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What’s Eating Your Clothes

There is nothing like digging a good old jumper out of your grandparents’ wardrobe as winter approaches. Not only will reusing a thick woolen sweater with a vintage design put you ahead of the fashion revival trend. It will also keep you warm and cozy, just like grandma’s hot chocolate and cookies combo. But how disappointing it is to find a pattern of little holes scattered around a garment. How scary it is to open the closet and be saluted by a tiny insect proudly emerging from within the depths of your cupboard. Unfortunately, there are several different bugs who enjoy nibbling your favorite apparel. In this article, we will point out the usual suspect, the clothes moth, and give you some ideas on how to fight your clothes’ worst enemy.

Clothes moths

There are millions of moths in the world, but only two feed from animal fibres found in the textiles that constitute carpets, upholstery and clothing. In fact, one of them -the webbing clothes moth- is the most common type within the species and has been earning an increasingly bad reputation over the last decades. Those moths on your porch dancing around the light might be a little bit annoying, but they are no reason for serious concern. At least not for your clothes.

Together with the case-bearing or case-making clothes moth, webbing clothes moths thrive in low light. They happily lay hundreds of eggs in dark places, making your wardrobe the perfect habitat. It is actually not the adult but the moth larvae that damage clothing. They eat keratin, a protein found in animal-based materials. That is why they love wool, fur, hair and feathers, and can even snack from leather, lint, mohair and silk, especially when soiled or stained with sweat, body oils or urine. You are more likely to discover the damage in hidden areas such as crevices and creases, behind lapels, inside pockets or below folds. They do not feed from cotton but might eat their way through it if they want to reach feathers.

The adult common or webbing clothes moth is small, with a pale golden sheen. When its larvae hatch, they spin silk webbing on the fabric and feed underneath it. They leave behind holes on clothes as well as webbing tubes. The adult case-making clothes moth is a pale silvery grey-brown with dark spots. The larva spins a tubular case around itself made out of silk and fibers. It carries its case as it feeds, leaving a trail of grazed textile or fur and empty silk bags.

Clothing and blankets in regular use, and rugs with a normal amount of traffic are at a low risk of developing a moth infestation. You often find larvae hiding on the edges of rugs, inside and out of upholstery furniture, in pet bedding, curtains or drapes, and any dirty fabric in your house. They do not present a risk to the health of humans, although larvae might cause allergic reactions or irritation when in contact with your skin or when inhaled by those with genetic dispositions.

There are many ways in which clothes moths can infiltrate your home, and it is important to be on top of this for prevention is always better than cure. They can simply fly in through an open door or window, or a damaged screen. But they usually sneak in through infected second hand goods such as clothes, furniture, blankets and rugs. Eggs are also laid on items kept in storage places, like garages or sheds, and move to your wardrobe when you transfer them into your bedroom. Thorough inspections and regular vacuuming are advised, as well as washing off-season clothes before storing and keeping them in airtight containers until their season comes. Empty your wardrobe completely at least twice a year, ideally around Spring and Autumn, and perform a preventive deep clean. Take your clothing to a suds coin laundry before returning them to the clean closet. You should consider brushing clothes made of natural fibers after you wear them outside, and washing any clothes purchased in thrift shops before placing them in the cupboard.

These moths can be naturally repelled with sachets filled with dried lavender or cotton balls dipped in lavender essential oil. Peppermint, cloves, thyme and rosemary are great alternatives, as well as chips or blocks of cedarwood hanging in cotton bags. Make sure the cedar does not touch the clothes as its oil may stain the fabric, and change it every three years or less. All these options have the added benefit of giving your cupboard a nice scent, for the smell is appealing to humans but highly repellent to insects. Already infested clothes should be frozen for 72 hours to kill the eggs and larvae. Make sure you wash them with a strong, natural soap in our efficient washing machines. Woolen materials can also be exposed to sunlight every month for prevention, as high temperature is an effective method for moth control.

Look after your clothes and protect them from these enemies with the help of Sudz, your expert cleaner. Hygienic cleaning is our specialty!

What is the similarity between a large wardrobe and a small cupboard? They both hold the secrets of your pulchritude. It is irrelevant whether you are a fashionable creature or only wear clothes for their practical purpose. Everyone invests time, money and other resources into their apparel. You probably frequent the closest laundromat around me to keep your garments nice and clean. Then why is it that opening your closet is like entering into a twisted remake of Narnia? It is likely because you lack the essential knowledge regarding how to store your clothes properly. No need to panic. We are here to rescue you. Read on to discover some tips and tricks to organize your clothes and keep your closet in decent  conditions.

