Category: Laundry Tips

Tips For Storing Your Dry Clean Only Clothes

Posted on April 21, 2022 by - Dry Cleaning, Laundry Tips

How To Store Your Dry Clean Only Clothes

Dry cleaning is a process that uses a special chemical solvent to clean clothing and garments without the use of soap and water. Sometimes it is a necessity for fabrics that are entirely too delicate for regular washing methods. Fabrics like muslin, and cotton voile are fragile and prone to tearing, even with hand washing. While suedes and soft leathers can lose color and become incredibly stiff. When dealing with these fabrics you not only need to consider how to clean them but also how to store them. Here are some tips for storing your dry clean only clothes to keep them protected and beautiful and lasting a lifetime. 

Folded

When dealing with stretchy garments, such as sweaters, the best way to store them is by folding them. This is because they can become stretched out of shape on hangers under the weight of the garment. After folding, place the garments in a container that can keep out moisture. You want to place the heaviest garment on the bottom, then second heaviest, and so forth. Make sure to leave a little space between the top garment and the lid for breathing room. 

Hung Up

Padded, or thick wooden hangers, can be used to store garments that won’t stretch. After hanging, simply place the garments and hangers in breathable cotton garment bags. Cotton will offer enough air flow so the garment can breathe, yet still protect it from dust and environmental dirt. 

Vacuum Sealed

Vacuum sealing clothing is an amazing way to save space when storing clothing. With dry clean only it is not recommended that this method be used for really long term storage. However, it is perfect for seasonal storage where you plan to rotate clothing a few times a year. After opening the vacuum sealed bag, please be sure to give your clothing at least 24 hours to re-inflate before wearing. If, after they re-inflate, they are wrinkled you should have them professionally pressed to get them ready to wear.

Regardless of the storage method you choose, make sure it is in a place that is away from UV rays, and has a mild temperature. These elements can cause damage to the clothing. And, while not necessary, make sure to label your bins, garment bags, or vacuum bags, so you can find your items quickly without compromising the delicate fabrics by rummaging through them to find one or two items.

Now that you know our best tips for storing your dry clean only clothes, it is time to find an amazing place to have your clothing cleaned. Laundry Point is a reliable 24 hour laundry and dry cleaning service that offers pick-up and delivery to work around your schedule.

Dry Cleaning or Laundry Service?

Posted on August 23, 2021 by - Dry Cleaning, Laundry Service, Laundry Tips

Image of woman considering a dry cleaning or laundry service

Deciding between a dry cleaning or laundry service can be confusing. There are a lot of variables to consider to ensure the longevity of your clothes. Let’s break it down. First, what’s the difference?

Dry Cleaning

A dry cleaning machine is like a large, front loading washing machine but instead of using water it uses solvents. It even has short and gentle cycles, like a washing machine does. But why would you want to clean your clothes using solvents instead of just using water? The answer is quite complex which is why dry cleaners train for three years to fully understand materials and solvents and the best way to handle them. For instance;

  1. Some stains, like oil, blood, ink and so on are very difficult if not impossible to remove with water. The solvents that dry cleaners use are also much stronger than you can obtain domestically. We have seen clothes ruined by well meaning people and their home remedies. Don’t be one of them! The best thing is to use paper towel to gently dab off any excess liquid (don’t rub). Then get the item dry cleaned as soon as possible as stains can “set” if you leave them too long.
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  2. Some materials like wool and silk may be washable but we always recommend to dry clean them regardless. For example, a wool jumper can stretch or shrink in the wash. It can even stretch and shrink at different rates if it is a wool blend! Silk on the other hand is notorious for dyes running. Dry cleaning solvents are far less likely to cause colour run, and even if they do run, a good dry cleaner can clean it multiple times until the “loose dye” is removed. Try that at home and your best dress is ruined.
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  3. A suit jacket contains fusing glued between the front panels to make it stiff so it doesn’t flop at the front like a cardigan. Washing suit jackets causes bubbles to appear as the material starts to separate from the fusing which will mean a trip back to the shops for a whole new suit so don’t do it!

Laundry

So now you know that some clothes should be dry cleaned only. But what should be washed?

