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Celebrating St Patrick’s Day at home

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

For the second year in a row, we will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day at home. That doesn’t mean that we can’t still have fun.

  • Dress in green
  • Watch the RTE virtual parade
  • Set a St Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt
  • Take an Irish cooking class
  • Learn Irish dancing
  • Tell Irish fables
  • Have a drink at the virtual pub
  • Take part in a St Patrick’s Day quiz
  • Host an Irish film night
  • Test your luck

Dress in green 

The best way to get into the St Patrick’s Day spirit is to wear as much green as possible. Ransack your wardrobe for every green item you can find, and wear it for the whole day. You could even turn this into a contest between your friends and family- who can wear the most green? 

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Watch the RTE virtual parade 

Following the success of last year, RTE is taking their parade virtual for 2021. Usually, RTE would host a 4-day event, complete with performances from comedians, musicians, and, the crown jewel of the event, the St Patrick’s Day parade. This year, the festival will be hosted online, with all performances being done virtually. You can enjoy the RTE St Patrick’s Day parade, and all of the other performances, by heading to the RTE website. 

Image by Michael Miller

Set a St Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt 

A St Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt is fun for all ages. Simply hide a few St Patrick’s Day-themed items, such as potatoes, gold coins, an Irish flash, etc., and set your players off on the hunt. You could even award prizes for the fastest players to find all the objects. 

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Take an Irish cooking class 

St Patrick’s Day is the ample time to expand your culinary expertise and learn how to cook a traditional Irish dish. You could try making Irish stew, soda bread, or shepherd’s pie. Just get your ingredients together, and see how it turns out. 

Photo by Naim Benjelloun from Pexels

Learn Irish dancing 

Irish dancing began in the 17th century and was taught by “traveling dance masters” who journeyed across Ireland to teach the art form.  The characteristics of Irish dancing are a stiff upper body, rapid leg movements, and precise foot movements. It is an incredibly hard dance form to master, however, is very fun to try, so dust off your dancing shoes and annoy your neighbours by attempting a wee Irish jig. 

Image by Thank You (20,5 millions+) views

Tell Irish fables 

The people of Ireland are naturally sociable, and storytelling is an integral part of their culture. Before society was literate, storytelling was how important life lessons were passed down to children. As a result, there are some interesting, and entertaining, Irish fables that make for great reading. 

Have a drink at the virtual pub

There are many Irish tipples that can be enjoyed on St Patrick’s Day. Despite not being able to go to the pub physically, there is nothing stopping you from setting up a virtual pub with your friends and family. Whether your preferred drink is Guinness, whisky, or Bailey’s, enjoy a special St Patrick’s Day drink with your friends and family, from the comfort of your home. 

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Take part in a St Patrick’s Day quiz

Quizzes are a great way to test your knowledge, whilst having competitive fun. You can design one yourself, or get one online, and then virtually gather your friends and family to test your St Patrick’s Day knowledge. To make it more interesting, you can give out special points for the best team name and funniest answers.

Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova from Pexels

Host an Irish film night 

There is an abundance of fantastic Irish films, so St Patrick’s Day presents the prime opportunity to enjoy some of them. Pick a selection of Irish films, perhaps some that you have seen before and others that you have not, and settle down for a night of Irish cinema. Don’t forget your popcorn. 

Photo by JESHOOTS.com from Pexels

Test your luck 

St Patrick’s Day is supposed to be a lucky day, so why not test your luck. You could buy a scratch card, a lottery ticket, or put a bet on, and see what the outcome is. I hope luck is on your side. 

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Whilst you enjoy some St Patrick’s Day fun, we will take care of your laundry. To book your Laundryheap order, simply head to the Laundryheap website, or download the free Laundryheap app. 


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school uniform hygiene tips

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With children now back at school, it’s important to take every precaution possible to ensure that their school uniform remains hygienic and COVID 19 free.

  • Wash daily
  • Make sure you are disnifecting 
  • Wear gloves
  • Wash inside out
  • Always use a hot wash 
  • Check the care label
  • Avoid shaking clothes
  • Don’t leave clothing in the washing machine
  • Let clothing dry completely
  • Don’t forget about school bags

Wash daily 

Your child’s school uniform needs to be washed every day to ensure that no COVID 19 germs linger on their clothing or transfer to their surroundings. 

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Make sure you are disinfecting 

When washing your child’s school uniform, you must make sure that you are disinfecting, not just cleaning. Cleaning your child’s uniform will remove dirt and germs from the surface of their clothing, whereas disinfecting involves using chemicals to kill germs and bacteria to stop them from reproducing and spreading. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Wear gloves

When handling your child’s school uniform, or any clothing that may have been exposed to COVID 19, it is advised that you wear gloves. They will prevent germs and bacteria from transferring on to your hands and being spread to other surfaces. If you do not have a pair of gloves, make sure that you thoroughly wash your hands after handling clothing. 

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Wash inside out

Washing your child’s school uniform inside out will prevent piling and bobbling. You will be washing your child’s uniform frequently, so there is an increased risk of tears and rips in the fabric. Washing your child’s uniform inside out will help lessen this damage. 

