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?

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

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One of the best parts of cooler weather is getting to add your favorite sweaters back into your wardrobe mix. Whether it’s a colorful printed sweater, a soft cashmere sweater, or a sweater dress that keeps you cozy all over, we’re here with tips on how to keep your favorite looks looking fresh. Check out the tips below for caring for your favorite sweaters.

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Store your sweaters folded.

While the shelf space in your closet might be limited, it’s important to give priority to your sweaters. The best way to store sweaters between wears is folded, as hanging them on traditional hangers can leave them stretched out and misshapen. You can either fold your sweaters flat and stack them on a shelf or roll them gently and store them in a drawer.

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Wash your sweaters carefully.

There’s no easier way to ruin a favorite sweater than to neglect to follow its care instructions. Whenever you get a new sweater, take a few minutes to read the care label and familiarize yourself with any special instructions. While it might be a pain to hand wash or dry clean your items, failing to follow their care instructions is a surefire way to make sure you never get to wear them again.

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Wash after several wears.

Like most outerwear, sweaters can stand a few more wears between washings than more delicate or intimate clothing. Layer your sweater with a t-shirt or tighter long-sleeved shirt underneath to prevent sweating on the garment and you’ll only need to wash it after every 3–5 wears. Between washes, you can spot-clean your sweater if you encounter any spills or mishaps that leave a visible stain.

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Let your sweaters air dry.

While it might be tempting to toss your sweater into the dryer with the rest of your clothing, doing so can result in a sweater that’s piled, shrunken, or otherwise misshapen. To dry your sweater, roll it up in a towel to absorb excess moisture as a first step and then lay it on a flat surface until it’s all the way dried. Some fabrics can take up to a day or two to fully dry so be sure you give yourself enough time between washing it and wearing it for it to dry all the way.

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Sweaters are a comfortable and cozy fall and winter staple that, if cared for appropriately, are likely to last season after season. This year, take the extra care and time you need to make sure your favorite sweaters look their best.

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

There are some things that every laundry room should have: detergent, spot treatment, dryer balls, and… white vinegar? While it might seem odd to bring a type of vinegar into the mix, it turns out there are lots of good reasons to incorporate vinegar into your laundry routine. Check out the list below for five reasons you should be using distilled white vinegar in your laundry routine.

1) It brightens your whites!

Nothing is worse than watching your favorite white t-shirt turn dingy and grey after a few wears. With a little bit of distilled white vinegar though, your whites will stay white over the years. Simply apply a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar and add a small amount to the softener compartment of your washer before you start your load.

2) … And keeps your darks dark.

Dark-colored clothing can often hang onto residue from soaps and detergents that leave them looking lighter and duller than when they went into the washing machine. Vinegar will erase this residue from your fabrics, leaving them dark or darker than before they were washed.

3) It naturally softens your fabrics.

While some people don’t mind artificial softeners, others prefer to keep things a little more natural in the laundry room. If you’re in the natural camp, you’ll want to consider adding vinegar in the wash as it naturally softens fabrics. If you prefer a scentless softener, simply add vinegar during the rinse portion of the cycle. If you would prefer a light scent, consider adding a couple of drops of an essential (lemon and eucalyptus are our favorites!) to the vinegar bottle.

4) It gets rid of mildew and odors.

Nothing kills odors like vinegar. If your clothes have a habit of coming out of the wash smelling of mildew, vinegar is your best bet for kicking the offending odors to the curb. To make sure the small is banished, fill the washer with hot water and two cups of vinegar and run a cycle before you run a second cycle featuring your regular detergent.

4) And it keeps your washer fresh!

You can’t expect your clothes to be cleaned properly if you wash them in a dirty machine. Keep your machine fresh and free of residue and soap scum by running a load with hot water and two cups of distilled white vinegar every couple of months.

While you might be used to using vinegar to cook or to clean around the house and banish offensive odors, it turns out it’s pretty handy in the laundry room too. Keep a bottle of vinegar handy in the laundry room and you’ll be taking your laundry game to the next level!

