The UK’s second city isn’t always first on everybody’s must-visit list, but we are here to change that. Birmingham is best known for its industrial background, hardworking people and famous waterways, the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ also has a rich history of arts, music and culture.
The First Game of Lawn Tennis Was Played in Birmingham
Birmingham has More Canals Than Venice
The Busiest Theatre in the UK in in Birmingham
Cadbury Chocolate and HP Sauce are both from Birmingham
Inspiration for the Lord of the Rings
Home to some of the UK’s most famous metal bands
Bullring Shopping Centre has been going since the Middle Ages
Home to the real-life Peaky Blinders
First Game of Lawn Tennis Was Played in Birmingham
Modern-day tennis as we know it can be traced back to Harry Gem and his friend Augurio Pereraw who are credited with playing the first game of modern lawn tennis in their house in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Edgbaston Lawn Tennis Club remains the oldest in the world. Take that Wimbledon!
Birmingham Has More Canals Than Venice
Birmingham’s famous waterways stretch for a whopping 35 miles, meaning it has more than the famous Italian city. These canals are enjoyed by walkers, cyclists and narrowboat owners alike and serve as a reminder of the cities industrial past.
The Busiest Theatre in the UK is in Birmingham
With a whopping 520,000 visitors per year, the Birmingham Hippodrome is officially the UK’s busiest theatre. Here you can catch year-round performances varying from dance, pantomime, musicals and theatre.
Cadbury Chocolate and HP Sauce are from Birmingham
That’s right, two of Britains most iconic food brands call Birmingham home. Cadbury’s chocolate started opened for production in 1905. Cadbury made its first Dairy Milk bar in 1914, with a higher percentage of Milk than previous bars, it soon became the company’s best selling product.
Another titan of the British cupboard is the famous HP Sauce. The ‘HP’ stands for Houses of Parliament, although this sauce’s roots don’t trace back to Westminister, but to its factory in Aston.
Birmingham was the inspiration for the Lord of the Rings
Not many people know that Lord of the Rings author J.R.Tolkien spent his formative years in and around the city. It was the landscape of the city and surrounding countryside that provided part of the inspiration for his books.
Locations like ‘The Shire’, home to his famous Hobbit characters, was inspired by a village called Sarehole, which has now been absorbed into Birmingham’s suburbs.
Home to some of the UK’s most famous metal bands
Another lesser-known slice of Birmingham’s history is the cities connection to Heavy Metal music. Bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Judas Priest all played their first gigs in the city, with many of their members having grown up in Birmingham. The city still hosts a strong metal scene today in venues like the Tunnel Club and Scruffy Murphy’s.
Bullring Shopping Centre in Birmingham has been going since the Middle Ages
Bullring Shopping Centre is situated in an area that has been a shopping hotspot in Birmingham since the middle ages. Long before enormous shopping malls and department stores, this area was host to a bustling corn market. The market legally began trading in 1154 and lives on today in the form of the Bullring Shopping Centre.
Home to the real-life Peaky Blinders
If you haven’t heard of the BBC’s hit period drama Peaky Blinders yet then where have you been? Set in post World War One Birmingham, the show has done more in recent years to put Birmingham on the map than anything else.
Tommy Shelby and his gang brothers have become the new heroes of the city. Championing the Brummy accent not just across the UK, but now taking America by storm since the hit streaming service Netflix has started airing the series. Based loosely on a real gang from the city with the same name, this show is a gateway to Birmingham life in the 1920s.
Thinking about visiting Birmingham to experience some of this amazing history first hand? You can also get your laundry done while you visit. Laundryheap operates throughout the city, all you have to do is book a same-day laundry and dry cleaning collection with free next day delivery.
Let’s face it, we’ve all found ourselves helplessly searching for something to do in the hour it takes for laundry to be washed. Often regarded as the household chore people loathe the most, Laundry generally gets a rough time.
Waiting for your washing to come out of the machine or dryer is often the most frustrating aspect of doing laundry . With such small increments of time, people often wonder what they should do? Well, we are here to change that with a few simple suggestions.
Listen to a Podcast
Read A Book
Listen To An Audiobook
Call Your Friends or Family
Watch Something On Your Phone
Do A Quick Workout
Online Shopping
Get Some Work Done
Catch Up On Emails/Messages
Hire A Professional To Free Up Your Laundry Time
Listen to a Podcast
If you haven’t already jumped on the Podcast hype-train, then where have you been? Podcasts are a great distraction from just about any boring task that doesn’t require your full attention.
There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of different Podcasts at your disposal, with most of them being free to listen to, it’s a no brainer for killing time doing laundry. Whether you are into true crime, sport, music, history, self-help or comedy, there is something for everyone in the Podcast world. Put your headphones in, sit back and let the time fly.
Read A Book
Most people don’t have time in their busy schedule to sit down and read a good novel these days. With so much of our time spent on work, replying to emails and checking social media for current events, the art of sitting and reading a book is in steep decline.
