The approach of winter brings the potential for all sorts of cold-weather fun. Whether you enjoy outdoor sports, like skiing or snowboarding, or you are more inclined to enjoy hot cocoa and a good book indoors, there are lots of reasons to love the cold. One winter challenge though? Cleaning and caring for cold-weather clothes that you want to last for more than just a season. Check out the laundry tips below for some of winter’s trickiest pieces clothing.

Cashmere sweaters

No matter what the tag says, it’s always best to hand wash cashmere. Additionally, to preserve its softness and shape, it’s best to wash it as few times per season as possible. Instead of tossing your cashmere sweater in the machine each time you wear it like you might other tops, consider layering with an undershirt whenever you wear it to help keep your sweater clean. When you do wash cashmere, hand-washing with just a few drops of Woolite or baby shampoo–as opposed to standard detergent–will prevent damaging the fabric and help keep it looking fresh. Never hang a cashmere sweater to dry. Instead, to avoid stretching, lay it flat and gently pat it with a towel before letting the sweater air dry.

Wool coats

Wool coats should be dry cleaned at the beginning and end of every season. If you wear your coat frequently, consider adding a mid-season dry cleaning session to your routine. In between dry cleaning, use a lint brush after each wear to keep your coat fresh. Remove any small surface stains by promptly and gently blotting the stain until it’s no longer visible–no rubbing!

Down jackets and vests

Surprisingly, down jackets and vests can typically be washed using a regular machine cycle with standard laundry detergent. When you wash your down jacket or vest, be sure not to add more detergent than necessary as it can cause clumps to appear in the down and prevent it from staying as fluffy as it was prior to washing. For jackets and vests with visible surface stains, consider soaking the item in cool water before washing. When it comes to drying, avoid using high heat as this can cause the jacket or vest to bunch up or dry in clumps. Adding a tennis ball or two to the dryer can also aid in keeping the jacket or vest fluffy.

Faux Fur vests, coats, and accessories

Faux fur vests are one of winter’s trendiest items. While some types of faux fur can be washed on a standard cycle and then laid flat to dry, others are dry clean only. Whether your tag says it can be machine washed or dry cleaned, you should always blot surface stains before cleaning your item and hang it promptly after drying to help it stay fluffy and soft.

Hats, scarves, mittens and gloves

Hats, scarves, mittens, and gloves are some of winter’s most misplaced items. To avoid misplacing your items as you care for them, always place them together in a landry-safe bag prior to washing. Depending on the fabric, some items–like cashmere gloves–should be hand washed and laid flat to dry while others–such as down style gloves or cotton based-scarves–can be washed and dried on a standard cycle.

While taking special care of your winter clothes can feel like it adds a wrinkle to your regular cleaning routine, taking the time this year will help ensure your clothes last until next season. And of course, the Clothing Care Experts at 2ULaundry can take care of all of your winter wear–and help you stay clean all year round!

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.

Hey there, laundry lovers! Do you ever find yourself staring at your favorite shirt or dress and wondering how you can keep the colors from fading in the wash? Fear not, because we're here to share some tips and tricks to help keep your clothes looking vibrant and fresh!

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Sort your laundry by color:

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to separate your clothes according to color before washing them. Sorting your laundry by color keeps darker colors from bleeding onto lighter ones, which can result in dull, faded colors.

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Turn clothes inside out:

Turning your clothes inside out before washing them is a simple but effective way to protect the outer layer of your clothes from rubbing against other items in the wash. This can prevent color fading, especially for dark-colored clothes.

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Wash in cold water:

Hot water can be harsh on clothes and may contribute to color fading. Washing your clothes in cold water is a gentler option that can help preserve the colors of your clothes, especially for bright or dark colors. It’s also better for the environment!

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P.S. 2ULaundry always washes in cold water to protect your clothes!

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Use a gentle detergent:

Some detergents contain harsh chemicals that can damage the fibers of your clothes and cause colors to fade. Opt for a gentle detergent that's specifically designed to preserve colors, and avoid using too much of it.

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Air dry your clothes:

Excessive heat can damage clothes and make colors fade faster. Consider air drying your clothes instead of using a dryer, especially for delicate or bright-colored clothing items.