  1. There are many clothes that can’t withstand drycleaning solvent. It has a tendency to weaken the threads of lycra gym wear causing a fuzzy appearance, for example, so don’t cook with oil after you’ve been to the gym!
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  2. Nothing beats washing for freshness, so if it’s smell you want to get rid of, washing wins hands down.
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  3. Unless you’ve got ink stains or similar your business shirts come out fresher and press up crisper with washing.

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Customer Care Labels

Here in Australia the ACCC rule that all garments must come with a Care Label attached, even if they are purchase online from an international distributor. By law, the clothing manufacturers should test each garment by cleaning it a number of ways prior to releasing it to market to establish the correct instructions.

So, if you’re wondering whether to use a dry cleaning or laundry service, start by checking the Care Label. If damage such as shrinkage or colour run occurs despite following those instructions take your garment back to the place of purchase, you have a right to refund.

If either method is OK, then the best thing to remember is that the results from dry cleaning are more predictable than from washing. So, if you really love something or it cost a lot to purchase, best to play it safe and get it dry cleaned. For your everyday items though, washing is king.

Here is a handy chart to help you deciper those care label symbols, once and for all

Breaking down each symbol on a care label

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The Perfect System

Here at Laundry Point we don’t charge your credit card until we successfully deliver, so our experienced operators will keep an eye out for you and let you know prior to processing if they spot something they think is wrong. So, if you’re tired of thinking about it, download our app. That way, you’ll never have to think about it, ever again. That’s truly the perfect system for dealing with dry cleaning or laundry.

Our top tips for running a home-based business

Posted on August 23, 2018 by - Dry Cleaning, Laundry Tips

Becoming a Laundry Point launderer can free you from money woes and the ties of traditional employment. Many of you will be running a home-based business for the very first time. 

Whether you’re a stay-at-home mum or dad, working while studying or looking for weekend work, Laundry Point gives you flexibility and the choice to earn a little or a lot. No matter how much you intend to earn, you’ll be operating a business from home, and will need some advice. Here are our top tips* to help you get started.

Know your obligations – play by the rules

The rules and regulations for starting and running a home-based business differ, depending on your state or territory. Check here for links to more information about the rules where you live.

Use the business features built into the Laundry Point app.

We designed the Laundry Point app to help make running your business easy. Tracking your income and kilometres driven for work means that tax time is a simple affair. Pass these totals and your receipts (see below) to your tax agent and your job’s done. Make sure to keep money aside in a separate account to allow for tax. If you put aside a little more than needed each week, you’ll not only be covered come tax time, you’ll have saved yourself a little nest egg for a holiday or special treat.

Document your business – record-keeping like a boss

When you’re making money from home, good record-keeping is essential. It will help you meet your tax obligations and understand how much you’re really earning. By law you need to be able to explain all the transactions in and out of your business, that is: income and expenses. You need to keep most records for 5 years (some longer). Apart from receipts for expenses (see next tip) you need to keep a record of what you’re paid. Laundry Point (via your Stripe account) makes it easy to access your total annual income with the touch of a button. Learn more about record-keeping for small business here.

Keep receipts – no receipt, no deduction

As a self-employed home-based worker, you can claim tax deductions for many of your expenses. Some, you can claim in full. Others, you can claim a portion of. You need to keep your receipts to make any claims come tax time. 

Expenses you may be able to claim as a Laundry Point launderer include:

  • vehicle running costs – fuel, registration, insurance, maintenance
  • equipment service and repairs – washing machine, dryer, iron
  • electricity/gas
  • water rates
  • some equipment – iron, hanging racks
  • laundry powder/liquid, dryer sheets 
  • Laundry Point app subscription

Track your travel

Because you’ll probably use your car for both private and work trips, you need to track the kilometres you travel for each, so you claim the right portion as a tax deduction. You can keep track of your kilometres in a log book, but the Laundry Point app makes it even easier for you, automatically tracking the distance you travel in your work. And if you opt to use a “per km” system for tax deductions, you won’t need to present fuel receipts. 

Be organised – systems win the day

Your success as a Laundry Point launderer, relies on you being reliable. You need to arrive on time for pick-up and deliver back to your customer’s expectations. The Laundry Point app’s built-in calendar will help you schedule your time, your jobs and your availability. It even sends you reminders! Checking in on your calendar every morning over a coffee will make sure you’re not caught by surprise. 