1.  Clear and clean

Closets seldom receive a proper cleaning. You might be mindful enough to give your cupboard a general wipe once in a while, but how often do you actually go deep into the darkest corner? The thing is that even a neat looking drawer is likely to collect invisible bacteria. It is strongly advisable to empty your closet fully, from the floor to the highest shelf, and perform a thorough cleanse. You should remove everything, from clothes to storage tools such as hangers, baskets and boxes, and give everything a good scrub. Dust and wipe hanging rods, walls, baseboards, and vacuum the floor. Let it all dry for a few hours. This should be done every six months, or sooner if you notice a musty smell in your clothes or closet. An earthy odor suggests the presence of mold, an unwanted visitor that thrives in enclosed places with poor air circulation and can spread to your fabrics. After the deep clean, you should do a quick wipe every month as regular maintenance.

2.  Deodorize

Once you have spruced everything up, you might discover that there is still a stagnant smell inside your closet. This is because the walls and flooring may have absorbed moisture from sweaty or damp clothes, especially if there is wood and carpet. Not only do you need to remove the odor before returning the clothes to their place, but you should also try to prevent this from happening again. Vinegar is an effective deodorizer that can be mixed with water and sprayed around. Baking soda is another natural solution. Remember to let your closet dry for a few hours. For regular maintenance, you should open the doors regularly to promote air ventilation. When possible, replacing solid doors with louvered doors is a great initiative. If you cannot afford fancy air fresheners, you can make your own by soaking cotton balls with essential oils and distributing them between your garments. You can also fill sachets with natural, scented soap bars or potpourri. A breathable container filled with activated charcoal, coffee grounds or baking soda can be placed somewhere in your closet to absorb unpleasant odors and moisture. Activated charcoal can be reused after putting it under the sunlight for a few hours. Coffee beans should be replaced every month while baking soda can last for a year.

3.  Declutter

Closets tend to be packed with clothes, shoes, accessories, sometimes even linen and a bunch of miscellaneous items. All these elements tightly packed make it hard for air to flow, promoting the growth of bacteria. The cramping also gives your closet an untidy look, wrinkles your clothes and makes it difficult to keep things in order. Before refilling your wardrobe, you should do some conscious decluttering. This process allows no sentimentalities, for they cloud your judgement and enable hoarding tendencies. Separate your clothes into different piles: pants, jumpers, t-shirts, and so on. Compare every item in each category to select which ones you love to wear and serve a purpose. The rest can be donated or consigned when in good conditions, or trashed if they have done their duty. To prevent future cluttering, a useful method is to get rid of one old item every time you get a new one. Not only will you keep a manageable collection, but you will also be more aware of your purchases.

4.  Organize

Now you have a clean, empty closet and a curated collection of clothes to fit in. It is time to plan a new, smarter arrangement. Seasonal clothes can be stored in a different place, either under the bed or in a dry shed, to liberate some space. Special items that are worn less often, such as party shoes or costumes, can be kept towards the back or on the top shelves. Shoes should be stored in stackable racks and organized by style. The most frequently used outfits should be placed at eye level. If you are going to purchase storage organizers, make sure you measure the space before. Otherwise, you can repurpose small bookcases, baskets and boxes. Over-the-door racks and hanging shelves take advantage of vertical spaces when you have a reduced storage area. Categorizing and color coding your clothes make it easier to navigate your closet. Hang everything facing the same direction, organizing items by length. Ideally, use the same hangers so that they fit together properly, maximizing space and and minimizing visual clutter. Thick and sturdy items like denim and winter sweaters stack well on shelves, while thin and pliable items can be folded in half, rolled and tucked into drawers. Storage boxes or drawer dividers are lifesavers, as well as wire baskets or clear bins for shelves.

5.  Wash and dry clothes

As mentioned before, dampness provides a favorable environment for the development of bacteria that produce bad odors and mold, especially in confined spaces. Dry your clothes properly before putting them away. If you are going to reuse a garment a few times before washing it, keep it in a place with good ventilation and avoid placing it among cleaned items. Try not to keep a laundry hamper inside your closet. If this cannot be avoided, then do not throw sweaty clothes or wet towels into it. Also, keep your sweaty shoes outside.

To conclude

Nobody said that organizing your closet would be a simple task. But trust us, it is worth it. You can plan a full cleanup twice a year to remove accumulated dust and check for mold. This is also a good opportunity to exchange seasonal outfits and dispose of unworn, outdated or damaged items. Then a quick maintenance every month will keep it tidy and make the biannual makeover easier. The upkeep of your closet is easier when it is well organized. Then when you visit your closest laundromat to me, you can prolong the results of washing and drying your garments with us for a longer time. After being pampered by Sudz Laundry, your clothes will rest in a fresh and comfortable cupboard.