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

Stains: the universal inconveniences that keep us all a little humble. Whether you think they happen due to general carelessness or karmic retribution, stains do not discriminate and almost always seem to get us at the worst time possible. Though not all stains are created equal, we were able to reduce the stress of cleaning them by narrowing it all down to a few Dos and Don’ts:

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Do:

- Act fast!

- Blot excess liquid before treating

- Use an oxi-grade stain remover

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Don’t:

- Delay or put off treating the stain

- Scrub or press hard into the stain

- Dry the stained item if the stain is still present

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Need the specifics? We also got into the nitty-gritty (and gross!) and created a comprehensive guide to getting out just about every stain in the book.

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Blood

Rinse the stain with cold water immediately to prevent the stain from settling. Blot — don’t rub — to get as much of the blood out as possible. Then, dab with hydrogen peroxide.

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Coffee

Run the stain under cold water and cover the stain in liquid laundry detergent. Let sit for 3–5 minutes and flush with warm water.

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Chocolate

Remove any solid pieces from the stain. Cover the stain with liquid detergent and wash immediately.

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Deodorant

Make a paste from three parts baking soda and one part water. Rub the paste onto the stain and wash the item at the warmest temperature allowable.

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Grass

Apply a stain remover and let sit for 15 minutes. If the stain persists, soak the stain in a solution consisting of one part vinegar and two parts water. Scrub with a brush (we suggest an old toothbrush) and launder as usual.

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Grease

Saturate the grease stain in dish soap, let the spot soak for a few minutes, and then toss in the wash.

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Ink

Dab the ink spot with either rubbing alcohol or a solution of vinegar and dish soap. Launder as usual.

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Ketchup

Working from the backside of the stain, flush with cold water immediately. Pre-treat with a stain remover and launder as usual.

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Lipstick

Scrape off as much excess color as possible. Spray the stain with hairspray and let sit for 10 minutes before wiping with a damp cloth.

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Mud

Allow the stain to dry, then remove excess. Dilute a gentle detergent with water and rub on the stain to create suds. If the stain remains after laundering, apply a 1:1 solution of water and vinegar to lighten it.

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Paint

Remove the dried paint with a paper towel. Dab with a clean sponge using warm water and detergent. After the paint softens, remove it by scraping.

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Pet Urine

Dab with detergent and let sit for 15 minutes. Launder as usual. Optional: launder with apple cider vinegar if the odor persists.

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Poop

Scrape off any excess. Rinse from the backside of the stain with cold water. Pre-treat by soaking in warm water and detergent for 30 minutes. To disinfect, launder with bleach: chlorine for whites, color-safe for colors.

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Sweat

Use a pre-wash solution and let the stain sit as directed. Wash the item in the hottest water recommended for the fabric using an enzyme detergent.

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Vomit

Scrape off any excess. Treat with any stain remover and let sit for 30 minutes before laundering.

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Wine

Stretch the stained fabric over the opening of a bowl and secure it in place with a rubber band. Sprinkle salt over the stain and flush with hot water. Launder as usual.

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

While your closet is likely full of easy-to-care-for clothing items made from common fabrics like cotton, you might have a few items made from unusual fabrics that you’re not quite sure how to clean. (Pro-tip: when in doubt, just send it to the cleaners!) If you’ve got something in your closet that you’re not sure about, read ahead to learn how to clean unusual fabrics like silk, leather, and velvet.

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Silk

Silk is a delicate fabric that can be easily damaged if you accidentally wash it improperly. Knowing this might make you feel nervous to care for your silk items. If you follow a few simple steps, your item will come out of the wash clean, soft, and ready to wear again.

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Check your clothing tag for care instructions. If a tag indicates “dry clean only”, your best bet is to take it to a dry cleaner who can carefully care for it as they wash it. If it indicates only “dry clean” however, you can probably hand wash it at home without doing damage.

To hand-wash silk, first, fill a basin with cool water and drop your item in, fully submerging it.

Add a few drops of detergent and gently oscillate the water until the detergent is fully mixed and then let your item soak for just a few minutes.

Gently run your hands on the item up and down to slowly remove dirt and then rinse it thoroughly under running cold water.