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P.S. 2ULaundry always tumble dries on medium heat and uses sensors instead of timers to protect your clothes from unnecessary heat. We also offer a hang-dry bag to preserve your delicates!

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Skip the fabric softener:

While fabric softener might make your clothes feel softer, the chemicals in it may damage the fibers of your clothes and cause fading. Try using a natural fabric softener alternative like vinegar or dryer balls instead.

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And there you have six tips to help keep your clothes bright and beautiful. Remember, proper care is the key to maintaining the quality and longevity of your clothes, so put these tips into practice and enjoy your colorful and vibrant wardrobe for even longer. Happy washing!

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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 the proud owner of any dry-clean-only items, you might spend more time than you’d like to admit wondering how often you should get your items dry-cleaned. If you're curious about how often you should be taking common items like shirts and pants to the cleaners or stressing about whether you should really get your favorite suit or dress cleaned after every use, read on for our guidelines that will put your mind at ease and cut down your bill at the cleaners.

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Items to Dry Clean Every 1–2 Wears

While most items can go a few wears before you need to take them to the dry cleaner, some things should be professionally cleaned after every or every other wearing. This list includes your nicest shirts, blouses, and evening wear. While you might not notice any visible stains or marks, taking good care of these delicate pieces will help them last longer and wear better.

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Dry Clean Every 3–4 Wears

While blouses, shirts, and evening wear should be cleaned after every or every other wearing, the bulk of your apparel items don’t need to be cleaned that frequently. Most sweaters, skirts, pants, dresses, and suits can easily last through three days of wear before you need to take them in to be cleaned. If you see visible marks or stains between dry cleaning sessions you can either spot-clean your item using a dry-clean-only safe method or elect to take your items in to be cleaned a little sooner.

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Tip: You can also extend the time between sweaters and suits needing to be cleaned by wearing an undershirt with your item.

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Dry Clean Every Season

Some items, like outdoor jackets and outdoor coats, should be dry cleaned one to two times each season. While many people only get their items cleaned at the end of the season before putting them away for a few months, others find that they like that ‘just cleaned’ feeling that comes with getting their items cleaned at the beginning and in the middle of the season.

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Dry Clean Every 6 Months

While it probably feels like a treat to only have to take in jackets and other seasonal items once or twice per season, there are some things you don’t even need to take in that frequently. While you’ll need to clean the things you wear a bit more frequently, most of the things you use around the house like throw pillows, comforters, duvet covers, and bedspreads only need to be cleaned about every six months. Make a habit of taking your items in to be cleaned as you switch from your spring and summer decor to your fall and winter decor and it won’t even feel like a chore!

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Dry Clean Every Year

If you get your curtains dry-cleaned, the good news is that you only need to do so about once per year. Choose a time of year to do this consistently each year (like when you put up holiday decorations or do your spring cleaning) and you’ll never forget!

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With this handy list of how frequently you need to get different items cleaned, you’ll likely spend less time (and money!) at the dry cleaner. That’s a win worth celebrating!

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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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With the holidays fast approaching, most people are looking forward to good food, awkward table topics, lots of family time — but mostly good food. For some strange reason, we like to break out our best outfits at the dinner table, leaving them prone to the accidental stain. Whether it’s cranberry sauce sloshed onto your favorite sweater, wine on your favorite dress, or grass stains from your family’s annual Thanksgiving Day football game, we’ve got you covered.

Cranberry sauce

To handle a cranberry sauce stain, you’ll want to move quickly. First, scrape up the excess cranberry sauce with a spoon and blot the spot with a dry cloth. Next, spray the spot with cold water and blot it dry. After that, soak the fabric in a mix of white vinegar, water, and laundry detergent for 15–20 minutes. Finally, add a laundry stain remover to the spot and wash the garment in warm water.

Wine

Whether it was spilled by you or an overexcited relative, when wine is splashed or spilled onto your clothes you’ll want to take action right away to prevent the stain from becoming permanent. First, dab the spot with a sponge and cool water, then blot the spot dry. Next, add laundry stain remover to the spot and wash your item with fabric-safe bleach in warm water.

