App-based laundry service launches in Surprise - Your Valley

laundry.indah.link

Independent Newsmedia

WashClub Phoenix, a national app-based laundry service that launched in the Valley during  April, is expanding to Surprise and the Sun Cities.

It is the company’s latest push westward after adding eight West Valley cities — Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria and Tolleson — earlier this summer.

“Since our expansion into the West Valley, we noticed a steady demand from the neighboring city of Surprise,” Chief Operations Officer Nick Rawlins said in a news release. “As people slowly begin returning to their normal lives, the reality of homeschooling and working from home leaves little room for laundry.”

The company also has operations in New York City, Washington , Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

“At WashClub Phoenix, we are foremost committed to the safety and well-being of our customers and staff,” Rawlins said in a news release. “As we continue to monitor and follow guidance from public health officials, we want to remind everyone that laundry, by nature, is a sanitizing process. Through washing clothes, we eliminate pathogens, germs, mold and many viruses, including coronavirus. At WashClub Phoenix, we are taking extra measures to make sure our workers are protected and that all of our surfaces are sanitized.” 

Customers in Surprise can now request service to receive their clean, folded laundry back within 24 hours.

To download the app, visit washclubphoenix.com.

The Link Lonk


October 02, 2020
https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/app-based-laundry-service-launches-in-surprise,191161

App-based laundry service launches in Surprise - Your Valley

https://news.google.com/search?q=Laundry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Laundry lint can cause significant tissue damage within marine mussels - EurekAlert

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IMAGE: Marine mussels are commonly used to monitor water quality in coastal areas. view more 

Credit: University of Plymouth

Microscopic fibres created during the laundry cycle can cause damage to the gills, liver and DNA of marine species, according to new research.

Scientists at the University of Plymouth exposed the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), found in various locations across the world, to differing quantities of tumble dryer lint.

They demonstrated that increasing the amount of lint resulted in significant abnormality within the mussels' gills, specifically leading to damage of tissues including deformity, extensive swelling and loss of cilia. In the liver, the presence of lint led to atrophy or deformities leading to loss of definition in digestive tubules.

The increasing concentration of fibres also led to a reduction in the mussels' ability to filter food particles from the seawater and a significant increase in DNA strand breaks in the blood cells.

Scientists say the precise causes of the effects are not wholly clear, but are likely to arise from the fibres themselves and chemicals present within them.

They say the findings are unlikely to solely apply to lint, as its properties are consistent with other textiles and fibres found commonly in waste water and throughout the marine environment.

The study, published in the journal Chemosphere, was conducted by academics in the School of Biological and Marine Sciences and School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Dr Andrew Turner, Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences, was the study's senior author and has previously conducted research highlighting the chemicals - including bromine, iron and zinc - found within lint.

He said: "The laundering of clothes and other textiles is among the most significant sources of synthetic microfibers within the environment. However, despite their known presence in a range of species, there have been very few studies looking in detail at their impact. This study shows for the first time what harm they can cause, and it is particularly interesting to consider that it is not just the fibres themselves which create issues but also the cocktail of more harmful chemicals which they can mobilise."

Co-author Awadhesh Jha, Professor in Genetic Toxicology and Ecotoxicology, added: "Mytilus species are commonly used to monitor water quality in coastal areas, and the damage shown to them in this study is a cause for significant concern. Given their genetic similarity to other species and the fact they are found all over the world, we can also assume these effects will be replicated in other shellfish and marine species. Damage to DNA and impairment of the filter feeding abilities would have potential impact on the health of the organisms and the ecosystem. That is particularly significant as we look in the future to increase our reliance on aquaculture as a global source of food."

This study is the latest research by the University in the field, with it being awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2020 for its ground-breaking research and policy impact on microplastics pollution in the oceans.

That research has included work showing that washing clothes releases thousands of microplastic particles into environment, and that devices fitted to washing machines can reduce the fibres produced in laundry cycle by up to 80%. Scientists from the University have also showed that wearing clothes could release more microfibres to the environment than washing them.

