Will it wash?
Pennies, gum wrappers, bobby pins… just a few things that fall out of pockets and into the washer. While we usually try to keep non-clothing objects out of the washer, some items are perfectly cleaned by the washing machine. Here are 5 items people commonly wonder about that are safe to go into the washer. A rule of thumb to keep in mind while washing these items is to keep the water temperature on the lower end, usually no higher than 100F, and to run the wash cycle on gentle.
- Bath Mats. Before washing your bath mat, shake it out to get rid of any debris. Throw it in your washing machine with two towels to help keep your machine balanced, and make sure to only use half the amount of detergent because rugs need less than other laundry. Once your wash cycle is done, you can throw those towels into the dryer and hang your rug to dry. Rugs aren’t the only bathroom accessory that can go in the washer…
- Plastic Shower Curtain. Mildew happens, but that doesn’t mean your shower curtain or liner is trash! You can throw this into the washer, too. Once again, you’ll want to use two towels but this is to keep the curtain from crinkling; you’ll still use less detergent than a normal load would call for, but you can also add about a cup of baking soda to really get rid of mold and mildew. The baking soda is mildly abrasive, and will help to make sure all the gunk is scrubbed away, and it will leave your curtain smelling fresh. Just like the rugs, hang the curtain to dry. Do NOT put the shower curtain in the dryer.
- Pillows. Not only can your pillows be washed, but you should be washing them at least twice a year. That’s a place where your face is every night, not to mention something that gets thrown on the floor, used as a desk, a prop, and more. To recap: pillowcases should be washed once a week, pillow covers once a month, and the pillows themselves every couple months. That may seem like a lot, but luckily most down and synthetic pillows can be washed in a machine. You’ll want to wash them in pairs to keep your machine balanced, but do NOT try to wash more than one pair at once. Only two pillows at a time will fit well into the washer. Wash them on gentle with a mild liquid detergent. A powder detergent can leave residue on the pillows. When drying pillows, you have a few options. If you have down pillows, use the tumble-only cycle (no heat!) and make sure your pillows are completely dried before placing them back in their covers. Any dampness left here can cause mold. Synthetic pillows can be dried on a low-heat setting, and make sure you throw in dryer or tennis balls to help prevent clumping.
- Yoga Mat. Cleaning your mat regularly is important to get rid of any sweat, oil, and studio-grime you may have picked up during class, but simply throwing you mat into the washer is not the way to go. Use cold water and a mild detergent in your washer, and remove the mat before it begins the spin cycle. Rinse it off with room temperature water, and allow your mat to hang to dry. This is not something that you want to start right before class, either. Mats take at least 24 hours to dry.
- Sneakers. Okay, so you probably did know these could be washed, but there are some rules to washing your sneakers correctly. If you have running shoes or something similar, you shouldn’t really wash them unless you have to. They are never quite the same when they come out of the washer. If they smell, get a spray or scented insert. Like the other items on this list, keep the temperature low, and do NOT dry them. Drying will cause sneakers to lose their shape. For a relatively quick way to dry any type of shoe, crumple up some newspaper and stuff it in the shoe, and let it sit for overnight. Newspaper also works fairly well as a deodorizer.
Call SITEX when the washer won’t cut it. We are specially equipped to not only keep your uniforms clean, but supply, maintain and deliver. Learn more about our uniform program, and let SITEX help.