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July 1, 2015
by Laundry Expert
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Summer Laundry Tips

Summer time is here and it can be one of the most fun seasons of the year, but with it comes its share of housekeeping challenges. Being more active outdoors means more laundry for you and that laundry piles up quickly. From simple yard work to jumping in the pool your family will definitely be changing clothing more often during these long summer days. The following are some tips to help you keep your head above water when it comes to dealing with summer laundry.

Summer Laundry Tips | Wash Dry Fold Raleigh NC

1. It isn’t necessarily dirty after the first wear.

Things like jeans, shorts, towels, and of course bathing suits do not have to be washed every time they are used. A swimsuit should be rinsed and hung up to dry between uses. A rule of thumb is if it is not visibly dirty and it does not smell, it can be worn again without being washed.

2. Have the kids help out.

Since they are most likely the creators of the extra dirty laundry, let them help make your life a bit easier. Some simple things they can do are:

Separate their dirty clothes into lights and dark’s.
Neatly put away their clean clothes.
Take a few moments and be sure their clothes are right side out to help cut down on your folding and hanging time.

And while we are on this subject an ounce of prep is worth a pound of lint. Take a few moments before starting up the machine to get your clothing ready and save yourself a huge headache later.

3. Get rid of summer stains.

From sunscreen to barbeques, playing in the grass and in the dirt….you are lucky if you can go even one day without getting some sort of serious stain on your clothes. Check out our previous blog posts for getting out individual tough stains as well as some common summer time stains. Have your kids help with this issue by pointing out when they get a stain and then you know which clothes need pre-treated before they go into the washing machine. Teach all family members to sort and separate their laundry into three piles….Whites, light colors, and dark’s. Here are some less obvious but very helpful sorting tips.

Separate lint producers such as towels and blankets from those that seem to be lint magnets like corduroy and fleece.
Natural fibers from synthetic fibers because they tend to dry at different rates.
Tough fabrics such as Jeans from more delicate fabrics such as a lace camisole.
Keep lingerie and your hosiery in a mesh bag for washing. This will ensure straps and hose will not get tangled up while washing.
Wash clothing with bright colors on white such as a striped shirt separately the first time you wash it in case the dye runs. This way only one garment is ruined instead of an entire load of laundry.

4. Keep Organized.

Investing in a couple of extra laundry hampers can make a huge difference when clothes seem to be migrating all over the place. Put one in each room for every member of your family. You can also put a hamper in the bathroom or linen closet so that towels and linens are all together. These things will make your laundry collecting rounds much easier, and will encourage everyone to put their dirty clothes in the hamper and not just on the floor.

5. Be sure to put those winter clothes away!

This is a laundry necessity! Winter clothes are bulky and they take so much longer to wash and dry. Keep those winter clothes from getting into the summer wardrobe and causing clutter by washing, bagging up and storing them at the beginning of the summer. That way the only clothes you are dealing with are lightweight shorts and t-shirts.

6. No Socks.

Hopefully you and your family love sandals and flip flops! By implementing a “NO SOCKS” summertime rule you can cut down on the laundry load and reduce the amount of time you spend looking for the mates to socks. At least those the washer did not eat!

Laundry Express | Wash Dry Fold Raleigh NC

By picking a time every few days to tackle laundry and having the whole family help to organize and thus cut down on their laundry you can make the busiest laundry season seem effortless. One of our best tips is to do a load of laundry a day – start to finish. This means put in a load to wash, then dry, and finish with folding and putting up. And if you have to much to handle on your own, give us a call at Laundry Express. We offer a wash dry fold in Raleigh NC to help you with all your laundry chores!

June 25, 2015
by Laundry Expert
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Stain Removal: Mustard

Removing mustard stains from clothes or other surfaces can be the toughest of all stain removal efforts. This is because mustard stains are caused by the yellow pigment or tumeric in mustard. The yellow pigment can actually dye fibers so it is important to remove the stain as quickly as possible.

Removing Mustard Stains | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

You will first want to remove any mustard remaining on the fabric using a blunt knife. Try to take care not to rub it any deeper into the fibers. Treat the stain with a heavy duty liquid detergent and then rinse thoroughly. Soak the garment in a diluted solution of all fabric or oxygen bleach for at least four hours. Launder as usual in cool water.

You can also add bleach to your washing machine or tub, but only if the clothing is white. If the clothing is white, use chlorine bleach, which should be quite effective in removing the stain. If the clothing is any other color, use color-safe bleach to avoid fading your clothing or covering it with white spots; this is a less powerful stain remover but may still succeed.

Bleach is typically added to a separate washing machine dispenser than the laundry detergent, which should also be added as usual. If your top-loaded machine has no dispenser, or if you are washing the clothes by hand, pour directly into machine or tub. Use 1 part bleach to 30 parts water, or about 1/2 cup (120 mL) for a typical laundry load.