Photo by Mary Taylor from Pexels

Always use a hot wash

Hot washes are the best way to kill germs and bacteria from clothing. For the best result of eliminated germs and bacteria, wash your child’s uniform at 60 degrees Celsius. 

Photo by Amina Filkins from Pexels

Check the care label 

Despite the fact that hot washes are the best way to eliminate germs and bacteria from clothing, always check the care label before washing your child’s uniform. Some items of your child’s uniform may not be suitable for hot washing, and doing so may leave the item damaged and unwearable.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Avoid shaking clothes 

Before and after you take your clothing out of the washing machine, avoid shaking it out. If you shake your child’s uniform, there is the potential of spreading COVID 19 germs and bacteria to the surrounding areas, even after you have washed your clothing. Wait until your item is completely dry before shaking. 

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Don’t leave clothing in the washing machine

Regardless of COIVD 19, it is never a good idea to leave your washed clothing sitting in the washing machine as it can cause damp and mould. If left wet in the washing machine, any of the remaining germs on your child’s uniform, which would be removed in the drying process, could rapidly multiply. For the best result, take your child’s school uniform out of the washing machine to dry as soon as possible. 

Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels

Let clothing dry completely 

For the best result of removing COVID 19 bacteria, tumble dry your child’s school uniform. However, if you do not have a tumble dryer, air drying will work effectively. Viruses and bacteria thrive in damp environments, so it’s important that you wait until your child’s school uniform is completely dry before allowing them to re-wear it. 

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

Don’t forget about school bags  

It’s important to not only disinfect your child’s school uniform, but also their school bag. Similarly to their school uniform, bags need to be washed every day. If your child’s bag is made from a cloth-like material, you can wash it with your child’s school uniform. Alternatively, if your child’s bag is made of leather, or a leather-like material, you can use disinfectant spray or wipes to wipe down the surface of the bag. If you are using this method, make sure that you reach every corner of your child’s bag. 

Photo by Luis Quintero from Pexels

At Laundryheap, our top priority is our customers safety. That is why we offer a hot wash service, completely free of charge, whenever you book a Laundryheap service. 

To book your Laundryheap service, simply head to the Laundryheap website, or download the free Laudndryheap app. 


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Quarantine entertainment

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

At first glance, hotel quarantine may not sound like a lot of fun. Confined to a small space for 10 days, with only a TV, WIFI, and whatever you travelled with, for entertainment. That being said, there are some fun, useful, and productive ways to stay entertained during your hotel quarantine. 

  • Exercise
  • Yoga
  • Learn something new
  • Read
  • Listen to podcasts
  • Catch up with family and friends
  • Do something creative 
  • Catch up on life admin
  • Do some cleaning 
  • Allow yourself to relax

Exercise 

Despite not having a lot of space in your hotel room, it is still essential to do at least a little bit of exercise. You will be moving very little during your 10-day quarantine, so it’s important to do a small amount of activity every day to stimulate your body and mind. This can be in the form of walking from one side of your hotel room to the other 10 times every hour, completing an exercise video, or even doing a home workout. Doing a small amount of exercise will keep your body energised and release endorphins to help keep you feeling optimistic during this tough time. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Yoga 

As well as doing physical exercise, try doing yoga. Yoga is a great way to stretch your body, improve your flexibility, and focus your mind. In addition to this, yoga doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to achieve in a small hotel room. 

Photo by Tim Samuel from Pexels

Learn something new 

Quarantining for 10 days, completely away from distractions, provides the perfect opportunity to learn something new. You could learn a new language, take an online course, or try something creative, such as art. As long as you can find the supplies, and your new activity doesn’t require too much space, the sky is your limit. Push yourself, and you will be surprised at what you can achieve. 

Photo by Tony Schnagl from Pexels

Read

In our normal lives, we are surrounded by so many distractions, that it’s hard to find a quiet moment to relax and escape in a book. Your hotel quarantine experience provides the ample opportunity to do just that. Turn off your phone, get comfortable, and lose yourself in an alternate universe where you aren’t quarantining in a hotel for 10 days. 

Photo by Dina Nasyrova from Pexels

Listen to podcasts

Whatever your interests are, there is a podcast for you. From true crime to comedy, DIY to baking, you will definitely be able to find an interesting podcast on your chosen subject. Simply choose a podcast, get comfortable, and listen. Be warned though- they are extremely addictive, and before you know it you will have spent a whole day intensely listening to the same one. 

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Catch up with family and friends 

The COVID 19 pandemic has made all of us focus on cherishing our loved one. That being said, in between working, looking after families, and finding time to focus on ourselves, sometimes it’s hard to reach out to the ones we love. Take your time in quarantine to ring, video call, or voice note your loved ones. Check in with them and make sure that they are okay. It can get lonely in quarantine, especially if you are on your own, so it will feel good to see or hear a loved one, even if it is through a phone. 

Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels

Do something creative 

Sometimes we become so invested with the everyday, that we don’t find the space to be creative. Take your quarantine as an opportunity to explore your creative side. Express your emotions through art, try creative writing, or even film your quarantine experience. Try and find a creative outlet to express your emotions. 

Photo by Steve Johnson from Pexels

Catch up on life admin 

We all have life admin that we either never have the time to tackle, or are constantly finding excuses to avoid doing. Now is your time to tackle that life admin. Set an hour aside everyday for the 10 days that you are in quarantine and get your life admin out of the way. You may not even need 10 days to complete it.

Photo by Cup of Couple from Pexels

Do some cleaning 

Despite the fact that you will be staying in a hotel room, it is your responsibility to keep your room clean for the 10 days that you are staying. Pass some time by making the bed and making sure that your room and bathroom is clean and tidy. A tidy room may help tidy your mind and lead to an increase in productivity. 

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Allow yourself time to relax 

Life is hectic, and this pandemic has been, and still is, incredibly hard to navigate. Whilst you are quarantining, allow yourself time to fully relax. Take some time to practice mindfulness. Spend a day watching mindless TV. Take a nap. Whatever it is that you do to relax, allow yourself time to do it. This will help you re-set your mind, and prepare you for life post hotel quarantine. 

If you are concerned about running out of clean clothing whilst you are in quarantine, worry no more. We’re here to help. At Laundryheap, we will pick up your clothing from your hotel, dry clean your garments, and re-deliver them to you, within 24 hours. 

To book your Laundryheap service, simply head to the Laundryheap website, or download the free Laundryheap app from the App Store or Google Play Store. 


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How to get laundry done in a quarantine hotel

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You’ve arrived back in the UK, lugging your suitcase, and you’re immediately told that you must isolate for 10 days in a quarantine hotel. You will be provided with 3 meals a day, WIFI, and regular COVID tests. What won’t be provided, is a way for you to wash your clothes. How are you going to get your laundry done? 

  • In the sink 
  • Through the hotel 
  • Laundryheap

In the sink 

To wash your smaller items of clothing, such as t-shirts and underwear, you can use your quarantine hotel room bathroom sink. Before doing so, check with your hotel that you can have access to some form of laundry detergent. 

To hand-wash your clothes, fill your bathroom sink with warm water, and add the laundry detergent.

Place your items in the water, you may have to do this one item at a time depending on how big your sink is, and use a plunging motion to wash them. 

Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your items, rinse them with warm water. Make sure that you thoroughly rinse your clothing or you could be left with laundry detergent lingering in your garments. 

After rinsing your clothing, hang it over the shower and leave it to air dry. This could take some time depending on the warmth of your room and how many items you are trying to dry at once. 

Photo by ato de from Pexels

Through the hotel 

Some quarantine hotels may offer an in-house laundry service, at an additional cost. It is likely that a laundry service will only be available at certain times, so you will have to adjust your schedule accordingly. There is no guarantee that your quarantine hotel will offer a laundry service, so it is best to check before hand. 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Laundryheap

Laundryheap is an on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning service. We will pick-up your laundry from your quarantine hotel, launder it, and have it re-delivered to you within 24 hours. We are fast, flexible, and efficient.

Our number one priority throughout the COVID 19 pandemic continues to be keeping our customers and partner drivers safe. That is why we offer a hot wash service, at no additional cost, and all of our deliveries are contactless. 

At Laundryheap, we understand that this is a scary time, and that having to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days is not easy. That is why we are here to help you get through it, with fresh clothes. 

Booking your Laundryheap order could not be simpler. You can head to our website, or download the free Laundryheap app from the App Store or Google Play Store. 


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How to host a festival at home

Image by Henry Burrows

With festival season being, close to, completely cancelled because of COVID19, it’s time to bring the festival fun to you. Grab your tents, glitter, and music, because this is how you can host a festival at home. 

  • Give your festival a name
  • Make access passes
  • Create a map
  • Pick your line-up
  • Get your house festival-ready
  • Set activities 
  • Get yourself festival-ready
  • Dine al-fresco
  • Stick with camping 
  • Document the journey

Give your festival a name

Begin planning your stay-at-home festival by naming it. Don’t stress yourself out too much about creating a funny or witty name, something simple will do just fine. Naming your festival will simply put a name to the event and make it more official.

Make access passes 

It’s always nice to have memorabilia from a festival. Despite your festival taking place in your own home, and with limited guests due to COVID rules, making access passes is a fun way to commemorate the event. Make your passes by either drawing or create a simple graphic. Print your graphic on plain paper or card and fold it into a small rectangle. If you have access to a laminator, laminate the pass to avoid it becoming damaged by spilled drinks or general wear and tear. Finally, attach your passes to some string, or a lanyard if you have one, and hand them out to your festival-goers. Don’t forget to remind them that without their passes they can’t access the festival, so they must be worn at all times. 

