If you have rugs and carpets in your home or even hardwoods you need to invest in a great vacuum cleaner. If you have pets in the home this is even more important. Investing in a vacuum with all the bells and whistles can help you keep up with the pet hair, dirt and debris more easily. If we are going to develop good habits then we need the proper tools for accomplishing this. Many people have two vacuums. They have a large powerful one for deep cleaning and a smaller one for a quick clean at other times.

A good rule for your everyday routine is to make the bed every morning. If you do not make it completely at least fix the bed covers neatly and fluff the pillows. This makes the room look clean and the bed will be more inviting when it is time for bed. After a long day of work, we promise this habit can be a gift we give ourselves at the end of the day.

Our linen closets and pantries also need some help to stay orderly. When things are behind closed doors they tend to become chaotic and unorganized. Take the time needed to organize your linens after you launder them so that you always have clean towels, sheets, and other bedding always ready and findable. Pantries that are organized can actually save you money. You can easily see what you have and do not have for preparing meals.

Sometimes we give in to being tired and we ignore our laundry for a week or so. We then are and at ourselves for doing so when we have to spend an entire day doing laundry for hours. This is not a fun way to spend 8 or so hours. The best tip ever is to develop a habit of doing a load a day start to finish. If this is too much then run a couple of loads two nights a week. Just remember each load must be done wash, dry, fold, and put away each and every time.

Finally, for most of us, seasonal cleaning just isn’t possible. Instead of doing a spring cleaning opt to do so all year long. Break large jobs down into quarterly cleans. Purge or declutter weekly. Work on one room or area at a time and donate and recycle as much as possible. This will help you keep a cleaner home all year long.

When you need a little help catching up on your laundry try Laundry Express. We specialize in all things laundry. Whether it is clothing that needs dry cleaned or a wash, dry, fold service for catching up we have you covered. Call about all of our services including our Raleigh laundromat today!

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Many people take bedding to a Raleigh laundromat to wash and dry because commercial machines are much larger than residential ones. This is a great idea for sheet sets, comforters, quilts, and blankets. However, it’s not a good idea to launder your memory foam pillows at the laundromat. They soak up so much water that it will take quite a while to dry them in a commercial dryer. It’s best to launder them at home and then allow them to air dry before throwing them in the dryer. They become so saturated with water it’s almost impossible to wring them out enough to get them ready for a commercial dryer. In addition, the high heat could damage the memory foam.

Take particular care not to launder any clothing that have embellishments such as sequins, beads, or other details. If these items are present it will be best to hand wash or dry clean them only. These types of embellishments can snag or catch on other clothing items in the laundry and cause damage. They may also become unglued, or loose and your garment will be ruined.

We hope not but it is very possible that you might accidentally launder a pen. That’s why it’s important to check your pockets before throwing clothing into the wash at a laundromat. Leaving ink residue behind could get the next user’s clothing damaged or stained. If you do accidentally wash one, be sure to tell the attendant so that they can clean the washer properly before putting it back in use.

If you have heavily soiled items, you should not launder these in commercial washers. This would include items caked in mud or dirt, wet paint, or another substance that could leave behind a dirty machine. Rinse off the extra soil or mud before laundering them as normal. You always want to leave the laundromat machines clean for the next person to use.

A very important thing to consider is if you have clothing that has come into contact with a flammable substance. If this happens it is important to refrain from putting it in a commercial washer at a Raleigh laundromat. This is because the garment will cause the machine to smell like the flammable substance. The biggest issue is it could also cause a fire. In order to remove the flammable substance from your clothing before heading to the laundromat hand wash it in a sink or bathtub with a solvent-based stain remover or detergent. A flammable substance might include but is not limited to, alcohol, gasoline, cooking oil, motor oil, or mineral oil.

If you find yourself behind on a mountain of laundry, check out our Raleigh Laundromat. Laundry Express offers state of the art machines for washing and drying. We also offer laundry services that include dry cleaning, wash, dry, fold services, and stain removal. Don’t get behind when we can help! Visit us soon!

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The post Top Loading Washers 101 appeared first on Raleigh Laundry | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC.

First, let’s look at washers. Over the last 10 to 15 years there have been some really awesome advances in washers. When you go to look for a new washer you will see there are many options available in today’s markets. There are top loaders, front loaders, newer more modern colors, and all kinds of options available for the running of the machine. The following are some really good ways to keep your washer running as long as possible.