Waiting for your laundry to be done is the perfect opportunity to pull out that novel someone bought you as a gift two Christmas’ ago. Find a comfy seat, relax and get lost in the words. The time will fly by.
Listen to an Audiobook
Reading isn’t for everyone, we understand that. Luckily for us, we live in a digital age, that means you don’t have to strain your eyes from trying to focus on the small font used in books. If you feel you don’t have the attention span to sit and read a whole novel, then Audiobooks have you covered.
Just about every novel released now is accompanied by an Audiobook version. Harry Potter fan? Why not listen to the seven books narrated by the melodious voice of Stephen Fry? Let the narrator take you on the author’s intended journey and forget about all your laundry worries.
Call Your Friends or Family
So much of our interactions with people come in the form of text or email these days. Why not take the hour you have spare to call one of your friends or family. That’s right, call, as in over the phone and with your voice. Crazy, right? Waiting for laundry provides the perfect space in your day to call that special someone and catch up on all the things happening in each other’s lives.
Watch Something on Your Phone
Nowadays most people have smartphones with instant access to whichever choice of streaming service they prefer. If you have an hour to kill why not load up the latest episode of that series you have been binging? Or check out that documentary your friend recommended you watch? You’d be amazed how quickly you forget about that laundry spinning around the machine when you are tuned in to David Attenborough’s latest documentary. Just make sure you remember to take the laundry out when it’s ready and move it to the dryer!
Do a Quick Workout
This is a great option for those neglecting the gym lately, or for those who simply just love to work out. You can do plenty of routines in the hour it takes to do some laundry. Press-ups, sit-ups, squats, dips, you name it, it can be done whilst waiting for your laundry to be finished. This will have you not only feeling good about getting your dirty clothes washed but also about giving your body some much need endorphins.
Online Shopping
What better way to take your mind of doing the laundry than buying more clothes that will one day have to be washed? We are all guilty of spending too much time scrolling through online stores latest releases, so why not do it when you are waiting for the laundry. This way you don’t have to feel guilty that you are wasting valuable time.
Get Some Work Done
This suggestion can mean different things for different people depending on what you do for a living. If, for example, you work independently from home then laundry time is the perfect time to get some work done.
This option can be applied to just about any profession though. Whether it comes in the form of writing a to-do list or brainstorming some ideas you want to put forward to your boss, don’t let this free time go to waste!
Catch Up On Emails
Emailing is part and parcel of most peoples daily working routine. I’m sure we don’t need to remind you how quickly that inbox can fill up and how overwhelming it can be to start getting back to people. Why not use this unusual free time to tackle that ever-growing inbox of yours.
Hire a Professional
Why go through the stress and boredom of doing laundry when you could be using Laundryheap? All you have to do is book a collection and delivery time. Your clothes will arrive back with you 24 hours later – all clean and ready for action. You never have to worry about how to make the most of your laundry time ever again.
Solo travelling can be an experience like no other! With no friends or family with you, it can be easy to begin daydreaming about sleeping in with no judgement or stuffing our faces day after day, guilt-free.
Travelling solo can indeed produce a wealth of excitement and adventure. It is also true that it brings with it some real struggles. One day your drinking at a hostel bar with new your new fascinating international friends, the next you might find yourself alone and lost in one of the less friendly neighbourhoods in town. If you are thinking of giving solo travelling a try, then make sure know what you are getting yourself into.
Breaking the news to friends and family that you will be solo travelling
Having to make new friends
Bringing your bag with you EVERYWHERE
Not speaking to anyone for a whole day (or more)
Relying on selfies
No one to split the bill with
Getting lost on your own
Feeling sick with no one to look after you
Having no one to share your experiences with
Breaking the news to friends and family that you will be solo travelling
This is something anyone who has considered travelling solo will understand. Before your dream is even close to becoming a reality, expect your parents to ask you thousands of time: “Why would you want to travel ALONE?!”. The same applies to close friends who might take offence to you wanting to travel on your own instead of with them.
Getting questioned by your friends and family is always the first struggle solo travellers face themselves with. Some will question your motives for travelling solo, some your capacity to make friends and others might question your ability to survive on your own! Nearly 100% of the people bombarding you with such questions would have never been solo travelling themselves. They might not understand the numerous reasons there are for wanting to see the world on your own. Don’t let these initial reactions from people put you off of your dream.
Having to make new friends
The fear of not making new friends when travelling alone is probably number one on most peoples list of worries about travelling solo. Images flash through our minds of us sitting alone at a hostel bar, no one wanting to talk to us, checking our phones habitually for any human contact we can find.
This reality can be especially true for those of us who are more introverted and don’t make friends as easily as others. It might be that you are surrounded by more brash extroverts who prevent you from getting a word in or just that you find it hard to build enough courage to start a conversation with someone. Thankfully, there are some suggestions to combat this struggle. You can always book day trips where you find plenty of like-minded solo travellers also looking for friends. Better yet, you could use this opportunity as a chance to grow your social skills and push you out of your comfort zone.