###

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

The Link Lonk


October 02, 2020 at 11:08AM
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-10/uop-llc100120.php

Laundry lint can cause significant tissue damage within marine mussels - EurekAlert

https://news.google.com/search?q=Laundry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

App-based laundry service launches in Surprise - Your Valley

laundry.indah.link

Independent Newsmedia

WashClub Phoenix, a national app-based laundry service that launched in the Valley during  April, is expanding to Surprise and the Sun Cities.

It is the company’s latest push westward after adding eight West Valley cities — Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria and Tolleson — earlier this summer.

“Since our expansion into the West Valley, we noticed a steady demand from the neighboring city of Surprise,” Chief Operations Officer Nick Rawlins said in a news release. “As people slowly begin returning to their normal lives, the reality of homeschooling and working from home leaves little room for laundry.”

The company also has operations in New York City, Washington , Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

“At WashClub Phoenix, we are foremost committed to the safety and well-being of our customers and staff,” Rawlins said in a news release. “As we continue to monitor and follow guidance from public health officials, we want to remind everyone that laundry, by nature, is a sanitizing process. Through washing clothes, we eliminate pathogens, germs, mold and many viruses, including coronavirus. At WashClub Phoenix, we are taking extra measures to make sure our workers are protected and that all of our surfaces are sanitized.” 

Customers in Surprise can now request service to receive their clean, folded laundry back within 24 hours.

To download the app, visit washclubphoenix.com.

The Link Lonk


October 02, 2020
https://www.yourvalley.net/sun-city-independent/stories/app-based-laundry-service-launches-in-surprise,191161

App-based laundry service launches in Surprise - Your Valley

https://news.google.com/search?q=Laundry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

The Best Laundry Baskets for the Home - BobVila.com

laundry.indah.link

Photo: amazon.com

If you’re loaded with laundry, you’re not alone. The typical American family does approximately 300 loads of laundry each year according to ENERGY STAR. If you have children, work outside, and/or get your share of exercise, your laundry could pile up even faster than average. Fortunately, a quality laundry basket can make your home look tidier by simply keeping garments and linen in one place.

The best laundry basket is comfortable to carry, easy to clean, and ventilated to air out odors. With an ever-growing market of laundry baskets to choose from, options range from utilitarian to stylish, and from space-saving to wheelable. And then there’s the laundry basket’s sister receptacle, the hamper: a typically stationary container with a lid to keep dirty laundry under cover. Some households rely on both a hamper and a laundry basket—and this guide can help you decide which models might be the best choice for your needs.

1. BEST OVERALL: Honey-Can-Do HMP 02108 Steel Canvas Rolling Hamper
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: DOKEHOM 82L Large Laundry Basket
3. BEST WHEELED: Simple Houseware Heavy-Duty 3-Bag Laundry Sorter Cart
4. BEST WOVEN: Goodpick Large Cotton Rope Basket
5. BEST PLASTIC: Rubbermaid FG299587WHTRB Laundry Basket
6. BEST COLLAPSIBLE: SAMMART Collapsible Plastic Laundry Basket
7. BEST HAMPER: Simplehouseware Double Laundry Hamper With Lid
8. BEST POP-UP: [Reinforced] Strong Mesh Pop-up Laundry Hamper

Photo: depositphotos.com

What to Consider When Buying a Laundry Basket

A good laundry basket fits neatly in the physical space you have for it, speaks to your decor, and holds up to the rigors of daily life. Here are some factors and features to think about when shopping for a laundry basket:

Materials

The majority of laundry baskets and hampers are made of plastic, wicker, or woven materials.

• Plastic baskets are generally lightweight, fairly inexpensive, and durable. They traditionally aren’t the most stylish but are quite practical. Plastic is more resistant to mildew than other materials, and you can keep the basket clean with a quick swipe of a cloth or sponge.
• Wicker baskets, considered more stylish by some people, are also strong, durable, and  lightweight. As it ages, however, wicker—typically woven from thin material such as reed, cane, willow, oak, and ash—may deteriorate and possibly snag your laundry. A reusable, machine-washable fabric basket liner can help prevent snagging and also keep your wicker basket cleaner.
• Woven baskets are made of such natural materials as cotton, grasses, and palm leaves, as well as plastic and other synthetic materials. They’re considered to be more stylish and not strictly for laundry (they’re often used as toy bins, decorative plant holders, and for storage). If you’re looking for an eco-friendly laundry basket, woven natural materials are a solid option.