Laundry Tips | Raleigh Laundromat

• Take the time to clean your washer after each load. Make certain to remove any dirt or accumulated lint from the washer screens. You will find these usually where the hoses attach to your water supply. Keeping these clean of any dirt or grease it will ensure you have the right water flow into your washing machine.
• Make certain that your washer is level on the surface in which it sits. If your washer is not level it can cause vibration and shaking of your machine. Your clothing will not wash properly. It will also mean more wear and tear on your washer.
• Never fill your washer too full. There will be recommendations from the manufacturer of the washer on how much it should hold for a load of laundry. If you place too many items of clothes per load it will cause the machine to become overstuffed. This means your laundry will not get as clean as it should. It can also mean that your washer will not have the same life expectancy.
• Always make sure that you use the right detergent and the right amount of detergent in your loads of clothes. Today’s washers sometimes need specific types of detergent such as high efficiency detergent to perform well. If you use too much detergent this will cause your machine to work extra hard and it can also mean more rinse cycles making the wash time longer. This can cost you money and energy but also can cause the washer to work harder costing you money, energy, and more wear on your washer.

For your dryer, use these tips to keep it in good shape.

• Always make certain to not overload the dryer. Clothes will take way longer to dry. This will cause wear and tear of your dryer.
• Always clean the lint screen before each new load is added. A good habit is to do it after you remove the newly dried load. This way it is ready for the next. Not cleaning the lint screen can be dangerous as a fire can result.
• Take the time to clean your dryer inside and out to make certain it runs properly.

These tips work at our Raleigh laundromat, as well as, in your home! Stop by Laundry Express if you need the best washers and dryers in your area!

All of these tips can help your washer and dryer to stay in great shape and have a long life expectancy. Our Raleigh laundromat knows your time at home with family is valuable. Doing the laundry can be time consuming. We can help you with all things laundry. Come by and check out our state of the are laundry facility here in the Triangle area. We can help you get caught up as quickly as possible and get you back to doing things that are much more fun! Call us today!

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One of the best tips that we can offer is to do your best to stay on top of your family’s laundry. Establishing a good system for getting the laundry done will carry over into the holiday season. We will all be attending more events and parties than usual and that means more laundry headaches for us. Establish a good laundry routine ahead of the holidays and things will go much smoother for you.

It is really important to check your clothing items for stains this time of year. Often, we return from Christmas activities and parties and we are tired. Being tired means, we might not pay attention to spills that can cause permanent stains in our clothing. Teach every member of your family how to treat stains or to point them out to you as soon as they possibly can. Early treatment of stains means you have a better chance of removing them before permanent damage is done.

This is the perfect season to replace any winter weather gear that your family might need. You will find the best prices on such items during the holidays. We are all eager to save money, right? This can include coats, gloves, scarves, and hats. Also, check your current items to be certain that they too are being taken care of and that no stains become permanent.

Keep your laundry area as clean and free of mountains of clothes as possible. This will help you not to become overwhelmed by your laundry tour during the holidays. We cannot stress enough how important it is to do at least one load of laundry per day from start to finish. You can assign a day of the week to each family members laundry so that the routine of laundry is established. If you find yourself without a lot of time left for laundry seek out a good laundromat facility in your area. This is a great way to stay ahead of a crisis. Many also offer specialized laundry services for all your laundry needs.

If you are interested in getting your laundry chores and other household jobs organized in the coming new year be sure to check back for future blogs on how to set up a good laundry routine for your whole family. We will be busy coming up with the best tips and tricks for you to use in the coming year.

If you find yourself behind on a mountain of laundry, check out our Raleigh Laundromat. Laundry Express offers state of the art machines for washing and drying. We also offer laundry services that include dry cleaning, wash, dry, fold services, and stain removal. Don’t get behind when we can help! Visit us soon!

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One of the best tips we can offer is one that should be simple. A key to keeping the colors of your clothing from looking at faded and no longer bright is to actually wash your items as little as possible. This will mean that you take proper care of your items as they are worn. When you do launder them do so in as gentle a way as possible. Some clothing items will do better by being hand washed and not dried in a dryer. We also realize that some of these tips seem impractical. Most of us do not have the time it takes to hand wash and line dry. We can learn how to adjust and keep our close looking as broad as possible at the Raleigh laundromat.

