Does leaving your clothes out for delivery seem strange?

Given how important cleanliness is, Airbnb hosts need to know how to make their rentals shine–– in the most efficient manner possible. Here are some tips to speed things up!

Airbnb Cleaning Hacks: A Guide to Double Your Speed with Time-Saving Tips

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Fit Four Hours of Cleaning into ONLY Two Hours:

When it comes to a guest’s rating on Airbnb or other home-sharing services, cleanliness is often the deciding factor between a good review and a bad review. Airbnb surveys conducted on guests’ experiences have reported that a vacation home’s poor cleanliness is the number one reason they might leave a bad review.

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Of course, cleaning a rental isn’t like cleaning your home––you may not notice a couple of dust bunnies floating around, but a guest will. On top of that, a rental’s cleaning window is often very slim, and a host can easily find themselves cleaning their Airbnb right up to the minute before their next guests arrive.

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In this article, our goal is to walk you through how to take a 4-hour cleaning block and turn it into only 2 hours of cleaning. Ready to clean your Airbnb twice as fast?

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Clean Your Airbnb Twice as Fast:

Thankfully, hosts can set their timeframe for cleaning their homes in between guests. Most people allow themselves around 4 hours, which is a perfect amount of time to thoroughly clean the entire unit with special attention to guest “pain spots.” These are the highly frequented areas where guests are most likely to notice spots or dirt, such as the linens, towels, floors, and bathrooms.

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A host should begin their cleaning with a load of laundry––ideally, with the linens and towels washed separately. We recommend starting with laundry because the cycles can run in the background while you start other areas of the house. If you wait to start laundry until the end of the cleaning, you and your staff will be sitting around waiting for laundry cycles to finish. This alone will save you one hour––with 30 minutes of the wash cycle and 30 minutes of the dry cycle happening while you are cleaning other parts of the house.

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Other quick Airbnb cleaning tips include:

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Using a lint roller to collect hair (pets and otherwise): No one likes to see someone else’s hair in their space. Using a lint roller is the easiest way to collect strands from sheets and cracks in the floor.
Don’t be a clutter collector: While adding small sentimental touches to your home can make a guest feel more at ease, if your house is filled to the brim with tiny trinkets, dust can easily collect. By keeping things orderly, your home will appear cleaner and more modern. Save time cleaning by simply not storing all of ‘the extras’ on your rental shelves.
Don’t be afraid to hire a laundry service: If you know you won’t be able to clean or finish the laundry in a concise amount of time, don’t be afraid to hire a third-party laundry service to take care of the laundry for you. You can always add a cleaning fee to your guest’s charges to offset the expenditure. And, a close relationship with a commercial laundry service provider will help to manage inventory and to prevent damage.
Make sure your house smells nice: Guests will always notice how your home smells when they first enter. Don’t use chemical products for fake freshness. Instead, use essential oils in a diffuser, or, if you don’t have a diffuser, place two or three drops of your preferred oil onto a tissue and tuck it into your window’s blinds. This will keep the tissue out of sight and diffuse the scent throughout the room.

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A Two-Hour Airbnb Cleaning Checklist:

Finally, the best way to tackle efficient cleaning is to have a concise method. The best way that we’ve found to clean a home FAST is by following this order of chores. If you’re reserving a four-hour time slot to clean, your goal should be to limit cleaning to two hours, giving yourself a safety net if something needs more time.

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Gather dirty linens and towels and load them into the washer––separately. Once they’re in the dryer, it’s best to check on them after every chore to see if they’re done. This will ensure more thorough drying and prevent damage from frequent washes.

Clean any dirty dishes––start a dishwasher load if necessary.

Clean the bathrooms starting with the sink tops, shower/tub, toilets, mirror, faucet, and finally, door handles.

Clean the kitchen. Be sure to check the fridge and cabinets, and clean the microwave, oven, and any other appliances.

Vacuum and sweep floors.

Wipe down tables, ledges, windowsills, and other dusty places.

Mop the hard floors.

Straighten outdoor furniture and sweep the patio, stoop, or porches.

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For a full equipment list and step-by-step guide, learn from the Airbnb cleaning professionals at Merit Maids. For a full Airbnb maintenance checklist, you can consult this Xenia Airbnb checklist.

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Fast-Track Your Airbnb Cleaning with Commercial Laundry Services

Keeping a clean rental home is essential for making guests happy and learning how to do so quickly is a must. If you have any doubts about whether you can successfully clean your property in a short amount of time, don’t make the mistake of passing on a cleaning or laundering service.

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Find out more about 2ULaundry’s business laundry services for Airbnb rental properties.

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On average, you’ll do 300 loads per year!

How Much Time Do You Spend on Laundry Per Year? Shocking Hours Revealed.

If you’re sick and tired of spending so much time on laundry, you’re not alone. Laundry is the third most time-consuming chore, behind cleaning and cooking. On average, you’ll spend over 480 hours per year on laundry!

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The average American parent dedicates almost a full day’s worth of time to general cleaning and housework each month. That’s a lot of time!

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It’s no secret that laundry can be a time-consuming process. It’s a chore that is – unfortunately – a necessity. Depending on the size of your household, you may be spending multiple hours a week walking to and from the laundry room, piled up baskets in hand.

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We’ve all had the experience of realizing you don’t have any clean work clothes or you need to clean your kids’ clothes for practice or dance class. That is when things get inefficient. You have to rush to get the laundry done at a time that isn’t ideal for your schedule.

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If you’re sick and tired of spending so much time on laundry, you’re not alone. So, how much time do people spend on laundry? Here’s what we found:

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Studies show that people spend 3 hours each week washing their laundry.

For some households, laundry days stretch throughout the week with a little here and there, while others have one day that is devoted to laundry alone. It all depends on the household size and laundry situation—if families can’t separate whites from colors and need to frequently keep up with laundry dirtied by different family members, laundry may be a long process.

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How Much Time Do People Spend on Laundry?

On average, women spend approximately 17 minutes per day doing laundry chores.
On average, men spend approximately 4 minutes per day doing laundry chores.
Laundry is the third most time-consuming activity for women, behind interior cleaning and cooking.
Laundry-related chores are ranked eighth in terms of daily time spent by men, behind cooking and lawn or garden activities.
Women typically spend three times as much time doing laundry than men.

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ARM & HAMMER Clean & Simple conducted a survey which looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected habits and household dynamics when it comes to cleaning and housework.

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In good news, respondents aren’t missing out on as much quality time in recent months, as their family is now more likely to be helping out when completing housework.

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Results revealed that 39 percent of parents surveyed said their children have been more involved with doing the laundry since the start of the pandemic.

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In that same timeframe, 59 percent said laundry has been split more evenly between them and their partner — but 46 percent are still spending more time on laundry now than before the start of the pandemic.

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In the last decade, household dynamics seem to be changing, 80 percent of respondents believe housework is being split more evenly between different partners— with millennials most likely to think so.

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Some respondents were so keen on having help with the housework that they’d even forgo a date night with their partner — results found that 22 percent would choose to have help with laundry over being taken out on a date.

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While more and more parents are tackling housework together, a quarter of participants (25 percent) did admit to doing a poor job at some point on purpose — in hopes of getting out of doing the task again.

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A third (34 percent) of respondents said their partner has pulled that trick, while 14 percent said they both have. Men were almost twice as likely as women to have tried this (32 percent vs. 18 percent).

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The majority (78 percent) have taught their partner how to properly do a chore, with vacuuming (32 percent), laundry (30 percent), and making the beds (30 percent) revealed to be the top three chores people needed a lesson in.

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There’s power in teamwork, 85 percent percent of respondents agree: Doing the cleaning and housework with a partner allows them to do it better.

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Furthermore, results found 84 percent of respondents agree using a detergent that is good for you and your family, but just as effective, makes the laundry process less stressful.

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How Much Money Do People Spend on Laundry?

In addition to time spent on laundry, people also spend quite a bit of money on laundry detergent. Consumers spend an average of $15-25 once or twice a month on detergent. Simple math shows that people spend between $180 – $600 per year (or every 300-390 loads) on laundry detergent. That’s a lot of laundry detergent!

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According to Procter & Gamble Co., the average American family washes 300-390 laundry loads per year, which means they’re spending between $180-$600 per year on detergent.

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How much does it cost to do an average load of laundry? Combining all of these factors, the average cost of a load of laundry is $1.27. At this cost, if you do one load per week, doing laundry costs $66.04 per year. If you do four loads per week, doing laundry costs $264.16 per year. If you average eight loads per week, doing laundry costs $528.32 per year.

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When it’s all said and done laundry costs Americans an astounding amount of money each year. Documents from laundry service providers suggest the average American household spends at least $1,500 yearly on laundry – from washing machines to laundry detergent, bleach, and fabric softeners. And this doesn't even count your water bill!

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Despite laundry being expensive, it is a necessary part of survival. Not only does laundry help maintain hygiene standards that keep people healthy, but it also extends the life of clothing pieces. Spending money on laundry allows us to look our best and protect our wardrobes for a relatively reasonable price – making laundry costs well worth it in more ways than one.

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How Americans Stack Up: Unveiling Laundry Habits Around the World?

It’s generally accepted that laundry is a universal chore, however how often we do laundry and how we go about it can vary enormously from country to country. When it comes to Americans, laundry habits have evolved, but market research shows that laundry continues to play an important role in the typical American household. Surveys indicate that American households average five loads of laundry per week, with many families doing laundry more than once a day.

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By comparison, other countries such as France typically average three laundry loads each week. Certain cultural norms may be at play; for instance, in family-centric European societies laundry is traditionally done with the entire family pitching in around the same time each week – making certain laundry tasks perhaps less of a burden. However you look at it, laundry remains a time-consuming global activity inextricably linked with the complexities of everyday life.

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While laundry habits vary from country to country, Americans tend to do laundry more than other cultures. This may be traced back to the laundry machines available in most American homes, allowing laundry to become a task that is easier and quicker than hand washing. Furthermore, certain countries have different laundry concerns; for instance, laundry in South Korea often involves traditional methods like sun-drying. As American culture continues to modernize, it can be assumed that laundry habits will continue to develop as well.

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Looking For Another Option?

If you’re looking for a way to cut back on your time spent on laundry, you may want to consider a laundry service.

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It’s simple to say goodbye to your days spent washing and folding with the help of some laundry professionals. Many laundry services provide a cost-effective and high-quality answer to your laundry difficulties.

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In most cases, it’s as easy as dropping off at a location and picking them up at a scheduled time, fresh and folded. At 2ULaundry, we offer pickup and delivery laundry service!

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How Much Time Do You Spend on Wash & Fold Laundry?

Our 2ULaundry laundry delivery services make it easy to skip laundry day, with delivery right to your door. Sign up for a weekly service, or use us when the laundry piles up. We’re here to help lighten the load.

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But, we’re not just another pickup and delivery app. Our new take on wash and fold laundry and dry cleaning is simple. We obsess over every detail throughout the cleaning process because, as you know, cleaning your clothes is an art — not a science.

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Have you ever wondered if choosing the wrong temperature setting on your washing machine can ruin your clothes? Or which temperature is the best for different types of fabrics?

How to Find the Best Washing Machine Temperature Settings for Clean Laundry

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Why the Right Washing Machine Temperature Matters for Laundry

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Does it matter what the temperature is when washing a load of laundry? Yes, it does! Fabric, condition, and detergent all play a part.

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Should the Washing Machine Temperature Consistent for Every Load? No! This is a crucial bit of information your grandma probably knows but was somehow lost in generational translation.