No matter what material you choose, it’s wise to sanitize your laundry basket often, using products meant for its material. After all, it carries and stores both clean and dirty clothes, so cleaning it will help keep freshly laundered items free of dirt and odors.

Handles

Handles should be comfortable so they won’t strain your hands, and sturdy enough to support the weight of the basket when filled. Overloading your basket, especially with heavy, wet clothes, puts stress on the handles.

Some baskets have handles built into the sides. These handles are usually wider and spread out the weight of the basket, making it easier to carry. Baskets with thin handles don’t have a lot of area to distribute the basket’s weight and put added strain on your hands.

Handles on woven baskets are usually attached near the top of the basket. Long or flexible handles benefit multitaskers—you can grab the basket by both handles in one hand.

Ventilation

The holes on the sides of laundry baskets allow air to circulate so that clothing and linen can “breathe.” This helps prevent unpleasant smells and mildew (the growth of mold or fungus) from lingering in the basket. If a basket lacks ventilation holes, look for a mesh liner to help air out laundry instead.

Even with ventilation, it’s not a good idea to leave wet or damp laundry in a basket or it could start to smell or develop mildew, which causes a musty odor that’s hard to get rid of (and near impossible to remove from wicker baskets). Mold, which begins to develop in 24 hours under the right conditions, can be even more stubborn to banish.

Capacity

The amount of laundry your basket holds depends on its size and durability. The average medium load of laundry is approximately 6 pounds and a large load is about 11 pounds. Most laundry baskets will hold one large load or two regular loads. Laundry baskets are usually measured in volume, making the capacity of the average basket about 60 liters.

If you generate a lot of laundry, you may be interested in a higher-capacity basket that holds a few extra-large loads. With added weight comes transport issues; consider a basket on wheels to avoid undue strain.

Design

Laundry baskets are designed for functionality, fashion, and/or both. The simplest laundry baskets are purely utilitarian, rectangular receptacles with strong handles. Consider the length of your trip to the washer-dyer—a utilitarian design may be your best option if you need to go to a laundromat or the laundry room of an apartment house.

Other laundry baskets emphasize style and come in a variety of prints and colors. Depending on the design, they could be meant as a statement piece in the home as well as a purposeful basket. Stylish laundry baskets may be practical but offer a pop of color or a different shape, such as oval or round.

Our Top Picks

The following list includes some of the best laundry baskets on the market, based on the criteria mentioned above. While basket aesthetics varies from person to person, these picks are based on practicality and usefulness for each basket or hamper.

Photo: amazon.com

The slim, simple design of the Honey-Can-Do HMP 02108 Steel Canvas Rolling Hamper makes it a good choice for many households—especially if you prefer a model on wheels. Measuring 19.75 by 17.75 by 25 inches, this basket holds at least two large loads of laundry. It has a sturdy, easy-to-clean steel frame with a chrome finish, and it’s lined with a natural canvas bag that’s washable and breathable to keep your laundry and your basket clean. The canvas bag can be tied with its drawstring if desired and although it’s called a hamper, this model has no lid.

Caster rolling wheels are screwed in, making it easy and smooth to push, and it won’t scuff your floors. Though the wheeled basket is intended to save you from having to carry it, the frame has handles so you can pick it up if necessary.

Photo: amazon.com

A large capacity, quality laundry basket needn’t cost a load of money. The value-priced, bag-style DOKEHOM 82L Large Laundry Basket has aluminum handles that hold up well when the basket is full. Soft-grip handle pads make carrying easier and distribute the weight in your hands comfortably. The bag is 15 by 15 by 28 inches (including handles) and is made of double-layer 600D oxford fabric, giving it the strength to stand up on its own, even when empty.

