hot water and bring it to a boil. When your pan has reached boiling point, remove it from the heat, and allow your dryer balls to sit in the water until it cools. This process will cause the wool to shrink and felt.
When your balls have cooled, remove them from the water and squeeze any excess from them. To fully dry your dryer balls, place them in the tumble dryer on high heat. Once dry, remove the balls from the sock/tights- they will be smaller and have a fuzzy texture. This is the core of your dryer ball.
To finish making your dryer balls, wrap your remaining fabric strips around your freshly made core until it reaches roughly three and a half inches in diameter. Repeat the soaking and drying process. The end result should be a fully-formed, reusable dryer ball.
An alternative way to make dryer balls is to scrunch up aluminum foil into a ball and place it in the dryer. This is an easier way to make a DIY dryer ball but is not reusable.
If you would prefer to buy dryer balls, you will find them at all major supermarkets, home stores, and online.
The best way to guarantee that your laundry is clean and dry is to book a Laundryheap service and let us take care of it for you. To book your Laundryheap service, simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
A day of sunning yourself on the beach and splashing around in the water is idyllic. What’s less than idyllic is when you can’t seem to get rid of the sand relentlessly sticking to every inch of your clothing- towels included. Hopefully, these tips will help when it comes to the tiresome task of removing sand from your clothing.
Sand seems to find its way into every single space it can stick itself to. To begin the removal process, start from the very top of your body, and work your way down. If you are at a beach with access to showers, make use of them. The quickest way to get rid of sand is by washing it away. If there are no showers, simply begin by shaking out your hair, and rubbing as much sand away from your body and swimsuit as possible. To get rid of the sand on your feet, try adding baby powder once they are dry. This will prevent you from picking up any more sand as you make your way home.
Before putting your beach towels, flip flops, and any other items you have taken to the beach, back in your bag, give them a really good shake. Sand belongs on the beach, not in your personal belongings, so make sure to de-sand ALL of your items before heading home. If you miss this step you will be finding sand grains for days, maybe even weeks, after your beach trip. To help remove sand from smaller items, such as sun lotion or water bottles, use baby wipes. The moisture from the wipe will easily pick up the sand and remove it from your belongings.
Some items are harder to get sand off than others. For example, if your swimming attire is wet, sand will easily stick to it, and not so easily come off. For these items, it’s best to simply bag them up and deal with them when you get home. Make sure that you bring an ample amount of bags to the beach with you, as, if your clothing is particularly sandy, you may need to double bag. Securely tie your bags so that no sand can escape before you get home.
For your bagged items, it’s important to wash them as soon as you get in.
To wash your beach towels, use a hot wash setting unless stated otherwise, and dry either in a tumble dryer or by air drying. Once you have used the washing machine to wash your towels, run an empty wash. This will prevent sand from being transferred onto any clothes you wash in the future.
When washing your swimsuit, it’s important to avoid using the washing machine as this will stretch the material and damage the item. Instead, fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a mild laundry detergent. Place your swimsuit in the water, and leave it to soak for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, swirl your swimming costume in the water, before lifting and rinsing it with cool water. After you have rinsed your swimming costume, leave it to air dry, rather than using the tumble dryer.
If you have any other items, such as umbrellas or windbreakers, you can wash the sand from them using a hose. It’s important to wash all your items once you get home, unless you want sand to linger in your house.
Sand is pesky and can linger for weeks after your beach trip. The best way to clean up lingering sand is by hoovering and mopping it up. Use a hoover to suck up small grains of sand, and go over the area with a mop to make sure that there are no remaining grains. It’s best to do this step last to prevent yourself from constantly having to hoover and mop after de-sanding each item you took to the beach.
Whilst you’re de-sanding, don’t let your laundry pile up. Book a Laundryheap dry cleaning service, and we will take care of your laundry for you. To book your laundry service, simply head to the Laundryheap website, or download the free Laundryheap app.
Wax can be incredibly difficult to remove from clothing if not dealt with appropriately. Before you try any of these methods, scrape as much wax as possible from your garment using a dull knife or spoon.
