Laundry Tips for Washing Gym Towels

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Gym towels encounter a lot of bacteria during workouts. Properly washing them is crucial for cleanliness, hygiene, and gym etiquette. Follow these 6 research-backed laundry tips to keep your gym towels fresh, clean and bacteria-free:

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1. Immediate Washing

The longer you wait to wash dirty towels, the more time for mold, bacteria,  discoloration, and fiber damage to occur! Let’s face it, your gym towels are generally mopping sweat off of you, your members, or your gym equipment. It’s not a pretty purpose that they serve…and the longer they sit, the harder they are to sanitize and clean. Wash your gym towels separately from other laundry items and immediately after each use to prevent infection-causing bacteria and fungi.

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Gym Laundry Tip: If you have a washing machine on-site, try treating your gym towel laundry routine like a hotel linen service. When new admin staff, trainers, or janitorial staff start their shift, have them move the laundry along a step or two in the progression. If everyone does a little, there is never a lot left for one person!

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2. Avoid Fabric Softeners

Fabric softeners contain a high level of silicon which prevents towels from absorbing water and sweat, the two main functions of gym towels. What good is a gym towel if it can’t absorb sweat?

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Adding fabric softener to gym towels – or, really, any towel – is a big laundry mistake! You only need a strong and reliable laundry detergent to wash your gym towels. There is no need for an extra fabric softener coating!

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3. White Towels Should Get 15% Chlorine Bleach

Believe it or not, white gym towels are relatively easy to keep clean. If you use a professional gym towel laundry service, they will use 15% chlorine bleach on your towels. This is the same solvent mix used on hotel sheets! If it is good enough for the Marriott, it’ll be great for your gym towels.

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However, this bleach can’t be used on fabrics with colors. So, if you are picking gym towels, get either 1) pure white or 2) dark colors. Pure white towels can be bleached and dark colors hide stains well. Stay away from light and bright options.

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4. Baking Soda Wash & Vinegar Rinse

Maybe you’re doing the gym towel laundry yourself and don’t have access to laundry service chemicals, bleaches, or solvents. Not a problem, we’ve included some at-home tricks too!

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Similar to placing smelly items in your freezer, adding baking soda to your laundry can remove odors from workout towels.. It can also loosen towel fibers and keep your gym towels softer for longer.

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Add vinegar to the occasional wash, not more than once a month, to prevent detergent buildup. This will also remove odors and restore absorbency.

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5.  Gym Towels Stain Care

These are a few of the most common gym towel stains and suggested methods for removing them:

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Sweat Stains

Sweat can leave lasting stains, especially on bright white gym towels. Soak stains with a pre-wash stain remover and wash in hot water with a safe bleach, as noted above.

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Blood

Smashed fingers, nicks, or even falls can lead to blood stains on gym towels. When this occurs, immediately soak it in cold water and wash normally. If you weren’t able to wash immediately and the stain is dry, soak in an enzyme-based stain remover and wash as normal.

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Drinks

Soda, juice, smoothies, energy drinks, pre-workout, protein shakes, etc. They can all leave problematic stains behind. Using cold water, soak the stain and pre-treat it with a stain remover. Wash as normal.

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Cosmetics

Makeup comes in all shades and if not removed from towels properly, can leave stains behind. It’s important to pre-treat with a stain spray and wash as normal.

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Check out our Complete Stain Guide for more stain fixes!

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6. Wash Gym Towels In Warm Water

Washing gym towels in warm water is highly recommended for several reasons. Firstly, warm water is best for laundry detergent as it dissolves easily, leaving minimal residue on your towels. Additionally, it reduces the likelihood of color fading compared to hot water.

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Warm water is essential for removing bacteria, mold, and viruses from your gym towels. It's ideal for colored towels, whereas white towels can tolerate hotter water. However, it's important to know that washing gym towels in hot water too often can have negative effects, such as weakening the fibers, fading colors, and shrinkage.

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Given the short lifespan of gym towels, inventory replacement is a common practice for gym owners. Washing with hot water expedites inventory turnover but it guarantees clean, sanitized towels with every wash. Balancing the choice of water temperature is key to maintaining both the lifespan and hygiene of your gym towels.

