December 10, 2016
by Laundry Expert
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More Laundromat Help for Men

coin-op laundry raleigh ncLast blog post we began a conversation about laundry and well,  men.  Not having access to a washer and dryer in your home or apartment can pose a huge problem.  Luckily there are many great laundromat facilities available for your use.  You just need to do some research and scope out a good one.  Check out our previous post for some good tips on doing this.  Today we are offering up tips for washing and drying your clothing using a coin-op laundry in Raleigh NC.

Tips for Men at the Laundromat | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

  • To begin you will want to take the time to properly sort your clothing into the proper washing piles. Do this at home BEFORE you head out. Whites, darks, lights.  If you have any dedicates then those will need special treatment. Make sure you read the labels in your clothes properly.  You do not want to ruin anything.  This will also speed up the process once you get to the laundromat.
  • Make it simple.  If you need to pre-treat stains do this while at home.This gives you much less to carry. Today you can but detergent pods that are small and light .  Do the same for dryer sheets.  Simple and light is the name of the game!
  • Hopefully you have, as suggested in our previous post, scout out the hours of operation in the facility you have chosen.  Try to pick a time that will be less busy.  Make sure its a safe time of day but if you can go in the off hour then being able to use several machines will be a blessing. On weekends and after work on weekdays are not the best time to try and get your laundry done.  This will tend to be the busiest times.
  • This is the time to also make sure you have brought along some disinfectant wipes.  You do not want to take any chances.  We know men would not usually think about this but always be safe.  Also check for a strong odor of bleach.  If the person before used a lot then you could end up with white splotched clothes.   Move on to another machine if you smell it.
  • Make certain you take a couple of large black trash bags with you.  This is in case it becomes rainy.  You will not want to have your freshly washed laundry get soggy!
  • As we noted before make certain you have plenty of change.  Quarters are still the norm.  Some facilities will have a dollar changer but many do not.  If you have them at the ready then the faster this process will go.
  • We cannot stress this enough!  Check the settings!  Before you begin the wash or dry cycle make certain that the settings of the machine are right for your load.  Someone may have used the hottest temperature and you may not want that same temp.
  • Do not leave your laundry unattended.  We know that just hanging out at the laundromat is not a favorite thing to do. However, someone may just take your clothes out of either the washer or dryer for you and you will find them piled up in the floor.  It’s tempting but just don’t do it.

Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

We hope that all of you gentlemen out there have found these tips to be of help with your laundromat experience.  If you are in the Raleigh area remember that Laundry Express is a state of the art laundry facility that can help you with all your laundry needs.  We also have a full service dry cleaner if you need that service, as well.  Call us today to take advantage of our services.

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December 1, 2016
by Laundry Expert
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Laundromat Tips For Men

Somewhere along the line it is assumed that we know exactly how to use a Raleigh laundromat.  After all if you do not have access to your own washer and dryer then the laundromat will become your really good friend.  Sorry guys but if you are a man then there is a great chance you have no idea how to use a laundromat.  Especially if prior to your being out on your own your mother did your laundry for you!  Today we are going to look at the fine art of self-service laundromats and how to best utilize them for your laundry.

Raleigh Laundromat Tips for Men

At first glimpse a Raleigh laundromat should be pretty self-explanatory right? Well maybe not!  Here are some really good instructions for the use of a laundromat.  Hopefully there are some tips here that will help you keep your laundry clean and make it a great experience.

Supplies | Raleigh Laundromat

  • Laundry Supplies to include detergent, stain remover, and dryer sheets.
  • Disinfectant wipes for wiping down the machines.
  • A laundry basket or bag.
  • Hangers or a container for placing the folded items into after washing and drying.
  • Coins….Plenty of coins!

The following are the steps you will need to follow to make it a good experience.

  1. Do not go into this experience randomly.  Look around your community for a laundromat that is close and convenient.  Visit and check out how clean it is kept.  Are there attendants on duty?  Are the machines in good condition?
  2. Check for the hours of operation.  Check out the machines closely. You will want to note if they are front loading or top load.  Look at the settings.  Make sure there is a variety of settings for all of your laundry needs.
  3. How much does a load of laundry cost per machine?  (Wash and Dry)  Is there a fold area and a seating area?
  4. Once you know how much each machine cost you can estimate how much coinage you will need.  Many laundromats offer paper currency converters but to be safe bring plenty of change.  Our own experience has been you always need more than you think!
  5. Next you need to lay in your laundry supplies.  Take a trip to the market just for these supplies.  You can take the entire bottle of detergent but a better idea is to buy some travel type smaller containers and take what you will need each time.  Those bigger bottles of detergent and bleach are heavy! You will not want to be lugging them around alot.
  6. Look inside the washer and dryer before you use it.  There can be items remaining from a previous use.  This can be socks or coins, and possibly trash so make certain to check it thoroughly.  Wipe down the machine with a disinfectant wipe to kill any germs that might be present form other patrons.
  7. Always keep in mind that laundromats typically are on a time based plan that will use the highest possible settings.  If you find this is true at the laundromat of your choice then use caution.

