Your tumble dryer, much like the washing machine, needs cleaning occasionally. Cleaning the lint drawer is essential as it helps keep your drying appliance functional. However, just what do you do with tumble dryer lint? While you are accustomed to throwing it in the bin, there are uses to it.
Drying is fundamental in caring for your clothes. If not dried well, your clothes could smell, and the washing before would almost end up being in vain. You can dry your clothes using the tumble dryer, clothesline or indoor drying rack (for winter) but does drying your clothes inside out help? The short answer is yes and by the end of the blog, you’ll understand the reasons behind this.
Tumble dryers are a great appliance; they dry clothes efficiently and save you time from hanging clothes on the clothesline. However, while the tumble dryer makes the chores easier, it’s not made for every garment item. Here is a list of items you should never put in the tumble dryer.
Leather jackets are the epitome of style and elegance. They’re clothing accessories that need to be taken care of. As good as they look, they should never be put in the tumble dryer because the heat in the dryer can ruin their shape and texture. So next time your leather jacket gets wet from the rain, hang it up to preserve its material.
Whether it’s school bags or normal bags, they do need cleaning. Just like the leather jacket, bags shouldn’t be put in the tumble dryer because they will shrink and ruin the insides of the bags.
Also, if you are travelling, it’s best to avoid putting backpacks in the tumble dryer. It’s best to air-dry both backpacks and bags.
Silks are delicate fabrics, and they should never be put in the tumble dryer because the heat will overwhelm the material and cause wrinkles to form.
Perfect for the winter weather, sweaters are items that can be quite sensitive to the dryer’s heat as it shrinks them. Once your clothes have been shrunk, it’s hard to get your sweater back to its original shape. Always follow the care labels and air-dry to take better care of your sweaters.
Washing your swimwear after using them is important to get rid of any sand or chlorine. Once washed, this item should never be put in the tumble dryer because of its fabric material. The heat will ruin the swimwear’s fabric.
Wool is a delicate material that is prone to shrinking due to the high heat in the tumble dryer. It’s worth noting that some wool items are manufactured to withstand tumble dryers, but the rule of thumb is to always read the label for instructions. If your wool garment’s label says it is not made to go in the tumble dryer, heed the advice and start to air-dry.
For every item you put in the tumble dryer, always read the care label to be on the safe side. Your clothes deserve to be taken care of and safely laundered and dried.
If you need clothes to be laundered or dry-cleaned, just contact Laundryheap!
To learn more about us, visit the Laundryheap website or download the free app on iOS or Android!
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.
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 have all been advised to wear face coverings when entering enclosed spaces outside of our own home- but do you know how to care for your face covering? These are your face covering questions, answered.
You should wash your face covering after every wear. Your face covering will create a barrier to catch any virus-filled droplets that are breathed out in your everyday life. It is important to remember that you may encounter some people who will not be wearing masks and their virus-filled droplets could attach to the front of your face covering. To avoid any cross-contamination of COVID bacteria it is safest to wash the front and inside of your face mask after every wear.
Remove your face covering with care. Use the strings securing your covering to loosen and take it off. When removing, and once removed, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth until you can wash your hands. You should wash your hands immediately after handling your face covering to remove any harmful bacteria that may have been transferred.
If you can’t immediately wash your face covering, simply place it in a disposable bag until you can. Avoid placing your covering directly onto a surface as this can spread potentially harmful bacteria. If you do place your covering on a surface, make sure to disinfect the surface as soon as possible.
You can wash your face covering with other laundry items, as long as your covering is not overly delicate. COVID bacteria are highly unlikely to transfer from one material to another before the laundry detergent eliminates it.
The best way to wash a face covering in the washing machine is dependant on the material of your covering. Put your face covering in your washing machine with similar materials so that it does not get damaged. Prior to putting your covering in your machine check the care label to see what the highest appropriate temperature is. There is no need to buy a specific laundry detergent, whatever brand you usually use is completely fine. Once you have inserted your face covering with your other laundry items and inserted the detergent, set your washing machine to the highest appropriate temperature, and wait for your cycle to finish.
If your face covering is made from a particularly delicate material it may be best to hand wash it. If this is the case, all you need is laundry detergent and warm water. Pour a decent amount of laundry detergent onto your mask and use some warm water and a scrubbing motion to make the material soapy. Scrub your mask for a minimum of 20 seconds, making sure that all areas of it have been covered. After 20 seconds or more, rinse your mask with warm water, making sure that all of the soapy residue has been washed off.
The most effective drying method for a face covering is either by tumble drying or air drying. If you are using the tumble dryer, set the dryer to its highest temperature, and leave your covering in until it is completely dry. Alternatively, lay your face covering completely flat on a flat surface and wait for it to air dry. If possible, dry your mask in direct sunlight.
If you decide to air dry your mask make sure that you iron it once it has been dried. You want to use some form of heat to make sure that all of the bacteria from your mask have been eliminated and using an iron is the fasted way to do this.
At Laundryheap, we want to ensure that you stay safe. That is why we offer a hot wash service and will deliver your laundered clothes contact-free. Book your slot by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
The quickest way to dry your clothes is by using a tumble dryer. For those who don’t have a tumble dryer, or are looking to save on their energy bill, these are our top hacks for drying your clothes.
A clothes horse is lightweight, foldable and an energy-efficient way to dry your clothes. You can buy heated clothes horses for faster drying, however, the plastic ones work just as well.