One of the most effective ways to remove a wax stain is to heat it with an iron.
Place a paper towel over the stain and on the underside. For extra protection, you can place a thin cloth in between your iron and the paper towel. Use a low heat setting on your iron, and press it onto the stain. This will melt your wax and allow it to drip onto your paper towel.
If your stain is on a fleece or wool garment, it is best to use blotting paper rather than paper towels as the paper may stick to your item.
If you are wary about using an iron to remove your wax, you can use a hairdryer.
In the same way as you would use the iron, place a paper towel over and under your stain. Using a hairdryer, blast hot air onto the stain, over the paper towel, for 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, blot your stain with the paper towel to aid in it’s removal from your garment. Repeat this process until your wax has been removed.
Before using this technique, be careful when handling boiling water. You do not want to splash yourself with the water and burn yourself.
Begin by boiling a large kettle. Once your kettle has been boiled, carefully pour your water into a large basin or sink. Add 5-6 tablespoons of baking soda to your water and carefully stir it in. Dip your stained item into the boiling water, and leave it for 1 minute- you don’t want to leave your item for any longer as this could damage the fibres of your clothing. You may need to dip your clothing in and out of the water a few times to completely soften and remove the wax.
If you don’t want to add heat to your clothing, do the opposite and freeze the wax off.
Put your clothing in the freezer for an hour to completely freeze the wax. After an hour, remove your clothing from the freezer and snap off your wax. If there is any wax remaining on your garment, secure the stained area over a large bowl with rubber bands, and pour boiling water over the stain. This should melt the remainder of the wax and remove it from your clothing.
If your wax is not lifting from your clothing, send your garment to Laundryheap. Let us know what item of clothing your stain is on, where the stain is, and we will do the rest.
To book your Laundryheap order, head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Tumble dryers are incredibly useful when you need to quickly dry your clothes. If not looked after properly, you will find that your tumble dryer may lose its ability to dry your clothes, or may even stop working completely. This care guide will help you look after your tumble dryer.
As your clothes are spun in your tumble dryer, they release particles of fibres and fluff. The lint filter in your tumble dryer prevents these particles from clogging the airflow of the vent system. It is important to clean your tumble dryers lint filter after every use. If you don’t you can restrict the flow of air through the dryer and prevent your clothes from being sufficiently dried.
To clean your lint filter remove it from the tumble dryer and use a vacuum hose to remove the loose particles. You can find your lint filter at the front of your tumble dryer, just under the rim of your dryer’s door. To remove the rest of the particles, wash your lint filter in warm soapy water.
You need to leave your lint filter to completely dry before putting it back in the tumble dryer. Whilst you are waiting for your filter to dry, use your vacuum hose to clear out the slot your lint filter sits in. This will help increase the airflow of your tumble dryer.
Once your lint filter is completely dry, slot it back into the dryer, and it will be ready to use.
A tumble dryer works by rotating your wet clothes and adding heat to them to remove the water. The water that is removed from your clothing is stored in the tumble dryers water tank. Depending on the model of your machine, the water tank will be stored at the top of your machine in a drawer or at the bottom. Despite the fact that your water tank can hold the excess water from 2 loads of laundry, it’s best to empty it after every use. To drain your water, simply remove the water tank, and pour the water down the sink. You may want to give your tank a quick rinse before re-inserting it into your machine.
If you own a vented tumble dryer you must check the hose and vent of your machine.
The hose of your tumble dryer takes the warm, damp, air away from the drum, and helps circulate fresh air into your machine. You should give your hose enough space to lay straight, without any kinks. If your hose has a kink it can restrict airflow and increase the time it takes for your clothes to dry.
After checking the hose, check that your wall vent is clear of fluff and dust. If your vent is clogged it will restrict airflow and increase the amount of time it takes for your clothes to dry. To clear your vent you can use a vacuum hose to remove any loose fluff and dust. Once you have removed the loose debris, use a wet cloth to get rid of any remaining dust. This will leave your machine working at its maximum potential.
