Raleigh Laundry | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC

January 1, 2016
by Laundry Expert
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Ironing Guide Part One

If you ask most people what their less liked home chore is you will get an answer of “Ironing”. Luckily for us ironing is not the time consuming chore that it was in years past. Our grandmothers and mothers spent way more hours and energy on ironing than many of us in this generation have in our entire lives. However we cannot get totally out of learning the basic ironing skills needed to keep all of our clothing wrinkle-free and looking good for those dressy occasions that come up. More importantly those business clothes must stay looking sharp to make a good impression! Our next couple of blog topics will give us a good idea of the basic skills and how to use them for ironing our clothes.

Ironing Guide | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

Before you begin you will need to check your garments. Start with the tags that are in inside the garment to see what type fabric it consists of. There is usually information included that will give any specific ironing instructions needed. There is an iron symbol on most items of clothing that will have specific temperature and steam settings. These are usually industry wide specifics and are as follows:

One dot < 230 F
Two dots < 30 F
Three dots < 390 F

You will want to always choose the lowest temperature especially for blended materials. Also be certain to check for any stains or dirt spots on your garment. Ironing over these places will set the stain or dirt into the fabric and make them really difficult to remove.

If you have a number or variety of items to iron you will want to organize and sort them into those that require a low heat setting where you will start your ironing and work up to those that require a higher heat setting. These lower heat garment will usually be the wool and blended fabrics while the 100 percent cotton items will need the hottest heat settings.

Get your iron set up and ready by filling the reservoir with water. Using a distilled water will help with any mineral deposit buildup that can accumulate in your iron that can cause problems with the iron. This will also prevent spitting of steam that resembles dirty water that can stain or otherwise harm your garment.

Ironing Board Tips | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

When ironing you will always want to use an ironing board. Spray starch can be used if you want a really crisp look to your clothes. Do this just before ironing. Spray starch will also make clothes easier to iron and they will stay fresh and more wrinkle free all day long. Be certain that you keep your iron moving constantly to lower the risk of burning the fabric. If you have stubborn wrinkles you can spray them lightly with some water and then use your steam. As you finish ironing a section of the garment move it away from you to avoid wrinkling it up.

When ironing slacks you will want to pull out the pockets and iron them. This will prevent making wrinkles worse on top. Iron the waistband using a lift motion. with any pleats fold them down into place and iron. Proceed to iron up the legs of the pant from the bottom along the length of each leg. For a crease simply match your inseams together and press in the crease.

Laundry Express | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

We will offer more tips in our next blog but if you find yourself in need of great laundry services Laundry Express is a premier Raleigh area full service laundromat. We offer wash-dry-fold along with any number of dry cleaning and stain removal services. Come by and see how we can help you get a handle on all your laundry needs!

December 25, 2015
by Laundry Expert
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How To Remove Paint

It’s that time of the year when we seem to find all sorts of painting projects to do around the house. One of the toughest stains to remove from the clothing is a paint stain. Maybe you just dripped it a bit on your favorite blouse or shirt. Perhaps it was an accident that you rubbed against that freshly painted railing. Either way you must work quickly to keep the paint stain from setting in.

Once the paint dries it is really hard to remove it. If you get to it quickly enough you may be able to remove it completely and rescue your clothing form being tossed out. Follow these simple steps for success:

Paint Removal Tips | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC

First you will want to wipe any remaining wet paint completely off the garment. You will then be using detergent or bar soap and liquid soap works in a pinch. You should always remove as much of the paint as possible before it dries. You can do this by flushing the back of the material with plenty of warm water. Always be sure to rinse from behind and isolate the area with the stain. If the paint is a watercolor or tempera type it may come out completely using just this step. If so then you can rinse and just launder as normal. If not proceed to the next step.

You will need to mix together equal parts of your detergent and warm water. Make sure the detergent you are using is one that works with the type of fabric your clothing is made up of. The label should have this information. As always if you are not sure test a small area that is hidden to determine if it is safe to use.

Take a clean soft sponge and wet it in the detergent and water mixture. Use a sponge to ensure fibers from paper or cloth don’t stick to the clothing. Place a cloth under neath the damaged garment so that there is no bleed on the surface you are working on. You want to avoid any stains on your table or counter top.

Begin to blot the paint stain with your soapy sponge taking care to “blot” not rub. Rubbing will only push the paint deep into your fibers of the fabric. You can however blot pretty vigorously just take care not to damage the fabric. Another great way to do this is to simply put the fabric between your own fingers and gently rub the detergent into the fabric.

