5 Summer Laundry Tips You Need to Know
With the days getting warmer and longer, the summer offers a brilliant opportunity to refresh laundry processes. From the delicious scent of line-dried clothing to the fun outfits that summer offers, this chore has many differences as the season changes.
At Love2Laundry we have made it our mission to take the stress away from the task of washing clothing and other household fabrics. This extends itself to helping our clients keep summer items in perfect condition as well as tackling some of the other challenges that the new weather provides.
In this article, we will share our top 5 laundry tips you need to know when it comes to keeping things clean and fresh during the summer months.
What Is Different To Consider About Summer Laundry?
You may be thinking, ‘What differences are there to laundry in the summer months’? Well, we can confirm there are a few due to the changes in clothing fabrics and available outdoor conditions.
Most summer items are made from more delicate fabrics, such as linen or silk. These items can be harder to treat, with some only suitable for dry cleaning. You will also find that some summer clothing items have more detailed designs, such as cutouts or components that could get caught up with other items, such as straps from bikinis. Just like if you purchased a new jumper in the Winter, you will need to consider how best to treat summer clothing pieces.
Another consideration is that clothing is more likely to be affected by unwanted odours due to sweat during the warmer month. If pieces are not treated properly, this could lead to fabrics becoming permanently damaged both in terms of look and smell. This is why it’s also more important to wash regularly during the hotter months.
The reality is that if you keep processing laundry in the same way as you always do during the summer months, you are likely not optimising the most efficient processes. From being able to save energy with cooler washes to speeding up the drying time with outside lines, there are some vital differences to plan for when doing laundry in the Summer.
Top 5 Tips For Summer Laundry
Now that you know what differences there are for Summer laundry tasks, let’s set the cycle spinning on the top tips you need to be aware of. These are listed below.
Check The Care Labels
Did you know that only 41% of adults can correctly identify laundry care symbols? As you will know if you have read our expert guide to laundry and washing symbols, this key of icons is essential to follow if you want to treat items correctly.
This is even more important in the summer as the delicate fabrics and natural materials which offer more breathable conditions tend to feature more unique instructions. We recommend checking the labels on all items and making an effort to sort pieces as per their washing requirements. If you are unsure of what some of the icons mean, you can click this link to view our infographic of laundry symbols.
Use A Cooler Wash Setting For Summer Fabrics
Another summer laundry tip we have for season items is to use a cooler wash setting. This offers a less intense cycle which ensures materials don’t end up damaged. Another bonus is that running washing machines on a lower setting helps reduce a household’s environmental footprint. What more could you ask for; you can protect your summer garments and the environment simultaneously!
The best cycle to use is either a cold setting or a low to medium temperature of around so degrees. You can also check your washing machine, as some contain pre-programmed settings which allow for certain fabric requirements to be selected at the click of a button.
Protect Delicate Items With Laundry Bags
You will likely have more delicate items when washing summer items, as we have mentioned already. From dresses with applique designs to swimwear, many pieces need extra care and attention when cleaned.
The best way to do this is to use mesh laundry bags, which can be purchased from most supermarkets or household stores. They come in various sizes, allowing pieces to be secured but properly cleaned.
Check Items Have Dried Properly
As mentioned, getting to dry items outside is one of the many benefits of doing laundry in the Summer. However, you still need to ensure that pieces are properly dry before using or storing them. It can be easy for items to retain dampness if the weather changes, so just always be sure to check that fabrics are 100% moisture-free before taking them off of the line. You will also need to pay extra attention to items like swimwear with multiple layers as these will take longer to completely dry.
Pre-treat Common Summer Stains
Our final tip is to pay attention to those summer stains and always pre-treat items correctly.
In the warmer months, many occasions pose more of a risk to clothing and fabrics. From the greasy residue that sun cream can leave behind to condiments used at family barbeques, these issues are common. By pre-treating items, you give them the best chance at being restored to their previous glory once a wash cycle has been completed.
Always be sure to treat an item as soon as possible once a stain has been caused and use proper laundry products such as detergent sheets, stain removers and fabric conditioners.
What Considerations Should Be Made When Drying Clothes Outside?
Along with sharing the tips in the previous section, it’s important to mention some considerations when drying clothing outside, as that is a huge part of summer laundry. To save you from having to redo your washing if it rains or bringing items inside when they are still damp, you can follow these tips:
- Be sure to always check the weather forecast before putting items outside.
- Keep the washing line clean by wiping it down regularly.
- Never overload the washing line to ensure all items have room to dry properly.
- Use wooden or plastic pegs to keep items secure.
- Don’t leave delicate items hanging completely with the full weight on the bottom of the item, as this can damage them.
How Does Love2laundry Treat Summer Items?
Are you ready for the summer but in need of some extra support to get your laundry completed? If you find yourself always waiting for the washing machine to finish or concerned about how hygienic a laundrette is, our professional laundry service is perfect for you.
Our expert team knows exactly how to treat summer items, whether they are flowy dresses or delicate bedding. We offer both washing and dry cleaning services to facilitate any type of cleaning to ensure that items are always treated in the best way possible. The best part is that all you have to do is book a laundry load online, and then we collect and return items ready to wear. With no summer stain or smell being too much work for our laundry pros, you can let the stress of the chore leave your mind for the entire season and beyond.
Our service is affordable, with loads available either by the bag or with options for individual items. We also offer a membership programme for those who choose to use the service regularly. This means you can streamline payments and never again be without a clean load of laundry when you need one.
Finally, we also offer a full commercial service, which is perfect for businesses during the Summer and the rest of the year. Whether help is needed to keep bedding or tablecloths clean, we have a solution available.
Should you have any questions about more tips for summer laundry tasks or require more information about our services, contact us today.