It is vital to clean the drum of your tumble dryer for two reasons. Firstly, grime and dust from your washing can linger in the drum and transfer onto other loads of laundry. Secondly, the drying sensor that monitors when your clothes are dry is located in the drum, but, if dirty, can lead to inaccurate drying times.
To clean the drum of your tumble dryer, use a clean cloth and white vinegar to rub the drum of your dryer. Ideally, this should be done after every load, or at least after every two loads.
The heat exchanger in your tumble dryer turns steam from the drum back into water. Amongst the steam and air that passes through the exchanger are fibres from your clothing. Overtime these fibres build-up, which can result in a clogged heat exchanger. When your exchanger becomes clogged, it slows the flow of air through your machine, and prevents your clothes from drying.
To unclog your heat exchanger, use your hand to remove the larger lumps of fluff. Once you’ve removed the larger sections of fluff, rinse the rest of the exchanger under the tap. Leave it to completely dry before placing back into the machine.
Whilst your cleaning your tumble dryer, let us dry your clothes for you. You can book your Laundryheap service by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
We may all still be spending a large amount of time at home, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t look amazing whilst doing so. These are the hottest Autumn 2020 fashion trends.
It is vital that we protect ourselves from the harsh autumn breeze by wearing a coat. This autumn the hottest coat is brown leather PU. This understated coat comes in a range of lengths, depending on your preference, and is perfectly paired with black, grey, and blue colours. It’s the perfect coat to throw on whenever you’re feeling the autumn chill.
Sticking with the theme of brown, neutral tones are the desired colour palette this autumn. Neutrals are a staple in every wardrobe, and this autumn you shouldn’t be afraid to mix and match your neutrals. Try pairing a sand coloured boiler suit with a camel coat, or maybe a mocha leather skirt paired with a nude jumper. The possibilities are endless when it comes to mixing neutral tones so have fun with it.
In contrast to the neutral tones that are popular this autumn, red is also a big colour. Fire engine red will quickly become your go-to shade for injecting colour into your wardrobe, specifically for your more going-out looks. Red sequins, tassels, and frills are all the range for party outfits so don’t be alarmed when you start to see red wherever you go.
Whether you’re wearing a skirt, jeans, trouser suit, or dress, a pair of slouchy boots are the perfect accompaniment. Sitting just below the knee, with every step you take your boots with scrunch and give your outfit some added texture. Try and find a pair in a warm shade of cream to elevate your looks. Whatever outfit you’re rocking these boots will give you an extra edge this autumn, whilst keeping most of your leg warm.
Animal prints are a staple favourite every season, and this autumn is no exception. This season we are going wild over tiger print. The combination of black and warm brown/orange in a funky print adheres to the warm colour palette associated with autumn, whilst adding a pop of colour to any monochrome outfit. Whether you rock a tiger print jacket, dress, or top, adding a pop of print will make any outfit look both fun and fresh.
This autumn neutral tones will make up the majority of your outfits. That being said, it’s always good to add a pop of colour, and this autumn it will come from your bag. A pop colour bag, such as a vibrant yellow or deep blue, will break up the neutral palette of your outfit, and add an eye-catching feature. The best way to wear a pop colour bag is as a soft-leather clutch, held under your arm and close to the other items in your outfit.
In recent seasons a loose-fit has been the way to style a suit. This autumn the structured suit is back, with particular emphasis on the blazer. A belted blazer should be worn over your suit to create a more angular outfit. This trend is focused on pulling in the waist to create a more traditionally feminine hour glass look.
Autumn offers the perfect opportunity to get out your cosiest jumpers, and this season we’re turning that cosy jumper into a full dress. Keep your whole body warm this autumn with a full-length maxi knit dress. You will be able to find these dresses in both a tight and loose fit, with many offering a slit up the leg of one side in order to create more of a shape. Pair yours with a heavy pair of boots and your ready to stomp down any runway… or high street.
The bigger the earring the more fashionable you will be this autumn. Big, bright, bold statement earrings will be the centrepiece of your outfit. Look for gold statement earrings as they will complement the nude hues of your outfit.