If you’d rather not leave it standing when empty, the bag is collapsible—simply fold it up and tuck it away in a drawer or closet.  A polyethylene (PE) liner coating lines the bag’s interior, making it waterproof, moisture-proof, and dust-proof. Machine washing can deteriorate the lining, however, so this bag is hand-wash only.

Photo: amazon.com

If your household produces a lot of different types of laundry, the Simple Houseware Heavy-Duty 3-Bag Laundry Sorter Cart may help you sort things out with ease. It’s organized into three separate heavy-duty fabric compartments, each one capable of holding 13 gallons of clothes. This lets you sort laundry as it gets dirty and then dump the contents of each bag into the washer when full, rather than sorting through a large pile of soiled clothes.

Caster wheels screwed into the cart make for a smooth and easy trip to the laundry room—and brakes prevent a rogue getaway. The cart’s frame is made of steel with a silver finish, and the individual baskets can be unhooked and carried to the washing machine if desired. The bags are not machine washable, however; using liners will keep the bags clean between handwashes. And note that you’ll need a dedicated area for this cart, as the frame (including the casters) is 30 by 17.5 by 33 inches.

Photo: amazon.com

As a natural option, the Goodpick Large Cotton Rope Basket is worth considering. It has a simple yet elegant round shape, measuring 15.8 by 15.8 by 13.8 inches. The basket is lightweight and tightly woven for structural integrity, and its handles, which are openings in the coils of rope, are soft to grip and easy to hold. The basket’s neutral color and multi-use design makes it a versatile choice for laundry or other duties. It works in a kid’s room, for yoga gear, as storage for clean blankets, and more.

The 100 percent cotton material won’t snag clothing or scratch floors. It’s environmentally friendly and adds a subtle touch of décor to a room. Although cotton is known as a breathable material, a basket liner will help the basket stay fresh between machine washes on a delicate cycle.

Photo: amazon.com

If you like to keep it simple and appreciate the easy care of a plastic laundry basket, the Rubbermaid FG299587WHTRB might suit you well. There are comfort-grip carrying handles on three sides of the basket, enabling you to hold it with one or both hands. The side without a handle features a “hip hug” design to contour against your body while toting, allowing you to multitask with your free hand.

Made of durable plastic, the 21.15 by 19.91 by 11.16 inch basket is very easy to clean: Simply wipe it down with disinfectant before putting your clean clothes back in it. There’s plenty of ventilation to let clothes breathe (no need for a liner), and the holes are smooth to deter snagging.

Photo: amazon.com

If you need a laundry basket that can serve as a toy storage bin, camping sink, or other type of hold-all—yet shrink down in size when not in use—this SAMMART model is worth a look. The BPA-free plastic basket collapses easily to save space: Simply push down one side at a time. At full size, it’s 22.5 by 17.5 by 10.5 inches but when folded it’s a mere 3.5 inches tall. Comfort grip handles ease carrying and while this basket doesn’t have ventilation holes, it’s easy to wipe down with a cloth for cleaning.

Photo: amazon.com

Dirty laundry? What dirty laundry? The Simplehouseware Double Laundry Hamper features a lid to hide the sight and smell of soiled clothes and linens. It features two bins, each with its own bag, for sorting laundry, and measures 23 by 13.75 by 22.75 inches—a size that can fit inside most closets to really keep it out of the way. Tip: Smaller hampers fill up faster and nudge you to do laundry more regularly, which helps minimize mildew risk.

The hamper is made of polypropylene, which isn’t as tough and rigid as some other plastics—if you’ve got little ones, don’t allow them to climb on it. It’s lightweight enough to move to and from the laundry room with ease; however, since the bags are removable, you may opt to have the hamper stay put and just tote the bags to the machine on laundry day.

Photo: amazon.com

This House Again basket is an especially suitable option for folks living in small or shared spaces. It’s made of polyester mesh with a high-carbon steel frame, a solid polyester bottom, and handles that are double-stitched firmly in place. Mesh siding gives plenty of ventilation to help minimize odor. At 14.5 by 14.5 by 24.5 inches, this pop-up basket is large and strong enough to hold 50 pounds of laundry. And when not in use, simply squash it down to collapse for storage. There’s even a convenient side pocket for laundry supplies for easy transport.