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7. It’s Okay To Buy New Gym Towels

They’re not supposed to last forever. In fact, they’re not supposed to last long at all! If your towels no longer absorb sweat or water, even after trying vinegar and baking soda washes, it’s time to shop for replacements.

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Since gym towels are always being pulled from rotation due to damage, stains, or theft, it is important to have enough inventory on hand to account for this loss.

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If you’re operating your gym property with onlygym towels for one day, you’re complicating the cleaning process by putting a strict timeline on yourself, your employees, and your gym towel laundry service.

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Having ample inventory means you are constantly sending your towels for cleaning. And, with most gym towel laundry services, your cleaning costs will be more expensive at lower volumes. Buying enough linens to keep your gym stocked with clean inventory for a few days will help you save money with your cleaning service. Plus, extras will bring you peace of mind.

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Ready to get started? Why not get some help from a gym towel laundry service?

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Work with a Gym Towel Laundry Service

Get your gym towels treated, washed, folded, and delivered by 2ULaundry! Servicing commercial and residential service, you can skip laundry day and keep doing more of what you love.

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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, Houston, and Phoenix. Learn more about 2ULaundry and sign up on our website.

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Balancing the convenience of laundry service with budgets and schedules can be tricky. To help, we asked real 2ULaundry customers to share their best tips on seamlessly integrating a laundry routine into busy schedules. 

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How often do most people use a laundry service?

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1. Every Week

For weekly laundry service, just set it and forget it! 2ULaundry offers a weekly pickup option. Instead of logging into the 2U app to schedule a pickup every week, our recurring option allows you to pick a day and stick with it, every week. It’s similar to the recurring schedule that your pool cleaners, housekeeper, or landscapers offer for their services. You can create a recurring schedule with either our Pay-As-You-Go option or our Subscribe & Save option!

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“2ULaundry takes care of three-quarters of my family’s laundry weekly. We have a washer & dryer at home for the small stuff that is always needed like the kid’s school uniforms and soccer jerseys. The weekly recurring pickups are scheduled out for us just like the maid service and pool cleaners.” –Jessica B., weekly customer

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2. Every Once in a While

You never know when you might need laundry help. But, a recurring schedule or subscription doesn’t work for everyone.You don’t need to be on a recurring schedule to order laundry service with 2ULaundry. You can simply place an order as needed.

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“I started using 2ULaundry to help out my to-do list when we have stressful things on the horizon. It’s usually just before we have house guests in town, when my husband is traveling for work, or right before we are going on vacation. Now that I think of it, when we get back from vacation is by far my favorite time to order!” –Erinn P., uses 2ULaundry every 1-2 months

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3. Only with a Coupon

Do you love coupons? We do too!

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When our driver’s routes aren’t quite full, we’ll send a message out to customers in that neighborhood letting you know. If you schedule a pickup via text message reply, your order is automatically discounted. These discounts range from $10-$20 based on both your neighborhood and the number of slots remaining on the route.

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“I don’t mind doing laundry for our family! However, I always place an order when there are coupons. The Customer Support team will send texts a couple of times per month offering discounts because the delivery driver in my area needs more stops on a certain day. It is a quick way to save $10-$20 on the service. It’s a little surprise treat to myself. ” – Marriona A., uses 2ULaundry once a month

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4. Only Sheets & Towels

 Many of our pickup and delivery laundry service customers use 2ULaundry as a way to manage sheets and towels. Sheets and towels are harder to wash in smaller, residential washing machines. Plus, when we  fold them beautifully, unwrapping them is a real treat!

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“I keep three sets of sheets and towels for each bedroom and bathroom. When I’m on my last batch, I’ll schedule an order to restock my linen closet at the house. I’d like to think it’s once a season but it’s probably closer to once every six months. Oops!” – Tina W., uses 2ULaundry 5 times a year

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5. Only Kids Clothes

Sending your kid’s clothes to a laundry service is a serious parenting hack! Kids' clothes are always hard to fold because they’re small and they take a ton of time!