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Can’t you just set it and forget it? This is a common practice in most homes but one that will end up wasting money on unnecessary utility costs and could also damage your clothes.

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Why not? Incorrect temperature settings can leave odor-causing bacteria and cause clothes to wear out more quickly. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know to save money and keep clothes looking fresh!

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Choosing the right temperature setting can help preserve the color and shape of your clothing over time. Using too hot of a temperature setting can shrink clothes or fade colors faster than normal. Additionally, fabric softener can break down when washed in hot water which can cause it to build up on your clothing over time. If you’re using fabric softener, make sure to use a cold wash cycle instead!

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What’s the Big Difference When it Comes to Washing Machine Temperature?

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Most washing machines have a hot water setting of 130°F and a steam setting is even higher. Warm water settings range from 90°F to 110°F, while cold water is typically between 60°F and 80°F.

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Most washing machines have three main temperature settings: cold, warm, and hot.

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Cold water is perfect for washing more delicate items such as lingerie and hosiery.
Warm water is great for washing most items like towels and sheets.
Hot water should only be used for items that are heavily soiled or stained, like jeans or bedding with pet hair or fur. It’s important to note that while hot water may seem like the best option for killing germs and getting rid of dirt, it can also damage certain fabrics such as dress clothes, athletic wear, and older cotton garments.

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So what temperature do you use? Let’s think about cooking a steak.

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Not all cuts of steak are the same and, even if they were, not all people want their steaks cooked the same way. Some steaks get cooked at high temperatures for less time while others are cooked at cooler temperatures (but not cold!) for a longer time. It all depends on the steak and the chef!

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Laundry is no different. We created these images below to help you out!

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Hot vs. Cold Washing Machine Temperature: Choosing the Best Settings for Clean Laundry

For many years, it was thought that the only way to get clothes clean was with hot water. Old-school washing practice was to boil them for hours. It’s amazing the washed garments lasted at all! Most had considerably shorter lifespans.

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Now we know that the type of fabric you’re washing plays a big part in how it should be treated. Caring for your clothing, your time, and the environment all play a part in the change in thought process around washing machine temperatures.

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1. Read Your Labels

If you want your clothes to last and still fit, take the time to read the care labels on each new piece. This should tell you the best water temperature as well as the recommended washing cycle. At 2ULaundry, we train our laundry attendants to know that “you can do more damage in a washer than you can in a dryer.”

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If you are taking the time and effort to read laundry care articles, you are likely very cautious about drying your clothes too long or at too high of a temperature to prevent damage.

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Remember, you can do more damage in a washer than you can in a dryer. Take time to read your clothing’s care tags. We suspect after reading these, you’ll start washing on colder washing machine temperatures…

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2. Sort Dirty Laundry Before Washing

This can be a tedious task but is one that will save you time and money in the long run. At 2ULaundry, we teach our laundry attendants to sort by the “Three T’s” – time, temperature, and texture.

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Sorting Wash Cycles by Time: Your more delicate garments that are less soiled require shorter and colder wash cycles. Laundry that is heavier and more soiled (like jeans and towels) requires more time and warmer temperatures.
Sorting Wash Cycles by Temperature: This is where care labels come in. Your initial sort will get you started, now you are making sure nothing in the warmer washing machine temperature requires colder washing machine temperatures by checking the garment care tags.
Sorting Wash Cycles by Texture: By now, texture has likely worked itself out. However, if you have any thicker textured garments, these need longer wash cycles and warmer washing machine temperatures. The opposite is true for more slick textured garments like leggings, workout gear, etc. These lighter textured garments require shorter wash cycles and colder washing machine temperatures.

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On top of general clothing care, this sorting practice will reduce lint and prevent color bleed by keeping similar items together. You might save some money on your energy bills too!

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3. Water Temperature Guidelines for Your Washing Machine

Thanks to improvements in modern washing machine technology and improvements to detergent performance, cold water is king! Cold water washing machine temperature is recommended for the average laundry load, but there are times when a little heat is necessary.

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Hot Water Washing Machine Temperature

If your garment or item needs to be sanitized or aggressive stain removal is required, opt for hot water. This is ideal for white cotton, undergarments, household towels, bed linens, and workwear. Keep in mind that always washing in hot water can cause shrinkage, fade bright colors, and set protein stains.

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Warm Water Washing Machine Temperature

Warm water is best for lightly soiled synthetic fabrics like spandex, polyester, nylon, and other blends. This setting makes it easier for detergents to dissolve and is more efficient than hot water. Like hot water, warm water can cause some fading and isn’t suitable for heavy stains or sanitation.

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Cold Water Washing Machine Temperature

A colder temperature is better for bright and dark-colored garments or delicate pieces. Cold water is the most energy-efficient temperature, saving you money in utility bills, and is less likely to damage your clothes. Stains should be pretreated before washing as cold water is less effective against heavy stains.

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Do Different Washing Machine Cycles Spin at Different Speeds?

Have you ever wondered why your washing machine has multiple cycles? Sure, some are for heavier loads and others are for more delicate fabrics—but do they spin differently? The answer is yes! Washing machines spin at different speeds depending on the cycle. Let’s take a closer look.

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Most modern washing machines have two motors, one to wash and one to spin. When the washer is in a certain cycle, it uses both motors to run the system. Depending on the type of load being washed or dried, each motor works differently. During a delicate cycle, for example, the motors will use less energy so that fragile items won’t be damaged from high-speed spinning. On a heavy-duty cycle, however, the speed will increase so that items can be thoroughly cleaned and dried within the same amount of time.

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Programmable Spin Cycles

Some newer models offer programmable spin cycles, allowing you to adjust the speed of spinning manually. This can be useful if you need to adjust for different types of clothes or fabrics – like wool sweaters or silk lingerie – which require a slower spinning speed than jeans or towels. You can also use this feature if you want your clothes to come out slightly damp after spinning to reduce ironing time later on.

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Understanding Load Size

It’s important to understand that your washing machine’s spin speed will also depend on how full the drum is as well as what type of fabric is inside. If you overload your washing machine with too much laundry, it won’t be able to properly spin all of it at once; instead, it may end up just tumbling around in circles without achieving any real cleaning action. Additionally, heavy items like blankets and coats should not be placed in with lighter garments such as underwear; this could cause uneven loading and damage your washer over time.

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Need Some help from a Laundry Delivery Service?

Knowing what temperature to choose when doing laundry is essential to keep your clothes looking their best for longer. Always read care instructions before washing any item; if not specified, then stick with warm water for most items and reserve cold or hot only if necessary. And remember—cold water will always save energy compared to warmer temperatures! Now that you know how to use different settings on your washing machine correctly, you’ll never have to worry about accidentally ruining something in the laundry again.

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Tired of dealing with laundry? Leave it to the pros at 2ULaundry! 2ULaundry is the laundry delivery service that lets you skip laundry day and delivers a fresh, clean wardrobe right to your door.

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Did you know that some of the clothes that you take to the dry cleaner are actually washed?

Launder Press vs Dry Cleaning: What's the Difference?

You’ve been to the dry cleaners or sent your formalwear to a dry cleaning delivery service before, no doubt. But, do you know the treatment differences between the services offered at the cleaners?

Most people don’t. They just want their clothes cleaned, pressed, and ready to wear. But, there are a few different treatment services that traditional cleaners provide to get your clothes cleaned.

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Let’s break down launder press vs. dry clean!

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What’s the difference between dry cleaning and launder press?

“Dry-clean only” is listed on a lot of formal, delicate, and natural fiber garments, but it looms large over most home laundry washers like a quiet threat. You want these items (usually expensive, high-quality pieces) to stay sharp, hold their color, and be handled carefully.

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When you send your clothes to the dry cleaner, it is sorted into two treatment types: launder press and dry clean.

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Simply put, the difference is whether the garments are washed in dry cleaning solvent or water.

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So, how does dry cleaning work? Dry cleaning garments are cleaned with non-water-based solutions and remain dry-ish. They are washed in a washer that does not use water – hence the “dry” reference – but the clothes do tumble in a solvent instead of water. There’s no water involved in the dry-cleaning process. Solvents are used for stain removal, and then each piece is pressed.

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The launder press process involves water, much like washing at home. Garments are washed with detergents in commercial machines and pulled out while still damp. Each piece is then pressed until crisp.

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Who Chooses the Treatment Type?

Most often, the cleaner will make the decision on which treatment each garment requires. If you have a preference, you can let the cleaner know. Sometimes customers with sensitive allergies will opt for pressing instead of dry cleaning. However, if possible, letting the cleaner make a judgment on a case-by-case basis is typically best. After all, they are the experts.

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At 2ULaundry, we do the sorting for you. Our Dry Clean Bag is for both your dry cleaning and launder press garments. Our team sorts by treatment type before cleaning.

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When to Dry Clean

Dry cleaning is ideal for garments made of natural fibers such as silk or wool. Water washing these fabrics can cause damage and even ruin the entire piece. When they come in contact with water, these fibers become rigid, which can cause the fabric to fade, shrink, or become misshapen.

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When you have a garment dry-cleaned, it also goes through the “pre-spotting” stain treatment process which is sometimes the only way to remove certain stains. Each garment is examined to find any stains and figure out what caused them to apply the appropriate solution. Some experienced pros have decades of experience in pre-spotting and stain treatment and are in high demand!

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One of the most valuable tips you can arm yourself with before using a dry cleaner is to tell them in advance of any stains and what the source is. Grime, mustard, wine, and pasta sauce could all be treated differently and require a specific approach.

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When to Launder and Press

The launder press process is more gentle on fabric than the chemicals used for dry cleaning. Those harsh solutions can cause fabrics to break down more rapidly, shortening the lifespan of your clothes. The launder press process will remove everyday grime and tough stains but with gentler solutions.

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Traditional laundering is more effective at removing sweat and oil from garments than dry cleaning. The launder-and-press process would be the best option for cotton tops, blouses, or polos. You still get that fresh off-the-rack look after clothes have been washed when they go through pressing and hanging.

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Leave Complex Washing to the Pros!

Read your labels! If the care instructions don’t explicitly say to “dry-clean only,” your wardrobe will last longer with laundering and pressing.

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Premium laundry services like 2ULaundry take the time to check labels on your clothes to ensure your garments are treated properly, helping you maximize the longevity of your wardrobe. It’s okay to skip laundry day and get fresh, clean items delivered right to your door!

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How To Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

If you’ve got a knack for DIY projects and enjoy finding new uses for household products, you might be interested in making your own laundry detergent. While the idea of saving a few bucks and making your own laundry detergent might sound attractive, you might also be wondering what the process is like and just how effective homemade laundry detergent really is. If you’re curious about DIY laundry detergent and are dying to learn more, read on!

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Before laundry detergent was commercially available, everyone made their own. Hard to believe there was a time before being able to get whatever you need at Target and Amazon, right? As supermarkets began to stock laundry detergent, DIY’ing fell out of fashion as most people chose the convenience of premade laundry detergent as opposed to the cost savings of making their own.

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Today, families across the country are discovering just how much money they can save and just how much control they have over the ingredients they include in their homemade laundry soap. DIY’ing is coming back into favor. You can personalize your detergents in many different ways; essential oils, active ingredients, or even by choosing to create a liquid vs. a powder detergent. Below, we curated two base recipes to follow for laundry detergents, one liquid, and one powder form.