If you live on this planet, then environmental issues unarguably concern you. Taking responsibility for the impact that our actions have over our ecosystem is everyone’s inescapable duty. Just as you are concerned about the adequate conditions of your home, you should care for the Earth’s livability. Unfortunately, many everyday activities have a negative influence on the environment. While new technological advances are slowly veering towards more eco-friendly methods, many regular appliances still prioritize speed and convenience over sustainability.

Studies show that washing clothes accounts for a large percentage of all residential carbon emissions in the United States. This is due to the electricity generated when heating the water and running the machine. Laundry also adds to a considerable portion of the average indoor water usage. But this does not mean that we have to revert to arduous scrubbing techniques. Here we explain some eco-friendly ways to do your laundry so that you can contribute to leaving the planet as clean as your clothes.

Go For Green Detergents

Many conventional detergents and commercial stain removers contain ingredients that not only are harmful to the environment but are also linked to health concerns in humans. These toxic products are also packaged in disposable containers, which adds to the plastic waste problem. Thus plastic ends up piling up in a landfill as detergents spread into our waterways. Chemicals such as phosphates, dyes, formaldehyde and sodium lauryl sulfate (to name a few) leaking into our rivers and oceans damage aquatic ecosystems and promote algae blooms that kill marine life and decrease the oxygen levels in the water.

At the moment, there are no regulations restricting laundry products from covering their labels with claims such as ‘natural’ or ‘green’. To avoid misleading information, you might have to do some research to identify the truly eco-friendly companies. Check for readily biodegradable, bleach and phosphate-free products made from plant and vegetable-based ingredients. These products will be gentler on the skin too. Avoid scents at all costs, as fragrances are produced by chemicals that have negative effects on the environment. You can replace fabric softeners and stain removers with white vinegar, simple and effective, and find other organic alternatives such as soap nuts. You can even consider making your own homemade laundry detergent. Many natural ingredients perform very well with cold water.

Buy in bulk to reduce the consumption of plastic, and do refills as much as possible. Or come to Sudz Laundry to use our eco-friendly products.

Do Efficient Loads

First of all, we want to demystify the idea that clothes need to be washed after every use. The truth is that washing your garments too often will diminish their longevity as well as contributing to microfiber pollution. Jeans, pajamas and woolen jumpers can be used a few times before dropping them into the washing machine, and some pieces can be freshened through aeration. Some items can be washed by hand while you wait for a load to pile up. For example, swimwear and delicate underwear last longer when washed by hand.

Running only full loads will save water and energy. Search for the closest laundromat to me, and it will lead you to our efficient, large capacity washers.

Use Cold Water

A huge percentage of the energy used by a washing machine goes into heating the water. Using cold water will significantly reduce the carbon emissions while also minimizing microplastic pollution as it does not break down your garments in the way hot water does. Cold water does a better job on stains and prevents clothes from shrinking, fading and wrinkling.

Yes, the labels in certain garments recommend washing them in warm water. But this is usually the case with synthetic fabrics, which you should try to avoid as they release microplastics into the water that are absorbed into the tissues of marine life. You would be surprised by the amount of fibers us humans end up ingesting. Natural fibers such as wool, bamboo, hemp and organic cotton are a better option, and you can even compost your lint tray.

Dry Cleaners

Air-dried clothes benefit from the natural bleaching capacity of the sun and the refreshing ability of air. Dryers can be harsh on your clothes, accelerating their natural wear and tear. If you do not have the space to dry your clothes at home or you have special garments that require dry cleaning, come to Sudz Laundry, the closest laundromat to me. Our eco-friendly dry cleaning services do not use any chemicals known to be harmful to the environment or linked to health issues, as opposed to most commercial dry cleaners.

Final Words

Most efforts to reduce our environmental impact will only show their results in the long term. It takes time to change a paradigm, and only with commited consistency will we elevate to a fully sustainable philosophy. At Sudz Laundry we care about removing stains from your clothes and from the planet. Collaborate with us and your fellow citizens by following the above tips to upgrade to a greener mindset. Come to our laundromat with wifi to continue researching eco-friendly practices while we take care of your apparel and your wellbeing.

Ever since human beings began to cover their bodies in response to an established code of decency, clothes have acquired a significant role in society. Initially, clothes served as protection from the environment and climate. With the development of the textile industry in the 14th century, clothes started to be used as decorative elements to enhance an individual’s personality and appearance. Certain types of clothing became representative of identities, activities and occupations. Uniforms were designed to differentiate the members of a group, team, organization or school from others. With the trade of certain textiles (such as wool or silk) contributing to the growth of wealthy urban elites in Europe, soon clothes turned into symbols of an individual’s status.