Bringing your bag with you EVERYWHERE
Picture this, you have just arrived at your destination after 8 excruciating hours on a bus with no toilet on board. In a desperate hurry, you grab your bags and head full steam ahead for the bathroom. Just as you enter the door of the bathroom, you realise no one is with you to look after your bag, meaning you have to stuff yourself and your two oversized bags into the cubicle with you.
This situation isn’t unique to bus stations, though. Want to go to the toilet in Mac Donald’s? Better bring your bag. Want to check out that beautiful view at the top of the hill? Be sure to take your bag. With no one around to watch out for your stuff, you have to be extra vigilant and ensure you bring your luggage with you EVERYWHERE when travelling from one spot to another.
Not speaking to anyone for a whole day (or more)
The thought of spending some time alone could seem appealing to some people thinking of travelling solo. Although not all people quite realise just how much time they will spend alone. It is pretty common to leave the hostel in the morning, explore the city all day, and return at night without having said a word to anyone. Especially if you are in a country with locals who speak little English.
While this can sound like heaven to some people, others aren’t as keen on their own company. This can often induce feelings of loneliness in people. The best way to avoid this problem is to hang around the hostel bar – strike up a conversation with the barman and your fellow travellers. Ask about their time in the city, or their experiences travelling so far, you might just find out some useful tips. You could end up finding yourself the perfect companion to accompany you on your next exploration around the city.
Relying on selfies
A common theme for most solo travellers is that their photo albums only consist of two types of photos: photos of incredible views; and selfies with said incredible views in the background. You want to capture this once in a lifetime moment, but also don’t want to look like an obnoxious tourist carrying a selfie stick around.
The only solution to this struggle is to ask a stranger to take a picture of you. It could be helpful to learn how to ask for a photo in the local language. This might seem like an impossible challenge, but it could be the only way to get that photo you so desperately desire.
No one to split the bills with
Splitting the bill on holiday is a ritual many of us take for granted. We all have glorious memories of enjoying delicious meals with friends on holiday and not being able to believe how cheap it was when divided up in the group.
This problem doesn’t just relate to your time spent eating out on holiday. That cab from the airport would be 1/2 the price if you had 2 friends with you. That private hotel room with two beds inside would also be 1/2 the price if you had someone else to share with. As a solo traveller, you have to get used to eating all the costs throughout your trip. There isn’t an easy answer to this problem, you can use tools like Uber Pool to split the cost of taxis, but you will need to find friends to dine with if you want some help covering dinner.
Getting lost on your own
Having two heads instead of one when navigating your way around a new city comes with its advantages. When you get lost in a new place with a friend, it can be an exciting adventure that you will one day retell to all your friends. When you get lost in a foreign place on your own, it can quickly become a scary experience, especially as darkness starts to creep into the sky.
The best thing you can do if you find yourself in this sort of situation is to remain calm and remind yourself that if you got yourself to this point, then you can yourself back to your hostel. It might be a good idea to carry a business card from your hotel or hostel or take down the address on a piece of paper. That way you’ll always have the address to get home, even when your phone has run out of battery. Another tip would be making the most of the free city maps you find in almost every hotel or hostel reception.
Feeling sick with no one to look after you
It’s never nice getting sick, especially when you are on holiday, and even more so if you are alone. No one wants to be the person in a hostel dorm keeping everyone up all night, with there sneezes and coughs, not to mention the fear of spreading the illness.
With no friend to confide in and tell you it’s going to be OK, you can find yourself calling your parents at awkward times to describe your symptoms in the hope they have the magic cure. If you do get sick while travelling solo, take the time to slow down, get some rest and take the break your body is clearly crying out for. It could be a solid move to treat yourself to that private hostel room to ensure you don’t alienate yourself from the rest of the backpackers by keeping them up all night.
Having no one to share the experience with
There will be various times throughout your solo journey that something unbelievable will appear in front of you, you will be dying to discuss this phenomenon, but alas, you will be alone. This can often be a strange realisation for travellers when they find themself faces with incredible beauty but have no one to discuss it with.
That is not to say these moments can’t still be enjoyed when you are alone. Times like this are perfect for self-reflection or journaling your experiences. It will also help you to appreciate your own company and eventually realise some moments are more special when only experienced by yourself.
If you are travelling solo and you are lucky enough to end up in one of the cities we operate in, why not choose Laundryheap as your new laundry companion. We are currently based in London, but our services are available in London, Manchester, Coventry, Birmingham, New York, Dublin, Dubai, Sharjah and Amsterdam.
Is there anything worse than dry food? Sauce, in all its incredible different varieties, has meant we never have to worry about our food being too dry again. These moist and flavoursome little bottles of joy do come with there own problems though.
