Laundryheap Blog – Laundry & Dry Cleaning

Same-day collection. Free delivery in 24 hours.

Tag Archives: washing machine


by 1 Comment

Top tips for disinfecting clothing

Image by Marco Verch

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. 

  • The difference between cleaning and disinfecting 
  • Wear gloves
  • Use a bleach detergent
  • Choose a hot wash
  • Dry clothes completely 
  • Steam clean your clothes
  • Clean your machine
  • Disinfect your laundry basket
  • Use Laundryheap

The difference between cleaning and disinfecting 

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. 

Wear gloves 

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.

Image by Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker

Use a bleach detergent 

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. 

Choose a hot wash

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. 

Image by Paul Hudson

Dry clothes completely  

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. 

Image by viZZZual.com

Steam clean your clothes

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.

Clean your machine 

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. 

Disinfect your laundry basket 

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. 

Use Laundryheap

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. 


by 1 Comment

How to wash your underwear

Photo by 🐴chuanyu2015 from Pexels

If you’re wondering why the lace in your underwear is coming unravelled or why the elastic in your waistband isn’t doing its job anymore, it’s probably because you’re washing your underwear wrong. Have no fear, because we are here to rid you of ALL your underwear washing woes. 

  • Should you be washing underwear with normal clothes?
  • Killing germs
  • How to wash your delicates
  • How to wash cotton
  • How to wash bras
  • How Laundryheap can help

Should you be washing underwear with normal clothes?  

Unless you wash your clothing at a minimum of 60 degrees, the bacteria from your underwear can transfer to the rest of your load. You may now be wondering why we are advised to wash clothing at anything less than 60 degrees. Aside from the environmental benefits of a cold wash, cold water will CLEAN clothing but will not ELIMINATE microorganisms. Unless your clothing is particularly dirty, simply cleaning it will suffice. 

Killing germs 

There are several ways that you can rid bacteria from your underwear asides from a hot wash. Using an oxygen bleach detergent can kill the bacteria from underwear at as low as 20 degrees. After washing underwear in the washing machine, you should always clean your machine. The e-coli and bacteria from your underwear can stick to your washing machine and transfer to other loads of laundry. To wash your machine, simply add two cups of white vinegar and run an empty cycle. This will leave your machine sparkling clean and ready for your next load of washing. 

Running an empty cycle every time you wash your underwear is not very environmentally friendly. Rather than wasting water, energy and detergent try hand washing your underwear instead.

How to wash your delicates

Washing your delicate underwear is always difficult. Lace can become unravelled, silk can lose its silkiness and colours can fade. 

It’s always best to hand wash your delicates to avoid any unnecessary trauma to the material. Use warm water and a detergent without enzymes. Be careful not to use too much detergent as this will leave behind a soapy residue. Use a gentle plunging action when washing and avoid vicious rubbing. When drying NEVER hand-ring out residual water or use the tumble dryer. Instead, hang your underwear outside, but avoid drying in direct sunlight. This process will ensure that lace stays in tact and your silks stay silky. 

If you do want to use your washing machine to wash your more delicate underwear make sure you check the care label first. This will give you an indication of what cycle and temperature you should use. Additionally, put your underwear in a laundry bag or pillow case to avoid lace being snagged in the washing machine.

Photo by Emms x

How to wash cotton 

Unlike underwear made from silk or lace, cotton is a more durable material, and, therefor, is less likely to be damaged in the washing machine. That being said, it is still important to use a laundry bag or pillow case to ensure that your cotton stays soft. Additionally, don’t wash your underwear with jeans, towels or any other rough materials. Unlike with delicate underwear, you can use any detergent to wash your cotton underwear, just don’t overuse it as you will leave a soapy residue.

Photo by Eric Wüstenhagen

 How to wash bras 

Bras can be worn 2-3 times before they need to be washed. Regardless of if you hand wash or use a washing machine, its best to use a detergent that doesn’t contain bleach or alcohol. If you can’t find a detergent without either of these ingredients, use a small amount of baby soap for the same effect. 

To ensure that your bras stay in good shape it’s best to hand wash them. Hand washing is the best way to eliminate sweat and odours and prevents them from losing their shape. The best way to hand wash your bras is to leave them in warm water with a small amount of detergent. Leave them for 40 minutes to 1 hour before taking them out of the water and hanging them over your shower curtain pole, or leaving them flat on a towel to dry. Never tumble dry your bras as this will lead to them losing their shape. 