FAQs About Your New Laundry Basket

The best laundry basket helps you transport dirty and clean laundry with ease. As simple as these household staples may be, if you’d like more info about their features and uses, consider these answers to commonly asked questions about laundry baskets.

Q. What’s the best shape for a laundry basket?

The best laundry basket shape is relative to each individual’s needs. Rectangular baskets can hold more than round baskets and enable two piles of laundry to be stacked side-by-side, so many people find them best. Round baskets only have space for one pile (which is just fine for a regular load of laundry), while taller baskets can be easier on your back because less bending over is required.

Q. Where do you put a laundry basket?

Most people keep their basket in the bedroom, the laundry room, or the mudroom.

Q. How do you fold a laundry basket?

Not all baskets are foldable but those that are, have different designs for folding. Some fold into thirds and others need to be twisted into a figure eight shape and folded in half.

The Link Lonk


October 02, 2020 at 04:53AM
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-laundry-basket/

The Best Laundry Baskets for the Home - BobVila.com

https://news.google.com/search?q=Laundry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

The Dirt on Laundry and How to Reduce Your Risk of Getting Sick - UANews

laundry.indah.link

By Rosemary Brandt, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Today

Clothing, linens, towels, cleaning rags, reusable diapers – laundry has a way of piling up. The often-dreaded chore is one of the ways we help maintain a clean and healthy household, but with the current COVID-19 pandemic and cold and flu season right around the corner, is a standard wash enough?

The soiled laundry in our hampers can be contaminated with all sorts of germs, from bodily fluids to food debris, all of which can be a source of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses. Environmental microbiologists and public health researchers at the University of Arizona recently held a workshop with a panel of laundry cleaning and sanitization experts to review the current knowledge and science surrounding laundry best practices.  

"We really wanted to approach it analytically, using a quantitative microbial risk management approach," said Charles Gerba, an environmental microbiologist from the UArizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "What's the process and what's really important? There really hasn't been a lot of scientific guidelines or best practices put together for how to safely tackle household laundry."

"Most studies on how laundry practices kill germs are based on European wash conditions where higher water temperatures and longer wash cycles are common. Hot water washes, however, use a lot of energy and can damage many of today's fabrics," said Kelly Reynolds, professor and chair of the Community, Environment and Policy Department at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. "We were interested in evaluating whether the more common North American practice of using cold or warm water temperatures was sufficient."

From how long germs can survive on garments to safe handling procedures, Gerba and Reynolds help sort through a laundry list of questions.

Q: Can our laundry carry germs that could get us sick?

Gerba: Studies have shown that skin, blood, feces and saliva-borne pathogens can be transmitted by laundry. Laundry is a collector of human bodily waste, in addition to food and dirt from normal daily activities.

Reynolds:  If someone is sick in the home, the laundry may be contaminated. Exposure to germs can occur while handling dirty laundry or transferring wet laundry from the washer to the dryer. It is always a good idea to wash your hands after handling soiled or wet laundry, even in healthy households.

Q: How long do those germs live on laundry?

Gerba: While respiratory viruses that cause COVID-19, colds and flu only survive a few days at most, viruses that cause diarrhea can survive for weeks. Bacteria can survive for weeks and, under some conditions, grow in stored laundry. You leave lots of good things for bacteria to eat in your clothing and cleaning tools, like washcloths.

Reynolds: Germs survive better when they are surrounded by dirt, skin cells or bodily fluids – such as mucus and saliva. This is why we recommend using deeper cleaning detergents with a wide variety of cleaning ingredients including enzymes to break up dirt and organic matter and to wash certain items more frequently, like sheets, towels and pillowcases.

Q: Does a normal wash cycle kill germs?

Reynolds:  A normal wash cycle, combined with the use of a deep-cleaning detergent, is sufficient for everyday cleaning in healthy households and also very effective for killing respiratory viruses that cause colds, flu and COVID-19.