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Only sending in children’s clothing helps you save significantly when compared to sending all of your household laundry.

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“I really like using this for my kid’s laundry. That may not be conventional but it’s nice getting a head start on laundry every so often to help me never fall too far behind. Too far may be the keyword there. With my kids, I am always behind on laundry. 2ULaundry really helps!” – Amy P., uses 2ULaundry twice a month

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2ULaundry takes pride in making laundry happy for customers from all walks of life. By offering flexible payment options and personalized laundry preferences, we aim to accommodate anyone who is looking to take back their time. Whether you're a time-strapped professional, a bustling family, or find yourself somewhere in between, 2ULaundry can help!

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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, Houston, and Phoenix. Learn more about 2ULaundry and sign up on our website.

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Laundry Service Recommendations on Massage Table Linens

One of the most important decisions you make for your massage business is purchasing the right massage table linens. After all, they are one of the only products that come directly into contact with clients throughout their massage experience. High-quality massage table linens make a big difference! 

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Your linen choices and linen care say a lot about you as a professional. We’ll leave the massage expertise to you. However, as a laundry service that handles a wide variety of massage table linens, we have a unique outlook on the best types of linens. 

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Laundry Service Recommendations on Massage Table Linens

Selecting the right massage table linens for your business can be tough! It’s important to consider the launderability and wrinkle-resistance fabric traits we recommend. 

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As a business laundry service, we see lots of massage table linens. Here are our favorites based on longevity, wrinkle resistance, stain removal, and comfort!

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#1: Flannel Massage Table Linens

Flannel massage table linens are made from cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers.

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Most clients and laundry companies love flannel sheets! Flannel sheet manufacturers measure their products in weight instead of thread count – grams per square meter or ounces per square yard. The heavier the weight, the more comfortable the flannel should be. Also, the heavier the weight, the more wrinkle-resistant, As a laundry service, we hate wrinkles!

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When compared to 100% Polyester or Polyester Microfiber blends, the wrinkle resistance is unmatched.

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Flannel massage table linens do tend to pill because they are often made of cotton and synthetic fibers. To prevent pilling, do not wash linens in cold water or use harsh chemicals on stains– both deteriorate linen fibers. 

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Flannel Recommendations:

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Body Linen

Body Linen is Double-brushed, high-quality 100% cotton flannel. It’s a medium-heavy weight of 4.5 oz. that ensures durability through repeated washings.

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Earthlite

Earthlite’s premium 100% natural, unbleached, non-dyed cotton flannel is double-napped for exceptional comfort, warmth, and a soft feel.

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London Linens

Made of completely natural and pure cotton, London Linens do not contain any synthetic fibers. This prevents allergies and discomfort for the user.

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#2: Poly Cotton Blend Massage Table Linens

Polycotton sheets are a man-made fabric made of a cotton and polyester blend.

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A distinct characteristic of polycotton is that it doesn’t stick to the body like cotton does. It’s also woven to allow air to circulate. So, polycotton is generally cooler than cotton and flannel.

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However, the light nature of the fabric opens it up to wrinkles and damage. From a laundry service perspective, these are less wrinkle-resistant than flannel sheets but  more wrinkle-resistant than 100% polyester sheets. If you are not folding these within 15 minutes of drying, expect wrinkles.

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While Polycotton blends are better than 100% polyester massage table linens, they are considerably more work to keep wrinkle-free and have a shorter average lifespan than flannel massage table linens.

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Poly Cotton Blend Recommendations:

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London Linens

The strong material of London Linens can stand many more washes as compared to microfiber sheets! Less prone to pilling than microfiber sheets.

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Body Linen

Made from 180 thread count, this 55/45 Polycotton blend by Body Linen offers a cool and light option for massage table linens.

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#3: Poly Microfiber Blend Massage Table Linens

If you have a strong preference between Poly Cotton and Poly Microfiber, go with your gut here! We find them very closely ranked.

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Poly Microfiber is a synthetic fabric made from polyester and can feel similar to velvet or suede in its texture. It is softer to the touch than Poly Cotton – which leads to slightly more wrinkles.