If you want to use your washing machine to wash your bras, use a delicate cycle setting and a laundry bag. Additionally, make sure you don’t wash your bras with any rough or heavy materials as this will break down the fibres of your bra and lead to their deterioration. 

Photo by Castorly Stock from Pexels

How Laundryheap can help 

If you don’t want to risk ruining your underwear, Laundryheap can help. Simply book your slot using our app and we will pick up, wash and deliver your underwear back to you within 24hrs. We now offer contactless collection and delivery, among other support services to limit physical interactions.


by 2 Comments

Does your Zodiac sign match your laundry habits?

Do you love to do laundry every week? Or are you more of a, leave your dirty clothes in a heap until they HAVE to be cleaned, kind of person? Regardless, your laundry habits could be a result of your Zodiac sign. Find your sign and let us know how accurate we were.

  • Aquarius- the eco-washer 
  • Pisces- the generous washer 
  • Aries- the impatient washer 
  • Taurus- the resilient washer
  • Gemini- the sneaky washer 
  • Cancer- the loyal washer
  • Leo- the dominant washer 
  • Virgo- the strict washer 
  • Libra- the friendly washer 
  • Scorpio- the determined washer 
  • Sagittarius- the lazy washer 
  • Capricorn- the disciplined washer
  • Helping all the signs

Aquarius- the eco washer 

If you’re an Aquarius then you are all about solving the problems of the world. You’re a humanitarian, progressive and intent on saving the world. That’s why when you wash you do it in the most eco-friendly way. Always using the most natural detergents, or making your own, and never buying laundry products that contain single-use plastic. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Pisces- the generous washer  

This Zodiac sign is compassionate and intuitive, always willing to lend a hand. When it comes to their laundry, they’re the first to dish out the detergent and share their fabric softener. They’re an empathetic individual, always ready to help others in or out of the laundromat. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Aries- the impatient washer 

Aries are enthusiastic and determined individuals and are always the first to put on their washing. However, this zodiac sign is notorious for being short-tempered and impatient- if their washing can’t be done on a ‘Quick-15’ setting it can lead to tantrums. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Taurus- the resilient washer 

The complete opposite of the Aries, a Taurus is patient and resilient. A Taurus will always see a task through and will patiently wait for their washing to be done- no matter how long that may take. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Gemini- the sneaky washer

Gemini’s have a tendency to be restless. They can’t stay still for too long, so washing their clothes proves to be their worst nightmare. Watch out, because their quick-witted and gentle nature makes them very appealing and could lead to them off-loading their dirty laundry on you. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Cancer- the loyal washer 

Cancer proves to be the most loyal Zodiac sign of them all. After finding a laundry detergent that works for them they will never leave it. They are very pessimistic about new detergents and softeners making their way into the laundry market and would much rather stick to their tried and tested methods. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Leo- the dominant washer

This fire sign dominates every aspect of their life, including the way they do their laundry. They are natural-born leaders with a knack for organisation, so their laundry is always perfectly timed and completed on schedule. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Virgo- the strict washer

Virgo’s are analytical, hard-working and practical. They often have a methodical approach to life and they treat their laundry in the same way. Their clothes are washed on a schedule and in the most practical way.

Photo by Numerology Sign

Libra- the friendly washer

The Libra will avoid confrontation at any cost, so if you’re looking for someone to do your washing for you search for a Libra. They are one of the more social zodiac signs, so, if you do ask them to do your washing, make sure you sit and have a chat with them first. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Scorpio- the determined washer 

Scorpio’s are determined. Any task they set their mind to will be completed, whether it’s a project at work, or getting to the bottom of their laundry heap. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Sagittarius- the lazy washer 

The Sagittarius is constantly on the move. They love to travel and hate being confined in one space for too long. Undoubtedly, they won’t even begin their washing until they have absolutely nothing left to wear. They are too curious for washing- they want to explore the world, not their laundry basket. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Capricorn- the disciplined washer 

Capricorns possess a sense of discipline and self-control like none of the other Zodiac signs. Everything in their lives in spotless- especially their laundry. They are excellent managers and take full control over their lives, including their laundry, which is always done to the highest standard. 

