Raleigh Laundry | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC

June 5, 2017
by Laundry Expert
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Freshen Your Washer

When it comes to cleaning our homes many of us will periodically clean our various appliances. We wash down the stove top and clean the oven. We take some time to clean our floors, clean out the fridge, and even clean out the cabinets. When it comes to the laundry room however we just seem to assume because detergent and water is involved our washer is always the cleanest appliance we have. The truth of the matter is that it does need a good cleaning now and again. Our washer can get a bad smell that can transfer onto our laundry if not cleaned properly. Today’s post will offer some tips for getting this appliance clean as can be.

Freshen Your Washer! | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC

First fill your washer with water using the hottest setting. Use the longest wash cycle and largest load setting.
As the washer fills with hot water open the lid and add to the water a quart of white vinegar or bleach. Either works well but some do not like the toxins of bleach.
Then you will want to add a full cup of baking soda and close the lid. Allow the washing machine to agitate for a couple of minutes. After a few minutes open the lid again and let the baking soda, vinegar or bleach, and the hot water to soak for at least another hour.
As this mixture soaks begin to clean any parts of the washer you can. Some may be removable. If so soak them as well. Some washers have removable fabric dispensers and bleach dispensers. Once they have soaked wash them and rinse then dry and replace them. Use a toothbrush to clean all the other areas you can get to. especially the top of the agitator, under the lid, and all around the rim of the tub. The front and the sides can also use a good wipe down as well. Keep the lid open.
After the rest of the the washer finishes it soak an hour later close the lid. Let the cycle then complete and use this time to clean the top of your washer and the dials. Take care not to wet the dials to much. Just a good wipe.
Once the first cycle completes run another adding only the bleach or vinegar. This will clean away any leftover loose debris accumulated by the first cycle.
Once this cycle is completed you can use some vinegar to wipe down the bottom and the sides of your tub to get rid of any residue left.

Drying the Washer | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC

Leave the lid open after each load of laundry to allow the washer to dry and this will help keep it dried out in between and less likely to become smelly from mold and mildew.

Coin Laundry Raleigh NC

If you find yourself in need of a laundry catch-up come by Laundry Express. We can help you with all your laundry needs. We offer a laundromat with the latest in washers and dryers. We also have a full service dry cleaners for your more difficult laundry problems. Give us a call or come by and see us! You will be glad you did!

June 1, 2017
by Laundry Expert
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Common Washer Problems

bigstock--164177369 One of the biggest, most time consuming chores families have to do each week is laundry in Raleigh NC. Many of us have a washer and dryer at home to use for this task. Each time we need to wash a load of clothes we put them into the washer along with our detergent of choice and turn the washer on. Easy-peasy right? Well for the most part yes. However eventually there will come a time when you turn the washer on and either nothing happens or there is a problem of some sort with the mechanics of the washer. Let’s look at some of the common washer problems we may encounter.

Washer Problems | Laundry Raleigh NC

First know that most washers will be different by their very design. Each manufacturer will have their own design and features. Although the features may vary there are some things all washers hold in common. No matter the brand or design all have an electric motor. They will all also have an agitate cycle and a spin cycle. Some will top load and others will front load. Every type of washer will fill the tub with water of course and have a mechanism that allows the water to also drain. There will also be a way built into the design to control the amount of water flowing into the tub to insure there is no overflow. Most all of today’s models have a lid that locks to keep it from being opened during the spin cycle. Most will also have timers to coordinate all of these various cycles.

There are many things that can go wrong mechanically with a washer. One of the most common is that the washer does not fill with water properly. This can happen with cold, warm, or hot water. If this happens to you then you can check the strainer screens to see if they need cleaned. They can become filled with minerals and rust from the pipes in your home. They can be cleaned or replaced easily.

If there is no power to your washer your solenoid valve could be a problem. We recommend that you call a professional for anything power related to be safe. One of the messiest and potentially costliest problems is a hose breaking. This can cause lots of water damage in your home due to flooring and carpeting being saturated. This damage will occur particularly if you leave clothes washing and leave the home. You may come back to a very wet home. To be safe never leave laundry washing while you will be away. This can be prevented by checking the hoses periodically to make sure they are not loose or cracked.