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Liquid Laundry Detergent:

To start, you’ll want to gather your ingredients. For this recipe you’ll need:

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1 cup of Washing Soda (click here to see how you can turn baking soda into washing soda, as they are two different chemical compounds)
1 cup of Borax
2 cups of liquid Castille soap
3.5L (15 cups) water
25 drops of essential oil (optional)

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Next, In a large pot, bring half of the water to an almost boil and dissolve the borax and washing soda before removing from the heat. Add in the rest of the water (room temperature) and liquid soap and stir to combine.

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Finally, after cooling, you’ll want to transfer your mixture to a closed container and add essential oils if desired. You can use something as small as a mason jar or as large as a resealable bucket to store the mix.

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Powder Laundry Detergent:

To start, gather the following:

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2 cups of Borax
2 cups of Washing Soda (click here to see how you can turn baking soda into washing soda, as they are two different chemical compounds)
1 bar of soap or 1 cup of soap flakes (preferably natural and unscented)
10 drops essential oil (Optional)

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Next, grate the bar of soap (if needed), combine all of the dry ingredients then mix in optional essential oils.

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Store this mixture in a sealable Tupperware in your laundry area for easy access.

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The last step of the process is using your homemade laundry detergent! When you use your laundry detergent, you’ll use it just as you would with any other detergent. For liquid, aim for about 2-3 tablespoons per regular-sized load of laundry, with a bit more for a large load. For powder, 1-2 tablespoons will be enough for an average-sized load of laundry. Remember, you’ll want to avoid overdoing it with laundry detergent to avoid any residue and unwanted odors.

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As you get more experienced making your laundry detergent you can experiment with slightly different formulas and with adding scents to your mix. Lemon, orange, and eucalyptus essential oils all make for a clean, fresh scent. In time you’ll likely wonder why you ever bought laundry detergent in the first place!

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Struggling to determine the right linen inventory for your Airbnb? Our guide helps hosts identify the optimal linen quantity to maximize guest experience and rental income, without overspending. Get proven tips to efficiently equip your property with just the right amount of bedding and bath linens.

How Many Linens Do I Need? Airbnb Host Tips for Ideal Linen Inventory

Want to increase profitability and occupancy from your Airbnb rental? Optimizing your linen inventory is a strategic place to start. Efficient linen management ensures a seamless guest experience and enhances your overall hosting performance in a competitive market.

This guide provides hosts with valuable insights on building the ideal linen supply. We'll share practical tips to calculate and manage inventory based on demand, streamline turnover, and elevate service quality. Whether you're looking to accelerate turnover, delight guests, or scale your rental business, our advice will help transform your hosting experience.

Follow our proven strategies to optimize your Airbnb linen inventory. You'll be able to unlock the full profit potential of your property and stand out from the competition.

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How many sets of sheets & towels do I need?

As an Airbnb laundry service, we recommend having three to five sets of inventory. But, it's always a good idea to have backups! If your goal is to have guests checking in and out frequently, having extra inventory will prevent you from rushing your laundry service at a higher price.

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Without the extra sheets and towels, your house cleaner will have to wait for 2-3 hours at their hourly rate for the in-house laundry to finish or try to rush an order, typically with extra fees, with your local Airbnb linen service.

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We always recommend starting with a minimum of three sets. Once you have recovered your investment, you can consider buying a fourth, fifth, or even sixth set. The peace of mind will be well worth it, and with this approach, you'll soon grow to have plenty in no time!

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We’ve selected our favorite Airbnb Linen products:

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Ghost Sheets

Ghost Sheets, the sheet set from Ghost Bed, is a durable linen set that is built to last. These TENCEL® sheets are a favorite among laundry services because they are easy to treat, wrinkle-resistant, and can withstand commercial laundry cycles.

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American Soft Linen Towels

The American Soft Linen Bath Towels are the perfect choice for Airbnb. The hint of geometry on its border adds personality to the towel without adding color, making stain treatment easy. The ELS Combed Cotton construction also ensures quick drying.

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Do I need anything extra besides sheets & towels?

Yes, you do! You have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in purchasing a beautiful rental property, so now is not the time to cut corners on inventory. Good, durable inventory to support your sheets and towels is critical for excellent Airbnb management.

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Mattress and Pillows: Invest in good mattresses and pillows as they work wonders for positive guest experiences. Pillows can make or break a guest's night's sleep, so spending a few extra dollars can make a significant difference in your Airbnb reviews.

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We recommend these products from Ghost Bed:

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Ghost Bed Mattress

Ghost Bed has incorporated “Ghost Ice” cooling technology that absorbs your body heat during your sleep, which then distributes it evenly over the bed.

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Ghost Bed Pillow

Ghost Pillow‘s memory foam core provides support and comfort. Most importantly, it comes with a zipper-seal casing to easily clean between guests.

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Ghost Bed Mattress Protector

Consider mattress protectors as insurance for your investment. GhostProtector is a great watertight mattress protector that provides peace of mind against any accidents.

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Makeup Towels: Provide makeup towels to save your hand towels. These designated "makeup" towels for guests prevent your white linens from getting stained with black mascara. We recommend these simple Airbnb makeup towels from Amazon.

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Additionally, you may want to consider duvet covers, bed skirts, and shower mats for cosmetic purposes. Consult your local Airbnb sheets and towel service for more suggestions specific to your location.

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What is all of this Airbnb laundry inventory going to cost me?

A set of sheets usually ranges from $120 to $175. If you're looking to invest in higher-quality linens, the cost may go up to $200 to $250. While there are cheap options available, we advise against buying thin, cheap sheets like Amazon Essentials. These will need frequent replacement, resulting in a negative return on investment. Look for inventory that is tough enough to handle multiple turnovers and the high-frequency cleaning that an Airbnb requires.

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Similarly, for towels, we recommend a GSM (fabric weight) between 400-600 and a price range of $30-$40 for a set of four. Choose medium-thickness towels in either cotton or microfiber. Remember, Airbnb guests want to get dry but may not necessarily want the thickest towel on the market.

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Consider working with your Airbnb sheets and towel laundry service to see if they offer any discounts with preferred vendors. However, be prepared for the upfront costs required to get 3-5 sets of good inventory.

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How does extra inventory help you save money?

Operating your Airbnb rental property with just enough linens for one turnover can make things difficult and expensive. It puts a strict timeline on yourself, your house cleaners, and your Airbnb sheets and towel service. Having enough linens to keep your property properly stocked will:

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Save money with your cleaning service.
Provide flexibility for your house cleaners regarding timing.
Ensure your guests never show up to a bed without sheets on it.

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Trying to stay ahead of guests and cleaners with a limited inventory can be incredibly stressful. Having extra inventory on hand is an easy solution.

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Quick tips for Airbnb linen inventory & management:

Brushed microfiber bedding is a perfect bedding solution for hotel-style Airbnb laundry.
Place just one pillow on each side of the bed with additional pillows in closets.
Use a duvet inside a duvet cover and wash just the duvet cover after each guest.
Keep additional covers, blankets, and quilts in the closet.
For most stays, one set of linens per pair of guests is sufficient.
Ask your guests if they need new towels, bedding, or an extra blanket. Emphasize that you do not like to be wasteful.
Consider grouping with other Airbnb hosts in your area to meet minimum order quantities from larger distributors.

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Ready to get started with Airbnb sheets and towel service?

2ULaundry is a premium laundry and dry-cleaning pick-up and delivery service available in Charlotte, Atlanta, Tampa, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Phoenix. Learn more about 2ULaundry and sign up on our website.

Tired of high linen expenses eating into your Airbnb profits? Get proven tips to cut linen service costs without sacrificing quality. Our insider guide helps hosts maximize savings with strategic expense reduction and efficiency strategies. Lower costs and earn more from your Airbnb property.

Cut Your Airbnb Linen Costs: An Expert Guide to Save on Linen Services

Tired of sky-high linen service costs eating into your Airbnb profits? With the right strategies, you can slash expenses and maximize savings without sacrificing quality. This comprehensive guide reveals insider tips to reduce linen costs so you can earn more from your rental property.

We spoke with experienced hosts to uncover budget-friendly tricks for minimizing linen expenses. From investing in quality linens to streamlining inventory management, we'll provide proven methods to cut costs. Implement our money-saving linen strategies and keep more rental income in your pocket.

With our expert guidance on reducing linen service costs, you can establish an efficient system that lowers outlays and boosts profits. Read on to discover actionable tips that help take the pain out of linen expenses. Soon you'll be running a lean, money-making rental business that smartly manages linen costs.

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#1. Hotel-style, fast-drying, white bedding and towels are worth the investment.

Hotel-style doesn’t necessarily mean hotel price. After all, you’re not a hotel with the volume, purchasing power, or budget. So what does hotel-style mean?

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Hotel-style means two things:

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Pure white fabric– This makes stains easier to treat and remove than colored options that can’t be bleached. It will keep your laundry in circulation longer AND keep your stain treatment costs down. The exception to this rule is black makeup hand towels.
Standardized size – Keeping your inventory sizes standardized will prevent you from purchasing frequent replacements. If you have large towels for the master bath and smaller towels for the guest baths, when one is permanently damaged or lost by a guest, replacing it can be a headache. You’ll likely need to buy more than one – even if you only need one. Instead, consider standardizing your inventory to 4-6 items from room-to-room and stocking extra of these 4-6 items instead of 10-15 pieces.
Double up on flat sheets instead of fitted sheets – While it’s not for all Airbnb hosts, stocking double flat sheets and using them as fitted sheets (by tucking under the mattress) can give you a safety net for inventory management. Instead of rushing to order with your Airbnb linen service for one fitted sheet, you’ll rest easy knowing you have a large inventory of flat sheets that can double as fitted sheets. If you are not going to double up, be sure to purchase enough inventory!

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We have found that GhostSheets by GhostBed are the perfect bedding solution for hotel-style Airbnb laundry. These sheets are quick-drying and easily stain-treated, making them the perfect balance between cost-efficiency, cleaning efficiency, and guest comfort. With the oversized top sheet and a 2″ GhostGrip elastic band around the fitted sheet, everything is strong enough to both 1) stay on securely, all night long and 2) withstand laundry service treatment at every Airbnb turnover.

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Just like sheets, there are many towel options. Airbnb guests want to get dry but don’t necessarily want the thickest towel on the market. Remember – hotel-style? The thinner the towel, the cheaper it is to replace and the easier it is to both treat for stains and dry properly. We recommend white, medium-thickness towels made from 100% cotton – these American Soft Linen Bath Towels are our favorites.

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Laundry Service Recommendations for the Best Airbnb Sheets & Towels

As a laundry service, we see a lot of sheets and towels. We recommend GhostSheets Bedsheets and American Soft Linen Bath Towels for all Airbnb laundry service customers.

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Ghost Sheets

Ghost Sheets, the sheet set from Ghost Bed, is a linen set that is built to last. These TENCEL® sheets are a laundry service favorite because they are easy to treat, wrinkle-resistant, and stand the tough conditions of commercial laundry cycles.

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American Soft Linen Towels

The American Soft Linen Bath Towels are the perfect Airbnb towel. The hint of geometry on it’s border adds personality to the towel without adding color – allowing easy stain treatment. The ELS Combed Cotton means it’s quick drying too.

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#2. Stock enough inventory so you only need to send laundry to be cleaned once every couple of Airbnb turns.

Miscommunication happens when things get complicated. If you’re operating your Airbnb rental property with just enough linens for one turn, you’re complicating the cleaning process by putting a strict timeline on yourself, your house cleaners, and your Airbnb linen service.