Doing your laundry in a self serve laundromat in Raleigh NC need not be bad experience.  Laundry express is a state of the art laundry facility serving the Raleigh Area.  We offer the latest in laundry machines and can help you with all your laundry needs.  Give us a call today or come by and check us out!

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November 25, 2016
by Laundry Expert
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Holiday Travel Packing Tips

We are now entering the time of the year when our attention turns to the holidays.  Maybe you are planning a weekend trip or a week long trip to grandma’s for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  Either way you will need to pack plenty of clothes and accessories to take along.  How you will travel will also be important.  If you are driving then you can relax a bit but if you are flying there are a few more rules you will need to follow.  This blog post will offer up some tips to get you ready for travel and on to enjoying your holidays more quickly.

Holiday Packing Tips | Laundry Service Raleigh NC

The first thing you will need to do is take a look at the long range forecast for the weather where your destination is.  This will determine what kind of clothing your will need and how much.  If it is going to be cold then some layers like sweaters, scarves, gloves, and a coat will be necessary.  If the destination will be someplace warmer then you can plan your wardrobe accordingly.  The amount of clothing will greatly depend on the temperatures and place of your destination.  Planning for light layers will likely be your best bet.  That way you can be as warm as needed but peel off some layers as the day warms up.

Next up you will need to choose a suitcase.  A great tip is to always pick one a little bigger than you think you need.  If you are traveling by plane then a rolling style suitcase will be welcome as you travel through the airport.  If its a short trip then an over-sized carry on bag may suit you better.  Just make certain it can carry enough for your trip without being to heavy to maneuver around the airport.  If you are traveling by car you can also use an over-sized holdall bag.  This is great for a family also.  Just pack one bag per person.

The week before your trip lay out whatever case or cases you are going to use ready to fill.  Place your shoes into the case first turning them on the sides. Most of us will not be able to get by with just one pair!  As you decide on accessories begin to add them in.  Roll up any belts and place them in your gaps.  You can do this with your lingerie and jewelry as well.  Clothes will go in  next laying them flat.

A great way to plan your wardrobe is to think about entire outfits.  Plan the whole ensemble from top to bottom including shoes and accessories.  This ensures you will have what you need to get dressed each day.  If you are going to a special event or party then plan this outfit ahead of time and make certain to take any jewelry and other accessories you will need.

A few more tips are to include a smell-good sachet inside your luggage.  This will keep everything smelling great during your trip.  When packing your toiletry’s keep them in a separate leak proof bag.  This will ensure nothing leaks on your clothing during travel…a disaster for certain.  Use mini travel size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc. as much as possible.  This will save you lots of room for other things.

Laundry Service Raleigh NC

Laundry Express, best laundry service in Raleigh NC, can help you get all your laundry cleaned and ready for the holidays.  If you have special items that need dry-cleaned bring them by and we will take care of it!  Come by today!

 

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November 16, 2016
by Laundry Expert
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More Laundry Tips for Men

For many Men their first encounter with doing their own laundry comes either in college or as they move out from Mama’s house alone.  After a brief time of buying new underwear to keep from washing clothes many men will decide its time to figure out the doing the laundry thing.  Buying new simply gets to expensive!  Today we are going to cover some really great tips for doing your laundry that will be as painless as possible and certainly less expensive than buying new all the time.

Tips for Men | Laundromat Raleigh NC

  • First round up all your dirty laundry, and we mean all of it.  You will want to make three piles.  Lights, darks, and linens.  If you do this weekly then your piles will be smaller meaning less work for you.  Take these to the laundry room and wash one load at a time.  Choose a detergent that will be effective for all temperatures and all of your clothing.
  • Place your clothing into the washer.  Add detergent and select the proper temperature.  If you are unsure of the correct temp then always use cold to be safe.
  • Once the clothes are washed place them in the dryer and add a fabric softener sheet.  Choose the correct temperature again and allow cycle to dry the clothing.
  • The best tip of all is to promptly remove the clothing from the dryer as quickly as possible.  Then hang or fold promptly.  This will reduce the wrinkles and keep you from heaving to iron as much.