After you have incorporated this thoroughly you will rinse the clothing again with warm water from the back of the garment. If this was a water based paint you should see real progress or a completely gone stain. Repeat this entire process, from the blotting to the rinsing until the stain is either completely gone or less visible. You can try using an old toothbrush or laundry brush to help release the paint from the fibers of your garment without forcing colored paint any deeper into your clothing. Be very careful not to use to much force so that the paint does not stick permanently. You may then launder as normal checking the item before drying to be sure the stain is gone.

Laundry Express | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC

Laundry Express knows what a headache stains can be and how expensive. Before you give up on your clothing stains bring it by and we will see if we can help! Also take advantage of all of our laundry services. We are a state of the art laundry facility here in the Raleigh area!

December 20, 2015
by Laundry Expert
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How To Remove Pine Resin From Clothing and Hard Surfaces

This is the season in which we can encounter the absolute worst stains on our clothing and many hard surfaces. As we go about our winter chores we will almost certainly encounter pine resin. Either from that beautiful Christmas Tree we have just enjoyed or from cutting firewood for those cozy warm fires we love this time of the year. The problem with tree saps are that they are so sticky and will adhere to everything it comes into contact with especially our skin and unfortunately our clothing! There are some methods to help you get rid of this clingy substance. This blog will address these methods and hopefully help you save your clothing items!

Thing’s You’ll Need | Raleigh Laundromat

Cleanser (Choose One):
- Goof Off
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Peanut Butter
- Hand Sanitizer
- WD-40
- Cooking Oil
- Nail Polish Remover (non-acetone)
Soft Cloth
Laundry Detergent of Choice

Removing the Sap | Raleigh Laundromat

As noted above you will need to select a cleaner. Take into consideration the type and the color of your clothing when making this choice. If it is a colored piece you will want to avoid the nail polish remover even if using non-acetone. It could affect the dye used and ruin the garment. Always test a hidden area on the item first to be sure that what you are using will not harm the fabric. This will also ensure that the cleaning product will also be safe for the entire garment.

Once you make the proper selection begin by putting a small amount of your chosen cleaner onto a soft clean cloth and begin blotting at the tree sap or resin. If your sap is extra thick or the area affected is much larger you can pour the cleaner directly on the area and work it into the fabric with your fingers.

As you have it worked in really well you may then launder the garment with your regular detergent and warm water on the usual settings. Once it is laundered BEFORE you place it in the dryer make sure that all of the sap or resin has been removed from the clothing. If any of the sap remains heating from drying the item will melt the sap and can transfer onto the dryer and other clothing. If it is not totally removed you should repeat all of the above steps until the sap is removed.

Removing Sap From Fabrics and More

For car upholstery, hair, skin, and animals baby oil, lotions, butter and coconut oil can all be used to rid you of the dreaded tree sap. Just follow the same type steps. Rub the area really good with whatever cleaner you choose, then rinse. Repeat until all the residue is gone!

Of course this sticky, clingy stuff known as tree sap is difficult and annoying but just keep in mind that many of your common household products can help you get a handle on the problem.

If you are running yourself ragged after all the extra laundry the holiday season brings, be sure to check out our Raleigh Laundromat! Laundry Express offers state of the art machines for washing and drying. We also offer you laundry services that include dry cleaning, wash-dry-fold, and stain removal! Don’t get behind and stressed over your laundry when we are here to help! Visit us soon!

December 16, 2015
by Laundry Expert
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How To Remove Candle Wax From Clothing and Hard Surfaces

Let’s face it, we all love our candles. Nothing can make a home smell so good, so fast like a great candle. It’s a wonderful way to add light and cheer to an otherwise dreary room. With so many types on the market today you can easily create whatever mood you would like for any occasion. Unfortunately, once in a while that mood comes with a price!

Removing Candle Wax | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

There is nothing that creates a mess faster than spilled candle wax. Either from knocking over a jar candle or form your beautiful tapers dripping onto your tablecloth. Perhaps you attended a great candlelight service during the holiday season and you or a family member got candle wax on a favorite outfit. Is it ruined? Hopefully not so lose the stress and follow the right approach for cleaning up this mess and you will be able to hopefully save your clothing or fabric tablecloth for another days use! The following steps offer some great advice for removing candle wax both on fabric and from hard surfaces such as candlesticks or furniture.