Image by goblinbox_(queen_of_ad_hoc_bento)

Create a map

It may seem silly to create a map for your festival when it’s being hosted in your own home, but it’s part of the festival experience. Draw a simple layout of your house and pinpoint the areas where events will take place. You could even create a breakdown of which bands you will be playing at certain points of the day, just like in a real festival program. Similarly to the access passes, creating a map will provide your festival-goers with a small token from the festival that they can keep. 

Pick your line-up

You can’t have a festival without music. Unfortunately, you can’t have any live performances, unless someone in your social bubble is a musician. Luckily, there are a few music streaming options that will provide all the tunes your festival needs.

Firstly, many festivals that have been cancelled due to COVID have been showing performances from past acts. For example, Radio 1’s Big Weekend is available to watch on IPlayer. You could create your perfect festival line-up by going through performances from festivals past and playing those for your guests.

Alternatively, you could create your own playlists using a streaming service. This way it is completely up to you which songs to include in your set. Regardless of your decision, make sure that you have a headline act that is worth sticking around for. 

Image by Karen Woodham from Pexels

Get your house festival-ready 

You can’t host a festival without getting your house adequately festival-ready. Make a stage for your virtual bands to perform on by using a chair or table to prop a laptop on. Pitch a tent in your garden and allocate camping space for those staying at the festival. Use fairy lights to illuminate your food court and stage area. Create an outdoor seating area using throw pillows and blankets. Finally, finish off creating the festival vibe by using colourful streamers and banners to decorate the area. You want to create a new experience for your festival-goers, so get creative with your decorations. 

Set activities

When visiting a festival there are usually activities that can be done between seeing performances. These can be anything from face/glitter painting to playing human-sized Jenga. Plan some activities throughout the day that can involve all of your festival-goers. Do some face-painting, play some games and, most importantly, have fun with it. Make sure that your activities are appropriate for all ages so that any children at the festival can join in. 

Get yourself festival-ready

Part of the fun of festivals is dressing up for them. Think flamboyant but comfortable. Shorts, feathers, sequins, tassels, and, of course, a pair of wellies. You want to be prepared for all weather conditions, so it’s best to wear something lightweight for the sun, but also have a waterproof coat on-hand for the rain. The most important thing to remember when getting ready for your festival is… you can NEVER wear too much glitter. 

Image by ChrisPerriman

Dine Al-Fresco

Eating at festivals is all about grabbing something easy to eat at a food truck and dining Al-Fresco. Set up a BBQ and have burgers, hot dogs and other easy-to-eat delicious BBQ foods available for your festival-goers. Create your very own food court and let your guests lounge on throw pillows and blankets whilst they enjoy some, much-needed, festival food before they get back to their raving. The bonus of attending an at-home festival is that you can skip the endless food queues. 

Stick with camping

One of the best parts of going to a festival is camping. The joy of a stay-at-home festival is that you don’t have to camp in a crowded campsite, surrounded by queues of people waiting to use the portaloos in the middle of the night. Upgrade your camping experience by creating a calming campsite that your festival guests can enjoy. Pitch some tents and make them comfortable and cosy. Leave out plenty of sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets for your guests to snuggle up in, and light your tents with a multitude of fairy lights. You want to give your festival-goers a relaxing area to wind-down after a day of partying to their favourite artists. 

Image by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels

Document the journey 

Finally, make sure that you document your festival journey. Your festival is bound to be a lot of fun for yourself and your guests, so make sure that you capture plenty of photos and videos to remind you of what you created. You could even go live on Facebook and Instagram and share parts of your festival experience with your followers. 

Image by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

The joy of a stay-at-home festival is that there is less chance of your clothes getting covered in mud from staying in a field all weekend. If you do happen to get muddy during your festival, let us take care of your clothing. Book a Laundryheap hot wash service by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app. 


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Your questions answered on washing face coverings

Image by Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker

We have all been advised to wear face coverings when entering enclosed spaces outside of our own home- but do you know how to care for your face covering? These are your face covering questions, answered. 

  • How often should you wash your face covering?
  • How do you safely remove a face covering?
  • What should you do if you can’t wash your face covering immediately?
  • Can you wash your face covering with other laundry items? 
  • What’s the best way to wash a face-covering in the washing machine?
  • How do you hand wash a face covering?
  • How do you dry a face covering?

How often should you wash your face covering? 

You should wash your face covering after every wear. Your face covering will create a barrier to catch any virus-filled droplets that are breathed out in your everyday life. It is important to remember that you may encounter some people who will not be wearing masks and their virus-filled droplets could attach to the front of your face covering. To avoid any cross-contamination of COVID bacteria it is safest to wash the front and inside of your face mask after every wear. 

Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels

How do you safely remove a face covering?

Remove your face covering with care. Use the strings securing your covering to loosen and take it off. When removing, and once removed, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth until you can wash your hands. You should wash your hands immediately after handling your face covering to remove any harmful bacteria that may have been transferred. 

Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels

What should you do if you can’t wash your face covering immediately?

If you can’t immediately wash your face covering, simply place it in a disposable bag until you can. Avoid placing your covering directly onto a surface as this can spread potentially harmful bacteria. If you do place your covering on a surface, make sure to disinfect the surface as soon as possible. 

Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Can you wash your face covering with other laundry items?

You can wash your face covering with other laundry items, as long as your covering is not overly delicate. COVID bacteria are highly unlikely to transfer from one material to another before the laundry detergent eliminates it. 

What’s the best way to wash a face covering in the washing machine?

The best way to wash a face covering in the washing machine is dependant on the material of your covering. Put your face covering in your washing machine with similar materials so that it does not get damaged. Prior to putting your covering in your machine check the care label to see what the highest appropriate temperature is. There is no need to buy a specific laundry detergent, whatever brand you usually use is completely fine. Once you have inserted your face covering with your other laundry items and inserted the detergent, set your washing machine to the highest appropriate temperature, and wait for your cycle to finish. 

How do you hand wash a face covering?

If your face covering is made from a particularly delicate material it may be best to hand wash it. If this is the case, all you need is laundry detergent and warm water. Pour a decent amount of laundry detergent onto your mask and use some warm water and a scrubbing motion to make the material soapy. Scrub your mask for a minimum of 20 seconds, making sure that all areas of it have been covered. After 20 seconds or more, rinse your mask with warm water, making sure that all of the soapy residue has been washed off. 

How do you dry a face covering?

The most effective drying method for a face covering is either by tumble drying or air drying. If you are using the tumble dryer, set the dryer to its highest temperature, and leave your covering in until it is completely dry. Alternatively, lay your face covering completely flat on a flat surface and wait for it to air dry. If possible, dry your mask in direct sunlight.

If you decide to air dry your mask make sure that you iron it once it has been dried. You want to use some form of heat to make sure that all of the bacteria from your mask have been eliminated and using an iron is the fasted way to do this. 

At Laundryheap, we want to ensure that you stay safe. That is why we offer a hot wash service and will deliver your laundered clothes contact-free. Book your slot by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app. 


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Top tips for disinfecting clothing

Image by Marco Verch

With COVID19 restrictions being eased, it is more important than ever to make sure that your clothes are properly disinfected. These top tips for disinfecting clothing will ensure that your clothes remain clean and that you remain safe. 

  • The difference between cleaning and disinfecting 
  • Wear gloves
  • Use a bleach detergent
  • Choose a hot wash
  • Dry clothes completely 
  • Steam clean your clothes
  • Clean your machine
  • Disinfect your laundry basket
  • Use Laundryheap

The difference between cleaning and disinfecting 

It is not enough to simply clean your clothing, you need to disinfect them. Cleaning your clothes involves removing dirt and germs from the surface of the fabric. Disinfecting your clothes involves using chemicals that guarantee the removal of bacteria, preventing the spread of bacteria to other surfaces. 

Wear gloves 

Before you begin your laundry put on a pair of gloves. Your gloves will protect you from getting any of the bacteria from your clothing onto your hands, therefore limiting the risk of bacteria spreading to other surfaces. Once you have completed your laundry you are safe to remove your gloves and immediately wash your hands.

Image by Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker

Use a bleach detergent 

To ensure that your clothes are adequately disinfected it’s best to use bleach detergent. The bleach will denature the protein in any bacteria lingering in your clothing, subsequently killing it. Before using bleach detergent, always check the care label on your clothing as bleach may damage you more delicate items of clothing. 

Choose a hot wash

Washing your clothes at 55-60 degrees will help ensure that your laundry comes out bacteria-free. Hot water makes many detergents more effective at tackling bacteria on clothing, plus the heat of the water aids in deactivating the bacteria. Similarly to when using bleach, always check the care label of your clothing as more delicate items of clothing may become damaged if hot washed. 

Image by Paul Hudson

Dry clothes completely  

Before you re-wear any freshly washed item of clothing you must make sure that it is completely dry. Bacteria thrive in damp environments, so wet clothing provides the perfect breeding ground for it. To make sure that your clothes are completely dry before re-wearing them, either dry them in the tumble dryer or put them in the dryer for a quick 5-minute blast. The heat from the tumble dryer will warm your clothing and kill off any of the remaining bacteria. 

Image by viZZZual.com

Steam clean your clothes

If you need to disinfect more delicate items of clothing that can’t withstand a hot wash or bleach detergent, try steam cleaning your clothes. A steam cleaner uses steam to disinfect your clothing, removing bacteria as well as odours. In addition to removing bacteria, steam cleaning also removes wrinkles from your clothes so there is no need to iron them.

Clean your machine 

After using your washing machine to disinfect your clothes it’s important that you disinfect your washing machine. If not cleaned, your washing machine could transfer lingering bacteria from a previous wash onto a fresh load of laundry, resulting in the spread of bacteria. To adequately clean your machine, either insert a dishwasher tablet or 2 cups of white cleaning vinegar into the machines detergent dispenser and set your machine to a hot wash. 

Disinfect your laundry basket 

Similarly to your washing machine, it’s important to disinfect your laundry basket once all of your dirty laundry has been removed from it. The best way to disinfect your laundry basket is to use 0.1% sodium hypochlorite to completely wipe down every surface of your basket. This will leave your laundry basket completely clean and unable to spread bacteria. 