• When preparing your clothing for laundering take the time to turn your clothes inside and out. This will help prevent the washing machine and dryer from producing wear and tear on your clothing while it is being laundered. If you decide to learn dryer outside this will become really important as the sun can actually remove color from your clothing.
• Always wash your clothes in cold water. Unlike detergent’s in the past today’s laundry detergent will work just as well in cold water temperatures as they do in a hotter temperature.
• Always take the time to sort your clothing before you leave for the laundromat. Also, keep in mind that dark colors will fade more if they are not laundered with like colors.
• Taking the time to read the care label inside your laundry items will also ensure your clothing does not fade in the wash. This is where you will locate the best instructions for washing your clothing.
• Adding white vinegar to your rinse cycle can also prevent colors from fading. There is no need to worry about the smell as the vinegar will fade away in the wash.
• When it comes to setting the cycle on your washer always choose a gentle or hand wash cycle. This is also true for drying your clothing. Overdrying is bad for all of your laundry but particularly for bright clothing.

If you follow the steps at the Raleigh laundromat your clothing will stay as bright and new looking as possible. Taking a little extra time to prepare your clothing will go a long way in keeping your clothing as good looking as possible.

Laundry Express knows your time at home with family is valuable. Doing the laundry can be time consuming. We can help you with all thing’s laundry. Come by and check out our state of the art Raleigh laundromat here in the Triangle area. We can help you get caught up as quickly as possible and get you back to doing things that are much more fun! Call us today!

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HE Washers and Non-HE Detergent – Will it Work? | Raleigh Laundromat

First let’s look at what HE washing machines are. These are washers that use less water in the wash and rinse cycles. These newer washers are designed to be the most energy efficient on the market today. They are designed to also use less energy than washers manufactured in previous years. Most are recognized as an HE washer because of their front-loading capacity. In recent years top load machines have been added to the HE lineup. Front loading machines have been used in European countries for years. These washers came into the American market in the mid-2000s.

Before the rise of high efficiency washers in America most of us thought the best way to make certain our laundry was as clean as possible one had to use loads of detergent and water to create lots of suds. The soapy suds then were supposed to get our laundry really clean. Most standard machines on the market today will use up to 41 gallons of water with each and every load. Today’s HE washers only use an average of 28 gallons or less with most using as little as 14 gallons per load. This will save on average 6.000 gallons of water a year per family.

The biggest concern when it comes to HE washers is in the detergents used. While technically any detergent including the HE types can be used in a standard washer the same is not true for a high efficiency washer. The use of a non-HE detergent can cause confusion in your machine’s computer board and cause damage to the washer. Your machine could stop and your clothes may not be cleaned and rinsed properly. The cost of an HE detergent is compatible with other types so there is no reason not to use one.

As we noted in our previous blog post with any detergent, we recommend that you read the directions carefully. If you feel you need to fill the soap dispenser up for more effective cleaning, then add water with the HE detergent to fill the dispenser. Refrain from using too much detergent. Follow directions as they’re written on the detergent box. When too much detergent of any kind is used clothes will not clean enough. Excess soap leaves your clothing with a residue that will make them look and feel dingy. This is true of either type of washers.

Laundry Express | Raleigh Laundromat

If you are being run ragged, just attempting to keep up with all your extra laundry, give our Raleigh laundromat a try! We offer state of the art machine for washing and drying your clothes. We also offer laundry services that include dry cleaning, wash-dry-fold, and stain removal! Don’t get behind on your family’s laundry. We are here to help! Visit Laundry Express soon!

The post Can I Use Non-HE Detergent in a HE Washer? appeared first on Raleigh Laundry | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC.

Dress shirts or most commonly worn by men as part of their wardrobe, especially during the work week. They are one of a man’s clothing items that need to stay looking great for as long as possible. According to statistics, the average dress shirt can last up to two years. Its overall life expectancy can also be measured by how many times it is laundered. Looked at in this way the average dress shirt can have a life of 35 to 50 laundering cycles. Its life expectancy will also depend on a number of other factors including how often they are stained and how dirty they get. Let’s look at some common problems with dress shirts and how you might prevent these problems from affecting your favorite shirts.

Ready to learn more? Check out our next blog for more common dress shirt problems. This is part one of a three-part series!