For the best results, hang your clothes neatly on the rungs of your clothes horse, making sure that they don’t bunch up or overlap. Place your smaller clothing, such as underwear, on the lower rungs and your larger items, such as shirts, higher up. When compared to a tumble dryer, it can take a longer time to dry your clothes using a clothes horse, which is why you want to ensure that air can flow efficiently.
Place your clothes horse either outside or in a sunny, open, space indoors. If you are drying your clothes indoors, try to avoid placing your clothes horse in a living area as the room can become humid and encourage mould spores. To avoid this, invest in a dehumidifier or open a window to let the moisture out.
If you have decided to use a non-heated clothes horse but want your clothes to dry at a faster pace, try using a fan. Hang your clothing on your clothes horse and place it in an open and airy space. Position your fan nearby and put it on a high setting- make sure that your fan isn’t on too high a setting as you don’t want your clothes being blown off. Make sure that you rotate your fan every 30 minutes to ensure that all of your clothes are benefiting from the increased airflow the fan produces.
Weather permitting, the best way to dry your clothes is by letting them dry naturally outside. Either hang your washing on a washing line or place your clothes horse on some stable ground outside. The natural breeze and fresh air will swiftly dry your clothes, plus, if the sun’s out it will warm your clothes in the same way as a tumble dryer. An added bonus to drying your clothes outside is that you will be left with fresher, cleaner, smelling clothing.
Try to avoid hanging woolen clothing on washing lines as the weight of the wool, plus the excess water can drag the item downwards, causing it to become misshaped. Rather than drying outside, place your woollen items flat on a surface to dry.
Whether you’re drying your clothes indoors or outdoors it’s always best to hang them at their full length. Hanging your clothes at full length will ensure that air can easily travel through the material, resulting in them drying faster. In addition, hanging your clothes up will prevent wrinkles, meaning less time spent ironing out creases, and stops your clothes from losing their shape.
This hack is only useful for your smaller garments, such as underwear, socks, or hand towels. Begin by removing as much excess water as possible. You can do this by using a high spin cycle on your washing machine or by hand wringing your items. For the best result, set your hairdryer on a medium to high speed and medium heat. Remember, the hairdryer is to increase airflow, not temperature- if you use too high a heat setting you will damage the fibres in your clothing. Make sure you distribute the airflow of your hairdryer evenly, turning your items every few minutes until they are dry.
Using a radiator will dry your clothing in a timely manner, however, will cause damage. Exposing your clothing to the heat of a radiator will damage their fibres and cause them to weaken. In addition, placing your clothes on a radiator blocks the vents, causing the radiator to use more energy to heat your room/clothing, resulting in a higher gas bill.
If you want your clothes laundered, dried and delivered to you within 24 hours, book your slot with us today. Visit the Laundryheap website or download the Laundryheap app. Now servicing Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.
In all honesty, when most people think about facts to do with laundry what springs to mind first are things like stain removal tricks, or when did mankind start washing their clothes. The truth is laundry has lots of surprising tales and facts associated with it. This post will highlight 8 of the most surprising facts about laundry!
Early sea voyagers like the Vikings used to tie their laundry up and hang it off the back of ships to wash as it passes through the waves.
In Ancient Rome they would heat urine with water, insert the clothes into the cocktail and stomp on the clothes to clean them.
Ironing as we know it today was invented by the Chinese. They were the first people to iron clothes with metal over a thousand years ago.
1782 was the year the first washing machine was invented. Its creator was H. Sidgier of Great Britain. This was a very primitive version of what we have today, Sidgier designed a rod cage that would crank. Years later inventions like the hand-powered drum machine helped form the machine we use today.
Astronauts have historically incinerated their dirty laundry in the Earth’s atmosphere on their way back down. This was initially a way to save water but Nasa does hope to use soiled laundry to feed plants in the future.
Dryers have been around for 200 years. Although this is new in comparison to the washing machine, they were not commonplace in houses until after the 1960s. You can thank Pochon from France who designed and created the first-ever hand-cranked dryer. Even after the first electric dryer was created in 1936, most people continued to use the old-fashioned model for many years to come.
Washing detergent as we know it today was invented because of soap shortages during the First World War. Chronic shortages of fat meant soap could not be made which led to the creation of synthetic detergent. It was first marketed as ‘Dreft’
70% of dirt on your clothes is invisible. According to scientists’ even if your clothes appear to be clean what makes them dirty isn’t necessarily what you can see. Various types of human matter like dead skin cells, sweat, natural body oils and even the wrong type of detergent can make your clothes much dirtier than they may appear.
If you are too busy reading surprising facts about laundry instead of getting some done then let Laundryheap help with our convenient and professional service.
Isn’t it frustrating when you go to take your clothes out of the dryer and discover that your favourite shirt has magically shrunk into a kids’ size? *sighs*
After that experience, I’m sure you’re sceptical about putting your clothes in the dryer again.
If you didn’t know already, the main reason why your clothes shrink in the dryer is not because of the heat but because of agitation inside the dryer… and possibly because it has a ‘Do not tumble dry’ label but you choose to put it in the tumble dryer any way.
Here are 3 main reasons why your clothes shrink in the dryer and how to prevent them from shrinking!:
If you’re not sure what the tumble dry label looks like,
here’s a basic guide. If you’re still unsure and want a helping hand, you can always schedule a laundry collection service with us.