Use Laundryheap

If you want to make sure that you laundry is completely disinfected book you Laundryheap slot now. Our hot wash service will disinfect your clothing, plus our contactless delivery will ensure that both you and our drivers are safely distanced. Book your delivery by visiting the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app. 


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Things to do with kids during quarantine

With limitations on when you can go outside and who you can see, keeping your children entertained during quarantine can seem like a difficult task. Here are 10 fun, interactive things that you can do with your kids during quarantine. 

  • Bake 
  • Have a picnic
  • Video call family and friends
  • Make your own playdough
  • Create your own board game 
  • Make slime
  • Explore Africa 
  • Create pasta jewellery 
  • Take on Dr. Seuss’s Word Challenge
  • Build a fort

Bake

Baking is fun for all the family. Gather your children and, together, choose a simple recipe to follow. Baking is great for teaching children how to measure ingredients and how to follow instructions, so divide the baking responsibilities amongst them. Not only is baking educational and fun, but you will all be rewarded with a delicious sweet treat at the end. 

Have a picnic

With lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, people within the same household are now allowed to sit in open spaces. Take this opportunity to gather the family and head to the nearest park with a picnic. The fresh air and the chance for your kids to stretch their legs will do you all the world of good.

If the weather does not permit a park picnic, then have one indoors. Grab a blanket and lay out an abundance of snacks and treats on your floor. You can still have all the fun of an outdoor picnic inside, plus there is the added bonus of not being bitten by ants.

Video call family and friends 

During quarantine it is vital that we all stay in contact with our loved ones. Children may be finding it harder to comprehend why they can’t see their friends and family, so video calling them may satisfy their lack of interaction with people outside of your family home. To maintain some form of normality in your child’s social life, why not set up virtual play dates with their friends from school. This is a great way to ensure that your child is building on their social skills, despite being obstructed from the outside world, whilst freeing up some time for yourself. 

Make your own playdough 

Making playdough is fun, easy to do, and inexpensive. Additionally, just like with baking, your children will learn essential life skills whilst helping you make it. 

To make playdough you will need:

  • 2 cups of flour
  • ¾ cup of salt
  • 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar
  • 2 cups of lukewarm water
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • food colouring of your choice
  •  storage bags

To make your playdough begin by stirring together your flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large pot. Next, add water, oil and, if you are making only one colour of playdough, your food colouring. Put your pot on a medium heat and stir constantly until your mixture becomes thick and begins to form into a ball shape. Once your playdough has formed into a ball, take it off of the heat and leave to cool slightly.

Once cooled, if you are making multiple coloured playdough, split your dough into one ball per colour. Place each ball into a zip-top bag with five drops of food colouring and knead the dough. If you would like a more vibrant colour, add more than five drops of food colouring. Once all of your colouring has been mixed into the dough and you are satisfied with the colour, the playdough is ready to play with. 

Store your playdough in a zip-top bag after use. If stored correctly, your playdough should remain soft for up to three months. 

Create your own board game

Board games can provide you and your family endless hours of fun, however, they can become boring and repetitive once you have played them multiple times. Rather than becoming bored with the same games, why not try and build your own game with your children. Think of a fun concept and let your mind run wild creating rules, a board and players for your game. Once you’ve completed creating your board game, have fun playing it. 

Make slime

 If playdough making was a success, why not get your kids to try and make slime. Similarly, making slime is inexpensive and easy. 

To make slime you will need:

  • 8 ounces of white glue
  • 1 1/2 -2 tablespoons of contact saline solution
  • 1 tablespoon of baking soda
  • Food colouring

To make your slime begin by squeezing the whole contents of your white glue into a bowl and add your food colouring. Stir the mixture together until it has combined. Once combined, add your baking soda and saline solution. Be aware that the more solution you add the thicker it will be and the less solution you add the slimier it will be. Using your hands, knead your mixture together until it holds- it will be wet and gooey to begin with, but as you knead it will become more solid. Once satisfied with the consistency of your slime, let your kids enjoy. 

Once your children have finished playing with their slime, store in a zip-top bag to keep fresh. 

Explore Africa 

Just because you and your kids are stuck in quarantine it doesn’t mean you can’t explore the world. Gather your children and head to the Explore website to watch the live African animals Livestream. On the website is an abundance of information about Africa, the watering hole where the Livestream is set and the animals that can be seen. Your children could encounter animals they have never seen before in this safari-style, educational experience, all from the comfort of your own home. 

Create pasta jewellery

Pasta jewellery is easy and fun to make. All you need is some different types of pasta and some string. Let your children’s imaginations run wild as they create pasta necklaces and bracelets. Stylish, organic and tastes great when cooked. 

Take on Dr Seuss’s Word Challenge

Open your child’s mind to the literary world by letting them take on Dr Suess’s Word Challenge. The aim of the game is to read as many books as possible. You could even create a rewards system or a competition between your child and their siblings or your child and their friends. All the information about the Word Challenge can be found at Seussville, where you will also find additional literary activities and games. 