It doesn’t matter if it is the bright red ketchup, golden yellow mustard, or the infamous brown BBQ sauce that your taste-buds desire most. All of these wonderfully tasty condiments can leave us in a state of panic every time we carelessly spill them onto our new white t-shirt. We are here to try and ease that panic. Next time you find yourself overindulging in a hot dog that is drowning in mustard and ketchup, make sure you know how to remove the stains once the inevitable happens.
Tomato Sauce
Mustard
BBQ Sauce
Mayonnaise
Chilli Sauce
Tomato Sauce
You can find this versatile vegetable (or fruit!?) in cuisine all over the world. Whether its ketchup on your fries, spaghetti sauce or bloody mary’s, sauces that mostly contain tomatoes can make it seem like the end of the world when spilt on our clothes.
The best thing you can do when spilling tomato sauces on your clothes is act as soon as possible. Try to use heavy-duty laundry detergent and make sure you use the hottest water recommended for the fabric on the garment care label. Always ensure you check the laundry symbols before washing the garment. To start with, gently rub the liquid detergent directly on the stain. Next, place the garment into the machine to be washed. Make sure to air dry after, as heat from the dryer can set in any remaining stain particles that have not come off in the wash.
Mustard
Like ketchup, mustard can cause most people to shriek when it’s spilt on your clothing due to its luminescent colour. Mustard contains a dye called Tumeric to enhance the yellow colour, which means it must be treated differently to other stains on this list.
If a mustard stain does not get treated quickly, the turmeric dye can remain on your clothing as a permanent reminder of your carelessness. Try to catch the stain while it is still moist and blot immediately. Make sure you do not rub the stain, as you do not want to spread the turmeric onto unstained parts of the garment.
Finally, mix a solution of three-quarters of dish soap and one quarter rubbing alcohol. Apply the mixture to the stain and allow to soak for 10 minutes, just long enough for it not to dry. The alcohol in the solution should turn the stain a dark colour, but not to worry, it will rinse right out! Rinse the treated area with hot water, and then launder like normal.
BBQ Sauce
Would a barbecue even be a barbecue if it wasn’t messy to eat? Most people attending a barbecue know the risks going in, but that still doesn’t make the BBQ sauce stains any less harrowing.
Removing the stain is a two-step process. Soak the affected garment just like you would soak a dirty dish in warm water with dishwashing detergent, this will help loosen the sauce from the fabric and help clean the stain. Once you have left to soak for at least ten minutes, pour some vinegar on the affected area and scrub with a kitchen sponge. After you’ve treated the stain, run the garment through the washing machine like normal.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is probably the least threatening colour of all sauces listed in this guide, but do not let its neutral colour fool you. Mayonnaise can leave oily spots on your clothing that are not always easy to remove.
When you spill a blob of mayonnaise on your clothing, use a blunt object like a butter knife or spoon to lift as much of the Mayonnaise off the fabric as you can. Never rub because this will push the stain deeper into the fabric, making it harder to remove. Seeing as the bulk of the issue is an oil-based stain, every Mayonnaise stain should be pre-treated using solvent-based stain removal products. If you don’t have any solvent-based stain remover at hand, apply a bit of heavy-duty liquid detergent instead. Then work it in by delicately rubbing with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Lastly, wash the garment in the washing machine on the highest heat it recommends on the label.
Chilli Sauce
Need some spice in your life, but don’t like it trickling onto your clothes? A good old fashioned spicy hot sauce is great for adding flavour to your dishes, but not so great for your new white work shirt. Most hot sauce ingredients consist of peppers, spices and vinegar. Assuming your favourite brand of chilli sauce doesn’t add too much artificial food colouring, the stains should be simple to remove.
Acting immediately is proving to be a common theme in this guide. You guessed it, don’t wait until you’ve finished your food to act on a chilli sauce stain, get on the job straight away!
First things first, run the stain under the tap for at least a minute. Do not rub the stain here, instead let the water flow do the work. We also recommend turning the item inside out and cleaning from the backside to remove it from within the fabric. After this, place the clothing in a sink filled with cold water, add a tablespoon of liquid detergent and vinegar, then gently scrub the stained area. Lastly, put the item in a washing machine and make sure to use warm water, never hot, as this will set the stain.
If you don’t have the time or patience to clean a worrying stain out of your clothing, why not let the professionals help you? Laundryheap is here to help by offering same-day laundry & dry cleaning collection with free next day delivery.
If you or one of your loved ones is pregnant, then first thing’s first, congratulations! Over the next few months, you will become more devoted to your little bundle of joy. That could mean anything from decorating the baby’s new room or getting a scan. Another important issue for soon-to-be Mothers is purchasing maternity clothes. Don’t look at this as a daunting task but think of it as some much needed “you” time. This is likely going to be the most necessary retail therapy you will ever need in your life.
This list will help you find the most comfortable (and stylish!) maternity clothes New York City has to offer.