Gerba: Germs are greatly reduced by the wash cycle during laundering, and a typical wash cycle is adequate for normal household loads. Laundry sanitizers are not required for everyday cleaning.

Q: What about water temperature? Does that matter?

Gerba: Most common germs are greatly reduced by washing, even in cold water temperatures, and this is adequate for normal household laundry.

Reynolds:  Generally, higher water temperatures kill more germs. If someone in your family is ill, clothes should be washed in the highest temperature recommended by the manufacturer's label. If washing in hot water is not an option, deep cleaning detergents provide adequate protection from COVID-19, cold and flu viruses.

Q: If someone is sick in my household, do I need to take extra precautions?

Gerba: Yes. Clothing from ill individuals can become highly contaminated with germs, and it is best to have a strategy for proper handling and washing.

Reynolds:  Soiled clothes or bedding from an ill individual should be washed as soon as possible. Wear disposable gloves when handling contaminated laundry and don't shake the laundry. The idea here is to avoid spreading the contamination to your hands or other surfaces in your home.  You can wash clothes and linens from someone with a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, with other family members' items. But if someone has a stomach flu or has a weakened immune system, those items should be washed separately from other family members' items.

Q: What about health care workers or others who work in high-risk fields? Do they need to be extra careful with their clothes?

Reynolds:  Extra precautions are recommended if someone in the household works in high-risk field where they have contact with sick patients or animals. Since their clothes could be contaminated with a wide range of germs, they should take a precautionary approach to wash and sanitize their laundry every time to prevent the potential spread of germs to other household members.

Gerba: Because health care workers are often exposed to ill individuals, they should also wash their professional clothing separate from the family laundry and use hot water or the sanitizing cycle on the washing machine and a bleach or registered laundry sanitizer. I would also recommend completely drying in a machine on the high heat setting, as this further reduces the number of germs.

Q: When should I bring in the big guns, like bleach and other sanitizing agents?

Gerba: You don't need to use bleach or laundry sanitizer for everyday cleaning. Laundry sanitizers are an added extra step needed during specific illnesses, such as the stomach flu, and are not needed to protect against the viruses that cause colds, the flu and COVID-19. In special situations where a laundry sanitizer is recommended for use, it should always be used after washing with a deeper cleaning laundry detergent. Bleach or another sanitizing agent should be used in households with confirmed or suspected enteric infections like stomach bugs with vomiting and/or diarrhea, persons with weakened immune systems, or work clothes potentially contaminated with pathogens of human, animal or agricultural origin.  

Reynolds: Germs that cause symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting or stomach flu are generally more difficult to kill compared to respiratory germs. That's why items contaminated with these bugs should be washed separately from other people's items. Washing in hot water, using a deeper cleaning laundry detergent, and adding a registered sanitizer or using the sanitizing cycle on the washing machine provides maximum protection against the hardest-to-kill germs. Drying clothes on high heat adds another layer of protection.  

Q: Should I sanitize my hamper and washing machine?

Gerba: I recommend that when you are done doing the family laundry you run an empty load with bleach or a sanitizer in the washing machine, especially when washing items from an individual with a stomach bug or contaminated work clothes. Bacteria remaining in the washing machine may persist in the washing drum and contaminate the next load of clothing.   

Reynolds: It is a good idea to clean and disinfect the clothes hamper and other surfaces like countertops that are in contact with soiled laundry, especially when illness occurs, and if you plan to transport clean laundry in the same hamper.

The Link Lonk


October 02, 2020 at 02:17AM
https://news.arizona.edu/story/dirt-laundry-and-how-reduce-your-risk-getting-sick

The Dirt on Laundry and How to Reduce Your Risk of Getting Sick - UANews

https://news.google.com/search?q=Laundry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Laundry Stripping: The Grossly Satisfying Way To Clean Your Linens - HuffPost

laundry.indah.link

Who knew that regular cycles in your washing machine may not be enough to get clothes clean?

A viral TikTok by user MrsLaurenElms, which showed her soaking towels in a bathtub, helped launch a national obsession with “laundry stripping” during the pandemic. Over the last few months, TikTok’s #laundrystripping tag page has garnered 27 million views and counting.