Build a fort 

On rainy days there is nothing quite like gathering the family and building a fort. Use every cushion, pillow, duvet and blanket you can find and build the biggest structure possible. Once built, gather some snacks, some films and your family and spend the day together, relaxing in the fort. 

Image by ColdwellPro from Pixabay

Don’t stress about your laundry when you have to look after your children. Book your Laundryheap dry cleaning slot and we will pick up, launder and deliver your clothing within 24hrs. Now available in Kuwait and New York. Head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app to book your service. 


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Everyday quarantine essentials

Being in quarantine can be stressful, boring, exhausting, and worrying. But, there are ways that you can make it easier for yourself and those you’re isolating with. These are the everyday essentials that you will need in quarantine. 

  • A basic first aid kit 
  • Groceries 
  • Essential toiletries 
  • WiFi
  • Moisturiser
  • Loungewear
  • A book 
  • Video chat
  • A bath bomb
  • Board games/puzzles 

A basic first aid kit

With the stress that the world’s hospitals are under, coupled with the fact that we are only supposed to be shopping for the essentials, it is vital that everyone has a basic first aid kit in their home. Your kit should include medical basics such as plasters, bandages, antiseptic cream, tweezers, and paracetamol. Having a simple first aid kit to hand will mean that you will only have to leave your home and concern the emergency services when it is absolutely necessary. 

photo by Senior Airman Kirby Turbak

Groceries 

We all have to eat, so groceries are an absolute essential during quarantine. When shopping for your groceries you should strike the right balance between a nutritious diet and treating yourself. These are worrisome times that we are in, so if you want to buy 3 different types of biscuits or a giant bar of chocolate, go for it. Just make sure that you balance your treats with some healthy, hearty, meals. 

Image by Mittmac from Pixabay

Essential toiletries

Items such as toilet roll, toothpaste, shampoo, and shower gel are all essential to keeping ourselves clean. It is vital that, despite being in quarantine, we maintain our physical hygiene. Having regular showers, and even taking on a task as simple as brushing your teeth, can improve your mental health and give you a more productive state of mind. If you are struggling to find essential toiletries in your local store and you live in the UK buy one of our Essential Packs and we will deliver your essentials to you. Additionally, you can buy an Essentials Pack for someone vulnerable by adding the AGEUK address to the delivery information.

Wifi 

Living in the age of the internet means that WiFi has become essential in our everyday lives. Now, it is an essential during quarantine. It would be near impossible to work from home and stay connected with your colleagues without WiFi. Outside of work, WiFi can be used to watch movies, TV shows, and to browse the internet to stay entertained. 

Moisturiser 

We should all be washing our hands to maintain cleanliness and prevent the spread of COVID19. However, constantly washing your hands can lead to dry, cracked skin that can be painful. To alleviate the pain, use moisturiser to soften your hands. Dry skin on your hands should not prevent you from frequently washing them, so a high-impact moisturiser is an essential quarantine item. 

Loungewear

Loungewear is essential to achieving maximum comfort whilst in quarantine. Whether you’re working from home, home-schooling your children, or just taking it one day at a time, you don’t want to be wearing unnecessarily stiff clothing. Tracksuits, leggings, shorts and loose-fitting T-shirts are the height of quarantine fashion. Comfortable, stretchy clothing that is easy to move in and easy to lounge in. 

Photo by Jack Sparrow from Pexels

A book 

Being in quarantine can become incredibly overwhelming but reading can be a useful release. When isolation starts to get a bit too much, grab a book and transport yourself to another world. Try and choose upbeat happy books that will take you away from the stresses of the modern world, however, any book that you can immerse yourself in will do. 

Coffee Break Reading Travel Book Lifestyle Concept

Video chat

Distancing from friends, family, and loved ones is incredibly difficult, which is why online video chats, such as Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime have become so important. It’s vital that we stay in touch with those we love so that we can catch up with them and make sure that they are safe. We need to virtually socialise as much as possible to maintain relationships and boost our mental health. Apps, such as Zoom, are great for virtually socialising because you can physically see the person you are talking to, plus it makes it easy to take part in things such as virtual pub quizzes, movie nights, and games. 

A bath bomb

During lock down, it is important to take some time for yourself to relax. One way to do that is by having a soothing bath with a bath bomb. Try and get a bath bomb that includes natural relaxants such as lavender and rose as this will make it easier for you to sink into a calm state of mind. To set the tone for relaxation, light some candles and make sure that you have a nice big fluffy towel waiting for you when you’re ready to get out.

Board games/puzzles  

If you are isolating with friends or family, board games and puzzles can be a great way to pass the time and bond. Relationships can become strained whilst in quarantine, so doing something positive together, such as playing a board game or completing a puzzle, can relieve some of that tension. Plus, board games and puzzles are great entertainment and can be played time after time. 