Yummy Mummy
Rosie Pope
A Pea in the Pod at Macy’s
Motherhood Maternity
Janes Exchange
Pink Blush Maternity
Hindy’s Maternity Boutique
ASOS Maternity
Yummy Mummy
Regarded as the one-stop-shop for “all things breastfeeding”. The store is located on the Upper East Side and stocks breastfeeding-friendly apparel with a selection of bras, pants, dresses, skirts, tops and more. The philosophy at Yummy Mommy is that you never need to sacrifice comfort or style to feed your child.
Address: Inside Knickerbocker Plaza, 1751 2nd Ave Suite 203, New York, NY 10128, USA
Rosie Pope
This chic shop has an abundance of trendy apparel for mums-to-be and babies. You can pick up a mix of imaginative, fashionable, and differing styles of maternity apparel. Products can range from casual stay-at-home pants to more formal dresses for that all-important date night. Maternity clothing is only part of the overall in-store experience with concierge services, parenting classes, and even a room they describe as The Mancave (for distracting irritable Daddies to be).
Address: 1265 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10128, USA
A Pea in the Pod at Macy’s
One of the more high-end stores on this list, A Pea in the Pod stocks a variety of designer maternity wear for the more fashion-conscious Mummies-to-be. There is nothing unfashionable about the maternity wear on offer here. You will be able to find all the latest trends here whether you are looking for a new bikini or a cute dinner dress.
Address: 151 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Motherhood Maternity
Don’t want to spend loads of money on clothes you may only wear for a few months? Then Motherhood Maternity has you covered. With plenty of stylish, affordable and durable clothing starting at as cheap as $5.00 for tees and tanks this store ticks all the boxes. These guys stock everything from maternity jeans, maternity tops, maternity dresses and nursing bras!
Address: 270 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001-6720, USA
Janes Exchange
This is another one for the future Mommies who want to save some dollars before the baby arrives. This buzzy secondhand shop has a large selection of maternity clothes, as well as kids clothes, gear and toys. They even boast a play area for any older siblings of the new baby that might be accompanying you. Janes also stocks new maternity clothing from Cadeau.
Address: 191 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10009, United States
Pink Blush Maternity
Pink Blush Maternity designs clothes specifically wit you, the modern mother in mind. They operate in a world where fashion meets motherhood. With looks that are stylish, trendy but most of all affordable. You’ll find everything from hospital robes to activewear for pregnant moms!
Address: Only online
Hindy’s Maternity Boutique
Hindy’s is one of the more upscale stores featuring on this list. Hindy’s stands out amongst the others because of its vast variety of offerings – from sportswear, career wear, cocktail dresses and just about anything else you can imagine. Hindy’s started out as a small shop and has now expanded into a nationwide scale operation. This hasn’t dropped the quality of clothes though, they still stay true to the original goal; keep Moms stylish and comfortable.
Address: 4902 New Utrecht Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11219, United States
ASOS Maternity
If you haven’t already heard of fashion giant ASOS then it’s fair to say you may have been living under a rock for the last ten years. You can, however, be forgiven for not knowing about ASOS’ marvellous maternity range. With relatively inexpensive products and new items added to the site every week, ASOS should be high on the list of all new Mom’s go-to maternity stores.
Laundryheap can help relieve the stress of doing laundry with our same-day laundry and dry cleaning service, to give you more time for the important things in life, like shopping!
Denim jeans have been an essential item of clothing since the 19th century. Before the 1950s, most denim jeans were crafted from raw and selvedge denim. In the decades since the way jeans were produced changed drastically with the implementation of new cost-cutting technologies and manufacturing in developing countries.
Raw and Selvedge denim remains available at a slightly higher cost and has recently seen a resurgence in demand. Even though most raw denim enthusiasts are obsessed with achieving fades on their jeans, there are still a small community of people who want to preserve the dark indigo colour their jeans are when they purchase them. There are a few approaches for maintaining that dark colour, much to the dismay of some raw denim devotees.
Soak in water and white vinegar
Iron sporadically
Wash with specific denim care brands
Refrain from strenuous activity when wearing the jeans
Buy non-fading denim
Have your jeans dry cleaned (professionally)
Soak in water and white vinegar
You may have seen this hack featured on our blog before in the How To Remove Stains With Viniger post. Luckily for you, vinegar has lots of incredible uses that don’t include fish and chips, like being used to set the indigo dye in your jeans.
Once mixed with water (about half a cup for a tub full), soak the pair of jeans in the mixture to limit any further fades. This is also a good cleaning option for denim heads who don’t want to wash there jeans at all.
Iron regularly to stop creasing
Parts of your jeans that crease are often the first places that you will find fading; the crotch, knees and the seat are the most prominent areas for fading.
Ironing out these creases after every wear will help minimize fading in the areas mentioned above. This isn’t the most time-efficient method and will require a high level of dedication from the wearer. So it all depends on how dedicated you are to minimizing those fades.