Whether a person wants to be recognised as part of a group or stand out as a separate individual, clothes are an essential form of self expression. Hence it is so important to keep them clean. But this is not always easy. As we proudly wear our most adorning attires, we are exposed to elements that attempt against our personal style. Think of chewing gum on a wedding dress, or foundation stains on the collar of the finest shirt. With soap Sudz coin laundry you can restore your clothes to wear them with confidence. In this article, Sudz Laundry wants to warn you of the most stubborn stains out there trying to blemish your flair.

Ancient Grease

Grease stains are among the most dreaded ones because they are hard to remove and hard to disguise. Oil splattering on your pants while cooking, butter dripping on your shirt while enjoying a delicious meal, kids wiping their hands on their clothes after eating fried chicken… These are terrifying scenarios in the world of fabric care. Even natural body oils can leave a tough stain to clean. Since water and grease repel each other, grease stains need to be pretreated before washing. Blotting the stain with a paper towel, both on the front and reverse of the garment, will remove any excess oil. Salt, cornstarch and toothpaste are home remedies that can effectively remove greasy stains depending on the fabric.

Red, Red Wine

A pleasant evening, perhaps a date with the love of your life or a night out with your best friends, can be instantly ruined by a clumsy mistake. We are talking about drops of liquor on your fancy dress. Stains from red wine, beer or any alcoholic beverage must be treated immediately. White wine and vinegar can help dilute red wine stains, but they can also damage the fabric. Covering the stain with salt or baking soda and soaking in cold water should do the job. This technique can also work with blood stains.

No Inklings of Ink Stains

You could be wearing the most sophisticated suit for an important meeting or job interview. You may even have prepared an exceptional presentation. None of this matters if you display over your shirt an expressionist splash of ink. Pen leaks over your shirt look dramatic, but they do not necessarily leave permanent damage. First of all, you need to place an absorbent paper on the fabric to stop the ink from spreading. Depending on the fabric, you can use warm milk or lemon juice to remove an ink stain. In some cases, as with wool, you need to mix both ingredients.

Chocolate

Everyone loves chocolate in all its forms: as a hot beverage, melted over a dessert, within crunchy snacks. But nobody likes it over their clothes. The key is never to use hot water on a chocolate stain, as it will blend into the fabric and become permanent. Remove any excess chocolate with a knife or spoon taking care not to spread it further. Vinegar, also used to remove grass and lipstick stains, is a useful remedy for cacao derived stains. Rubbing soap or detergent will loosen the stain. Rinse and repeat until there is no more chocolate on your clothes.

Don’t sweat it!

If you are looking for an outfit that will help you feel confident, you surely do not want those uncomfortable streaks in the armpit area caused by sweat and antiperspirants. Those yellow blotches seem forever printed into your white shirts. However, they can be eliminated by soaking the garment in baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and water. Baking powder can also tackle rust stains in delicate fibers.

Stain’ Alive

The most important thing to do when facing a frustrating stain is to act quickly. Dried stains are more difficult to remove than fresh ones. Fresh stains are more susceptible to chemical reactions that dissolve the substance smudged on your garment. Avoid rubbing a stain, as it can spread and deepen into the fabric. Instead, reversing and rinsing it under cold water can make the cleaning easier. Reading the fabric care instructions on the label and patch testing any active ingredients before applying to the entire piece are crucial to protect the fiber from discoloration or damage.

As soon as you notice a stain on your favorite apparel, treat it with the appropriate method and bring it to Sudz Laundry for a thorough wash. You will prance out of our soap Sudz coin laundry wearing the most pristine outfit. Please note that if the label of your garment indicates that it needs to be dry cleaned, you should not treat or rinse the stain. Quickly come to Sudz Laundry to use our eco-friendly dry cleaning services.

In the history of technologies, washing machines are one of the most relevant innovations in terms of their social impact and, paradoxically, one of the most misrepresented segments. The unreliability of the patents system at the time led to an absence of factual substance regarding the evolution of an appliance that played such a significant role in the empowerment of women as well as the improvement of sanitary conditions. While many labor-saving technologies have progressively decreased employment rates, the automation of washing machines has boosted economies in many parts of the world and opened the doors to laundry service Sudz and many other businesses to assist people through their busy lifestyles. This article will take you for a spin around the evolution of washing machines, from wooden machines all the way to the high-performing machines you find at our laundromat Sterling Heights, MI.