Finally, remove the item from the sink, wrap it in a towel (microfiber towels typically work best) to absorb any excess water, and then hang it to dry somewhere out of the sun.

If your silk garment tag indicates that your item is machine washable you should still follow a few simple steps to ensure it comes out of the machine looking its best.

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Make sure that your laundry is properly sorted and that you’re not mixing silk with any heavier or rougher fabrics like denim.

Place your item in a mesh bag and load it into the machine. Choose a gentle detergent and set your machine to a gentle cycle.

When it’s done you can use a towel to remove excess water before hanging your item to dry.

Leather

If you have leather items in your closet, you’ve likely wondered how you can get your item clean without damaging it. Leather, while a durable material, is not meant to go in the washing machine and should be hand-washed to maintain its surface while still ensuring a deep clean.

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To hand wash your leather items you’ll first need to make a soapy solution with water and just a bit of castile soap or special leather soap.

Dip a lint-free cleaning cloth in the solution and apply gentle pressure as you slowly wash away any stains or dirty spots.

After you wash away the dirt and clear off the soap by using a lint-free cleaning cloth dipped in just water, you’ll want to let your item air-dry by either laying it flat or hanging it to dry.

If your leather item is especially delicate or pricey, you may want to consider having it professionally cleaned instead of taking on the task yourself. Whatever you do, it’s important to recognize that while some items might come out looking okay if you choose to use the washing machine, you’re always risking damage when you don’t hand wash your leather or have it professionally cleaned.

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Velvet

Velvet is a luxurious fabric that many people enjoy wearing during the cooler months and increasingly all year round. If you’ve got a velvet item in your wardrobe that you’re curious about how to care for, read ahead!

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Like all items, you’ll want to check your care tag before you make any decisions about how to wash your velvet clothing. While some items are machine washable, others are hand wash, dry clean, or spot clean only. If your clothing tag says that your item is machine-washable, you’ll want to select a gentle cycle with cold water and the spin setting on low.

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Turn your item inside out and place it in a mesh bag before putting it into the machine.

After washing, you can lay the item flat or hang it to dry and then put it in the dryer on the ‘fluff’ setting to ensure it looks its best.

Never iron velvet as ironing is sure to damage the fabric; if you need to get out wrinkles use a steamer instead.

If your velvet item says that it should only be hand-washed, you’ll need to fill a basin with cool water and just a bit of gentle detergent before gently oscillating it and rinsing it, and then following drying instructions.

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No matter which fabric your favorite clothing is made of, you want to be sure that it comes out looking better than it did going in after cleaning it. Following simple rules like always checking the clothing tag before cleaning your item can save you a world of trouble down the road. Further, using the directions above with your clothing made of unusual fabrics will help keep them looking their best!

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

While most clothing can be washed and dried at home, there are some items that you’ll always want to have dry cleaned. Luxury fabrics, from the heavyweights like leather and the lightweights like silk, should always be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning might seem like a simple (and with 2ULaundry, it couldn't be any simpler!) process, but it’s a delicate practice that you’ll want to ensure you get just right. If you’ve got a dry-clean-only item, follow the dos and don’ts below to ensure that it stays fresh and clean before, during, and after you take it to the cleaners.

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✅ DO: Research your cleaner before you go.

While it might seem like dry cleaning is a pretty straightforward process, you don’t want to risk anything (or anybody) damaging your items. Any regular dry-cleaning customer knows this well, sh*t happens so make sure to do a wee bit of homework by reading reviews and do a little research before you select a dry-cleaning establishment

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❌ DON’T: Leave your clothes in the plastic wrap indefinitely.

Leaving your clothes in plastic wrap might seem like a safe thing to do, but doing so puts your items at risk of mildew buildup and eliminates your clothes' ability to air out. Remove your items from the plastic wrap promptly and then hang them in an area with great ventilation so they can air out before going back into your closet.

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✅ DO: Take note of any special care instructions before you go.

While we all want to assume that the person dry cleaning our clothing will read the care label, reading it yourself in advance and sharing any special care instructions can help ensure your clothing comes back in top-notch shape.