Wash white cotton in hot water, and delicate clothing in warm or cold. The hotter the water, the more effective it will be at removing stains. However, hot water may damage delicate fabrics, or cause light-colored clothing to fade and stain other items in the washing machine. Check the clothing tag to find the maximum temperature the clothing can be washed at. When in doubt, wash delicate items in cold water.

Wash as soon as you can after applying the detergent or stain remover. Letting the stain remover sit on the stain for too long may make the stain harder to remove.

For Carpets and Upholstery you can try the following steps:

Lift off any excess spill with a dull knife or spatula.
Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) the area with a cleaning fluid.
If the fabric is strong enough, tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) or scrape (the method of using a dull tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains) to loosen the stain.
Flush with the dry-cleaning solvent.
While tamping stain, blot excess material with an absorbent pad.
If stain remains, sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) with water and apply a wet spotter and a few drops of white vinegar.
Tamp again to loosen stain.
Flush with water.
If stain persists, moisten area with 3% hydrogen peroxide and add a drop of ammonia (except on silk and wool).
Do not let it bleach any longer than 15 minutes, then flush with water and allow to dry.
When treating carpets, blot all excess liquid, then weigh down an absorbent pad with a heavy object.
When all liquid has been absorbed, allow to thoroughly air dry.

For Acrylic, Plastic and Vinyl Surfaces

Once mustard has set, the stain is almost impossible to remove from plastic materials.
Immediately wipe up any spills with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water.
Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Laundry Express | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

If you are too far behind on your laundry chores and need help catching up before implementing the new family laundry routine, stop by our Raleigh laundromat! We offer many different services including coin-op laundry in Raleigh NC, dry cleaning, laundromat and more!

June 20, 2015
by Laundry Expert
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Stain Removal: Grease

Did your husband get his new shirt greasy when he crawled under your car and changed the oil? Did your wife forget the lip balm in her pants pocket and run it through the wash? Maybe you just got a little carried away when you deep fried those fish. Whatever the grease or oil stain, there’s almost certainly a way for you to remove it using a few tips.

Stain Removal for Grease | Wash Dry Fold Raleigh NC

Greasy, oily stains are often the most difficult to get out of clothing and other materials. Use these tips and tools to make stain removal easy and get rid of those stubborn marks once and for all. One of the biggest tips for any stain removal is to always be prepared for any kind of stain. Whether you’re working in the garage or at the stove, keep these tips handy so you’ll be prepared to remove these tough greasy, oily stains.

Blot up the excess grease as soon as possible.
Apply an absorbent and let it soak up the spill.
After brushing out the powder on the laundry stains, sponge the area with a dry-cleaning solvent, spot lifter, or cleaning fluid.
Then apply a dry spotter such as baby powder, cornstarch or even salt to any remaining stain.
Cover the stain with an absorbent pad dampened with dry spotter and let it remain in place until no more stain is lifted.
Change the pad as it picks up the stain.
To help loosen the stain, occasionally tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) the area, blotting up any loosened material.
Flush with one of the liquid dry-cleaning solvents.

If any trace of stain remains:

Sponge stain with water and apply a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia.
Tamp the stain again, blotting with an absorbent pad to remove any loosened material.
Flush the area with water and repeat until no more stain is removed.
Allow to dry.

You may also try spraying a little WD-40 or lighter fluid carefully onto the clothing. WD-40 is effective in removing grease from some surfaces, as are lighter fluids. BUT always test an inconspicuous area of the clothing as it is always better to be safe than sorry!

Follow these steps to remove cooking grease and auto grease stains from carpets and rugs:

Blot up as much excess as possible and apply an absorbent, such as cornmeal.
After letting the absorbent work, brush (the method of using a stiff-bristled brush to gently remove dried stains and spots) it out of the fabric.

If a stain remains:

Sponge (the method of using light strokes with a dampened pad working outward from the center of the stain) with a dry cleaning solvent, spot lifter (except on acetate blends) or a cleaning fluid.
Then apply a dry spotter to the area.
Cover the stain with an absorbent pad dampened with dry spotter.
Let it remain in place as long as any stain is being lifted.
Change the pad as it picks up the stain. Keep both the stain and pad moist with dry spotter.

Laundry Express | Wash Dry Fold Raleigh NC

If you find that you need help laundering your summer clothing before or after your vacation, stop by our Wash Dry Fold in Raleigh NC! Our laundromat offers you a great place to do all your laundry at once! It’ll cut your laundry time in half so you can spend more time outdoors, enjoying the beautiful weather!

June 15, 2015
by Laundry Expert
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Stain Removal: Blood

During these hot summertime months stains are always a problem. The most problematic of all it seems are blood stains. Scrapes and scratches and certainly nosebleeds can wreak havoc on clothing and towels.