One of the biggest things for you to know is that stains must be treated promptly.  Pre-treatment is crucial if you want to be able to continue wearing the item stained.  There are many pre-treatment solutions on the market.  Apply one to the stain as soon as possible and allow it to work for at least 30 minutes before washing.  Then wash as normal.  Check to see that it is gone before placing it into the dryer.  Drying the article of clothing before the stain is completely removed will set it.  Once it is set then there is a chance it cannot be gotten out and you will not be able to wear it again.  This can become very costly over time.

A tip for you men that women already know is to keep on top of the laundry.  This means doing this chore weekly.  In a large family or one with children sometimes a load a day is necessary.  Developing a system is crucial in families to avoid becoming overwhelmed.  A husband who helps with the laundry will be most appreciated by a busy wife!  Teaching your children to gather and sort their laundry will help keep this chore organized and less stressful for everyone.

Dads can be a big help when it comes to doing the laundry.  If you use these really simple steps then laundry is not the daunting task it seemed to be in college.  Hopefully your Mom taught you a few things about doing your laundry but if not we hope these tips will help you get a handle on it!

Laundry Express is a state of the art laundromat in Raleigh NC that offers the latest in machines to get your laundry as clean as possible.  If you are pushed for time then we also offer a dry cleaning service that can get your laundry done in no time.

We also offer wash-dry-fold for those who would like to drop off and then pick up their clean laundry.  Come by and see us today!  We can help you get all your laundry done at the best laundromat in Raleigh NC!

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November 9, 2016
by Laundry Expert
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Laundry Travel Tips

laundromat Raleigh NCWhen we get the wonderful opportunity to travel for extended periods it a great thing.  No matter if it is for work or simply for play. Traveling does however mean we have to pack clothing that is suitable for our trip.  If you are going to be away for a long period of time then packing can become difficult.  You will need to answer a few questions before you begin to pack.  If the trip will require work clothes or pleasure clothing or both.  Do I want to lug around more suitcases or will that even be possible?  Is there a laundry facility available?  One thing is for certain you will need to do some laundry.  Today we are going to offer some tips for getting the laundry done in a travel situation. In this case, a laundromat in Raleigh NC or area that you’re traveling to will come in handy!

Travel Tips | Laundromat Raleigh NC

Depending on how much time you have and how much money you want to spend doing your laundry there are more than one way to handle laundry.

  • The first and easiest is to send the laundry out for cleaning. This is also the most costly.  If time is at a premium then this is the fastest way to keep the laundry done.  If you are in a hotel setting you can usually let the staff handle it.  Most have a facility they use.
  • If you want to take a little more time then you can find a laundromat or dry cleaner nearby.  Mast hotels will have some good recommendations for you.  Make certain to check them out.  This will of course require more time if you use the laundromat to do the laundry yourself but can be cost effective.  If you use the dry cleaner then cost will be higher but you simply drop off and pick up your laundry when it is convenient for you.
  • If you are trying to be as frugal as possible on your trip then you can do it yourself.  Use the sink or tub to do your own laundry. You will need some kind of soap that does not suds up to much. This is not recommended for heavy items.  Use warm to hot water for all your underwear, socks, and shirts and knead the soapy water into the fabric.  Allow them to soak about 10 minutes and then rinse them really well to get out all of the soap.  This is an important step!  This is a great cost savings for you but will require much more time and energy for you.
  • If you travel for extended times a lot there are bags on the market to store your dirty laundry and then can be used to also wash your laundry.  You can also find small packs of laundry detergents formulated for traveling.  A retractable clothesline for drying your clothes either inside or out are also available.  If using the sink or tub method you will want to find a small stopper for the drain.  A lint roller is also a good investment.

If you do a great deal of traveling then pay attention to the type of clothing you buy.  Don’t purchase things that are hard to take care of or launder.  There are many clothing items on the market today that are wrinkle-free, dry quickly, and are still attractive.  This will be a great investment for you as you travel.

Laundry Express | Laundromat Raleigh NC

If you need a great state of the art laundromat in Raleigh NC or dry cleaner give Laundry Express a call!  We can help you take care of all your laundry needs.

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