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Having only a few linen sets means you are constantly sending your linens for cleaning. And, with most Airbnb linen services, your cleaning costs will be more expensive at lower volumes. Buying enough linens to keep your Airbnb rental stocked with clean inventory for a couple of turns will help you save money with your cleaning service, allow your house cleaners some flexibility on timing, and make sure your guests never show up to a bed without sheets on it.

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#3. Keep your Airbnb laundry & linens locked away from guests.

If you’re an experienced Airbnb host, you know that your guests will open every drawer, closet, and storage bin that you have. And, if you haven’t experienced this yet, you will! This is especially true with guests staying more than one night.

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If you have your extra inventory or safety stock (see above!) stored in an unlocked closet, the extra inventory WILL be used. This is most common with towels.

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Lock them away in a place that only you, your house cleaning team, and your Airbnb linen service have access to.

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#4. Request bleach and stain treatment.

We’ve found that Airbnb guests have a lower tolerance for stains than hotel guests. It’s backward…but it’s also true. While staying at a hotel, guests understand that hundreds if not thousands of guests have used the linens before. And, this subconsciously lowers their standards of cleanliness. However, at an Airbnb property rental, their standards seem to subconsciously increase – operating under the illusion that it’s their own private, boutique rental.

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If your laundry is white – as this is what we recommend – keep it white by making sure your Airbnb laundry service knows to add bleach or whitener. Hotels use a 15% chlorine bleach – ask for that!

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With this, set your laundry service preferences with some consideration for allergies. We always recommend hypoallergenic detergent (detergent without perfumes or dyes) to help protect your guests from reacting to your bedding.

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#5. Know the difference between an Airbnb laundry service, a third-party provider, and a local dry cleaner.

Whatever you need – there’s an app for that. But, is that always a good thing?

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While you might not care who is delivering your pizza, you should care who is doing your laundry. With the rise of middleman apps that pair you with the closest, cheapest, (insert any other superlative here) service provider, you have no idea who is picking up, cleaning, and delivering your clothes. And, this likely changes order-to-order based on how the middleman app chooses to schedule your service.

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These providers even opt to send orders to individuals to wash in their homes instead of a professional company operating in a professional laundry facility like 2ULaundry does.

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Here is the rundown:

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You’ll want to find an Airbnb linen service that ACTUALLY does your laundry: It takes a simple Google search. You’ll find a couple of options of app-based middleman companies that shop your laundry out to the nearest provider. These almost always cost you twice as much as going directly to the source. When deciding on an Airbnb laundry service, be sure to research or ask who is doing your laundry.
Dry Cleaners vs. Laundry Services: There is a difference. If you thought the third-party middleman apps were expensive, dry cleaners typically cost 3-4x the price of a true laundry service. Dry cleaners specialize in high volumes of small garments. While your Airbnb laundry service focuses on small volumes of bigger garments – sheets, towels, comforters, etc. And, for the most part, dry cleaning your linens is a good way to expedite the wear and tear on them. Check both the linen care tags and your dry cleaning receipts before using a dry cleaner.

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#6. Charge guests for damaged linens and remove the damaged linens for circulation.

Stains must be removed from circulation! But it doesn’t have to cost you anything. By charging your Airbnb guest for damaged linens, you don’t have to all your profits on new linens. Or even worse – cycling the stained linens through as cleaned linens for continued use by your guests.

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A good Airbnb linen service will offer stain treatment AND stain management. Stain treatment is obvious but stain management isn’t always as clear. By asking your Airbnb laundry service to pack damaged or stained inventory separately from the rest of your clean linens, you’ll have 1) an easy time making sure they don’t re-enter circulation 2) you’ll have easy access to pictures of the damage to show the guests that are responsible for the damage, and 3) you’ll know exactly how many items need replacing for a restocking order.

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And, if charging your guests seems like too much, be sure you at least leave yourself open to charging them by stating it in your Airbnb profile or rental welcome kit.

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At 2ULaundry, we know linens. We process hundreds of pounds of sheets, towels, and more every day for Airbnb hosts. Our service can be scheduled online for fast, contactless pickup and drop-off delivery the next day. Simply create an account or touch base with our commercial team, select your treatment preferences, and leave a note for any special requests on your orders.

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Ready to get started with Airbnb sheets and towel service?

Tired of smelly gym clothes ruining your workout? This simple guide gives you proven tips to banish stubborn odors and make your activewear fresh again. Follow our odor removal steps to refresh and revive your sweaty gear.

Get Rid of Stinky Workout Clothes for Good: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of your gym clothes smelling like a locker room? If you're looking for proven tips to banish stubborn odors and revive your stinky activewear, this guide is for you. We'll walk you through simple, effective odor-removal steps so you can finally say goodbye to smelly workout clothes.

Follow these easy methods to get rid of sweat smells for good. Our step-by-step odor removal guide will help you make even the stinkiest workout clothes fresh again. With the right techniques, you can keep your athletic apparel clean, fresh, and ready for your next fitness adventure. Let's get started reviving your gym gear!

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What’s so stinky?

Different odors require different cleaning methods, and the same goes for the clothing material itself. For example, some items may be severely stained and require a pre-treatment, like a stain and odor remover, bleach, heavy-duty detergent, or a DIY home remedy. Depending on the fabric and material, some items of clothing may not be suitable for washing machines and will need to be sent to a professional cleaner.

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To properly wash your clothes and avoid unwanted results, always read the label before washing or drying. Items like delicate workout clothes have specific instructions to be washed separately. Following these steps will help you maintain the appearance of your clothes and eliminate any future accidents. Always refer to these instructions before attempting to remove the odor for maximum results.

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Most workout gear is made with moisture-wicking performance fabric, which does an amazing job of sending wetness to the surface of the fabric to keep you cool and dry, but has extra nooks and crannies that cling to dirt and odors. Laundry detergent has a hard time penetrating those grooves, and can even trap the bad stuff. And since performance fabrics dry super fast, you might even forget just how sweaty your clothes got in the first place.

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Effective Tips to Freshen Up Stinky Workout Clothes

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Air your clothes out before tossing them in the hamper. Don’t roll up your sweaty workout clothes into a tiny ball and stuff them at the bottom of the hamper. Spread them out to let them air out and let odors dissipate before throwing them in the hamper.
Freeze them! Wait, what? Toss your workout clothes in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer until laundry day. The cold air prevents bacteria from growing and kills odor until you can do laundry.
Zip and button clothes to protect them from getting damaged. Workout clothes are delicate. Zipping up helps workout clothes retain shape and not damage other laundry.
Use mesh bags for extra protection. Loosely pack your workout clothes in the mesh bags so the garments have enough room to tumble properly.
Wash with cool water. This prevents shrinking and color bleeding. While hot water does help with odors, it will shrink your workout clothes.
Avoid too much detergent! This is an important one. Too many suds can trap odors rather than remove them. If there are too many suds, they get heavy and can trap dirt and bacteria into your garments.
Wash your workout clothes inside out. Flipping clothes inside out helps detergent work on the smelliest parts of your clothes. This helps remove underarm and undergarment odor.
Freshen up with baking soda, lemon juice, or vinegar. We do not recommend using fabric softeners on performance fabrics because they can clog the moisture-wicking fabrics. Instead, using a touch of baking soda, lemon juice, or vinegar can help get rid of smells.

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A laundry service you can trust with your stinky workout clothes…

Stop wasting your time trying to remove unwanted odors and stubborn stains from your workout clothes. Instead, leave it to the professionals. 2ULaundry is a laundry and dry-cleaning service you can trust with your delicate (and stinky!) workout clothes. We’re here to help you with all your laundry needs!

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Delicate fabrics? Hang dry options? You got it!

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Our easy-to-use laundry pickup and delivery service can be scheduled online for fast, contactless pickup and drop-off delivery the next day. Simply create an account, select your treatment preferences, and leave a note for any special requests on your orders. You no longer need to jump through hoops to get that stench out of your athleisure workout gear.

Learn how to wash bed sheets and linens like a laundry pro! Our 5 foolproof tips help remove stains, brighten whites, and keep bedding fresh. Master bed linen care with advice on washing techniques, cycles, and more. Sleep better on clean sheets using our essential laundry guide.

5 Expert Tips for Washing Bed Sheets and Linens Like a Pro

Want to wake up refreshed on clean, hygienic sheets? Your bedding absorbs sweat, skin cells, oils, and more while you sleep. This dirt buildup can lead to allergies, irritation, and even illnesses.

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Luckily, with the right washing techniques, you can eliminate grime and allergens from your linens. In this article, we provide five foolproof tips for deep cleaning your sheets and promoting better sleep. You'll learn the optimal wash cycles, stain removal tricks, and best practices for keeping bedding fresh between washes.

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Read on for 5 expert tips to banish odors, brighten dingy sheets, and protect your bedding investment. With deeper, more effective laundering, you'll sleep cleaner, breathe easier, and enjoy bedtime without worrying about unseen irritants.

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1. Treat Stains Before You Wash Bed Sheets

Before washing your bedding, it’s important to treat stains with a dedicated stain remover. Plant-based products are great options that are naturally free of dyes, chlorine, and phosphates. After all, do you want to rest your head on chemicals when you lie down at night?

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You can always try removing a stain by hand, but be aware that some stains can be very stubborn and persistent leading to discoloration of your bedsheets. There are also some home remedies like apple cider vinegar combined with water or baking soda that may help alleviate those stubborn stains if you’re looking for a natural route. It’s because of these stains that we recommend white linens. While white linens are easier to stain, they make stain removal much easier!

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2. Keep the Water Temperature Low

Lower temperatures are best for washing bedding. Most linen materials are sensitive, which means that higher temperatures can cause fraying or excess shedding. Always read the instruction labels before washing your bedding to prevent damage. Temperature settings at 80 – 100°F are ideal and will give you the best results. For better results, use a mild chemical-free detergent, as chemical detergents can end up damaging your nylon, linen, satin, or silk pillowcases and bedsheets if they are not administered properly.

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3. Turn Pillowcases & Duvets Inside Out

Turning your pillowcases and duvet inside out keeps the material from shedding or colors from fading and helps thoroughly wash away any accumulated debris. This simple strategy will also prevent damage to the duvet cover, extending its life expectancy and ultimately saving you money.

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This goes for your regular laundry as well. Wash your clothes inside out to keep them looking newer and longer. This way, the inside of the garment takes the abuse and fading caused by the agitation, not the outside. Clothes get just as clean when washed inside out.

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4. Wash Your Bedding in Separate Loads

Breaking difficult chores into smaller parts makes any chore easier––especially washing your bedding. Instead of washing all of your sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and duvets at once, consider separating them into different loads.

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One option is to wash your bedding by room. Wash one room’s bedding before moving to the next to prevent laundry burnout! Or, maybe it makes more sense to wash separate loads based on the bedding type. This would mean one load of sheets, one load of pillowcases, and one load of duvets. This is how professional laundry services process your bedding because it makes folding and organizing the clean laundry much easier!

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5. Use a Professional Laundry Service

A professional laundry service can alleviate the hassle of laundering your bedding. Get started with a pick-up and delivery laundry service like 2ULaundry to simplify your laundry experience while maximizing your results.

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2ULaundry offers flat-rate pricing on all linen orders – delivered straight to your door. If washing your sheets frequently is something you’re interested in but have been putting off, try it out! And, get ready for that first night in new sheets feeling!

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Need Some Help Washing Your Bedding?

Take care of your bedding the right way with a professional laundry service. When it comes to top-quality professional laundry service, 2ULaundry can help you with all your laundry needs.