Hard Surfaces | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

1. Get out your hair dryer. We will use this blow dryer to heat up the wax and melt it so it is more easily removed. This works best for candlesticks and furniture. Do not use this method on fabric as it can spread the stain further especially if the wax is colored in any way.

2. Use the blow dryer on a hot setting focused on the wax until it melts. Do not move the wax around, let it puddle verses spread out.

3. Once it is melted you may use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe it away. Something disposable is best as the wax will transfer to the cloth. If there is a residue use some spray cleaner or cleaning fluid with a damp rag to clean it off. Be extra careful with fragile wooden furniture so as not to damage it. Repeat these steps as necessary until all wax is removed.

For Fabric | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

1. Get out your iron and heat it to a medium setting. This method is similar to the above method except in this case we are going to soak up the wax as it melts. No wiping means no smearing!

2. Take paper towels and place them over the wax. Make sure the paper towels are as large as the iron, larger is better. Once this is done place a kitchen cloth towel over the top of the paper towels.

4. You will begin to gently rub your iron back and forth across the towel. The heat will begin to slowly melt the wax and the layer of paper towels will absorb the wax. Keep the iron in a constant motion.

5. Every little while check the paper towels to see if you are making progress. If the towels have absorbed a lot of was then change them for fresh ones. Repeat these steps as much as needed to fully absorb all of the wax. There will be a slight discoloration that will remain on your fabric. This can be cleaned with a carpet or fabric cleaner as long as it is one that is safe for your fabric. Gently work this into the remaining stain with a wet cloth and allow it to soak in and then rinse.

Laundry Express | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

Hopefully these tips will help you rescue your candle mishaps. Here at Laundry Express we can assist you with all your laundry needs. Come by and let us help you with any questions you may have about cleaning your clothing. We also offer Wash-dry-fold services to keep your laundry looking great!

December 5, 2015
by Laundry Expert
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Stain Removal Guide: Tobacco

One of the most difficult stains to remove from the clothing comes from smoking cigarettes or anything with nicotine in it. Nicotine from smoking can cause yellow streaks, stains and unpleasant odors to cling to any garments you wear and become a huge headache for you when it comes to taking care of your clothing. In this blog post we are offering up some tips for removing these stains and odors and hopefully helping you to not having to toss your loved clothing.

Tobacco Stain Removal Tips | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

One of the best tips we can offer is to suggest that you make sure to wash and/or professionally dry clean any clothing you do not wear on a regular basis. Covering them with a cloth (no plastic) hanging bag will protect them from any nicotine in your home. The following tips will hopefully help you remove the yellow streaks and stains on your clothing.

Other Tips | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

To remove them from cotton or linen you will want to combine 1/2 a teaspoon of laundry detergent liquid with 1 quart of warm water. Add your clothing to this and allow to soak for a while. Remove the excess water and then take a sponge and apply some rubbing alcohol blotting carefully until the rest of the stain is gone. Once the stain is removed you should launder as usual.

For clothing that is made of polyester, acrylic, rayon, or nylon, make yourself a spot cleaner using one part white dish washing liquid, one part glycerin, and eight parts water. Combine these in a large container and seal it tightly. You will be able to use this mixture each time you spot any stains and take care of them immediately. This will save you a lot of time and energy.

When needed wet the stain with a small sponge using really gentle strokes from center of the stain outward. Then you can apply a little bit of your spot cleaner along with a few drops of white vinegar onto the stain. Take a clean white cloth and cover the stain completely. Allow this to remain to absorb the stain. You will want to keep the stain wet until it is completely gone. Rinse the area c leaned with water and once you are sure the stain has been removed you may launder as normal.

If you have dried the article of clothing in a dryer prior to trying these tips your clothing may have permanently set stains and may be non-salvageable. However do give these tips a try before making that decision.

Whiten Clothing | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

Those that need to whiten clothing that has been stained with nicotine, you can make a solution of bleach that is oxygen based and mixed with water. Soak the clothing in a large sink or container for as long as eight full hours. Check to see if the yellowing is gone and the clothing is white enough. If not you can repeat the soaking as much as you need to with a fresh solution. It may take several soakings to get the results you need.

Laundry Express | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC

We hope these hints will help you remove nicotine from your garments. Some items are dry clean only. Laundry Express is your professional dry cleaner in the Raleigh area. We can help you with stain removal of all kinds. Our laundry services can also help you stay ahead of the endless laundry we know you and your family seem to have. Visit us soon!