Another common problem you can prevent form happening is too many suds. Today’s more high efficiency washers require much less detergent than in years past. If your machine is labeled HE then pay particular attention to the amount of detergent that is recommended. Using too much can cause an overflow of suds. It can also cause your laundry in Raleigh NC to not get as clean as you would like. The overuse of detergent can also cause other issues with your washer.

We know that when your washer or dryer is on the fritz laundry begins to pile up quickly. Laundry Express can help you keep up with the day to day laundry in Raleigh NC. We have a state of the art laundry facility that can help you get in and out as fast as possible. Come by and give our laundromat a try!

May 25, 2017
by Laundry Expert
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Ways To Prepare Laundry Before Washing

When it comes to doing the laundry, the way we prepare our clothing ahead of the actual washing is really important. It seems easy enough to just dump the clothes into the washer and letting them wash. Believe it or not we wish it were that simple. If you want to protect your investment in your clothes we have some good ideas for preparing your laundry before you wash them. The following are our best tips for getting ready. Need coin laundry in Raleigh NC? Stop by Laundry Express!

Preparing Laundry Before Washing | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC

The most important step in doing the laundry is the Pre-Sorting. Sorting our laundry consists of doing so by color, texture, weight, fabric, and level of dirtiness. It also involves getting the proper load size together. The first place to start is to separate any dry clean only items from the rest of the wash. Be careful to not accidentally leave any. Doing so could ruin your clothing. Pre-Sort your laundry into the following categories:

Color- You will need three basic pile. Whites, darks, and colors. This will keep your colors from bleeding onto whites or lighter colored clothes. Water temperatures will be important here as well.
Fabric- Fleece and terry cloth materials should be washed separate from other fabrics. These fabrics tend to leave lint and can deposit it on your other clothes. Some fabrics need hot water to get clean enough such as whites, or denims. These will also need to be washed separate.
Weight- Lingerie or other delicates made of silk or labeled hand wash only must be washed on a more gentle cycle in cold waster. Some knits will also require this same hand wash cycle. Never wash these items with jeans. Also take the time to make certain the weight of the clothes will balance in your washing machine. This will mean the difference in cleaning.
Soil Level- If you have clothes that are heavily soiled or might have oil or grease on them wash these separately as well. The stains, dirt, oil, and grease can and will travel onto your other clothing and can be really hard to remove later.
Always check your garments care label. There is valuable information here.

Preparing your clothes is a next important step. This means emptying all pockets of any items. Close all zippers and hooks. Remove any loose change. Make certain there are no stray ink pens or gum lingering. Check for pins or bows that likely will not make it through a wash cycle.

Pre treat any stains as soon as you possibly can. Also check after laundering to ensure the stain is out. If not treat again. If the item is dried before the stain is removed it can become set and impossible to remove. If some items are heavily soiled or you have stains that need soaked a pre-soak is a great idea. If needed add detergent to the pre-soak cycle and add clothing. At least 15 minutes is needed to pre-soak. Overnight soaks can be used on heavier weight , really dirty clothes.

Once you are ready to begin a load of laundry remember to pack the washer loosely so that the clothing can move freely. This will help your clothes to get as clean as possible. Use the proper detergent and the right amount. Read your label carefully.

Coin Laundry Raleigh NC

Laundry Express can help you with all your laundry needs. We have the best coin laundry and Raleigh NC plus plenty advice to share about all things laundry! Call or visit us in the triangle area today!

May 20, 2017
by Laundry Expert
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How To Soak Clothing Before Washing

No matter how hard we try sometimes we cannot avoid stains on our laundry. These accidents can become pretty costly if not treated promptly and in the right way. This post will give some pointers on how to properly soak your clothes before washing them. This can save you lots of money by saving your stained clothing.

Soak Clothing Before Washing | Raleigh Laundromat

Pre-soaking your laundry can help with stains that are heavy or really large. The first thing to consider is that some clothing may not be what is referred to as color-fast. Color-fast clothing can be safely soaked for a period of time without fading. If the item is not color-fast you will run the chance that the dye will loosen and fading will occur. Reading the care label inside your clothing will let you know if it is safe.