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Compared to 100% Polyester and 100% Cotton sheets, these are relatively durable and easy to care for. You will be replacing them more frequently than Flannel Table Linens and you will want to grab them from the dryer quickly before they wrinkle. However, those could be costs you are willing to pay for the allure of silky soft table linens.

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Poly Microfiber Recommendations:

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Saloniture

Saloniture’s microfiber blend and ultra-light material provide soft, silky, breathable comfort for your clients.

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For Pro

The For Pro massage sheet set is made from ultra-light microfiber blend material and has a super soft and cozy feel.

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#4: Cotton Massage Table Linens

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Cotton linens are a popular linen variety for massage therapists. One of the greatest perks associated with 100% cotton blends is their low price point and incredibly soft feel on the skin. That being said, cotton is difficult to clean and has a much shorter lifespan than other materials on the market, which means it will need to be replaced sooner than other materials.

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These sheets are very light weight which means you can more easily manage them when doing laundry. If you are being charged per pound by a laundry service, these are slightly cheaper due to their lightweight nature. However, they will damage quickly. It might start to feel like you are always replacing your linen inventory.

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As a laundry service that has handled tons of massage table linens, we do not recommend cotton sheets. These are very sensitive to wrinkles and damage very easily! It is tempting to save on expenses when running a business, but we recommend not settling when it comes to massage table linens.

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#5: Bamboo Massage Table Linens

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There are many reasons you might choose Bamboo massage table linens. But, as a laundry service, we do not like them.

They are known to be one of the silkiest and smoothest fabrics to the touch, making them a perfect fit for the ambiance of a luxurious spa. The beauty of bamboo is that it is attractive to eco-conscious businesses and is one of the most environmentally sustainable materials. Bamboo is also found in conjunction with other sustainable ingredients, such as blends with hemp and soy.

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What bamboo adds in sustainability it lacks in functionality. Bamboo massage table linens wrinkle very easily and are difficult to remove stains from. For these reasons, Bamboo massage table linens rank very low on our laundry service scorecard.

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Laundry Tips For Massage Table Linens

At the end of the day, the perfect massage table linen is entirely dependent on your business’s budget, sustainability approach, and personal preferences. No matter the type of linen that you choose, it is important to keep in mind these helpful cleaning tips for long-lasting linens:

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• Hire a Commercial Laundry Service: Working with commercial laundry services ensures that your massage table linens have the most efficient and effective washes possible.
• Try to Avoid Bleach: Bleach is especially harmful on weaker cotton fabric and causes your linens to wear down quicker than desired. If you do want to use bleach, we recommend using a commercial laundry service that knows how to handle bleach on your massage linens.
• Tackle Oil Stains Quickly: To maintain your massage linens for years to come, it is crucial to always treat oil and lotion stains as soon as you notice them on your sheets.
• Determine Sheet Size Ahead of Time: Massage sheets tend to fit a table smaller han twin size and give a very professional appearance. However, if you have a bigger table or large bolsters, massage sheet sets may not fit your table.
• Decide On Color: There are lots of beautiful choices. Solids—especially whites—look clean and hygienic, but prints carry one big advantage over solids: they can help camouflage stains. But, do you want to camouflage stains instead of removing them? Plain white fabric is the easiest to remove stains from as a laundry service. On pure white massage table linens, we use hotel-quality bleach that safely eliminates stains.

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Get Started With 2ULaundry Today

Whether it’s cotton, bamboo, or another massage table linen material that you end up choosing, 2ULaundry can help with cleaning it all! We assist businesses of all sizes with their commercial laundry needs in Austin, Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Tampa.

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Delicate Laundry Tips for Resale & Resellers

Vintage is IN! Sustainability is increasingly important to customers and shoppers are now looking for that feeling of newness differently, whether through renting, resale, or reclaiming old vintage finds. That makes for a great market for clothing resale. But, resale is hard enough without worrying about laundry problems. 