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We pride ourselves on our convenient and professional pickup and delivery services. How often should you wash your bed sheets? As often as you need. Whether you need weekly laundry services for your clothes or occasional laundry service to care for your linens and bedding, 2ULaundry has you covered.

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With fast, contactless pickup and delivery, special treatment preferences, and top-tier professional results, you won’t ever go back to doing your laundry again. Learn more about our services and schedule your first pickup today.

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Looking for the secret to bright whites? Our guide reviews the top bleaches and laundry whiteners of 2024. Discover which products lift stains and keep clothes looking new. With our expert picks, achieve brilliant results and elevate your laundry.

The Best Bleaches and Whiteners for brighter Laundry in 2024

Laundry Service Picks: The Best Bleach and Laundry Whiteners

Everyone knows that bleach can be used on your white laundry to keep it looking fresh. But, the world of bleach and laundry whiteners is so much more detailed than that. Here are the best bleach and laundry whiteners – reviewed by laundry experts!

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You have some whites that aren’t looking so white anymore. What do you do? Most people reach for the bottle of Clorox bleach.

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Don’t do that! You can do better. Using a bottle of Clorox to brighten your favorite t-shirt is like using a tractor to pull one weed in your yard. You don’t need that much horsepower! And, that much horsepower can cause unnecessary damage.

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The problem is that most people don’t know the difference between bleach and laundry whiteners. There are also different considerations to make within the umbrellas of each.

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Unless you’re cleaning commercial laundry, you can likely skip the bleach and instead opt for a softer, more reasonable laundry whitener.

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This post will discuss the basics of laundry whiteners for use on your everyday laundry and linens. We will also go over everything you need to know about bleach and whiteners and the differences between the two. This guide covers what to consider while choosing either bleach or a whitener and the best laundry whiteners for delicate laundry.

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What is a Laundry Whitener?

Laundry whiteners are a type of laundry detergent that helps to brighten and whiten clothes.

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What is Bleach?

Bleach is the generic name for any chemical product that is used to remove color from fabric. It often refers, specifically, to a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite, also called “liquid bleach”.

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There is a serious range of products under the “bleach” shorthand name – ranging from simple laundry solutions to highly concentrated pool cleaners or wood stainers. In short, bleach is very powerful and can be very harmful to your laundry.

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What is the difference between Bleach and Laundry Whitener?

Bleach is a bulldozer and laundry whitener is a small gardening shovel.

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If you’re clearing 10 acres of farmland, you use a bulldozer. If you’re picking one weed in the small garden, you use a small gardening shovel.

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Best Laundry Whitener Recommendations for White Laundry

What is the best laundry whitener for my laundry? As a laundry service, we get this question all the time.

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What laundry whitener should you choose? With the growth in popularity of laundry whiteners as replacements for harsh bleaches, there are many laundry whiteners to choose from.

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You can get any random grocery store laundry whitener, but if you’re looking for expert advice on choosing the best one for your needs, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our most popular laundry whiteners:

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White Brite Laundry Whitener

Remove stains from your clothes that bleach and oxi couldn’t get rid of using the White Brite Laundry Cleaner. This product can remove stains or yellowing due to iron or other impurities. You can also use this to remove red clay or soil stains. When it comes to washing white baseball pants and other white athletic equipment, the White Brite Laundry Whitener is a breeze.

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You should use this instead of bleach if you have any concerns about the safety of bleach on white or colorful clothes. Use it if you want your clothes to come out brighter, cleaner, and odor-free. It is compatible with septic systems and all types of washing machines.

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Molly’s Suds Natural Oxygen Whitener

You can use Molly’s Suds Natural Oxygen Whitener without fear of harming your clothes or your loved ones. It is a laundry booster with 100% natural lemon essential oil instead of synthetic scents, dyes, and pollutants, and it removes hard water stains and oil stains from clothing. As an all-natural brightener for laundry, it prevents light and white colors from being yellowed or greyed while still preserving vibrancy.

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It’s safe for most fabrics, and the Oxygen Whitener cruelty-free laundry soap helps whiten and brighten them. It is used extensively as a stain treatment and multi-purpose stain remover.

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Mrs. Stewart’s Whitener

Mrs. Stewart’s laundry whitener is offered in the form of concentrated liquid for use in the washing machine. You can use this solution to remove stains from garments, draperies, and carpets. It is also effective on other types of fabrics.

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Bluette Laundry Whitener

Bluette is a laundry whitener made in the United States that comes in a 16-ounce jar. Don’t be afraid to use it on delicate things! Unlike other laundry products, it is applied at the start of the wash cycle rather than at the end. Because it contains no bleach, it is safe to use on both synthetic and natural fabrics.

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Which form of laundry whitener is better?

Laundry whiteners come in gels, sprays, liquids, and powders. For each of them, manufacturers give their recommendations. But, is one better than the rest?

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It’s all about where you are using the laundry whitener!

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A pocket spray or pen is convenient when you need to urgently remove the stain without a complete wash. This is ideal for travel or carrying in your purse. However, you might not have it on hand when you need it.

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Gels, powders, and liquids require soaking or are usually added to the wash. If you always use the same washer, buying a liquid bottle might make more sense than using pods. However, pods make more sense to someone who is carrying their laundry and laundry detergents to and from a laundromat or a community washroom weekly.

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Can laundry whitener turn all yellow clothes white again?

If your white laundry has turned yellow due to an excessive use of bleach, there is no way to restore it to white. Chlorine bleach is great for cleaning and disinfecting, but it can cause yellowing if overused or if used on white synthetic fibers like nylon, microfibers, or polyester. The bleach weakens the fibers and returns the synthetic polymers to their original color, yellow. There is no fixing this.

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If your clothes are dingy due to natural wear, laundry whitener will be a great solution and restore the color to white.

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Do OxiClean laundry whitener pods contain bleach?

OxiClean pods do not contain bleach. Like other laundry whiteners, they contain chlorine-free, non-bleach stain-removing agents. They do not contain bleach and they do not have the bleach smell.

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Which laundry whiteners are best for greasy stains?

Laundry whiteners differ in their purpose. There are specific types of laundry solvents designed specifically for removing water-insoluble stains like grease, oil, and cream. They contain oxidizing agents, salts, and reducing agents.

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To not ruin your clothes, carefully study the product instructions: what types of fabrics you can use the product on and what technology to wash with. Test the stain remover first on a small area. A good laundry whitener should remove grease and dirt, but not paint.

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Best Bleach Recommendations for Bleaching White Laundry

What bleach should I buy for my laundry? As a laundry service, we get this question all the time.

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What bleach should you choose? There are many bleach options to choose from. We want to make your choice as easy and convenient as possible.

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You can get any random white laundry bleach, but if you’re looking for expert advice on choosing the best one for your needs, you’ve come to the right place. No matter what your laundry bleach needs or your budget, we’ve done an in-depth analysis to include the top-rated options suitable for different needs and different budgets.

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Seventh Generation

This Oxygen Bleach is made for sensitive skin. The U.S. EPA Safer Choice-certified product contains safer ingredients for human health and the environment.

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Grab Green Pods

Bleach pods? Yes! Grab Green packs a big punch with a little pod! It does not contain any chlorine or hard chemicals and it is meant for both cold & warm water washing.

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Guard H Tablets

Great for travel or on-the-go use at a local laundromat, these bleach tablets are quick and economical. You aren’t paying for extra packaging or extra water.

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What types of bleach are meant for laundry?

The available bleach types can be divided into two main groups: 1) Oxygen Bleach and 2) Chlorine Bleach.

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Oxygen Bleach is the safest. It works best by mixing with hot water and pre-soaking your fabrics before washing them. Each manufacturer indicates the recommended time and amount on the package. If you soak things in oxygen bleach, it will not cause any harm to health and clothes. You can safely experiment with oxygen bleach at home since it does not have the same corrosive, toxic, and harmful properties that chlorine bleach does.

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Chlorine Bleach works faster than oxygen bleach. Be careful though, it works fast! Do not soak in Chlorine Bleach for more than 30-60 minutes to prevent damage. These products are the most affordable and have excellent disinfectant properties for cleaning toilets and removing mold. However, it is typically too much for personal laundry. Chlorine Bleach is very aggressive. It can be harmful to your laundry, your health, and the environment. The most practical laundry use of Chlorine Bleach is for commercial towels or linens – not your favorite t-shirt.

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What type of bleach is best for getting rid of stains?

Both remove stains.

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But… we recommend that you stay away from Chlorine Bleach if possible. Start with Oxygen Bleach. After bleaching with Chlorine Bleach, your laundry and linens will wear out faster and gradually turn yellow. While Chlorine Bleach will likely get the stain out, you will decrease the lifespan of the fabric and you will risk an irreversible yellowing.

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Oxygen Bleach makes things much easier! It is suitable for all types of fabrics, doesn’t destroy them, and it prevents the environmental impact of Chlorine Pollution.

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On top of being better for your laundry and linens, Oxygen Bleach is much more environmentally friendly when compared to its Chlorine counterpart. Oxygen Bleaches do not require high temperatures when washing, they enhance the effect of detergent, and they thoroughly rinse out in a basic rinse cycle.

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What is the best bleach for children’s clothes?

Do not use Chlorine Bleach with children’s clothes! We do not recommend using any bleach on children’s clothes. Chlorine is not just an unpleasant smell but can also affect a child’s delicate skin, which can lead to irritation or allergies.

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There are enough environmentally friendly and natural products available that you should not need to consider bleach on children’s clothes. Oxygen or all-purpose bleaches are usually chemical-free and work well on various stains. However, we recommend basic laundry whiteners for these items instead.

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Are homemade bleaches and stain removers suitable?

There are thousands of bleach recipes out there. They often use citric acid, peroxide, soda, salt, and other additives. These recipes claim that with just a few simple ingredients from your pantry, you can make homemade bleach that will brighten your whites and disinfect germs without toxic fumes or skin irritation.

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We have nothing against these homemade bleach recipes. If you are the type to do it yourself, go for it! However, be careful when choosing your homemade recipe.

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You can find anything on the internet. On the internet, we found a website that says that “tar soap can be recommended for bleaching baby clothes.”

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We would never endorse that. Folk remedies cannot replace a good stain remover or bleach, especially when it comes to removing traces of grass, blood, juice, or fruit stains.

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What are bleach tablets?

Bleach primarily comes in liquid form. However, it is available as tablets too. We recommend using liquid bleach products primarily. However, tablets are an option for those traveling or packing light.

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Most bleach tablet providers direct you with the following user instructions.

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Use one tablet for a single load (<20 pounds or one wash cycle) of white laundry. Like a detergent pod, you just toss it in the washer drum before starting the cycle. Drop a tablet in the washer before starting the cycle and wait for the tablet to dissolve first.

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If mixing in the washer drum is not an option, you can always dilute the tablet in water and then add the diluter bleach mix to your wash cycle. Dissolve one tablet in 3/4th cup of water and put this solution in your washing machine dispenser, then start your laundry.

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Our bleach tablet recommendation is GuardH Bleach Tablets.

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How much bleach should you use with a load of laundry?

It depends on the size of your load.

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You will adjust the amount of bleach you add to your wash cycle based on the size of your load, the size of your machine, and the soil level.

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Generally, you will add ½ cup for a residential washer. You will use 1 cup of bleach for washing machines that are over 30-pound capacity. These commercial washing machines are most frequently found at laundromats.

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If your white laundry is heavily soiled, you will increase the amount of bleach used by 1/2 cup. If you are increasing the bleach use, you will want to opt for the extra rinse on the washing machine. This extra rinse makes sure there is no bleach residue left on your clean laundry.