A cape is the perfect choice of outwear this autumn as it is heavy enough to keep you warm, yet light enough to not overheat you during the transition between summer and autumn. You will find a variety of different capes in varying shapes and sizes, so you will have plenty of options to choose from. This autumn checks are big, so look for a cape with a plaid pattern to stay on trend.
Once you have selected your perfect autumn wardrobe make sure it is properly taken care of by letting us dry clean your items. Book your Laundryheap service by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
Half of the battle of doing laundry is sorting through your dirty washing and deciding what to put in each load. These tips on how to sort your laundry will make that process easier.
A partitioned laundry basket is a great way to begin sorting your clothes. They usually come in sections of two or three. This means that you can have a partition for your colours and darks if you have two partitions, or colours, blacks, and whites, if you have three partitions. If you stick to only putting the correct colour in each section of your laundry basket, when it comes to laundry day, it will be as simple as unloading one partition at a time.
Alternatively, to the partitioned laundry basket, you could assign a washing basket per room in your home. This means that you can do a load of washing per room at any given time. You will find that by using this method you will begin washing similar items and fabrics together. For example, a laundry basket in the bathroom will be filled with towels of the same or similar fabrics. This saves time sifting through your clothes to find similar fabrics that can be washed on the same setting.
When you stain your clothing it’s always best to treat the stain immediately. After you’ve pre-treated your stain, if you don’t want to wash the item of clothing straight away, separate it from the rest of your washing and put your pre-treated items in the same pile. This will help you with your laundry firstly because your stained items should be washed as a priority, but secondly, because your stained items may have been pre-treated with chemicals that could damage your non-stained clothing.
Regardless of whether you use a laundry basket, or simply create a laundry heap, it’s always a good idea to sort your clothing by colour. Create a coloured, dark, and white, pile, perhaps even separating your coloured pile into darker and lighter colours. It’s important to wash similar coloured clothing together to avoid colour run stains. By creating separate coloured piles of laundry, pre-laundry day, you save yourself the task of sifting through a basket of dirty laundry to find similar colours to wash together.
As important as it is to wash similar colours of clothing together, it is also important to wash similar fabric types together. When your clothing goes into the washing machine, the items rub against one another as the washing machine spins. If you wash a rougher fabric, such as denim, with a delicate fabric, such as silk, this rubbing together creates friction that can cause fibres to break, leading to the delicate fabric to tear. To avoid this, make sure that you wash similar materials together. This will also help you decide what setting to wash your items on as some materials are best washed on hotter or colder washes.
If you have clothing that is very dirty, a muddy sports kit, for example, it’s best to separate this clothing from the rest of your washing. Incredibly dirty clothing may have to be washed more than once in order to fully remove the dirt. If you wash your dirty clothing with less soiled clothing, you risk dirtying your normal laundry further. It’s best to sort your heavily soiled laundry separately, washing it as a priority, then cleaning your washing machine out before doing your usual laundry load. This will prevent any cross-contamination of dirt and ensure that all of your laundry is effectively cleaned.
If you haven’t found the right sorting method for you, let us take the load off and sort your laundry for you. You can book your Laundryheap dry cleaning slot by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
Clothes steamers are perfect for when your clothes need freshening up but not a full wash in the washing machine. The benefits of steaming your clothes do not stop there.
Over-washing causes irreversible damage to your clothing. Each time you wash your clothes the different materials rubbing together in the machine causes fibers to weaken. This can lead to holes and rips that are near impossible to repair. Clothes steamers do not include any chemicals other than water and heat, meaning that they are much gentler on clothing fibers. If your clothes are unstained, using a clothes steamer is a fast and effective way to freshen your clothing without damaging their fibers.
Clothes steamers are particularly useful at getting rid of stubborn stains. Before using your steam cleaner, pre-treat the stain in the most effective way depending on what has caused it. Once the stain has been pre-treated, aim your steam cleaner directly at the stain for around 30 seconds. The heat from the steam will loosen the stain and work with the pre-treatment to remove it.