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Just imagine: you go out thrifting to hunt for the perfect vintage jacket and boom – you find it. How great is that feeling!? But now that you have your new piece of clothing that you will enjoy or sell, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to preserve it.

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It’s always fun to find and wear vintage clothing, but you also want to maintain the integrity of the material so you can enjoy it for years to come or  flip it for profit. For most resellers, this is a hobby, but for serious resellers, delicate and vintage clothing is a job. You want to treat it like a business.

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No matter if you’re selling or buying used items, chances are you’ll need to give them a bit of a refresh so that they look and feel as good as new. But, you have to be careful not to ruin the delicate laundry in the wash.

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That’s why we’ve compiled some of our favorite laundry tips for vintage clothing care – highlighting how to preserve vintage textures and restore vintage clothes..

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Tip #1: The basics of hand washing

The best thing you can do if you are worried about damaging a piece of delicate or vintage fabric is to opt for hand washing and air drying. Hand washing may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. You can wash your clothes by hand in any sort of bathtub, sink, or bucket. Just don’t forget to clean and sanitize whatever you are using first!

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When washing vintage clothes by hand, always make sure to test for dye bleeding and shrinking by moistening a small spot of your garment’s fabric in a non-obvious place with your soap, detergent, and water at the temperature at which you will wash it. Allow the liquid to sit for a few moments before blotting the spot with a white towel. Embroidery and other embellishments should also be examined. Be sure to be careful and mindful when washing anything for the first time.

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When the fabric dries, you will notice puckering if the fabric is prone to shrinking andthis will let you know if you should continue washing your clothes by hand or if you need to opt for dry cleaning.

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If your test spot dries correctly, you should be good to go with your handwashing process, ideally followed by air drying on a clothesline or drying rack. 

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Tip #2: When to opt for dry cleaning

If you’re worried about maintaining the integrity of your vintage clothing, you may consider dry cleaning instead. Certain delicate fabrics that benefit from dry-clean-only services include, but are not limited to:

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• Fabrics that are prone to shrinking
• Fabrics with dyes that run
• Fabrics with special finishes that could be at risk of being washed out
• Clothing with inner linings, such as coats and suits
• Velvets and similar materials

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This can be expensive if you are reselling at high volumes. Adding an extra expense will eat away at your profit. Instead, try passing this cost along to the customer. Intentionally price your garments $5-$10 more so you can wrap in the price of having the garments professionally dry cleaned.

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Tip #3: Prepare the garment for resale

Presentation is everything! Retailers have known this for years but most resellers don’t put enough time and effort into their packaging.

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When it’s time for your vintage clothing to find a new owner, our best tip is to refresh your item before reselling it. Make sure to remove pilling, cut off loose threads, and steam it. If you are sending it to a professional cleaner, you don’t have much to worry about here, they can take care of that for you.

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You could finish off your item by using a discreetly scented fabric spray to give the garment a fresh scent. Some other tips are to include a thank you card with your branding, to wrap the clothing in gift wrap, or to add some sort of bow or ribbon to decorate the garment inside the packaging.

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Tip #4: You’ll close more sales with a better listing

When selling your clothes, you will generate more demand for your listings with great photos and a detailed description. This is Sales 101.

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Always write the specific brand and item name in your listing. Specify which material the garment is made of, especially if it’s a luxury material like wool or silk. Mention both size and measurements and describe the condition of your garment in detail. Always mention if there are stains and where they’re located, as well as any loose hems or threads that couldn’t be remedied.

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Remember to put some extra effort and include nice photos in your listing. Place your garment in front of a neutral background and use bright lighting for the best results. Here are some photo apps that might be helpful!

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Tip #5: Buy a steamer for use between washes

We recommend steaming your clothes in between washes and hanging them in a well-ventilated area overnight to remove odors. This makes your garments feel fresh and crisp again. Hanging them outside works well for this if you can. While it might feel counter-intuitive, fresh air is fresh air!

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Steaming will help in between washes and is much safer for garments needing delicate treatment.

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For denim, we would recommend using a fabric spray or putting them in the freezer once in a while to eliminate smells.