Wash with specific denim care brands
There are a host of reliable brands that have been tried and tested by the raw denim community to ensure the best care for your jeans. However, it is important to bear in mind if you want to limit fades, avoid the washing machine at all costs.
One common brand used to clean raw denim is Woolite Dark washing detergent. A small amount of Woolite Dark mixed with water provides an excellent soaking environment to soak your denim in. Alternatively, brands like Mr Black Garment Essentials produce ‘Denim Refresh’ products, a biodegradable solution designed to clean, refresh and extend the life of your beloved raw denim jeans.
Refrain from excessive activity
Without a doubt, the most depressing option on this list, refraining from wearing your new raw denim is probably the last thing you want to think about right now.
Having several different pairs of selvedge jeans can mean spacing out how much you wear each pair, leading to less fading in the long run. This option is obviously dependant on your budget and how desperate you are to maintain that dark indigo look.
Buying non-fade denim
This one has to go down as the easiest tip on this list and that is to just buy jeans that don’t fade. Unfortunately, raw denim that doesn’t fade comes at a hefty price and aren’t commonly found.
Some traditional denim brands like Pure Blue Japan have recently started making raw denim that won’t fade. PBJ sells a pair called NC-005. The “NC” stands for ‘No Change’, referring to the fabric holding its colour. These jeans will still show signs of wear, but will not fade to a lighter shade like other raw selvedge denim.
Have your jeans dry cleaned (professionally)
Taking your jeans to specialists like us here at Laundryheap ensures your denim will get the best care possible. Our service is reliable, professional and takes just 24hours. Did we mention that it’s also free next day delivery? What are you waiting for!
Ireland’s capital city has a rich history of culture, arts and nightlife. Home to the famed River Liffey and The Temple Bar you would be forgiven for never wanting to leave Dublin.
Luckily for you, you can travel to just about anywhere in the country from Dublin and back again in a day.
So if you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the fair city, here are some of our top recommendations.
Howth
Wicklow Mountains
Cliffs of Moher
Kilkenny Castle & City
Connemara & Galway City.
Howth
Easily the closest of all our destinations on this list. Howth is located just a short 25 minute journey from Dublin City centre. You can take the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) train to this picturesque little fishing village. City dwellers often make the short journey to the rocky peninsula to get a well-earned break from stresses of cosmopolitan life.
Howth offers the delights of fresh sea air to accompany you on your rural hike through this delightful part of the East Coast of Ireland. We recommend visiting Howth Cliff Walk, a family-friendly path with phenomenal panoramic views. There are also countless sights to see like Howth Castle & Gardens, The National Transport Museum and St Mary’s Abbey Medieval ruins to wander around.
A short walk from the train station and you will find delicious street food, handmade jewellery and traditional Irish crafts jumping out from there individual market stalls.
Wicklow Mountains
Spread out over 85 miles, the Wicklow Mountains are a natural wonderland of endless hills, boggy marshes, icy marshes and windswept heaths. The raw natural beauty of Wicklow Mountains is all the more impressive when considering how close this wonderful escape is from Dublin.
The area is sometimes known as Ireland’s Hollywood because many of the countries most famous stars own property in this untouched part of the country. Bono, Daniel Day-Lewis and Guinness family all have homes in and around the Wicklow Mountains.
These mountains host endless walking trails and medieval ruin sights, some of you may have even seen the landscape on films and TV like P.S. I Love You and Vikings. The most popular attraction in this part of Ireland would be the Monastic City at Glendalough. Located in what is known as the valley of lakes, this early Christian monastery was founded in the sixth century by Saint Kevin. Adventurers can find the ruins of a cathedral and a majestic Irish round tower.
The Cliffs of Moher
At the westernmost edge of the Emerald Isle, the hardy Cliffs of Moher tower nearly 702 feet above the Atlantic ocean. No trip to Ireland is complete without stopping off at these breathtaking cliffs. So breathtaking in fact that they were used in the filming of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Considered by many to be the top destination to visit in Ireland, this unique section of coastline stretches for five miles along the ocean. These striated limestone cliffs are constantly being beaten by the Atlantic winds and waves, resulting in remarkable views all year round. On a clear day, it is possible to see as far west as the Aran Islands, beyond the islands the next bit of land to the West would be the United States.
The cliffs are located on the western border of County Clare, less than an hours drive from Shannon Airport. Travellers from Dublin can take a train to Ennis, and from there take a public bus which makes trips to the cliffs Visitor Centre three times a day.
The Kilkenny Castle & City
Kilkenny is located just an hour away from Dublin so it makes for the perfect day trip from the capital! It is often frequented by Dubliners on weekend getaways or stag parties. The city boasts an electric nightlife. When you aren’t enjoying some of the many pubs and restaurants in the city, go and check out the famous Kilkenny Castle.
One of Ireland’s most visited heritage sites, the Kilkenny Castle was initially built for the powerful Butler family in the 12th century, though much of the present look dates from the Victorian times. From November to January visits are by guided tours only, with self-guided tours from February to October. One standout part of the tour is the Long Gallery which boasts a painted roof and carved marble fireplace.
