The Insider Secrets for Elevating Your Laundry Results Outcome
Advertorial: Spin Doctor Laundromat—C. Neilley
Just like the four seasons bring changes to the temperature outdoors, the clothing we wear come with washer and dryer temperature recommendations designed to help keep garments looking good from a color, condition, or shape perspective when laundering—unfortunately, they often go un-noticed.
That is because these recommendations are typically found on manufacturer care tags sewn inside the garment and communicated in symbols or words, whether, for instance, the article should be hand washed, dried flat, ironed, exposed to chlorine bleach, or dry cleaned. Case in point, the founder of Spin Doctor Laundromat, Cathy Neilley, says that customers often ask for bleach and hot water to be used on washable comforters, when most producers warn against this —especially on those filled with down, because the cover fabric can deteriorate; destroy the feathers and leave a lingering odor. It is also suggested that a mild detergent, like Woolite® be used for special care, delicates, or knits, whenever possible.
She also wants you to know that their process for wash, dry and fold service includes the additional step of emptying and examining the contents of each customer container upon weighing to search for care tags. And the staff is always available to assist self-clean customers with laundry tips, upon request. Management feels that the time necessary to perform this step is an effective way to deliver exceptional customer service.
According to industry experts, hot water should be reserved for “whites” that are heavily soiled (e.g., urine), potentially infested (e.g., mites, or bed bugs), made of natural (i.e., cotton) fabric. In fact, protein stains (e.g., blood; sweat) can set in when washed in hot water; shrink or wrinkle synthetic (i.e., polyester; nylon) fabrics, plus send additional pounds of carbon dioxide emissions into the air every year— not good for the environment. At the end of the day, hot water does not necessarily result in clean undamaged clothes.
Warm water is usually best for permanent press clothes and jeans because it allows good cleaning action without fading, wrinkling, or shrinking.
Surprisingly, cold water is more than up to the challenge of washing everyday laundry. “Technological advances, in both machines and detergents (not just the cold-specific kind), have made cold-water washing a highly effective option,” says Coin Laundromat Association clothing-care expert Steve Boorstein. The best-rated detergents, today clean extraordinarily well in cold water (reference the Tide® commercials with Stone Cold and Ice T); are phosphate-free, made of biodegradable soaps; are safe for septic systems and the packaging is recyclable.
Using cold water at Spin Doctor® can also save you money: The price for a cold cycle is lower than others to incent customers to choose it. They also want you to know that the superior agitation of their Electrolux machines offers a superior clean regardless of the type of detergent or temperature you select, and their staff is trained to advise you on how to keep your clothes looking great, even longer.