Whether you nick yourself while shaving, or receive an unexpected scratch, it’s important to treat the stains on your clothing as soon as possible; blood stains are relatively easy to remove before they set but can be nearly impossible to wash out after 24 hours. At least taking the time to rinse and pretreat will help alleviate the “setting in” of a blood stain. Using these helpful hints should keep the fun in your summer!

Vinegar | Raleigh Laundromat

If you can get to the stain before it sets, treat it by pouring full-strength white vinegar on the spot. Let it soak in for 5-10 minutes, then blot well with a cloth or towel. Repeat if necessary, then wash immediately.

Ammonia

Rub out perspiration, blood, and urine stains on clothing by dabbing the area with a half-strength solution of ammonia and water before laundering.

Hydrogen Peroxide

This works only on fresh bloodstains: Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain, rinse with fresh water, and launder as usual.

Cola

This trick is great for bloodstains that happen outside of the home. Instead of waiting to treat the stain when you get home, grab the nearest bottle of cola (yes, soda pop!) and begin soaking the stain. Aim to soak the stain in cola overnight for best results.

WD-40

Pretreat bloodstains with WD-40. Spray some directly on the stains, wait a couple of minutes, and then launder as usual. The WD-40 will help lift the stain so that it will come out easily in the wash. Try to get to the stain while it is still fresh, because once it sets, it will be harder to get rid of. Use WD-40 to pretreat other stubborn stains on clothing, such as lipstick, dirt, grease, and ink stains.

Cornstarch

The quicker you act, the better. Whether it’s on clothing or table linens, you can remove or reduce a bloodstain with this method. Make a paste of cornstarch mixed with cold water. Cover the spot with the cornstarch paste and rub it gently into the fabric. Now put the cloth in a sunny location to dry. Once dry, brush off the remaining residue. If the stain is not completely gone, repeat the process.

Talcum Powder

To remove fresh bloodstains from clothing or furniture, make a paste of water and talcum powder and apply it to the spot. When it dries, brush away the stain. Substitute cornstarch or cornmeal if you are out of talcum powder.

Cold Salt Water | Raleigh Laundromat

As quickly as possible, soak a bloodstained item of clothing in a pot of cold salt water. It is recommended that you not use hot water to remove a blood stain because it could make the stain set in; instead soak the fabric in a quart of cold water with two tablespoons of table salt, after it soaks for 3-4 hours, rub the stain with liquid detergent and throw it in the wash.

For more laundry tips be sure to visit back with our blog soon! We have tons of laundry tricks to help you keep your laundry stresses at bay! If you’re running yourself ragged, trying to keep up with all the extra laundry, also be sure to check out our Raleigh Laundromat! We offer state of the art machines for washing and drying. We also offer laundry services that include dry cleaning, wash-dry-fold, and stain removal! Don’t fall behind on laundry when we are here to help! Visit us soon!

June 5, 2015
by Laundry Expert
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Stain Removal: Rust

Rust stains are some of the most difficult stains to remove from clothes. It takes time and patience. Try these tips before giving up!

Rust remover ingredients combine with the iron and loosen it from the fabric, then hold it in suspension in the wash water. The compounds are poisonous if ingested, extremely toxic and can burn skin and damage appliance finishes. Use them carefully according to the manufacturers’ directions, and rinse the clothes thoroughly. Any acid remaining deteriorates fabrics so add a second rinse.

Lemon juice and salt are readily available, much less toxic and will often give great results. Sprinkle salt on the stain, squeeze lemon juice onto the salt and spread the garment in the sun to dry. This works best on colorfast garments. Test on a seam or inconspicuous spot to see if fading or bleaching occurs. You should have no problems with white or ecru fabrics.

Rust stains cannot be removed by normal laundering. If after treating, the stains remain repeat the steps. Do not put the clothing in the dryer because high heat will set the stains. Using chlorine bleach will make them permanent.

Some rust-colored stains are not caused by rust. Caramelized sugar and benzoyl peroxide (acne medicine) stains look like rust. Do a bit of investigating before treating the stains.

If the garment is dry clean only, point out and identify the stain to your professional cleaner. If you are using a home dry cleaning kit, be sure -to treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.

To make your own Homemade Rust Remover use the following formula:

INGREDIENTS

Borax
Lemon juice

PREPARATION

Mix together equal parts Borax and lemon juice.
Apply the resulting solution to the rust by spraying or dabbing it on (if the object is large), or by submerging the object in a bath of the solution (if the object is small).
Allow the solution to soak in for 30 minutes. Then, rinse the object off; and dry thoroughly.
Repeat the process, if rust remains.

Wash Dry Fold Raleigh NC

If you find that you need help laundering your summer clothing before or after your vacation, stop by our Wash Dry Fold in Raleigh NC! We will do your laundry for you! Also try our laundromat! We are proud to offer you a great place to do all your laundry at once! It’ll cut your laundry time in half so you can spend more time outdoors, enjoying the beautiful weather!