“One reason that we have seen a rise in this laundry trend is because of the shock factor that it gives people when they realize that the clothes they thought were clean are horrifically dirty,” said Michelle Hansen, an organizing and cleaning expert and owner of Practical Perfection.

Laundry stripping provides physical proof that our regular laundry methods might not be working as well as we thought. “Plus, it’s satisfying to see the murky colored water and see how much cleaner you’ve been able to get your laundry,” Hansen said.

But what, exactly, does laundry stripping do? And is it safe for your fabrics? Here’s a closer look at the latest laundry trend.

What is laundry stripping?

“Laundry stripping is a soaking method designed to deep-clean your laundry, with the intent to remove built-up residue from detergent, hard water, body oils and fabric softener, which you simply cannot do using a washing machine,” explained Dr. Elizabeth Mullans, a dermatologist in Houston, Texas.

Unlike other common laundry products, the cleaning agents used to strip laundry don’t have a waxy build-up that forms over time and causes clothes to become stiff and uncomfortable to wear (laundry scent beads, we’re looking at you).

Laundry stripping can be done in a traditional washing machine, though it requires a top-load washer. Since not everyone has one, using the bathtub is often the most convenient option.

Because of the extra-large capacity of a bathtub, it allows for the laundry powders and hot water to have access to all parts of the laundry, Hansen explained. The extra water and extended soak time allow the laundry mixture to strip away the buildup that regular detergents leave on clothes.

Basic Laundry Stripping Recipe And Instructions

Start by filling your tub with the hottest water possible. You can also use a large bucket or utility sink ― anything with enough space to fully submerge the fabrics

Next, add your stripping mixture:

• ¼ cup Borax
• ¼ cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
• ½ cup laundry detergent of your choice

The Borax and washing soda are laundry boosters, which remove hard water minerals in fabrics. Laundry detergent contains surfactants and enzymes to break down and remove other build-up on fabrics. The TikTok that kicked off this trend used a mixture of Borax, Arm & Hammer super washing soda and Tide powder laundry detergent.

After about four hours of soak time, squeeze out excess water as much as possible. Then run the laundry through a wash cycle in your washing machine without any detergent.

How To Maximize Strip Washing

Hansen recommended starting your laundry stripping with a load of clean clothes. “That way you’ll really be able to tell what a difference laundry stripping makes, even on clothes that you thought were clean,” she said.

Mullans noted that if you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to use a detergent designed for that. She added that laundry stripping is not always ideal for clothing as it can cause dyes to run. Also be careful with the type of items you decide to strip, such as comforters or pillows, as a high pH will strip the oils and could even cause the fabric to crack.

Since using hot water is essential to the process, it’s best to avoid stripping any colors other than white. Save the stripping process for your white towels, sheets, undergarments and clothing. It should also be done to clothes just a few times a year to avoid damage.

Also, because there are several laundry cleaners and a large amount of water involved, it’s important to keep any little ones or pets away from the tub area until you’re done to avoid accidents.

Is It Worth The Trouble?

Laundry stripping requires a lot of water, time and can be harsh on fabrics. So should you bother?

“While this laundry stripping trend seems to have gained popularity with many consumers, our research and laundry expertise suggests that there are more effective methods to remove build-up on fabrics,” said Jennifer Ahoni, Tide senior scientist. That’s because using washing or baking soda in a stripping process can not only cause some of the issues outlined above, but even form new soap scum residues on fabrics.

“Additionally, we have learned that low wash pH is an effective method for soap scum removal, and washing soda raises wash pH,” she added. “Washing soda can also deactivate some detergent components.”

Often, residues consist of body soils and fatty acid salts (“soap scum”), which a high-quality detergent and the warmest water possible can mostly remove, Ahoni said. “For additional removal of insoluble soap scum, I would recommend using a rinse treatment that is acidic, like 9 Elements Purifying Softener.”

It also helps to avoid overcrowding your washer or using more than the recommended amount of detergent, both of which make it tougher to effectively remove buildup.