The pre-mechanization period

Nowadays, you can visit our laundromat Sterling Heights, MI for easy and efficient laundry service Sudz with eco-friendly products and high capacity machines. However, until the late 18th century washing clothes consumed excessive amounts of water, demanded heavy physical labor, harmed the skin with caustic substances and required large investments of time. Hand-powered mechanization imitating the motion of washing with a scrubbing board inspired hand-cranked rotating drums with levers or handles in the mid-19th century to expedite the arduous laundering process. Yet most families in the early 20th century were still using basic wringers and washboards to do their laundry at home.

The advantages of a clean society

Public wash-houses, the 19th century ancestors of today’s laundromat Sterling Heights, MI, were introduced as part of a major sanitary reform in times when cholera, typhoid fever and smallpox were serious concerns. Their impact over the public health and hygiene of the community was as positive as their influence towards the improvement of the laborious laundry methods. Hand washing clothes by the river was slowly replaced by the convenience and salubrity of washing, drying and ironing clothes in these growingly popular wash-houses. For a small fee, a person could have access to soap, water, heat, light and, above all, a practical mechanical washer and a centrifugal water extractor. As running water was introduced into homes, these public laundry facilities gradually disappeared. However, they inspired the earliest prototypes of the washing machines you find today at our laundry service Sudz.

Electrified laundry

As the first step towards electric washing machines, small motors were sold separately to be connected to the hand cranks on washing machines in the 1880s. As long as the unit was powered by a rotary motion, you could hook the electric motor and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to electrify your wooden washing machine. Later on, some washing machines with incorporated electric motors were manufactured by companies such as The Whirlpool Corporation to power the agitation system and the wringer used for pressing water. These early electric machines were not automatic; the operator still had to manually fill and empty the tub, and monitor timings. Hurley Machine Company and the 1900 Washer Company were the pioneers in large scale manufacturing of electric washing machines. Wooden tanks were replaced with metal ones in models such as Thor, designed by Alva J. Fisher, which is among the first patented machines for commercial laundry.

Automatic machines

Three decades later, as electricity became more accessible, domestic washing machines were launched by Bendix Home Appliances. These needed to be fixed to the floor in order to stop them from dancing around the room as they had no drum suspension. This company was the first one to introduce semi-automatic washing machines in 1937. It was a significant milestone in the reduction of human efforts in the laundry process. This machine was able to autofill, regulate the water supply, maintain the water temperature through a thermostat, rinse and spin-dry the clothes. Everything was controlled by a timer. The high production costs and World War II put a hold on the demand of these artifacts, but companies such as General Electric, who launched one of the first front loaders, got rapidly back on track once the economy was restored around the 50s. By this time, machines were becoming fully automatic and the connections to cold and hot water supplies went from temporary slip-on to permanent connectors.

Laundry today

As the popularity of washing machines grew, manufacturers continued seeking for ways to make the laundry process easier. Reducing the size and improving the efficiency of washing machines were focal points in their continuous evolution. In the 90s, washing machines became digital for further automation applied to the selection of cycles, reaching higher user acceptance by caring for delicate fibers. Today, washing machines are a fundamental support to the busy lives of contemporary people. Smart technologies incorporated to optimize the functions and protect the environment are among the ongoing advances.

Laundry service Sudz

At Sudz Laundromat, we strive to deliver the best experience to everyone visiting our laundromat Sterling Heights, MI. From commercial to personal laundry, we save you time and money with our top-grade laundry services. At a small fee, our contemporary version of the old school popular wash-house offers affordable fabric softener, detergent, bleach and soap, as well as free coffee, Wi-Fi, flat screen TV’s, books and magazines to enjoy in a comfortable atmosphere. Visit us at our laundromat near shelby township, MI, to enjoy the advantages of modern washing machines.

Few people truly enjoy household chores, and doing laundry is arguably among the least favorite ones. Yet we underestimate how easy we have it compared to previous generations. The increasingly active lifestyles of contemporary societies veer people’s preferences towards further convenience and practicality. We seldom remember the times when our great grandmothers had to hand wash our grandparents’ dirty socks. Nowadays, you need not even worry about folding your clothes as Sudz Laundromat can do it for you. But how did people wash their clothes before the comforts of sterling coin laundry?

 Washing clothes with your own sweat

 Today’s kids may have never seen a scrubbing board, and neither did the ones who lived before the 1700s. Back then, washing clothes was an all-day activity. In present India, one can still see women doing laundry by the Ganges just as they did in pre-washing machine times in Europe. In the mountains, they take advantage of the thaw that drips down the hill and into their laundry buckets, which they trample with bare feet -just as winemakers used to crush their grapes- or thrust with a stone. Europe and the USA used to wash their clothes in the same way, using nature’s water supply and their own physical labor. The term ‘possing’ is found in early 17th century references suggesting linen being possed (meaning beaten down) in possing tubs with a log of wood. From these natural accessories derived several artifacts such as the wooden clogs for the trampling of laundry that were used in rural Scotland in the mid 1700s. Affluent Europe with easier access to water was able to bring laundry into the comfort of the home. Coppers (big metal pans) were incorporated to heat the water and sticks were used for pounding and stirring. This evolved into ‘washing dollies’, or possing sticks with handles, used for agitating clothes in a tub. There were regional variations across rural Europe, some of which have perforations to help the water circulate, or metal handles instead of wooden ones.