Wherever you’re isolating we hope that you are safe. Our services are fully operational, now including in Kuwait, with hot washes available and all orders being delivered contactless. Book your delivery slot by visiting the Laundryheap website or by downloading the Laundryheap app for free. 


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How to make a DIY face covering

Photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels

With the world slowly beginning to emerge from COVID19 lockdown, it is essential that we continue to keep ourselves and those around us safe. One was of achieving safety is by making and wearing a face covering.

  • Why should you wear a face covering? 
  • When should you wear a face covering?
  • How to make a face covering from a T-shirt
  • How to make a face covering from a bandanna 
  • How to sew a face covering 
  • How to look after your face covering

Why should you wear a face covering?

Despite the fact that many countries are beginning to ease their lockdown restrictions, Coronavirus has not disappeared. We still need to make sure that we are staying safe. Wearing a face covering helps reduce the risk of transmitting COVID19 when we do leave the house for essential reasons. Additionally, they will protect those who are asymptomatic from spreading Coronavirus unwittingly.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

When should you wear a face covering?

Face coverings should be worn on public transport, in shops, and in enclosed spaces where social distancing can not be carried out and you are amongst people who are not living in your home. 

Before putting your face covering on you should wash your hands or use hand sanitiser to rid yourself of any bacteria. Once your hands are clean, place your face covering comfortably over your nose and mouth, making sure that you can still breathe.

Please note, face coverings should not be worn by children under the age of 2 or by those with respiratory problems.

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

How to make a face covering from a T-shirt 

You will need:

  • An old T-shirt that you no longer want 
  • A ruler 
  • A pair of scissors 
  1. Begin by laying your T-shirt on a flat surface. Using your ruler, measure 20 cm from the bottom of the T-shirt. From your 20 cm mark, use your scissors and cut a straight line across the width of your material, creating a rectangle. 
  2. Using your ruler again, measure 2 cm from the top right corner of your fabric. From the 2 cm mark, make a 15 cm horizontal cut through your T-shirt that is parallel to the top of the rectangle. Repeat this process, parallel to the cut that you have just made. 
  3. To make your ties, cut open the two long strips of fabric that you have just created. Unfold the main piece of fabric and place it over your nose and mouth, making sure that you can still breathe. Tie the top two ties around your head, and the bottom ties around your neck. You must make sure that your ties are secure and will not become unfastened. 
Photo by Quinten Van Kerrebroeck from Pexels

How to make a face covering from a bandanna 

You will need:

  • A bandanna of at least 50 cm by 50 cm 
  • Two elastic bands or hair ties 
  1. Begin by laying your bandanna on a flat surface. Fold your bandanna in half from top to bottom. 
  2. Next, fold the top half of your bandanna two-thirds of the way down and fold the bottom half up so that the two sections meet in the middle. 
  3. Thread your elastic bands or hair ties through the bandanna, keeping them 12 cm apart. 
  4. Finally, fold the overhanging ends of the bandanna into the centre and tuck them into your elastic bands or hair ties. 
Image by Alexander Droeger from Pixabay

How to sew a face covering 

You will need:

  • Two 25 cm by 25 cm squares of cotton fabric 
  • Two 20 cm pieces of elastic or string 
  • A needle
  • Thread
  • A pair of scissors 
  1. Begin by placing your two 25 cm by 25 cm squares of fabric on top of one another. Fold one side of the stacked fabric over by 0.75 cm and hem the material. Repeat this process on the opposite side of the fabric. 
  2. Create two channels by folding over the stacked fabric by 1.5 cm on each side. Stick down both sides of the fabric, making sure that the stitches are strong enough to hold the material together. 
  3. With your needle, run your 20 cm of elastic or string through the hem of your covering to create ear loops. Repeat this process on the opposite side of the covering, making sure that you tie the ends tightly.
  4. To finish, gently pull your elastic or string so that your tied knots are tucked inside the hem. Gather the sides of the fabric on the elastic and adjust them so that they comfortably fits your face. Securely stitch your elastic in place to ensure that your face covering will not fall below your nose and mouth. 
Image by Anke Sundermeier from Pixabay

How to look after your face covering 

It is not enough to just wear a face covering, you also have to regularly clean it. When taking your face covering off do not touch the front of it or the section that has been touching your nose and mouth. Instead, remove your covering using the ties around your head. Once removed, immediately place it in a plastic bag until you are able to wash it. If your covering has touched any surface, you must disinfect those surfaces immediately. To best ensure that your face covering is rid of bacteria, wash it in your washing machine after every use on a hot wash.

If your face covering has been hand-stitched it may be better to hand wash to avoid it potentially falling apart in the washing machine. If you are hand-washing, lather the fabric in laundry detergent and scrub it for at least 20 seconds. Rinse with warm to hot water, and either leave to dry or use the hottest setting on your tumble dryer.  Once dried, iron your face covering. The heat from the iron will kill any residing bacteria and reduce your risk of contracting a bacterial respiratory infection.

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

We want to ensure that our drivers and customers remain safe during COVID19. That is why we now deliver your laundry contactless. To book your delivery slot head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.