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❌ DON’T: Hang the clean clothes in your closet right away.

While it might be annoying to deal with having plastic wrap in your closet, it’s important not to hang your recently dry-cleaned items up in your closet right away. Dry cleaning is a very safe but chemical-filled process and if you hang your clothes in your closet right away, you’ll be exposing the rest of your clothes to those chemicals.

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✅ DO: Keep track of your ticket!

While it might seem like no big deal to misplace your dry cleaning ticket, it can cause a major hassle for those who work at the dry cleaning shop as they try to locate your item without a ticket. There’s no perfect system in place to make sure items go home with their rightful owner, so safely store your dry cleaning ticket so that it’s accessible for pick-up day!

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Not sure if you’re down to keep up with all of the dry cleaning rules? No worries. With 2ULaundry, you’ll never have to worry about all the dos and don’ts of dry cleaning. Our expert team of Clothing Care Associates makes sure to check every label before it’s cleaned to your (or its) preferences.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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You may think that fabric softener on delicate laundry is a good choice, but it isn’t the best idea – some fabric softeners can cause certain delicate fabrics to fade, shrink, or start to pull apart.

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If you’re not sure whether or not you should use fabric softener on delicate laundry, it’s a good rule of thumb to check the label for washing instructions – or perhaps just skip it altogether to be safe.

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While fabric softener does have its benefits, there is a very specific way it should be used. This household laundry staple can cause damage to certain items if used incorrectly.

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There are a lot of different delicate types of clothing that people incorrectly use fabric softener on. Follow along to learn which delicates should avoid fabric softener and why. For more laundry tips, check out our blog!

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Down-Filled Comforters and Coats

Fabric softener produces a waxy film that can get caught on top of certain fabrics, such as down-filled comforters, coats, and blankets. This can cause damage to your clothing and can cause the color to fade or warp.

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It’s a common misconception, but fabric softener should never really be used on down-filled materials.

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Workout Clothes

This is another one that is a common mistake. You may think fabric softeners should be used on workout clothes to keep them comfortable, but workout clothes are typically lightweight and could be damaged by certain fabric softeners.

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A better option would be an enzyme detergent if you’re looking to give these clothes an extra type of treatment.

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Swimwear

Swimwear is another material where fabric softener could potentially cause more harm than good. Since swimwear is typically made of synthetic materials, fabric softener can cause it to tear more quickly.

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Additionally, washing or drying swimwear with fabric softener or conditioner could cause it to absorb more moisture, thus slowing the drying process and leaving it with a musty odor.

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Wools and Similar Delicates

You may think that wool needs fabric softener since it is a hefty material, but that is not the case. The heftiness of such materials is what gives them their lightness and fluffiness, but when you coat them with conditioner, they lose texture and warmth.

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Additionally, fabric softener can cause these types of materials to mat or fall apart, thus decreasing the long-term integrity of the fabric.

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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 Delicates Bag is for your wash-and-fold garments that need gentle washing and low-temperature or air drying. For some people, it’s a few pairs of their favorite jeans. For others, it’s workout gear and leggings. Rest assured that the garments in this bag are getting specialized and separate treatment from the rest of your order.

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

At 2ULaundry, we fold a ton of laundry. And, we’re really good at it! In our years doing laundry, we have learned that when it comes to caring for delicate fabrics, choosing the right laundry detergent is essential. This guide explores the best delicate laundry detergents for specific items, avoiding harmful chemicals, and how to get the most out of your wash while preventing fading, shrinking, and damage.

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What Is The Best Laundry Detergent for Delicate Laundry?

When washing your delicates, it’s important to pay attention to the detergent details and ingredients you’re using. Pretty packaging or convenient placement on the grocery store aisles doesn’t mean the laundry detergent ingredients are safe for delicate laundry. Most generic laundry detergents may be too harsh for certain delicate laundry 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, which cleans without damaging delicates. You’ll want to find a detergent that does not include any harsh synthetic chemicals like sulfates, bleaches, and brighteners.

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You’ll also want to choose whether to hand-wash or use the delicate cycle on your washing machine for your delicates. Whatever you choose, we’ve compiled some of the types of laundry detergents to use on your delicates!