Connemara & Galway City
Arguably Ireland’s most untouched regions, Connemara is a must-see. Located on the West Coast in County Galway this destination may seem far from Dublin City, but with the train running from Dublin to Galway every hour you can be there in 2 hours 30 minutes.
Thousands of people flock to Connemara every year to see the wild beauty it has to offer. This district really captures the true essence of the West of Ireland with its Connemara ponies, valleys, lakes, thatched cottages and the famous Clifden Castle. Make sure you give yourself enough time to visit Galway city whilst stopping through, this wonderfully quirky city is bustling with traditional Irish music and culture. Eyre Square, 16th Century Spanish Arch, Druid Lane Theatre and the Spanish Quarter are all worth visiting.
If you do decide to embark on any one of these marvellous day trips, why not get your laundry done whilst your away? Laundryheap is here to help with a same day laundry and dry cleaning service with free next day delivery in Dublin.
In all honesty, when most people think about facts to do with laundry what springs to mind first are things like stain removal tricks, or when did mankind start washing their clothes. The truth is laundry has lots of surprising tales and facts associated with it. This post will highlight 8 of the most surprising facts about laundry!
How Vikings did their laundry.
Ancient Roman’s use of urine to clean clothes.
Chinese were the first people to use the iron.
H.Sidgier invented the washing machine.
Astronauts incinerating their dirty laundry.
Pochon invented the early tumble dryer.
Washing detergent was invented because of soap shortages during the First World War.
70% of dirt on your clothes is invisible.
How Vikings did their laundry.
Early sea voyagers like the Vikings used to tie their laundry up and hang it off the back of ships to wash as it passes through the waves.
Ancient Roman’s use of urine to clean clothes.
In Ancient Rome they would heat urine with water, insert the clothes into the cocktail and stomp on the clothes to clean them.
Chinese were the first people to use the iron.
Ironing as we know it today was invented by the Chinese. They were the first people to iron clothes with metal over a thousand years ago.
H.Sidgier invented the washing machine.
1782 was the year the first washing machine was invented. Its creator was H. Sidgier of Great Britain. This was a very primitive version of what we have today, Sidgier designed a rod cage that would crank. Years later inventions like the hand-powered drum machine helped form the machine we use today.
Astronauts incinerating their dirty laundry.
Astronauts have historically incinerated their dirty laundry in the Earth’s atmosphere on their way back down. This was initially a way to save water but Nasa does hope to use soiled laundry to feed plants in the future.
Pochon invented the early tumble dryer.
Dryers have been around for 200 years. Although this is new in comparison to the washing machine, they were not commonplace in houses until after the 1960s. You can thank Pochon from France who designed and created the first-ever hand-cranked dryer. Even after the first electric dryer was created in 1936, most people continued to use the old-fashioned model for many years to come.
Washing detergent was invented because of soap shortages during the First World War.
Washing detergent as we know it today was invented because of soap shortages during the First World War. Chronic shortages of fat meant soap could not be made which led to the creation of synthetic detergent. It was first marketed as ‘Dreft’
70% of dirt on your clothes is invisible.
70% of dirt on your clothes is invisible. According to scientists’ even if your clothes appear to be clean what makes them dirty isn’t necessarily what you can see. Various types of human matter like dead skin cells, sweat, natural body oils and even the wrong type of detergent can make your clothes much dirtier than they may appear.
If you are too busy reading surprising facts about laundry instead of getting some done then let Laundryheap help with our convenient and professional service.
When it comes to cleaning around the house, curtains are often overlooked, either because we don’t know where to begin cleaning or it just seems like a time-consuming process.
Cleaning curtains is the same as cleaning your delicate clothes but easier. We’ve put together a simple guide on how to clean, dry and maintain your curtains.
Machine Washing Curtains
Not all curtains can be machine washed. It all depends on what type of fabric they are. It’s best to check the care label as it will show you the right way to clean them. If your curtains are cotton, it is generally safe to put them into the washing machine on a ‘delicate’ cycle.
For sheer or lace curtains, that can be machine washed, put them into a large delicates bag or pillowcase to keep them extra protected from fraying in the wash.
Hand Washing Curtains
If for some reason you can’t locate the care label or, you don’t want to put your curtains in the washing machine because it is delicate, hand washing is a safer option. Since you have control, it will minimise the risk of damage to the fabric. If you’re don’t know how to hand wash, check out this hand wash guide. Since curtains are large, it’s best to use the bath tub, unless you have a sink that’s large enough.
Drying Curtains
If the care label advises you not to tumble dry your curtains, line or hang dry them outside provided that the weather allows you to. Make sure to keep away from direct sunlight to avoid bleaching and if possible dry in a breezy place.
For tumble drying, use a low heat setting and remove the curtains just before they dry completely, to avoid wrinkles and creases. You can iron or press the curtains while still damp.