If your clothing is unstained but odorous a steam cleaner will lift odours and leave your clothes ready to re-wear. When water reaches a steaming level it becomes hot enough to deactivate bacteria that cause odours. If you have a particularly stubborn odour, spray the strongest smelling area with a combination of white vinegar and water, this will help deactivate the bacteria and lift the smell from your clothes.
If you suffer from allergies, such as hayfever, a clothes steamer can help alleviate your symptoms. When you use a clothes steamer, the steam pushes through the fibers of your clothing, eradicating any lingering bacteria, dust mites, or pollen. This is particularly helpful during hayfever season when pollen sticks to your clothing after being outside.
If you hate ironing investing in a clothes steamer could be your saving grace. Hang your item of clothing on a coat hanger and gently run your clothes steamer up and down the garment. The steam will loosen the fibers of the fabric, allowing wrinkles in the material to be released. This will leave you with fresh, un-wrinkled, clothing without the need for an iron.
Save yourself the hassle of laundering your own clothes and book a Laundryheap dry cleaning slot. We will pick up, dry clean, and re-deliver your clothes straight to your door. Book your slot now by visiting the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
With COVID19 restrictions being eased, it is more important than ever to make sure that your clothes are properly disinfected. These top tips for disinfecting clothing will ensure that your clothes remain clean and that you remain safe.
It is not enough to simply clean your clothing, you need to disinfect them. Cleaning your clothes involves removing dirt and germs from the surface of the fabric. Disinfecting your clothes involves using chemicals that guarantee the removal of bacteria, preventing the spread of bacteria to other surfaces.
Before you begin your laundry put on a pair of gloves. Your gloves will protect you from getting any of the bacteria from your clothing onto your hands, therefore limiting the risk of bacteria spreading to other surfaces. Once you have completed your laundry you are safe to remove your gloves and immediately wash your hands.
To ensure that your clothes are adequately disinfected it’s best to use bleach detergent. The bleach will denature the protein in any bacteria lingering in your clothing, subsequently killing it. Before using bleach detergent, always check the care label on your clothing as bleach may damage you more delicate items of clothing.
Washing your clothes at 55-60 degrees will help ensure that your laundry comes out bacteria-free. Hot water makes many detergents more effective at tackling bacteria on clothing, plus the heat of the water aids in deactivating the bacteria. Similarly to when using bleach, always check the care label of your clothing as more delicate items of clothing may become damaged if hot washed.
Before you re-wear any freshly washed item of clothing you must make sure that it is completely dry. Bacteria thrive in damp environments, so wet clothing provides the perfect breeding ground for it. To make sure that your clothes are completely dry before re-wearing them, either dry them in the tumble dryer or put them in the dryer for a quick 5-minute blast. The heat from the tumble dryer will warm your clothing and kill off any of the remaining bacteria.
If you need to disinfect more delicate items of clothing that can’t withstand a hot wash or bleach detergent, try steam cleaning your clothes. A steam cleaner uses steam to disinfect your clothing, removing bacteria as well as odours. In addition to removing bacteria, steam cleaning also removes wrinkles from your clothes so there is no need to iron them.
After using your washing machine to disinfect your clothes it’s important that you disinfect your washing machine. If not cleaned, your washing machine could transfer lingering bacteria from a previous wash onto a fresh load of laundry, resulting in the spread of bacteria. To adequately clean your machine, either insert a dishwasher tablet or 2 cups of white cleaning vinegar into the machines detergent dispenser and set your machine to a hot wash.
Similarly to your washing machine, it’s important to disinfect your laundry basket once all of your dirty laundry has been removed from it. The best way to disinfect your laundry basket is to use 0.1% sodium hypochlorite to completely wipe down every surface of your basket. This will leave your laundry basket completely clean and unable to spread bacteria.
If you want to make sure that you laundry is completely disinfected book you Laundryheap slot now. Our hot wash service will disinfect your clothing, plus our contactless delivery will ensure that both you and our drivers are safely distanced. Book your delivery by visiting the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