Ahoni said that if you do give laundry stripping a shot, don’t do it frequently, as it can prematurely age and damage clothes. The hot water temperature required can be damaging to fabrics, as well as cause dye loss (which, by the way, is likely what contributes to the murky tub water). “I would avoid doing laundry stripping on delicate garments and fabrics, or those that you are worried about fading,” she said.

Laundry stripping is probably not the most necessary part of your cleaning ritual. And it could even do more harm than good. If anything, laundry stripping satisfies that deep-down desire to physically see all the grossness leaving your laundry ― which may be exactly what you need amid a global health crisis.

The Link Lonk


October 01, 2020 at 10:02PM
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/laundry-stripping-recipe-borax_l_5f72566dc5b6e99dc3310b4a

Laundry Stripping: The Grossly Satisfying Way To Clean Your Linens - HuffPost

https://news.google.com/search?q=Laundry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

The Incredible Shrinking Contour Sheet - American Laundry News

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ROANOKE, Va. — It was shortly after I started working in Milwaukee that I ran into the problem of contour sheets that were too short to fit the hospital beds.

I was in charge of a brand-new laundry featuring two Senking tunnel washers and two thermal fluid ironers. I had never had experience with thermal fluid ironers but was excited to be able to use this new technology.

I was getting numerous phone calls from nurse managers complaining that the contour sheets were not fitting properly on the beds. We were using a traditional woven contour sheet made from T-180 fabric.

My first thought was that perhaps some sheets were getting into my system from some other facilities. We were using 84-inch-long contour sheets as opposed to the traditional 80-inch contour sheets. The problem of screening out short sheets that all looked alike would be very difficult.

I started measuring the contour sheets after processing and quickly found out that the majority of the contour sheets were around 76 inches in length and as such, they could not fit our existing mattresses. The large number of sheets caused me to quickly check with my vendor to make sure they had shipped in the correct product. The company was able to clearly demonstrate that the problem was not on their end, but I still had some doubts.

When my next order of contour sheets arrived, I had the staff measure them before they went into service to prove that we were getting what we had ordered. This step quickly proved that the vendor, at least on that shipment, was not the source of the problem,  So we continued to investigate why the contours were so very small.

I next took a small number of the new contour sheets that had been measured and processed them through the tunnels and then remeasured them. They passed that test and the sheets performed as expected.

Next, I took these sheets and ran them through the thermal fluid ironers. Here I discovered the true source of the problem. Every time we ironed the sheets, we saw dramatic shrinkage on each sheet.

This surprised me, so I started to investigate the ironers. My production manager was attempting to increase production through the ironers by turning up the temperature of the thermal fluid.

The consultant that designed our laundry had set up a ìno dryî station for sheets so that they bypassed the dryers and went directly to the ironers. Because of the higher moisture content in the sheets as opposed to those that had been conditioned, the production manager was using higher temperatures to iron at in an attempt to compensate for the change.

The higher temperatures were causing the ironer pads to be replaced at a very rapid rate and our supplier was unsure as to why their product was not lasting. Higher temperatures also increased the need for the ironers to be waxed.

In talking with the technical experts at the textile company I came to learn that the sheeting material was fixed with a permanent-press feature and size stability chemical treatment at 375 F. We were operating our ironers at 525 F. What we were doing, in effect, was destabilizing the sheet and causing them to shrink as much as the fibers could be impacted.

Not only were the contour sheets shrinking excessively but so were all sheeting products run through the ironers. The problem was just more notable with the contour sheets.

Our solution to both problems was reducing the thermal fluid temperature to below 375 F and making the required adjustment in speed. This immediately solved the shrinking problems, but it still took a while to get all the damaged sheets out of the system. Our ironer pads began to function properly and their life increased into a normal range.

This was a costly lesson to learn but surely one that I have never forgotten.

The Link Lonk


October 01, 2020 at 06:48PM
https://americanlaundrynews.com/articles/incredible-shrinking-contour-sheet

The Incredible Shrinking Contour Sheet - American Laundry News

https://news.google.com/search?q=Laundry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en