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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 & 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. 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 will clean your clothes according to your preferences and have them back to you in 24 hours! We’re pros, so we know how to take care of stains, smells, and more!

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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, Houston, and Phoenix. Learn more about 2ULaundry and sign up on our website.

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Want to elevate your massage business and delight clients? The secret is in the details - namely, pristine massage table linens. Impeccable linens make a stellar first impression and enhance the relaxing treatment experience. This guide reveals insider commercial laundry tips to keep your massage table linens spotless and soft, session after session.

We consulted industry experts to share key techniques for linen care, stain removal, and hygiene specifically for spas and massage clinics. Implement these pro laundry hacks, like investing in quality fabrics, washing with care, and promptly treating stains, to maintain meticulous linens that wow your clients.

Follow our guide to transform the cleanliness, comfort, and ambiance of your massage space. With our commercial laundry guidance for massage table linens, you can consistently uphold five-star standards and present a polished, professional environment. Read on to unlock the secrets behind pampering linens your clients will love.

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#1: Consider  Massage Sheet Material

No massage table linen performs the same way, which is why it is important to choose your material wisely. While it might be tempting to purchase the most inexpensive material, higher-quality linens that receive proper laundering are made to last much longer than cotton. We recommend considering a cotton-synthetic blend because it is easy clean, has better wrinkle protection, and offers a long shelf life.

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#2: Wash Sheets and Towels Separately

Do you think it’s ok to wash your towels with your sheets? Think again! Towel thickness can affect how long they take to dry in the dryer. Linens, typically a lighter weight, will dry faster than thicker towels. This means either towels won’t dry fully–which could lead to the formation of mold or mildew–or sheets will be over-dried resulting in damage and shortening their lifespan. Washing massage linens with towels can also mean that your sheets end up covered in lint, changing their appearance and texture.

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#3: Stain Treat YourMassage Sheet Stains

Massage oil and lotion stains are nearly unavoidable on your frequently used massage linens. To prevent these stains from ruining the appearance of your linens, it is important to tackle these stains quickly, ideally within 24 hours. A few best practices for stain removal include:

• Always pat, don’t rub, stains dry as soon as you notice them seeping onto the sheets
• Pre-treat stains before washing your sheets with the help of baking soda, stain remover, or soaking the sheets in water mixed with detergent
• While cleaning away stains, always use warm water with a cold rinse as opposed to hot water

#4: Say No to Harsh Chemicals

While crisp and bright white sheets are the epitome of a relaxing massage experience, this shouldn’t be accomplished with the use of harsh bleaching agents. Overall, bleach decreases your sheet’s durability and can be harmful to your clients if not properly rinsed from the fabric. Instead of bleach, we recommend mixing vinegar in your final rinse  for brighter sheets and reduced odors. .

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This also applies to laundry detergent. Are you using hypoallergenic or detergent that is specifically for sensitive skin?

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You never know if someone will react to the type of detergent you use. Instead of risking someone getting sick or breaking out in hives from the laundry detergent you use, opt for one that’s gentle on the skin. The easiest ones usually contain natural ingredients. Allergic reactions to laundry detergents are becoming more and more common. Most people can prevent laundry detergent rashes by using fragrance-free and dye-free detergents.

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#5: Manage a Balanced Inventory to Prevent Uneven Wear

We recommend a first in, first out inventory management system to prevent uneven wear on your sheets and towels. If you have a stack of 10 massage table linen sets and you use 8 each week, there are two possibilities:

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You place the 8 used sheets on top of the 2 clean sheets once you catch up on laundry. This means the same 8 sheets are getting used and accumulating wear and tear while your two unused sheets never get used. This creates an uneven balance and will create ordering headaches. This is known as last-in, first-out inventory management.

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Instead, try to stack your clean linens first-in, first-out. This means that those 8 cleaned linens get added to the bottom of the pile and the first two linens you use next are the two previously unused linens. With this strategy, all massage table linens have even wear and tear.