Laundry Express is the Best Raleigh Laundromat in the Area!

If you find yourself behind on a mountain of laundry, check out our Raleigh Laundromat. Laundry Express offers state of the art machines for washing and drying. We also offer laundry services that include dry cleaning, wash, dry, fold services, and stain removal. Don’t get behind when we can help! Visit us soon!

The post Common Dress Shirt Problems appeared first on Raleigh Laundry | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC.

The first thing to do is totally clean out and empty your laundry room as much as possible. Take the time to really look it over and figure out what works and what does not. Ask yourself what would make it more efficient when it comes to getting the laundry done. You can do a lot to make this room work for you. It needs to become a place where you enjoy doing the laundry instead of dreading it.

Pick out a great paint color for your walls. You will want something that is soothing and inviting. Once you paint then look at your windows. A new window treatment that allows in great light will help spruce things up as well. A couple of great plants can make the room seem really welcoming to.

Now on to decor. Here is where you can make the room fit your family. Organizing things to flow well is the goal here. Make sure you have ample room and area to fold clothes and to hang them. Doing so straight out of the dryer will save you lots of time. Hanging racks and shelving can add the space you need.

A nice drying rack is also a much needed item. Try to locate one that attaches to the wall to save space. There are so many to choose from on the market today so look around. Some may combine drying room with a shelf or hanging rods as well. These will become a versatile tool to have as you do the laundry.

Your laundry and cleaning supplies need a good home so look for a shelving system that will fit your space. If you can find one with doors this is best for safety. Children and pets are naturally curious. Any toxic items need to be secured out of sight and reach. When it comes to shelving you will want to use it to organize your supplies to be easy to get to as you need them. Place labels frontward and at eye level for easier access.

Clothes baskets and hampers are a necessity. If you are cramped on space in the laundry area then make certain each family member has one in their room. Make certain they are easy to transport as well. Once the clothes are emptied into the washer then the basket can be used for the items to be carried back for putting away.

One last thing is to add some great art or photos to your laundry room. This will personalize it and make you want to come in and get busy. Make it a rule to keep this room as clean and organized as possible throughout the year.

Laundry Express, the best Raleigh laundromat in the area, knows your time at home with family is valuable. Doing the laundry can be time consuming. We can help you with all thing’s laundry. Come by and check out our state of the are laundry facility here in the Triangle area. We can help you get caught up as quickly as possible and get you back to doing things that are much more fun! Call us today!

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Raleigh Laundromat Talks Pet Laundry Detergenet!

The first thing to consider when it comes to laundering your pets’ items is to choose a gentle laundry detergent. Just like we humans, our pets may also need a detergent that is fragrance free or even unscented. You may also want to look for one that is dye-free or clear. It is natural for us to not only want our pets’ blankets and bedding to be as clean as possible but we also want them to smell good as well. The problem is many dogs and cats as well or allergic to the chemicals that are found in most detergents. These allergies will manifest as irritated and itchy skin and sometimes these conditions can become chronic.

Common areas where you will see these conditions are on the skin and ears, under the front legs or between the poles, and around your pet’s face. Know that even chewing on toys or having contact with backpacks or clothing even worn by you can also cause these reactions. You will see symptoms that will include face rubbing, obsessive leaking, chronic ear infections, bald patches, skin rashes, head shaking, and possibly blister lesions. Since some skin irritations can also come from the food you will want to check with your vet to see what your fur-baby is allergic to.

A good laundry detergent to use on your pets items would be one that has been formulated for babies. These detergents are often the most gentle and have fewer chemicals than other detergents. Never use a laundry detergent that is concentrated or that is made to deep clean laundry. You may also choose to make your own laundry detergent there are many great recipes out there for putting your own together. Add a 1/2 cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle to soften without using a chemically laden softener. Essential oils on a dryer ball or cloth in the dryer will add a great smell without those chemicals as well.

Of course, we want to do what is right for our pets so taking the time to find the right detergent and then keeping them and their items as clean as possible will help. If you are being run ragged, just attempting to keep up with all your extra laundry. Give Laundry Express a try! We offer state of the art machine for washing and drying your clothes. We also offer laundry services that include dry cleaning, wash-dry-fold, and stain removal! Don’t get behind on your family’s laundry. We are here to help! Visit our Raleigh laundromat soon!

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