 In the 18th century, the English allegedly invented the ‘washing bats’, similar to their cricket bats but instead of hitting a ball, they were used to beat the laundry against a rock. Although there is evidence of the laundering of linen clothing and other textiles with a flat wooden implement, or bat, in ancient Egypt. The invention of the revolutionary ribbed wooden washboards is also debatable. 1833 seems to be the year of the first patent for a metal washboard, designed by an American. However, by the 19th century wooden washboards were widely used in Scandinavian Norway and Finland, while they were not that common in USA households. Variations of boards with and without grooves were found in other parts of Europe before the 19th century, such as Italy and France.

 The mechanisation of laundry

 The mechanisation of laundry was not a priority during the industrial revolution. Three early designs claim to be the first ever mechanical washing machine: a 15th century idea intended for use in textile manufacturing, a 1670s wheel and cylinder mechanism to squeeze the water out of a laundry bag, and a 1691 patented engine with a long list of possible uses, including washing clothes. Mechanical versions of the washing dollies appeared, like the ‘Yorkshire Maiden’ in Germany, aimed to make the laborious chore of washing clothes a bit easier. Women still had to work the machine, hang the laundry out to dry, starch, iron and every other task involved in the arduous process, but at least they could stay dry while doing so. There are references to other patents for designs intended to save time and reduce the usage of lye, soap and fire but there is no solid evidence of their popularity at the time.

 Laundry trends

 Advertising from late 18th century England shows a trend of washing machines targeted to homes, though it seems that innovations such as rotating drum designs were more popular among hospitals and commercial laundries. Cutting the costs of paid labour inspired more inventions such as the ‘wringing machine’ based on a netting or cloth wrapper for laundry which was twisted, turned and squeezed. Box mangles were used to press household linens and clothes wound on rollers below, or spread flat under the rollers covered by a specially-woven ‘mangle cloth’ to smooth (or iron) them. These artifacts required two people to push and pull the heavy box, filled with stones or sand, back and forth with leather straps or wooden handles.

 The ‘washing mill’, an English patented portable wringing machine, was advertised in America in the late 18th century. Yet the USA did not dabble in laundry technology for a while. In the 19th century, washboards were almost universally used and even in the early 20th century were the prevailing artifact for clothes washing. Many households prior to World War I still had no indoor plumbing or mechanization of laundry. In turn, the washing dollies were used at least until the 1920s.

Nowadays, households without washing machines do not have to resort to strenuous handwashing techniques. A sterling coin, a full laundry bag and a nice stroll to Sudz Laundromat are all that is needed in order to have your clothes cleaned. Lye is replaced with eco-friendly products and your clothes are gently washed instead of smashed with wooden logs. For superior comfort, we even offer pick-up and delivery services. Come to Sudz Laundromat for modern sterling coin laundry, and enjoy the spare time from not having to stir the washing machine. 

When it comes to doing laundry… there is a lot on the line. We continuously throw our most beloved garments into the spinning wheel of fate. Loads of things might go wrong if we are not well informed on which types of fabric can be taken for a ride. This article aims to clear your doubts around the most popular fibers, so you can care for your favorite clothes and extend their life. Read along and do not throw in the towel!

Cotton

This natural material is the most popular fabric in the world thanks to its accessible price, durability and easy manufacturing. It makes up a quarter of all fabric used in clothing and textiles. Found in sheets, clothes, shoes and accessories, it is absorbent and strong. You can wash white cottons in hot water and colors in warm or cool water, and you can safely iron the wrinkles out. Just remember that they usually shrink 5 to 10% during the first wash and it may happen again if over-dried.

The negative side of cotton is its mass production. The world’s favorite natural fiber is extremely wasteful and polluting. Regular cotton farming ruins biodiversity and soil fertility. It is advisable to choose organic cotton, which tends to use water from rainfalls and eradicates pesticides.

Denim is generally made from rugged, sturdy, twill weave woven cotton. There are conflicting opinions regarding the recommended frequency in which to wash jeans. Some people suggest they should never be washed at all. The truth is that dirty jeans will develop holes and rips much quicker. As denim is a tough fabric, there is no need to wash after every use. But surely they can be thrown into the washing machine every once in a while, for a cold water clean.