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#6: Use a Commercial Laundry Service for Preventative Maintenance 

One of the greatest investments you can make for your massage business is outsourcing your laundry to a commercial laundry service. Not only does outsourcing save you hours of completing laundry loads, but a laundry service also has the proper cleaning methods and equipment in place for a better clean, wrinkle-free dry, and perfectly folded linens.

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Commercial Laundry Service Made Easy With 2ULaundry

Ready to keep your massage table linens in the best shape of their life? Look no further than 2ULaundry. Working with our business laundry services is a surefire way to elevate your massage linens to the next level of cleanliness and quality today!

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Ready to get started?

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

Looking to add towel service to your gym? Implementing a high-quality towel service is a strategic move to enhance your fitness center's appeal and offerings. Our comprehensive guide explores the many benefits of a gym towel service beyond just cleanliness - from improving member safety and hygiene to boosting satisfaction and loyalty.

Unlike profit-driven gyms that cut towel services, providing this amenity makes a powerful statement about your commitment to an exceptional member experience. With in-depth insights on how towel services can optimize operations, cleanliness standards, and your brand image, you'll be equipped to unlock the full advantages for your gym. Discover how a top-notch towel service can differentiate your fitness center and create added value for your loyal members.

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Gym Hygiene and Cleanliness

Many prospective members consider a gym’s cleanliness before purchasing a membership. This includes restrooms, towels, locker rooms, and other parts of your facility.

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Towels are used to wipe equipment, mats, floors, and are used by your members when they get sweaty. By providing gym towels, you get to control the level of cleanliness. If you do not offer towel service, you have no control over the condition and sanitization of towels that members bring from home.

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It’s not uncommon for gym-goers to have one go-to towel they keep in their gym bag and use it multiple times with infrequent washes. This is a playground for bacteria, germs, and fungi which could be transferred right back to the shared equipment.

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In addition, providing towels that have been freshly and properly laundered can reduce the exposure of guests and equipment to unknown pathogens.

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Gyms and studios that have a successful towel program either charge extra for towel use or add the towel and laundry costs into membership fees and their operating budget. Customers see the value of paying more for gym hygiene and cleanliness if you can position it correctly in marketing and sales materials.

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Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly

You may be thinking that disposable sanitizing wipes or paper towels do the trick and don’t require washing. However, these contribute to landfill waste and cost precious resources to produce for a single use. And you may see an increase in garbage runs and paper towel litter throughout your facility.

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Reusable and regularly laundered towels can be dropped in a hamper and out of view where they’re collected for frequent treatment and washes. Bulk-washing gym towels are also more efficient than home washing because it reduces both water and electricity costs. You can also choose more environmentally friendly detergents and stain removers.

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Going green and offering sustainable solutions is appealing to many potential customers. But, it comes at a cost. Before offering towel service at your fitness center, consider not only the cost of buying and replacing towels but also the cost of laundry, laundry supplies, and staff time.

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Better Customer Experience

Humans are forgetful! If they don’t remember their home towel, or it never got washed, they may attend classes less often. Lower attendance means they don’t get the results they want to see at the gym which may lead them to cancel their membership.

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If they don’t have to remember their gym towel, you remove one more excuse to not attend classes or get their workout in. By providing clean, fresh towels via a transparent, sustainable system, you show that you support their goals along with their health and hygiene.

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Now we’ll talk about how to maintain a clean environment by supplying clean, high-quality towels in ready supply for your guests. Toss out any threadbare, ripped, frayed, or stubbornly-stained towels to further advance your cleanliness standards.

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If you offer towels to members, one of the biggest challenges is keeping track of them. Whether members intentionally walk off with them or simply forget they have them, towels are lost in large numbers every month at almost every fitness center that offers them. Try setting up inventory counts by bundles or by weight.

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To help better track inventory, it is common for gyms to hold keys, driver’s licenses, or gym cards as a means of a “deposit hold” for gym towels until they are returned.

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Take Care Of Your Gym Members and Attract New Ones!

Have your gym or fitness studio towels washed, treated, folded, and delivered by the team at 2ULaundry! With our premium commercial service, you can skip laundry day and keep your focus on your customers.

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Ready to get started with delivery laundry service?

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

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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