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1. Detergents that are pH-balanced

A good rule of thumb when washing delicate laundry is to find a pH-balanced detergent. Dropps Laundry Detergent is a good option if you are looking for something pH-balanced.

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This detergent’s pH formula is hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, made from plant-based products and essential oils. If you use this detergent or one with a similar pH formula, you’ll be doing wonders for the longevity of your clothes!

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2. No-rinse detergents

If you’re washing your delicates by hand, no-rinse detergents may be a good idea. A nice and effective no-rinse detergent that we love is Soak. This is a great option because it requires very little effort, since you simply soak, squeeze, and dry flat.

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The detergent can be used to hand-wash almost anything, as well as in your washing machine, whether it is standard or high-efficiency. While most detergents are quite difficult to use when hand washing your delicate laundry, Soak is the opposite!

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3. All-natural detergents

All-natural detergents are great for delicate clothing since they’re free of harsh chemicals that could potentially damage the fabric.

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A good all-natural option is Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent. It is one of the purest detergents as it is made with a plant enzyme-based formula that is 99.9% natural.

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This detergent or a similar option is a great and effective way to clean and maintain the integrity of delicate clothes.

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4. Delicate detergents meant for specific types of fabric.

If there is a specific type of delicate fabric that you are trying to wash, finding a detergent meant specifically for that fabric could be beneficial.

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For example, The Laundress makes a detergent meant specifically for wool and cashmere. It protects the delicate fibers while also cleansing and conditioning them in a concentrated formula. They also have a delicate laundry detergent made specifically for delicate vibrant-colored garments.

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Washing clothes of a specific fabric type together is a great laundry habit – especially for delicate laundry. You can take that a step further by using specific delicate laundry detergents for different material garments.

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These are our recommendations for Delicate Laundry Detergents:

Dropps Laundry Detergent

The Laundress – Signature Detergent

Better Life Natural Laundry Detergent

Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent

Charlie’s Hypoallergenic Laundry Liquid

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2ULaundry now offers a Delicate Laundry Bag!

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

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The Delicates Bag is for your wash-and-fold garments that need gentle wash and low-temperature or air drying. For some people, it’s a few pairs of their favorite jeans. For others, it’s 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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2ULaundry is a premium laundry and dry-cleaning pick-up and delivery service available in Charlotte, Atlanta, Tampa, Austin, San Antonio, and Phoenix. Learn more about 2ULaundry and sign up on our website.

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

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

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

If you’re like most people, laundry doesn’t top the list of your favorite things to do. Whether laundry is your greatest nemesis or more of a mild inconvenience, there’s no avoiding it. Well, unless you avoid it, let it stack up and find yourself stuck with a big — dare we say, gross? — pile of dirty laundry that’s worse than you ever imagined.

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Before you reached the lowest of lows, there were probably a few small mistakes that snowballed the process along. Yes, doing laundry sucks, but putting it off to a breaking point is even worse. Doing laundry routinely actually makes the process a lot easier to swallow than a full weekend dedicated to the mounds that have been piling up. 

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However, there's another laundry setback you probably haven’t even thought of. Everything you use daily without pulling over your head or zipping up the fly still needs to be washed… for real. 

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Do you wash your sheets enough?

Studies show that how frequently people wash their sheets varies widely. While some people wash their sheets every few evenings, others leave them on the bed for months. Most people fall somewhere in between, washing their sheets less frequently than every week but more frequently than every month. To keep things clean and avoid grossness though, experts recommend that you wash your sheets every week.

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How about your pillows?

Have you been washing your pillows at all? For most people, the answer is no. While it might seem out of the ordinary to wash pillows, you use them as frequently as you use your bed. Even though a pillowcase covers them, that doesn’t stop them from getting dirty. Experts recommend washing your pillows every six months to keep them in tip-top shape.

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And your mattress pad?

While lots of people sleep with their sheets directly on top of their mattress, lots of others sleep with a fluffy mattress pad. If you have a mattress pad, you should be washing it every month or two to keep it nice and clean. Be sure to check your mattress pad for care instructions as there is a range of types of mattress toppers with a range of care instructions.