Leather

Leather is hard-wearing, tough and, above all, super classy. It is used in clothing as well as accessories such as bags, belts and shoes. A good quality leather garment never goes out of style, thus it is worth looking after it. Although durable and flexible, leather is vulnerable to dirt and dehydration. The agitation of a washing machine can cause leather to crack while water and detergent can ruin its finishing. Instead, wipe the leather with mild soap and warm water, then remove the film of soap with a clean cloth ensuring no residue is left to avoid it to dry out. Finally, let the item air dry but do not expose it to sunlight. Once or twice a year, you can use leather conditioner to restore its texture and extend its life, or take it to a professional for a conditioning routine.

As leather is made from the hide or skin of animals, it is linked to one of the most polluting industries in the world. Its environmental impact is a good reason for you to care for your leather apparel and make it last.

Wool

Wool is a natural textile fiber obtained from shearing off sheep. It is wrinkle and stain resistant, tough and durable. It absorbs moisture without feeling damp and it acts as an insulator making for great warm clothes. Wool garments should not be washed after every use, though it is advisable to air them out before putting away. Most wool fabrics are machine washable using Delicate or Wool cycles, and a gentle detergent.

Although wool micro-fibers are biodegradable, the industry produces a big carbon footprint. On the other hand, wool is more environmentally-friendly than polyester, a synthetic fabric also used in winter apparel. For those concerned with the impact of sheep farming, there is a more sustainable fabric alternative: linen.

Linen

Linen is a natural bast fiber made from a renewable resource: the flax plant. Biodegradable (when left undyed or naturally dyed) and recyclable, it uses the plant to its entirety, thus reducing waste from the outset. Linen is one of the most durable fabrics. It is breathable, durable, lightweight, absorbent, antimicrobial, naturally moth-resistant; it even partly protects from solar radiation. It becomes softer with use and, although some labels insist on dry cleaning only, it can be dropped into the washing machine. Use the Delicate cycle with cold water and keep in mind that linen absorbs more water than other fabrics, making it necessary to leave some extra room for it. It does wrinkle a lot – turn the garment inside out and use a hot iron with a steam setting to restore its crispness.

Silk

One of the most beautiful and luxurious fabrics, silk is a natural fiber obtained from silkworm cocoons. Thin and flexible, it has a high moisture absorbency rate, is resistant to abrasion and retains its shape well. Still, silk fibers are extremely delicate and prone to fading. If the label suggests dry clean only or if the silk is dark and bright colored, you should probably take it to the cleaners. Otherwise, you can perform a color fastness test by dabbing an inconspicuous area of the garment with a damp clean cloth. If the color does not bleed, you can wash your silk garment with a mild shampoo or detergent in a gentle wash cycle. Let silk air dry and never toss in the drier or hang in the sun (this accelerates fading).

Polyester

Polyester is the most used fabric for apparel and textile in the world because it is durable, flexible, inexpensive and wrinkle resistant. It is a synthetic fabric manufactured from crude oil. Quality polyester garments hold their shape well, but are not as breathable as other fabrics. They are generally washer friendly, ideally with a warm cycle. Polyester dries extremely quickly but if you use the drier, make sure you choose a low heat setting.

Polyester is responsible for global plastic waste and microfiber pollution. Recycled polyester, often manufactured from PET bottles, post-industrial polyester waste or used clothing, is a more eco-friendly alternative over virgin polyester. Still, it will eventually have the same environmental repercussions when it comes time for disposal. For that reason, you should care for your polyester garments to extend their life.

Now that you know how to care for some of your favorite garments, all you need is a good washer. Bring your load to Sudz on Mound and trust that our machines will do the hard work for you. Your most fashionable outfits will shine like new.

It is no wonder why many films and series have been set in the context of a laundromat. There is something poetic about them. All kinds of people convene in this pristine environment with the same purpose of cleansing every day’s dirt. Whilst the cycles are running inside the washing machines, the natural cycles of life also unfold outside of them. In this flow, there are things that we can control, and things we cannot. Some things come our way that we cannot predict, like a random encounter with a colleague who loves to talk in monologues at the laundromat. Conversely, there are certain measures we can take that will save us from inconveniences – like choosing a different time to do laundry to avoid running into them again. In any case, in life and at the laundromat, it all depends on our approach. We might leave the place not only with our clothes clean and fragrant but also with a great story to tell, perhaps resembling that of a blockbuster.