Dry Cleaning Curtains
If your curtains are dry clean only, then you should get them dry cleaned and avoid machine and hand washing. Curtains made from delicate fabrics such as velvet, velour, brocade, chenille wool or silk should dry cleaned.
To save yourself bringing your curtains to the dry cleaners, you can use dry cleaning services such as Laundryheap, who will collect and deliver your them.
Steam Cleaning
A convenient method for cleaning your curtains which is safe for almost all fabric types is steam cleaning with a hand-held steam cleaner. This method requires minimal effort as you can steam while your curtains without taking them down. It is perfect for heavy curtains or those made with natural fibres.
Begin at the top of the curtain, making your way down with gentle vertical strokes. Make sure the steamer is on a delicate setting.
Maintaining Curtains
It’s essential to wash/deep clean your curtains at least twice a year to remove dust and odours. To keep them looking fresh in between, vacuum your curtains using the soft brush attachments once a week and do clean your windows and sills, and dust curtain tracks.
Amsterdam is a lovely city and is known as one of the safest in the world. There are so many things to see and do, and while it is a tolerant and liberal city, there are some things that you should be cautious of and not do, in Amsterdam.
10 Things Tourists Shouldn’t Do When Visiting Amsterdam
Don’t get on public transport without an OV-Chip card
Don’t forget your ID
Don’t take the Dutch attitude personally
Don’t expect good customer service
Don’t smoke cannabis publicly
Don’t take photos of the windows in the Red Light District
Don’t wander in the bike lanes
Don’t cycle in pedestrian paths
Don’ forget to watch out for tram tracks
Don’t buy from street dealers
Don’t Travel On Public Transport Without An OV-Chip Card
You can’t travel on trains, trams, buses and metros without an OV-chip card. These chip cards work as a contactless ticket system and are available to purchase from ticket machines throughout Amsterdam. As a visitor, you can choose from several passes including, a day fare or a disposable one-time-only pass.
Don’t Forget Your ID
By law, whether you’re an EU citizen or not, it’s essential to carry around ID with you at all times. If you fail to show identification if asked by police, you can get a fine, but generally, you won’t need to pull your ID out much unless it’s at a bar or coffeeshop.
Don’t Take The Dutch Attitude Personally
The Dutch are direct when it comes to communicating, which can offend some tourists who are not familiar with that type of attitude. Even customer service is inattentive and can take some time for you to get some actual ‘service’ as you need to be the one to approach them first.
Don’t Expect Good Customer Service
As mentioned already, customer service employees are inattentive, and you will usually have to be the one to approach them first. Waiters at cheaper local restaurants and cafes leave people for long periods of time without checking up on them. You will generally need to call the waiter over or go up to the desk.
Don’t Smoke Cannabis Publicly
Although cannabis can be found everywhere in Amsterdam, consumption can only be at licensed ‘coffeeshops’ and not publicly anywhere else as this is illegal. Locales aren’t too fond or proud of the use of cannabis in Amsterdam either; these coffeeshops are more for tourists instead of the Dutch.
Don’t Take Photos Of The Windows In The Red Light District
If you plan on visiting the Red Light District, you mustn’t ever take photos of the women in the windows. You will suffer some terrible consequences like getting thrown into the canal by security and have your phone or camera smashed. To be safe, make sure to check your surroundings if you do want to take a photo in that area, like of the architecture, for example.
Don’t Wander In The Bike Lanes
While the Dutch are cool people, they do get frustrated when someone blocks there path as they’re cycling. They will ride straight through crowds without hesitation and will not give way to tourists. As a result, you may get injured, and the blame will be on yourself. Be careful and look out for paths with a bike icon and painted a faded red colour.
Don’t Cycle In Pedestrian Paths
Just as you shouldn’t wander in cycle lanes, you shouldn’t cycle in pedestrian paths either. If you plan on hiring a bike and taking a tour without a guide, be sure to cycle only in bike lanes and avoid pedestrian-only areas if you don’t want to get fined. Also, it’s important to note that if you don’t know how to ride a bike well, don’t hire one, as this can annoy locals.
Don’t Forget To Watch Out For Tram Tracks
When cycling around, be cautious of tram tracks as they are thin and deep enough to trap your bicycle wheel, resulting in you falling and injuring yourself. Similarly, be careful when crossing the street as there could unexpectedly be a tram travelling in the opposite direction. You can also find taxis, buses and other vehicles using the tram lanes.
Stay Away From Street Dealers
If it’s cannabis you’re after, don’t ever buy them from street dealers as it is both illegal and extremely dangerous. There have previously been some severe cases of intentional drug poisoning over the past few years that have targeted tourists. Instead, go to a licensed coffeeshop.
Follow these tips and stay safe while you enjoy your trip to Amsterdam. Don’t forget that if you require a laundry service on your trip, Laundryheap will be happy to help with your laundry troubles.