Photo by Numerology Sign

Helping all the Zodiac Signs 

Regardless of your Zodiac sign, at Laundryheap we can pick up, launder and deliver your clothes back to you within 24 hours, completely free of charge. Download the Laundryheap app to book your time slot. 


by Leave a comment

8 Surprising Facts About Laundry

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!

  1. How Vikings did their laundry.
  2. Ancient Roman’s use of urine to clean clothes.
  3. Chinese were the first people to use the iron. 
  4. H.Sidgier invented the washing machine.
  5. Astronauts incinerating their dirty laundry. 
  6. Pochon invented the early tumble dryer.
  7. Washing detergent was invented because of soap shortages during the First World War.
  8. 70% of dirt on your clothes is invisible.

How Vikings did their 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.

Ancient Roman’s use of urine to clean clothes.

In Ancient Rome they would heat urine with water, insert the clothes into the cocktail and stomp on the clothes to clean them.

Chinese were the first people to use the iron. 

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.  

H.Sidgier invented the washing machine.

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 incinerating their dirty laundry. 

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.

Pochon invented the early tumble dryer.

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 was invented because of soap shortages during the First World War.

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.

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.


by Leave a comment

5 Ways To Keep Your Socks Together In The Wash

Tired of having mismatched socks after doing the laundry because somehow the other pair went missing in the wash? Fortunately for you, there are several solutions that will keep your socks together when you put them into the wash.

5 Ways To Keep Your Socks Together In The Wash

  • Mesh Bag

One simple way you can keep your socks together during the wash is by putting them into a laundry mesh bag- the same one you use to put your delicates in. Your socks will be secure and will still get cleaned properly. 

The mesh bags also come in handy when organising socks per family member as you can designate a mesh bag to everyone and socks can easily be put away.

  • Safety Pins

Before putting your socks into the laundry basket or straight into the machine, pin them together with a stainless steel safety pin that you can find in a sewing kit. The stainless steel won’t rust in the wash overtime and it won’t ruin your socks, provided that they’re properly secured.

  • Tie them together

Use a rubber band or a plain hair band to tie them together before putting them into the washing machine. Then your socks will sure go in and come out of the wash together. Make sure it is tied together well enough though so that the agitation of the washing machine doesn’t pull them apart. Alternatively, you can half tuck them in together to keep them paired.

  • Sock locks

An alternative to using rubber/ hair bands are sock locks, sometimes known as sock clips. This laundry gadget comes in different designs and features. Some sock lock designs are made only to be for the wash while others come with pegs that you can use to hang dry after washing. 

  • Sock dock

This is another handy laundry gadget that those with large families might find super useful. The sock dock is a sock ‘organiser’ for the wash as well as for your wardrobe. It is this rope like accessory that comes with adjustable sliders, allowing you to attach as many socks as possible. 


by 2 Comments

5 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Clean In The Washing Machine

We are all aware that the washing machine cleans our clothes, bedding and covers. Some of us know that it’s okay to put nylon sneakers in there too. Believe it or not, many things can be put into the washing machine for a good cleaning.

Here are 5 things you didn’t know you could clean in the washing machine:

1. Exercise Mats

A majority of exercise mats (or yoga mats) are machine washable. Just remember to check the label. Maybe you give it a wipe after each session, but you know that doesn’t clean it thoroughly. 

  • Use a delicate and a low temperature cycle wash and avoid the spin cycle. Then let it dry naturally.

person rolling green gym mat

2. Stuffed Toys

Your childs cute little furry toys need a good washing too (obviously!), so you can put it inside the washing machine. Kids, especially toddlers, love to take their stuffed toy with them everywhere around the house. Who knows how much germs have accumulated onto their favourite sleeping buddy?!

  • Wash on a gentle cycle at a low temperature. You want to be careful not to melt any glued on features, so feel free to put it into a mesh bag for extra care and all to dry naturally!

closeup photography of brown teddy bear

3. Backpacks

Backpacks are put through everything. It’s not hanging up somewhere, then it’s usually kept on the ground. So you can imagine how dirty the base of a bag must be. Cloth and vinyl material bags are completely safe to be put into the washing machine.

  • Turn the bag inside out and wash on a regular, warm cycle with heavy duty laundry detergent and dry naturally.

alone backpack bag commuter

4. Curtains (Home and Shower)

Your home curtains need an occasional clean too, as it accumulates dust particles over time. The curtains fabrics are safe to put into the washing machine, just be sure not to include the curtain rings, whether it’s your living room or shower curtains!