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Laundry Service Picks: The Best Bleach and Laundry Whiteners

You have some whites that aren’t looking so white anymore. What do you do? Most people reach for the bottle of Clorox bleach. Now, you know better!

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Consider using a laundry whitener or some of these recommended bleach alternatives instead of Clorox. Your favorite clothes will thank you!

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Unlock the secrets to washing delicate laundry with confidence! Discover expert tips and techniques to tackle even the most fragile fabrics with ease. Elevate your laundry game and ensure your delicate items receive the care they deserve. Read on for essential insights into gentle laundry care.

Delicate Laundry Care: Mastering the Art of Gentle Washing with Expert Tips!

It’s no secret that washing delicate clothing can be tricky. Sometimes the label doesn’t have washing instructions, and even if it does, it can be hard to decipher or you might not have the time or energy to follow every little detail.

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We’ve compiled some tips and tricks on how to wash your delicate laundry to give you a better idea of how to clean your more sensitive fabrics. For more washing advice, check out our other blogs!

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Hand Washing vs. Machine Washing – What You Should Know

When washing delicates, hand washing them is typically the best option. Hand washing is the most effective way to keep your delicates in the best condition and it also allows you to control the temperature and amount of pressure used at each stage of the cleaning process.

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It is important to note when hand washing, using a laundry detergent meant for delicates is important. In your sink or tub, combine the detergent with cold or warm water, and gently swirl your garments around the mixture. Remove stains by gently rubbing them as needed.

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While hand washing is typically the best option for protecting your delicate clothing long-term, we understand that hand washing is not always an option – and a lot of washing machines have settings that are fine for delicates.

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Washing machines typically include a “delicates” cycle, allowing you to save time and energy on hand washing. If your washing machine doesn’t have a setting meant specifically for delicates, make sure to put it on the gentlest setting option – typically with cold water.

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To Dry or Not to Dry?

When it comes to delicate laundry, it’s a good rule of thumb to avoid using a dryer and opt for air-drying instead. This is because dryers are notorious for shrinking and/or fading delicate materials. (We have a whole blog about drying your delicates too!)

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Be careful when choosing how to air-dry your garments. Some garments can dry by hanging on a hanger. However, drying on a hanger can damage heavier garments, like sweaters, because the weight of the damp fabric uses gravity to pull and stretch the garment down. A safer bet is to ‘flat-dry’ your garments by laying them flat to dry on a perforated surface.

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However, if you have a dryer with an air-dry or air-fluff-only setting, you could place your delicate garments in mesh bags and dry them for half a cycle (making sure to check the clothing label first to ensure this is okay), then lay your items flat or on a line to dry, away from direct sunlight.

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Delicate Laundry Detergents

When washing your delicates, you’ll want to be mindful of the type of detergent you’re using. Some standard laundry detergents may be too harsh for certain fabrics, causing them to tear, fade, or shrink.

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The best detergent for delicate laundry typically includes gentle ingredients and a pH that is close to neutral to clean without damaging the fibers of the fabric.

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Some detergents are designed to provide extra care for a specific fabric but there are also good all-purpose detergents designed to be extra-gentle if you don’t want to deal with purchasing multiple products. Just make sure to look for a detergent that is free of harsh synthetic chemicals such as sulfates, bleaches, and brighteners.

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These are some of our favorites!

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Dropps Laundry Pods

Made for sensitive skin, it comes in recyclable and compostable cardboard packaging, which helps reduce single-use plastic.

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The Laundress – Signature

The Laundress laundry detergent blends the finest modern perfume into the brand’s best-performing detergent formula.

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Charlie’s Laundry Liquid

Each bottle contains just four ingredients. There are no suds involved, just a deep clean that leaves your delicate laundry intact.

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At the end of the day, washing your delicate laundry does not have to be a stressful or difficult experience. You can keep your delicates in excellent condition for a long time if you add just a few extra steps to your regular laundry process.

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2ULaundry now offers a Delicate Laundry Bag!

You can now choose which items get which treatment! This Delicates Bag is a flat-rate bag that you can stuff full of your delicate laundry.

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The Delicate Laundry Bag is for your wash-and-fold garments that need gentle washing and air drying. For some people, it’s used for a few pairs of their favorite jeans. For others, it’s for workout gear and leggings. However you decide to use this delicates bag, rest assured that the garments in this bag are getting specialized and separate treatment from the rest of your order.

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No items found.

Service Announcement

Learn more about the benefits of a commercial laundry service partnership! You’ll save time and money on your business laundry.

Thinking About Doing Your Business Laundry Yourself? Think Again…

Whatever business you’re running, a commercial or business laundry service partner is one of the most important partnerships you can make. If you are still debating whether or not to take the plunge into a commercial laundry service partnership, here are some tips to help you learn more about the benefits of a business laundry service partnership!

The Top 5 Differences Between a Business Laundry Service vs Doing The Laundry Yourself

You wouldn’t hesitate to hire a plumber when the pipes are leaking, right? Would you hesitate to hire a web developer to help build and maintain your website, right?

Why would you hesitate to hire a commercial laundry service to help with your business’s laundry? Hiring a professional laundry service comes with plenty of benefits and perks – ranging from the equipment, process, and efficiency used. Let’s explore the 5 key differences between commercial laundry service vs doing the laundry yourself:

#1: Less Time and Hassle On Your End

With work, social, and family responsibilities contributing to your busy daily life, the last thing that you want to worry about is staying on top of your laundry chores. Lucky for you, all of the time spent sorting, folding, and transferring your laundry is gone with the help of a professional laundry service, all of which will save you time and hassle in the long run.

#2: Much Higher Load Capacity

The chances are your home has just one washer and dryer available to wash your linens in, which isn’t always enough to do all of the laundry needed for your business or family. Professional-grade washers can withstand much larger loads without the risk of breaking over constant use as a piece of at-home washing equipment would.

#3: Money Saved On Replacing Washer

There is no denying that the upfront cost of commercial laundry services is greater than that of an at-home job. However, it is important to note that there is ample money saved in other ways. Not only will outsourcing your laundry save you on the money it would take to replace an overused washer at home, but there is also no need to constantly purchase detergents, dryer sheets, and other smaller laundry fees that add up across the years.

#4: More Thorough and Precise Clean

Even if you’re using the best of at-home laundry techniques, there is nothing quite like the level of cleanliness accomplished through a professional clean. This is because commercial laundry services have stronger detergents and higher-quality washing and drying equipment to get the job done right and clear away pesky stains each and every time.

On top of that, the team of professionals found at commercial laundry services knows exactly how to handle a variety of materials, linens, and clothes to achieve the best clean possible.

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Service Announcement

At 2ULaundry, we’re committed to providing a quality...

Raleigh-Durham Service Update

At 2ULaundry, we’re committed to providing a quality experience for all of our laundry & dry cleaning customers, unlocking more free time with each pickup. The team has been hyper-focused on pivoting to still provide the same level of service while navigating the updates around COVID-19. Due to the unique set of circumstances that we’re all attempting to navigate, our team took a moment to assess the overall future of 2U.

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In January, the team rallied behind the launch of our third market, Raleigh! We have spent the last three months or so building out the team, getting our 2U vans on the road, and providing our customers with a best-in-class laundry & dry cleaning service.

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Unfortunately, we didn’t have quite enough runway to sustain and then grow a new market during these uncertain times. And as a company, we have to be able to provide a quality experience to our customers, which has proven to be more complicated as customer behaviors have adjusted. At this time, we have decided to suspend all service in Raleigh, indefinitely.

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2ULaundry will end service in Raleigh, effective Friday, March 27.

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Our last pickups in Raleigh will be Thursday, March 26.

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This is an extremely tough decision that wasn’t made lightly. We wanted to fully understand the impact on our team and the lives we’ve already changed before even considering the possibility of an exit.

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“And we haven’t totally given up on Raleigh, it’s still an exciting market for us. As we all figure out our new normal, the team plans to revisit our return to the Triangle Area.” –Alex Smereczniak

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As a startup, we were (naturally) excited about the growth and amped to get the chance to get our feet under us as we focused on expanding, changing the way folks take care of their clothing in an area as progressive as Raleigh. The full implications of COVID-19 are yet to be determined, but we plan to still be around for years to come. And our service suspension in Raleigh will help guarantee that for us.

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“Who knows, we may be back soon! But we wanted to give ourselves a chance to provide the best service possible to all of our customers while ensuring we’re setting ourselves up for future success.” – Dan Daquisto

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Thank you to all of those Raleigh customers that tried 2U since January. And those few customers who still have items in our possession have received additional communications about their delivery. Any outstanding gift card balances or bag bundles will be refunded for the total remaining value. If you have any questions along the way, our team is ready to support in any way we can. Reach out to us in our Mobile App, via SMS at 545-55, or email us at Care@2ULaundry.com.

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We look forward to continuing to serve our Charlotte and Atlanta customers for years to come, as we all navigate these challenging times.

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Alex & Dan, Co-Founders of 2ULaundry

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Service Announcement

At 2ULaundry, we’re committed to not only providing a quality service but also being transparent every step of the way. Currently, we are...

COVID-19 Updates

At 2ULaundry, we’re committed to not only providing a quality service but also being transparent every step of the way. Currently, we are following the developments around COVID-19 very closely and want to keep you updated on the measures we’re taking to protect our valued employees and our customers. We also wanted to provide our customers with the most recent information about service updates and impacted schedules. We’ll use this blog post as the main source of information for 2U’s response to COVID-19.

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Our Team

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First, we are advising any employee who feels any sign of the symptoms to stay home for a minimum of 14 days, based on the guidelines communicated from the CDC. With our unlimited vacation policy, our employees can focus on getting healthy and not worry about any financial impact.
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Additionally, we have provided employees with an excess of the items meant to help keep us all safer, including hand sanitizer, gloves, and face masks. We’ve also implemented increased usage of disinfectants to ensure a healthy and clean work environment in our offices and facilities.
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Pursuant to the North Carolina Governor’s reopening plan, all employees have their temperature screened and are asked a series of questions surrounding if they have any symptoms prior to starting work. We have also created more space within our facility to allow our teams to spread out more while working.

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Our Cleaning Process

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Thankfully, our current cleaning process aligns with the recommended guidelines for your clothing care. Both of our detergent options and the heat from our commercial grade dryers will continue to act as powerful disinfectants, as we clean your clothes. Here is an article we recommend reading covering five tips when washing your clothes in response to COVID-19.
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Our Service Plans

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2ULaundry has updated its service to varying degrees in our markets. Please continue reading below to find out up-to-the-minute updates in your location. In the locations we are still operating, we continue to maintain a focus on keeping our employees and customers safe.
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For any further adjustment to our current services, we will ensure you’re directly informed and also keep this blog post updated. We will also continue preventive measures like frequent (and thorough!) hand washing and more frequent surface disinfection.
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Our Schedule Updates

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If you have any scheduled services that are impacted by any updates, you will receive direct communication with more information and any next steps. However, if you have any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to contact our Customer Care team at Care@2ULaundry.com.
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Our Community

2ULaundry has partnered with Charlotte Medi to deliver more than 50,000 face shields and counting for local medical practices and health care workers in Charlotte. You can find out more about the initiative here.
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We are also providing a way for you to get involved with a Buy One Give One deal. For each face mask that you purchase from here, 2ULaundry will donate a face mask to frontline healthcare employees in Charlotte.