Grass

Grass stains are pesky any time of the year but can be particularly distressing if they’re on any of your favorite holiday clothing. When you notice a grass stain on your item, the first thing you should do is soak it in cold water. Once the garment has soaked for a few minutes add a little detergent to the spot and scrub it with a sponge or toothbrush. Finally, once the stain is no longer visible, wash your item in the machine on whatever cycle you normally use.

Mud

Removing mud from your clothing might be easier than it looks even if your first step is surprising. First, let the mud dry completely, as trying to remove it when it’s still wet can force the stain deeper into the cloth. Next, scrape away excess mud with a butter knife and then rub laundry detergent into the spot, letting it sit for 15–20 minutes. Next, using a wet toothbrush and just a few drops of water at a time, scrub the mud spot. As a final step, machine wash your item as you normally do!

Butter

Whether you spill while cooking or watch it drip onto you as you eat, a butter stain is no fun. The moment the spill happens, scrape up the excess with a spoon then blot the stain. Next, sprinkle the spot with salt to absorb the grease and then rub in some laundry detergent. Finally, wash the garment in the hottest water it will tolerate. If you follow these steps it’s likely your butter stain won’t stick around!

Gravy

Turkey gravy is delicious but can create quite the stain. To remove a gravy stain, start by scraping off the excess gravy with a spoon while it’s still wet. Next, saturate the area with a heavy-duty stain remover. Finally, launder your item as you typically would. If the stain remains after washing, soak the item in fabric-safe chlorine bleach and then wash it again.

Mac ‘n Cheese

Start getting rid of this stain by pretreating it with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. Next, rinse it out and then soak the item in a diluted solution of all-fabric powdered bleach. After that, you’ll want to wash your item as you typically would.

Pumpkin Pie

Nothing says Thanksgiving like pumpkin pie. As a first step to removing a pumpkin pie stain, pretreat the stain with stain remover and let it sit for at least an hour. Next, use a scrubber to gently scrub the stain. After that, scrub the area with some liquid detergent. Finally, wash your item on the hottest setting the fabric will allow for and lay flat to dry.

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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.

4 Signs That Your Laundry Service Is Worth The Investment

#1: Consistent Delivery Times

One of the major signs that your laundry service is the right fit for you is when there are no issues with the production and delivery logistics. Any good commercial laundry service has the ability to clean large quantities of laundry without sacrificing prompt and efficient service. Even better, many operations can even deliver your clean loads right to your business’s doorstep within a designated time frame!

#2: Time and Energy Saved

Saving on both time and energy is an invaluable part of any successful business operation. With the right commercial laundry service, you should find yourself saving on both of these important resources by removing any unnecessary laundry tasks from your routine.

In general, a good commercial laundry service is well-equipped to help you save on the manpower it would have taken to make washing machine repairs, purchase detergents and equipment, and complete the laundry tasks all by yourself. All of this time and energy saved allows your employees to focus on growing and improving more pressing matters of your business.

#3: Your Linens Are Softer and Cleaner

There is no denying that a good commercial laundry service offers superior cleaning to clothing and linen products. If your linens are consistently softer, cleaner, and less wrinkly than what you previously accomplished doing laundry in-house, it is most definitely a sign that your laundry service uses the best washing and drying methods possible.

Reputable commercial laundry services have the skillset to know exactly what water temperature, type of detergent, and drying techniques are needed to help your business’s linen materials look and feel their best.

#4: No More Laundry-Related Stress

Any good commercial laundry service should take all of the stress out of washing your linens. Not only will a service remove the stress previously associated with a broken washing machine or an overwhelming amount of laundry to complete, but it should also serve as a reassurance that your linens will be clean and stain-free in a timely fashion.

Work With 2ULaundry – A Good Commercial Laundry Service

If you’re missing out on any of the above promises with your laundry provider, it is the perfect time to switch to 2ULaundry. We promise to make your laundry day easy! Our commercial business program is specifically built to take the headache out of running your business. From boutique small businesses and national franchises, we work with commercial laundry service customers of all industries and sizes.

2ULaundry’s commercial laundry service is perfect for hotels, spa & massage services, gyms & health studios, medical professionals, and other small businesses in need of a delivery laundry solution. Flat-rate pricing and free delivery makes budgeting for your small business predictable & affordable. Ready to get started with your commercial laundry service?