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Do you wash your bathmats enough?

Most people wash their bathmats every couple of times they clean their bathroom. In order to keep it clean and avoid any potential grossness, experts recommend that you wash it on a similar schedule to your sheets, every week or so. While it’s easy to forget, when you think about the day-to-day work of your bathmat (and its location in your home), it’s clear that this is an item that needs to be cleaned frequently.

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How about your dish towels?

Dish towels have a range of uses, they mop up spills, dry hands, and keep your kitchen looking fresh and clean. Because of their utilitarian value in the kitchen, they also accumulate all sorts of dirt and grime. Whether you think about it or not, most dish towels should be washed and dried after each daily use. By swapping out your dish towels daily you’ll keep your kitchen (and your hands) feeling fresh and clean.

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And your throw blankets?

Most people love cuddling up on the couch with a cozy throw blanket. Further, most people don’t think about how often they should be washing that throw blanket. Throw blankets can come in a range of materials so be sure to check the tag for care instructions before you toss yours in the machine every other week.

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Whether you hate it or just don’t love it, laundry is a part of life. Keep your life and home clean by ensuring that your non-clothing items are as clean and cozy as your clothes!

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

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

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

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

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Amidst the novel Coronavirus pandemic, you – like most of the world—are probably social distancing yourself right now, working from home, and possibly going a little stir-crazy. If you need a break from working, vacuuming, Netflix-ing, and scrolling endlessly through Instagram and Facebook, we have some ideas for you. And no, they aren’t the traditional ideas you’ve heard (baking, learning guitar, or reading). While all those activities are great for the potential weeks of isolation, we suggest that you take time to do some deep cleaning.

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We all (hopefully) wash our sheets once a week, our towels every 3 days, and our clothes as often as needed, but when was the last time you washed your pillows?

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Not your pillowcases – your pillows.

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When was the last time your couch got that scrub down it’s been needing? Never? Okay, well now is your chance! Stop putting those daunting tasks off and get clean!

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Washing pillows is something most people don’t think of doing, but do you know how much bacteria 1 pillow can harbor? A lot. More than your toilet seat. It’s said that 1/3 of your pillows weight is due to skin, dust mites and bugs – gross! Luckily, it’s easy to clean pillows!

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Follow these steps:

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1. Remove pillow case
2. Fill washing machine with the hottest water setting and your favorite detergent
3. When cycle is complete, rinse 2-3 times
4. Pop pillows in the dryer, or air-dry them
5. Put on (clean) pillowcases
6. Sleep like a baby

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Now that you’re done with your pillows, let’s move onto the couch. Yes, the couch where you fall asleep watching Sunday afternoon golf, the couch your kids have spilled food on, the couch you have spilled wine on, the couch that is harboring millions of germs, dust mites, and bacteria. This couch can also contain listeria, the flu-causing virus. Still want to Netflix-and-chill on that germ-infested comfy couch? Neither do we. So how can you clean it?

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1. Remove the couch covers
2. Throw those suckers in the wash – make sure you zip up the covers first!
3. Hang dry these guys – you don’t want them to shrink and be rendered unusable

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As for the part of the couch that can’t be thrown in the wash:

1. Mix 1 cup water, ½ vinegar, and 1 TBSP of dish soap in a spray bottle
2. Spray the mixture on the remaining parts of the couch (back, arms, large pillows that can’t be put in washing machine)
3. Let that mixture soak in for a few minutes and then gently rub back and forth with a soft cloth
4. Now just let the coach sit and absorb
5. Check back in an hour and make sure there aren’t any super wet spots
6. Once couch is dry, spray with your favorite disinfectant and finish with some Febreze (your family will thank you)

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We aren’t suggesting you waste time during these social isolation weeks. 2ULaundry is still running and still making laundry and dry cleaning dreams come true. Schedule your pickup today and have clean laundry and dry cleaning done tomorrow! Don’t risk going to the dry cleaners right now, let us do the dirty work for you. Stay home. And as always, stay clean.

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

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