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Below is a current list of our city-by-city service updates. This list was last updated on Monday, June 1 at 9 am.
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Charlotte

There will not be any order pickups on Fridays. However, customers with a Thursday pickup will still get their order deliveries on Fridays.
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Atlanta

⚠ All services have been temporarily suspended, starting Friday, March 27. The final pickup for the foreseeable future is Thursday, March 26.

Raleigh-Durham

⚠ All services have been suspended, starting Friday, March 27. The final pickup for the foreseeable future is Thursday, March 26. You can read more about our announcement to exit Raleigh-Durham here.
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We want to remind you to adhere to the CDC guidelines during this sensitive time. Wash your hands, practice social distancing, and take advantage of the beautiful summer weather in a safe, responsible manner.

Additionally, we have a gift card offer for a 20% bonus on every purchase over $50 to help remove one more thing from your to-do list right now (or in the future!). We’re a small team, but we’re confident that we’ll come out of this ready to provide you with more free time and clean clothes to all of our amazing customers.
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If there’s anything we can do to help make this moment just a bit easier for you, please let us know by reaching out to our Customer Care Team at Care@2ulaundry.com.

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Customer Spotlight

Read about 2ULaundry Customer Lauren Palmer's strength and courage when her 2 year old son was diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

Customer Spotlight: Lauren Palmer

No one understands the gift of time more than Lauren.

When Charlotte native, Lauren Palmer, and her family found out that their young son, Jennings, was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood leukemia, an entire community rushed to support them in any way they could. Whether it was through home-cooked meals, grocery delivery, babysitting services, or prayer, one of the most significant gifts they received was the gift of time.
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Raising newborn twins who were born two weeks after her child’s diagnosis while striving to maintain a “normal” life for her then 4-year old daughter, all the while dedicating all of her “free” time at the hospital to be at Jennings’ side, there was never any time to focus on the day-to-day. A community of neighbors and community members collected a large sum in the form of a 2ULaundry gift card, and it was our privilege to match the amount to give Lauren and her family back the time they needed to focus on what mattered most.
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Flash forward almost two years, the Palmers have recovered and Jennings has made it through a major bone marrow transplant where his older sister, Caroline, was his bone marrow donor. It’s the strength and support she found in that trying time,that has made her a nominee for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year.
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We got to catch up with Lauren and talk about her family’s journey and understanding the gift of time through 2ULaundry.

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How did you come to learn about 2ULaundry?

I was pregnant with boy-girl twins in the Fall of 2017, I already had a 4-year old daughter and a 2-year old son. When you’re pregnant with twins, you get more uncomfortable a lot faster, and I was physically so tired all the time. A friend of mine (and 2U customer) told me about you guys and I started using 2ULaundry once a week as I prepared to welcome the twins.

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What was the moment when everything changed?

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On December 4, 2017, we found out our 2-year old son, Jennings, was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of childhood leukemia. That event started the period of time when 2U became such a godsend for my family. We have an amazing preschool community that just wanted to help, and one of the ways they wanted to help was through 2ULaundry!

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Do you remember how you felt when you received the 2ULaundry gift card?

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I can’t really articulate what a gift it was during that time. I was trying to care for a critically ill child but also raise twins, and try to keep my 4-year old daughter’s life somewhat normal. Being able to be freed up from laundry gave me the time I needed to focus on my family. We will be 2ULaundry customers for life.

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What does this LLS Woman of the Year campaign mean to you?

It means a great deal to us personally, because we have lived the nightmare of dealing with pediatric blood cancer. This campaign is our way of giving back big as a family and helping the next generation of children diagnosed with blood cancer. I am so thrilled to have 2U’s support in this endeavor.

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How would you tell other people about 2U?

Even if you can’t use the service, gift it. Whether it’s for a new mom or someone in a time of crisis, give them the gift of 2ULaundry. When people are in crisis, they don’t need stuff, they often need support with their day-to-day. This is a great way to do that.

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What are some goals your family has this year outside of the LLS campaign?

We are excited just to be a normal family and enjoy family time together like beach trips and camping and even routine things like school, which were taken from us when Jennings was sick. We are just thankful to a normal family with a healthy child.

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Lauren Palmer has been nominated for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year. Without help from 2U, her church community, and fellow 2U customer Jenny Helms, Lauren, and her family wouldn’t have been able to make it through such a difficult time.

To support Lauren and her efforts to ensure that all children get their survivor story, please help us in supporting her efforts by making a donation to her campaign for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society here.

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The language of laundry shouldn't be foreign.

Decoding Laundry Tag Symbols

As you prepare to wash and dry a new piece of clothing, you probably diligently check the tag for their care instructions, and while you know what ‘cold wash’ or ‘hang dry’ means, you probably don’t know what all the little symbols that often accompany these instructions on the tag mean. If you’ve always been curious about what those little laundry symbols mean, then read ahead because you’re about to find out.

Wash at room temperature.

One of the most common symbols you’ll see on a clothing tag is the wash symbol.

The washtub shape tells you how to wash your clothing. One dot signifies that it should be washed in cold water, two dots in warm water, and three dots in hot water.
The lines that you sometimes see under the washtub indicate what cycle to use. With two lines you’ll want to use a gentle cycle, and if you only see one line you should use the permanent press cycle.

Machine tumble dry on gentle.

Another common symbol you’ll often see on your clothing tags is the dry symbol.

This square lets you know the best way to dry your items without over-drying and damaging them. A square with a circle inside means machine dry. Circle only means dry clean.
If you see three vertical lines, you’ll want to hang your clothes to dry rather than use the dryer.
If you see a curved line, you should line-dry your item.
A horizontal line indicates that you should dry the item on a flat surface to avoid stretching or damaging it.
Most often you’ll probably see a circle in the square which indicates that you should tumble dry the item. If you see one dot you should do so on low heat, two dots and you should do so on medium heat, and three dots you should do so on high heat.
If you see lines underneath the square, you should know that those indicate which tumble dry cycle to use: one signifies permanent press and two signifies gentle.

Iron on high heat.

After drying your clothes you might wonder the best way to iron them. Luckily, there is a symbol that will tell you just that.

The “how to iron” symbol is an iron with dots to indicate the heat setting to use: one dot for low, two dots for medium, and three dots for high.
If you see an “X” across the iron you shouldn’t iron the item at all while an “X” across a jet of steam means simply means you should avoid steaming the item as you iron.

With these common laundry symbols decoded you should feel comfortable and confident reading any clothing tag that comes your way. And remember, when in doubt, be sure to read the tag (both words and symbols) in its entirety before you proceed with washing, drying, and ironing your item.

Easy steps to disinfect your washer and dryer so your clothes **actually** come out clean.

How to Clean Your Washer and Dryer

Your Washing machine cleans everything, so wouldn't it clean itself? Unfortunately, the answer to that is no. Your washer and your dryer need a little extra love to keep your clothes coming out pristine every time. But don't worry, we’re about to walk you through the simple steps to keep your washer and dryer germ-free.

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Washing Machine:

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How often to clean your washing machine:

Clean dispenser every 4-6 weeks
Clean drum once a month

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What you’ll need to clean your washing machine:

White vinegar
Chlorine bleach
microfiber towel
Bottlebrush

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** It is important to note that you should NOT mix chlorine bleach and white vinegar as it can create a harmful gas. Please make sure that your machine is thoroughly rinsed after each step.

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How to clean your detergent dispenser:

Heat 1 cup of white vinegar on the stove
Pour warm vinegar into the dispenser cup
Run a normal cycle with nothing in the drum
Use a bottlebrush to scrub the dispenser cups with warm vinegar

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How to clean your top-load washing machine:

Fill the drum with hot water
Add a quart of chlorine bleach to the water
Run full wash and spin cycle
Fill the drum again with hot water
Add a quart of white vinegar to the water
Run another wash and spin cycle
Wipe down the inside of the drum with a microfiber towel

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How to clean your front-load washing machine:

Add a half cup of chlorine bleach to the detergent dispenser and fill the bleach dispenser with chlorine bleach
Run a normal cycle
Wipe down the inside of the drum with a microfiber towel

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Dryer:

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How often to clean your dryer:

You should be cleaning your dryer every 4-6 weeks. Your lint trap might fill up faster, so check it frequently.

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What you’ll need to clean your dryer:

White vinegar
Water
Spray bottle
Microfiber towel

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How to clean your dryer:

Take out the lint trap and remove the lint
Use a mix of half white vinegar and half water to wipe down the inside drum

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Following these steps as often as stated will keep your machines in tip-top shape, so you and your clothes can be clean. Washing Machines and dryers can collect bacteria, mold, and dust if not cared for properly, and all of that can get into your clothes. So always remember, just because your clothes smell clean, doesn’t mean they are.

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This small tip may make all the difference in the world in...

Why You Should Always Turn Your Clothes Inside Out When Washing

Laundry day is often full of decisions: what detergent should I use? What cycle should I select? Should I separate all my colors or is it okay for some to go into the wash together?
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One question you don’t have to wonder about anymore though is whether you should turn your clothes inside out before washing them. While it might be a pain to turn everything inside out before washing and then right side out again while folding, experts say that you should absolutely turn your clothing inside out for washing.
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Check out the reasons below that inside out is far better than right side out when it comes to how your clothes enter the washing machine.
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1. It prevents damage to the outside of your clothing

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While the washing machine is great for removing stains and getting clothes looking and smelling fresh, clothing items can take quite a beating while they’re actually in the machine.
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Protect your items from fading and other damage by making sure that it’s the inside of your clothing, which no one will ever see, that takes the beating rather than the outside.

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2. It increases contact between the detergent and the dirtiest parts of your garment

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While we sometimes use the washing machine to get out tough exterior stains like coffee, grass or ketchup, most of the time we’re aiming to freshen our items up from the kind of dirty clothing gets just by being worn by a person.
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During a typical day of wear, clothing comes into contact with our bodies as they move and sweat, leaving them in dire need of washing. By turning your items inside out in the washing machine you can ensure that these sweat stains are coming in as close a contact with the detergent as possible.

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3. It prevents lint and pilling from occurring on the outside of your clothing

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Lint and pilling is a fact of life that occurs when clothing fibers fray or break. While washing your items inside out won’t prevent this fraying or breaking from happening, it will make sure that it only happens on the inside of your items, keeping the outside looking fresh and new for longer.

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4. It protects decorative elements of your clothing from damage

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If you’re a fan of sparkles and rhinestones, you’ll definitely want to turn your items inside out while washing. While most decorative items are attached pretty well upon purchase, they often become loose or damaged over time.
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Keeping your clothing inside out while in the washing machine can help elongate the life of the sparkles you love so much!

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While turning your clothing inside out before washing and then right side out before folding can feel like an extra step in an already arduous process, doing so will protect your items, help them get as clean as possible and ensure that you leave the house looking fresh and fashionable everyday!
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If you don’t want to worry about any of this, let 2ULaundry take care of your wash and fold needs!

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Can you never decide on which clothes you should fold vs which clothes you should hang? Read...

Which Clothes to Fold vs Hang?

As you organize your closet each season it can feel like endless questions arise: should you hang onto that sweater you only wore once last year? Where should you put your belts? What should you do with your out-of-season clothes?

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Perhaps the biggest question of all though, the one that truly shapes how you organize and access your clothes, is what should be folded and what should be hung.

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While this decision might seem tough to tackle, in reality there are clear rules for what should be hung and what should be folded: check out what the experts say below!

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What to Hang

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When you’re considering which items to hang, you might have to prioritize based on your available closet space. A previous post on organizing closet space can help with that!