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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Does leaving your clothes out for delivery seem strange?

It’s not! But, we hear it all the time. There is no need to be home for your scheduled pickup and delivery. In fact, most people prefer to just leave their clothes out for our drivers. So we talked with our delivery drivers to come up with some tips!

Our drivers operate on routes like UPS or FedEx. They have full routes all over the city. Because of this, we don’t offer custom delivery times.

We do however encourage you to add detailed pickup or delivery notes to your account. We’re happy to pick up or deliver to a designated spot to make this easier for you. And, this is how most people handle absentee pickups and deliveries.

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Tip #1: Keep it Simple & Consistent

Miscommunication happens when things get complicated. Our drivers are all W2, full-time employees that stick to their routes daily. Just like your mailman and UPS driver, our drivers get in a rhythm after they get to know your pickups and deliveries.

Instead of changing it up weekly, you’ll find better, more consistent results if you keep your designated laundry location the same from order to order.

Instead of: 

“On Tuesday deliveries drop off my clothes with my neighbor at 1234 Fake St. Unit B but on Thursdays deliver to my front door because my neighbor leaves early for yoga class. If you’re picking up before 11 am I’ll be home but if it is after 11am you can pick up my laundry from the leasing office – if they’re not out at lunch.”

Try:

“I’ll be leaving my clothes for pickup and delivery at the back door. Enter through the side gate and you’ll see the covered back door just up the stairs.”

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Tip #2: Choose a Hidden and Covered Spot

If you’re worried about your clothes, you’re only human. We care about your clothes just as much as you. And, we would hate to see anything happen to them.

Unfortunately, porch theft is a thing. And, while we have never had a stolen laundry order, you may want to make an effort to be a little discrete with your designated pickup and delivery notes.

If at all possible, choosing a covered spot will help prevent rain or sun from causing any headaches. What good are clean clothes if they're soaking wet? Our drivers do their best to find cover for your bags on rainy days. Help us out by detailing this in your address notes. It's important because 2ULaundry is only responsible for orders while in our care, so it’s best to add notes for a covered area to ensure orders are protected against any unexpected weather.

Instead of:

“Left the laundry bags at the front door.”

Try:

“Laundry bags are just to the left of the front door behind the blue porch chairs.”

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Tip #3: Leave a Note

Like, a real note! While we always keep your pickup and delivery notes as updated as possible in our system, a hand-written note helps our drivers find your where your laundry is.

A simple post-it note on the front door explaining where you moved your laundry to can prevent a driver from thinking you forgot to leave your clothes out and moving on with the route.

Instead of:

Leaving it up to chance or hoping our driver is good at hide and seek.

Try:

Leaving a note at the front door when you leave the house.

The note can say: “Hi, 2ULaundry! Love the laundry service! I moved the bags to the back door this time since it is raining outside. Please use my gate code on file to get access to the backyard.”

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Tip #4: Keep it Clean!

Keeping your laundry pickup and delivery spot clean might not matter much when we are picking up, but it DEFINITELY matters when we’re delivering your clean laundry.

By sweeping or cleaning your designated laundry delivery location, you’re helping us make sure that we deliver your laundry as clean as possible.

Instead of:

Keeping your clean laundry on a dirty front porch.

Try:

Giving the porch as quick sweep when you set your laundry bag out. This makes the laundry delivery process much more enjoyable!

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Tip #5: Use the Door Hanger

As part of your first Dry Cleaning delivery, you received a Door Hanger. This is yours to keep. Once you receive your Door Hanger, we need your help! This Door Hanger slides over your door and gives the delivery driver a place to safely hang your garments. It's like a Christmas Wreath hanger.

We encourage you to put your Door Hanger on your door when you leave your laundry out for us to pickup. That way, when we deliver your laundry, we don't need to hang your garments on the door handle or drape them over a chair. If there is no Door Hanger, delivery drivers do their best to deliver the hanging garments with minimal wrinkles.

Instead of:

Not using your Door Hanger.

Try:

Putting your Door Hanger on your door when you set your laundry out for pickup. That way, when we deliver, we have somewhere clean and safe to hang your garments.

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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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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