  • Wash as normal on a cold cycle and hang to dry naturally.

contemporary cozy curtain decoration

5. Pillows 

Both synthetic sofa pillows and down pillows are washing machine friendly! You don’t know how much dirt particles, germs, sweat and dead skin cells they’ve been collecting. So you need to clean it every few months or so.

  • Wash on a normal warm cycle and do a double spin cycle to get rid of excess water. You can put your pillow in the dryer on lowest heat possible or hang dry naturally.

red throw pillow on gray fabric chaise lounge near gray window curtain

And there you have it, 5 things you can put into the washing machine!

Just remember NOT to add extra laundry liquids such as fabric conditioner or bleach as it may very well ruin them. Oh and always check the label for extra care!

If you’re scheduling your laundry or dry cleaning with us, why not schedule a collection with us for your home and bedding washing too? We’ll have it looking as good as new when we return it to you.

washing machine


by 11 Comments

How To Clean Your Washing Machine

Is it just me or isn’t it quite ironic that you have to clean a machine that’s made for cleaning? Well, yep, it’s vital to maintain the cleanliness of your washing machine to: 1) clean your clothes properly, and 2) preserve its cleaning life.

So, just how can you banish that awful smell and disgusting mould? Let’s find out:

  • Manual instructions: Be on the safe side and read the manual for instructions on how to clean your washing machine, as some manufacturers may not allow you to use products or cleansers in your machine.

  • Maintenance wash: In more simpler terms, clean the drum! Let your machine self clean by putting it through a hot temperature cycle (without clothes, of course) at least once a month, with a cup of vinegar thrown into the drum to help it sanitise.

  • Let it breathe: Leave the door of the washing machine open every so often to let the air circulate in the drum and prevent bacteria from growing. I would also recommend you do the same for the detergent drawer- you can never be too careful when it comes to cleanliness.

washing machine

  • Wash out the detergent drawer: Simply remove the detergent drawer and give it a good sponge clean! Scrub away any detergent residue that has been built up. Give it a thorough rinse and let it dry before putting back into the machine.

  • Wipe the rubber: Give the rubber door seal a good clean with a damp cloth on a regular basis, being sure to completely clean out any hidden residue.

  • Clean the filter: The filter is the one that collects debris in order to protect the washing machine pump from blocking. If that doesn’t sound germ ridden to you, then I don’t know what does. So, what must you do? Empty it regularly to remove the dirt that has been gathered. The filter can be found at the bottom corner of the washing machine behind the removable plate/tab.

Oh and one more thing, you can leave your laundry to Laundryheap whilst you clean your washing machine.


by 4 Comments

5 Signs You Need To Replace Your Washing Machine

Do you hear that aggressive noise coming from your washing machine? Did you almost slip over the leaking water again? Well, without going into technical terms and explanations, here are 5 signs that tell you it’s time for you to replace that old thing.

  1. It’s having a concert: Okay, so not literally having a ‘concert’, but the noise is so over-powering that you can barely hear the TV. It’s spinning so fast that it becomes unbalanced and makes loud thumping noises. This probably means that you have to re-arrange your load or that your motor mount may be loose.
  2. It’s leaking, EXCESSIVELY!: Another obvious sign is an overly leaky machine. The problem results from either overflowing water because it doesn’t match your load size or there’s a loose connection in one of the several hoses connected to the washing machine.
  3. The water hasn’t drained: If your cycle has ended but your clothes are still soaking wet when you go to take them out, it’s clearly because the water hasn’t drained and there’s most likely a problem with your water filter.
  4. There’s a funky smell: If you open your machine and almost get knocked out by an awful smell, that’s because, over time, your machine has been collecting soap scum, dirt and other debris. This causes bacteria and mould to grow in your machine. 
  5. You bought it before 2010: Like all appliances, they are subject to eventually wear out. Typically, you want to replace your washing machine every 8-11 years depending on how high-tech it is. Anything over this period will cause problems to arise with your laundry. So if it’s been 8 years, it’s about time to upgrade.

 

If you notice any of these signs, parts of your washing machine have begun to wear out. The first thing you can do is get it checked and repaired by a professional or replaced asap! Meanwhile, whilst you’re waiting to resolve your washing machine issue, you can leave your laundry to Laundryheap! (We’ll probably get your clothes delivered back to you before your washing machine is replaced 😉)