You also need to be able to manage your customers’ laundry items right through the process, from pick-up to delivery, without losing or confusing any items with those of other customers (or your own). Think about a system that will work in your home environment … and then stick to it. You’ll need to be extra careful if other people have access to your washing machine/dryer or vehicle.

Be professional – impressions count

Working from home doesn’t mean unprofessional. It means working hard to earn your customers’ respect, trust and confidence. Always dress in neat, clean clothes and be well-groomed. Keep your vehicle clean and tidy. Above all, be polite and professional with all your customer interactions. Let your smile show your customers that you really love doing laundry.

Ready to get started as a Laundry Point launderer? Fill in this form today to get more info.

*Disclaimer: This information is general in nature. You should check with your accountant, bookkeeper or the ATO for specific advice in relation to your individual circumstances.

Dirty Laundry & How To Deal With It

Posted on August 23, 2018 by - Dry Cleaning, Laundry Tips

Ask just about anyone how they are and their answer is usually “busy”. We put our all into our work, committing to the long hours and deep headspace it takes to do a job well. Not to mention our family and social lives. And, for the most part, we like it like that. Busy is the “new black”. So why is anyone wasting precious time dealing with dirty laundry?

It takes time and effort just to keep up.

Many families have two breadwinners juggling schedules to share the load of work and home. Or, if you’re flying solo, it’s even harder to get everything done, commit at work and have a social life without any help to get through life’s minutiae.

Perhaps once we’d feel guilty about socialising with friends instead of getting ourselves and our dirty laundry organised for the week ahead. Now though, if COVID has taught us anything, it’s that time spent together with other human beings is incredibly precious. So many people have now realised that cancelling friends or time with family is just not an option when they’re running short on time.

So, why on earth are you still doing such a time consuming task as laundry yourself?

Outsourced laundry services and ironing services are in good company.

With the tap of an app, you can summon an Uber car to your door, a Deliveroo meal to your workplace and an AirTasker handyperson to paint your side fence. And, now, with Laundry Point, you can outsource your washing, folding, dry cleaning and ironing with the same ease.

Why wouldn’t you? There’s no guilt. It’s affordable and secure. You have nothing to lose and just time to win back. Time to do the things you love and enjoy, rather than dealing with laundry tasks.

No need to keep carting your sweaty gym clothes and towels to and from work every day. And no need to drag the towels home from your physio or osteo practice to try to get them done yourself either. Simply fill a basket and have the lot picked up from your home, workplace or wherever is convenient and we’ll deliver it back to you all done. Perfect.

Stop staring down relentless waves of folding and ironing (and more folding), week in, week out. The solution is just a tap away.

Revenge bedtime procrastination.

Do a couple of loads of washing, and you won’t have time to go to the gym. Iron next week’s business shirts tonight, and you won’t get to that dinner with friends or the kids’ soccer. You could hide a large dog under the mountain of washing that needs folding, but you’re just desperate to hit the couch for some Netflix and chill.

Do you find yourself so out of control during the day that you have to forego enjoyable activities to make time for mind numbing chores? Do you then lie in bed staring at a screen until midnight instead of going to sleep? Apparently there’s a term for that – revenge bedtime procrastination. Turns out that staying up super late until we’re exhausted is the revenge we take on our day for being all work and no play.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! Take your day back, spend more time with family & friends and sleep like a baby. Outsource your chores!

Guilt-free and worry-free.

Please stop worrying! At just $4.50kg for our wash, dry & fold service, Laundry Point is so affordable that you can enjoy the service guilt free. And, the system is so reliable and secure that it is worry free as well.

You can book a pickup in as little as two hours from now with delivery just 24 hours after that. You’ll receive a text to notify you when a driver is on their way and a link to track them to you live on line, just like with Uber. So you never again need to panic about how you’re going to get everything done.

Are laundry services and ironing services life changers?

Anything that frees you up to do the things you love is life changing. What things are important in your life? What do you enjoy doing most? What brings you joy? We’re guessing washing and ironing don’t top your list. Maybe you yearn for more time with family, more dinners with your significant other, more time on the treadmill or more time working on that one big idea that will change everything.

The point is this: it’s your time and freeing yourself to enjoy it is up to you. Download our app and get rid of at least one chore today.