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As a general rule, you should aim to hang anything made of delicate materials or that you want to ensure stay protected.
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Some items that should always be hung (or be prioritized when it comes to hanging space in the closet) include:
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Dresses
Dress pants
Blazers
Work or more formal blouses and tops
Lightweight or wrinkle prone items

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What to Fold

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When it comes to what items you want to fold it’s not just about what you don’t have room to hang in your closet- some materials and items store better and are less prone to damage when they are folded rather than hung.
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Whether you’ll be storing folded items on shelves in your closet, on a garment rack or in a dresser, knowing you’re storing them properly will help you feel good about your decision.
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Some items that you should always fold (because they don’t need to hung and will actually do better being stored folded) include:
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Sweaters
Sweater dresses
Heavy items with lots of embellishment (like beading)
Casual T-shirts
Jeans
Khaki pants

Whether you have all the closet space in the world or are trying your best to prioritize what gets space in your smaller closet, you’re going to have to make decisions about which items to hang and which items to fold.
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By following the guidance above you’ll be sure to make the right choice when it comes to what goes where!
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Here are a couple of more links to help you make these decisions: Martha Stewart Hang or Fold Clothes; One Good Thing Fold vs Hang.

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Read up on some pros and cons for when you should do...

When Should You Do Your Laundry?

Sometimes it seems like there’s no good time to do your laundry. If you start it in the morning, it can feel like you’re doing it all day. But, if you start it at night, you inevitably forget about it and have to start all over the next day.

Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, though, there are some clear advantages and disadvantages to doing your laundry at different times.

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Starting Laundry in the Morning

Starting laundry might not be number one on your want-to-do list but, for some people, it’s number one on their morning to-do list. Doing laundry in the morning has both advantages and disadvantages.

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PROS:

When you start your laundry in the morning, you’ll have the opportunity to get it all washed, dried and folded throughout the day and have everything back in its place before bedtime rolls around.

You’ll also have a little more wiggle room when it comes to how quickly you cycle your laundry though as forgetting for a few minutes wont mean you end up going to bed and forgetting to switch a load over until the next morning.

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CONS:

When you do laundry during the day time you might find yourself feeling tied to home and unable to go out to run errands or socialize as you’ll soon have a load of laundry to switch over.

Doing laundry in the morning and throughout the day is also often more expensive than running it at night as energy costs are at their highest during peak hours of the day.

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Starting Laundry in the Evening

For the night owls among us, starting laundry in the evening is often the obvious choice. Whether you choose to stay up late to switch a few loads over or wait until the next morning, there are pros and cons to starting laundry in the evening.

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PROS:

|When it comes to conserving energy, one of the most important things you can do is run full loads of laundry rather than half-full loads. At the end of the day, after gathering up everything everyone wore that day and tossing it in the machine, you’re more likely to have a full load than you would be in the morning.

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You’re also less likely to feel like you did all your laundry only to have more to do once everyone loads their hampers up with everything they wore throughout the day.
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CONS:

When you start laundry in the evening you commit to staying up for at least a few hours to ensure that everything that needs to be washed gets through the wash, dry and fold cycle.

While it might feel like nothing to pause your movie to make the quick switch from washer to dryer, staying up late can be quite the burden for some and forgetting can mean starting all over in the morning.

If you’re still undecided about when you should do your laundry, or you’d rather not do it at all, it might be time to consider a laundry pickup and delivery service.

Not only will your laundry return to you feeling fresh and smelling clean, but you won’t have to spend any time at all fretting about when to put it in, when to switch it over and when to fold it; and that is the biggest joy of all!

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Don't know where to start when organizing your kids' rooms..

Tips For Organizing Your Kids’ Rooms

If you have kids, you know how quickly a room can go from sparkling clean to total disaster area. Whether it’s the playroom, the living room or their own bedroom, kids have a way of making big messes out of even just a few toys.

If you’re looking for ways to help your kids successfully maintain organization in their rooms, check out the tips below!

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1. Install open shelves

If you want to keep toys and games off the floor, you’re going to need an easy spot for kids to store their favorite things.

Open shelves let kids display the items they love the most (like all those assembled Lego sets) while also providing them easy access for when they’d like to get them down to play with.

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2. Utilize the space under the bed

Instead of letting under the bed become a wild mess of dirty laundry and lost toys, consider investing in some storage options for under the bed.

If you’re upgrading your child’s room, look for a bed that has attached drawers underneath where sheets, blankets and extra pillows can be stored.

If your child’s bed does not have built in storage, consider investing in some rolling bins that can be filled and tucked neatly out of sight.

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3. Incorporate boxes, baskets and bins

While wooden toy boxes might not be as popular as they once were, the idea that kids need somewhere they can easily toss their playthings has remained.

Go shopping with your child and let them choose a set of coordinating boxes, baskets or bins that can be used to store toys, stuffed animals, dress up clothes or books.

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4. Keep it simple

Pinterest parents can no doubt find beautiful images of kids rooms in which toys are organized by type and color, books are shelved according to title and spotless art corners seem to invite creativity but, in reality, kids organization needs to be pretty simple in order to be long-lasting.

Help your child create easy categories such as “books,” “dress up clothes” and “blocks” and then assign them to a specific bin or spot in the room.

If you’re moving and want to keep it simple during an unpacking and organizing of your kids’ rooms, check out this comprehensive guide.

Kids love having their own space and taking care of their own books and toys. As a parent, you can empower them to keep their room neat and organized independently by providing shelves, storage and a little direction on how to keep the clutter at bay!

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Don't leave your dirty laundry sitting for weeks at a time! It could cause infectious diseases like salmonella, staph, and e. coli!

You Won’t Believe What Germs Live in Your Laundry

If you’re like me, you probably have a hamper full of damp and dirty laundry in your bathroom or closet. Some of our readers might even leave that dirty hamper sitting there for weeks. Am I describing you?

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Nooooo… You’d never do that!

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Well, for everyone else, it’s an awful idea to continue this bad habit. Here’s why…

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1. Fecal Matter

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Did this catch your attention? It caught ours! Dr. Charles Gerba, renowned microbiologist at the University of Arizona, said that

“The average adult undergarment has about a tenth of a gram of fecal matter.”

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When you add dark and damp conditions, this can actually be quite dangerous. Especially these days in the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak.

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2. Salmonella

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Every year, about 1.3 million people are infected with Salmonella, with 26,500 individuals hospitalized due to the infection and 420 dying from it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Contamination typically happens after infected feces comes into contact with animals, crops or water and people then consume or touch those items and don’t wash their hands. This makes you take our #1 a little more serious doesn’t it?

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Salmonella, aka Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium, can live in your dirty hamper for weeks as they don’t die off as fast as fungi or some viruses. So that dirty hamper of yours may be more dangerous than you think.

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3. Staphylococcus aureus

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This nasty bug causes staph infections. And if you’ve ever seen someone with a staph infection, you’d place your order with 2ULaundry right now! The worst part about Staphylococcus aureus is that it can survive for months as it’s extremely hardy.

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According to the Department of Health, It’s the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis. Although most staph infections are not serious, S. aureus can cause serious infections such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, or bone and joint infections. Did we mention this can live in your laundry?

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4. E. Coli

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Germs such as E. coli, salmonella, and Klebsiella oxytoca can cause pneumonia, skin infections, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially in people with compromised immune systems.

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In fact, this nasty germ can live in the place that you clean your dirty clothes. That’s right. Your washing machine rarely gets cleaned itself. And germs like E. coli are very tough, lasting for weeks inside your dark and damp machine.

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Experts say that the newer, eco-friendly machines are doing you no favors in this regard either. Because they generally wash your clothes on lower temperatures, it never gets hot enough to kill the bacteria. Therefore, it’s best to wipe it down every now and then with disinfectants.

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Check out the spring cleaning hacks below and your house...

Spring Cleaning Hacks

Ahh spring time, there’s nothing quite like the fresh scent of spring on the breeze, flowers blooming brightly in the garden and a fresh and tidy house for the new season. While the fresh scent of spring and blooming flowers might come naturally with the turn of the season, you’ll have to put in some work if you want the tidy house that spring calls for. Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up the very best spring cleaning tips and tricks to help you get your house under control with as little stress as possible. Check out the spring cleaning hacks below and your house will be spring-ready in no time!

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1. Make a list

Before you get started, it’s important to make a list of everything you want to accomplish during spring cleaning. Take a few minutes to inventory your household and either make a list of your own or download a handy one like 2ULaundry’s or like Hey y’all! 2ULaundry just put out a Spring Cleaning Guide with hacks from bloggers you may know around Atlanta and some of their other customers. Definitely worth checking it out! this from Martha Stewart.

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2. Clear your calendar

While you can probably squeeze your regular cleaning sessions between your other regular to-do’s and must-do’s, a spring cleaning session calls for a clear calendar so you can truly focus and get the job done without leaving any lingering jobs. Take a peek at your calendar, designate a day as your spring cleaning day and don’t make any other plans for that day.

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3. Enlist help

While a lot of people find deep cleaning relaxing and gratifying, spring cleaning can be tiresome for even those who typically love to clean. Instead of trying to do it all yourself, enlist the help of your partner, children or roommate to give you the helping boost you need!

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4. Clean by category, not room

When you clean room by room, it’s easy to accidentally carry piles of clutter from one place to the next without ever really getting rid of them. Instead of cleaning by room, make a plan to clean by category so that everything that gets clean stays that way. Start with a category like surfaces, floors or upholstery to get going.

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5. Make sure you have the right tools and products

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting into a cleaning groove only to discover that you don’t have enough furniture polish to get the job done. Before you start cleaning, take inventory of your products and make sure you have enough of everything to finish the job. If you want to be extra thorough of everything at home, look into downloading a home inventory app.

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6. Clean your cleaning tools

When you’re spring cleaning you want to make sure everything is truly clean and sanitized when you’re done. To do that you’ll probably need to do some pre-cleaning before you get started. Sanitize your sponges or purchase new ones, clean your broom, mop and vacuum and run a sanitize cycle on your dishwasher and washing machine before you ever start your spring cleaning session.

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7. Just do it!

Once you’ve made a list, cleared your calendar, inventoried your cleaning products and made sure your cleaning tools are ready to go, there’s nothing left to do but jump in and get it done! Take small breaks as you go but do your best not to get distracted and leave the job half done.
Spring cleaning is a major undertaking but, once it’s done you’ll have the benefit of living in a clean, organized space you can enjoy all season!

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If you didn’t come over here from our Spring Cleaning Guide page, make sure to download and print out the checklist from there so you’r...

More Spring Cleaning Hacks

If you didn’t come over here from our Spring Cleaning Guide page, make sure to download and print out the checklist from there so you’re on top of all your to-do’s this season. Since you couldn’t get enough of the tips from there, here are some more spring cleaning hacks heard straight from our customers!

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Julianne, one of our 2020 Timekeepers, has a few hacks that she and her family are keeping busy with to make their whole house clean. This includes sweeping the garage, organizing the pantry, planting flowers and seeds, washing their car, and even donating their extra clothes to 2ULaundry! Outsourcing the smaller tasks to her children while working cooperatively on the larger ones is a great way to bond with your family during spring cleaning!

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Lauren & Julie, 2ULaundry Legacy Brand Ambassadors have a couple tips for you as well. When the weather starts getting better, they use 2ULaundry to wash their winter clothes. Like every wash, dry, fold as well as dry cleaning orders, 2ULaundry returns them in airtight plastic bags. They like to store them until the next winter season comes around! You can put them away with the peace of mind that they’ll be clean when winter rolls back around. It’s a great way to keep clothes clean for months and seasons at a time!

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