Some types of fabric never do well with soaking. This will include silks, wool’s, leather, and any item that is labeled flame resistant. If your item has a metal zipper or fasteners these will not soak well. If these items become stained you will want to seek professional help to get your stains out.

When getting ready to pre-soak your clothes fill a plastic bucket or container with water. Use the correct temperature of water for your garments. Make sure the container is large enough as well. Your washing machine can be used as well. Many machines today have a pre-soak cycle which is really convenient. After soaking in a washing machine a regular wash cycle can be run with no rinsing needed.

Once you have the water to the correct temperature add your detergent. When soaking clothing you need to make sure the detergent is well dissolved. Do not add your clothing until it is. If you are adding a detergent booster add this as well and allow it to dissolve as well. Stir the water really well and get it mixed and soapy. Use the recommended amounts indicated on the bottle when adding detergents or any additives.

You may then add the clothing to the water. Don’t add too many since you need the clothing to move freely and the water to saturate thoroughly. Soak your clothing from 1 hour – 2 hours. If really tough stains are present you can soak them overnight. Once the soaking is complete rinse your clothes thoroughly unless you are using your washing machine to soak. You can then run the regular laundry cycle.

Check your clothing before drying to ensure the stains are gone. If not you can repeat the soaking process. Once they have been run through the dryer they may be permanently set. If the stain seems really bad you will want to use a stain remover directly on the stain as soon as possible before soaking. Doing this will hopefully save your garment.

Raleigh Laundromat

If you find yourself short on time and in need of a laundromat check us out at Laundry Express. We are a state of the art laundry facility with the newest in equipment. Catching up on your laundry will be a breeze at our laundromat. Come by and see us today!

May 15, 2017
by Laundry Expert
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Laundromat Tips

Let’s face it! One of the most dreaded chores is laundry in Raleigh NC. The problem is it has to get done and it is easier if you have a washer and dryer in your home. Not having these time saving appliances in the home means you must use a laundromat. This is not as easy and requires a bit of planning and of course more time spent with your laundry than you would like. If you find yourself faced with this problem this is the post for you. Keep reading for some really great tips on how to navigate the laundromat and some tricks and tips for getting in and out as quickly as possible.

Tips | Laundry Raleigh NC

The first thing you will want to do is locate a really good laundry facility. Trust us they are not all the same. Location will be key since you do not want to waste time schlepping your laundry all over town. Find one that is close by, clean, and well lit. If there is an attendant on site that is even better. Security is important. Once you locate the right laundromat check for their hours of operation. Also take the time to see what coinage or dollars you will need for the machines.

Before you even leave home with your dirty laundry there are some things you can do to help speed the process along. Pre-treat all clothing with stains before you go. Sort your laundry as much as possible so that loading it into the machines will be faster and easier. Take only what you need. This means detergent, dryer sheets, and of course your laundry. Keep it as simple as possible. Use detergent pods or take small amounts of detergent rather than lugging a huge bottle. Take a few dryer sheets in a small plastic bag.

Although you do not want to be in a laundromat at midnight do choose an hour or two when the laundromat might not be extremely busy. Being able to load your laundry in Raleigh NC into a couple of machines will save you so much time. For most facility the mid part of the day works well. Weekends and early evenings seem to be busiest. Take a book or magazine to help pass the time and before you know it you can boot that laundry into the dryers.

Before placing the laundry into a machine check it for leftovers from a previous wash. Wipe it down to remove as many germs as possible. Give it a smell test to see if any bleach was used in the prior wash. You do not want to bleach out your darks by accident. Check the settings as well. The load before yours may have used a hotter temperature than you want. This can do lots of damage to your clothes so check carefully.

A couple of other tips we can offer are to take plenty of quarters. Many facilities will have a coin machine but if you want to save as much time as possible have yours already in hand. Never leave your clothes unattended . Someone will take them out of the machine and pile them up so they can use it. It’s just to risky. Don’t forget baskets to get your clean clothes home in as well as hangers for hanging. Keeping these things in mind will help make your laundromat experience a good one.

If you find yourself in need of a great laundromat check us out at Laundry Express. We offer the very best in laundry in Raleigh NC facilities. Come by or call us today!