 

A very common tragedy in the laundry world is when clothes shrink. It is important to select the right water temperature recommended for the garments we are washing. Our favorite shirt could end up only fitting our chihuahua. In the movie Wayne’s World 2, directed by Stephen Surjik and released in 1993, one of the characters named Garth meets an attractive woman in the laundromat. After some conversation, she asks whether he would like to have dinner one night and he replies that he likes having dinner every night. Before laughing at him, please consider all the times you have missed a hint. It looks as though he will waste the opportunity, especially when he takes his clothes out of the washing machine and realizes that they have been reduced to extra extra extra small. Despite this embarrassing incident, he does manage to take the lady out on a date.

 

In the legendary show Friends, we meet the endearing characters Ross and Rachel who undergo an intermittent romance throughout the whole ten seasons. In the fifth episode of the first season they meet at a laundromat where Ross educates the inexperienced Rachel in laundry business. He explains the importance of sorting her clothes correctly to prevent colors from bleeding onto other fabrics. Great advise. However, there is always the risk of sneaky color pants mysteriously jumping into the load of white clothes and dying everything pink. The disappointed Rachel, as she contemplates her pinkish clothes, complains that they all look like pajamas. Remember, it all depends on your approach – in the optimistic eyes of her friend Phoebe, the accident was a blessing in disguise: now all her clothes are easier to combine!

 

Be mindful that not every garment can go into the washing machine. Some delicate fabrics require to be washed by hand with cold water. That way they will hold their shape and last longer, and their color will not fade too quickly. In Spider-Man 2 (2004), Peter Parker goes to a laundromat. Since he is very busy saving the city from evil villains, he cannot take the time to hand-wash his Spider-Man suit and thus drops it into the machine. He is so concerned with the risk of revealing his identity that he does not realize he is actually facing a major threat: the suit is not suitable for washing machines! The colors fade and the costume no longer looks so impressive. Although his alter ego’s strength does not rely on his outfit, it does add punch to have it in neat conditions.

 

it is important to acknowledge that the laundromat cannot be held responsible for any valuables left unattended in the premises or inside the laundry bag. The American sitcom television series created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, called Seinfeld and aired for the first time in July 1989, teaches that lesson in its usual witty way. The titular character, in the episode “The Revenge” in the second season, accidentally leaves an envelope with money among his laundry. The manager, when interrogated, points out to the sign which clearly states Not responsible for valuables. Kramer, Seinfeld’s clownish neighbor, believes his friend has been wronged and thus deserves vengeance. In his classic exaggerated manners he takes revenge too far and fills up a washing machine with cement. In the end, it turns out that the money was in Kramer’s laundry bag. Though it is found, it is immediately lost again as it all goes towards repairing the washing machine they irresponsibly broke.

 

In the field of clowns the undisputed king is the British character Mr Bean. Rowan Atkinson impersonates a hilarious infantile man who confronts everyday tasks in very peculiar ways. Of course, he also goes to the launderette, and his experience presents us with many lessons in what not to do. He takes off his underwear in situ, mistakenly grabs a woman’s skirt instead of his own pants, he grates a hand soap into the detergent drawer in order to save money in laundry liquid. All big no-no’s in the laundry world. When it comes to selecting the right detergent, going for the cheapest option is not always the best strategy. Have in mind that powdered detergents not always dissolve correctly in cold water, liquid detergents usually work better for treating stains, and though eco-friendly alternatives might be more pricey, they have the added value of not damaging our environment. Whatever you do, do not follow Mr Bean’s example – he interchanges someone’s fabric softener with coffee!

 

Everything is possible in the world of launderettes. Stories unfold to the rhythm of the fluttering dryers. Clothes dancing in a purifying whirlwind are a metaphor of ourselves, or our favorite characters, swirling in the emotional roller-coaster that is life. We all do our best – the more conscious we are, the better our lives (and our washing) will turn out. We hope that our laundromat will be your chosen scenario for some of the stories that will mark your life. Perhaps you could buy someone a soft drink in the vending machine, as in one of the most romantic scenes on film: Brick, the sweetest character in the comedy Anchorman 2, takes the love of his life on a date to a launderette. While drinking sodas, they discover that they are soulmates in one of the funniest gags of the movie. Take your chances! See you at Sudz on Mound laundry.

In the hard toiling and cumbersome schedules of today, one might find it difficult to complete simple household tasks. Everyday chores such as picking up groceries, cooking meals as well as doing the laundry can become quite a task, in case one already has a busy schedule, however these are tasks that cannot be avoided as well.

Services and industries have come up and been built around the need to make these jobs hassle free and to suit the schedule of everyday Americans. One such industry that has boomed in order to bring convenience home for people is laundry and laundromat services across the US. As an industry that slowly gained traction in the mid 1900s and progressed with the advancement in technology, today the laundry services industry in the USA stands at an estimated US$13,193 million in 2021.

Across the decades laundry services in America have evolved to suit the differentiated requirements of a variety of people. Not only have the laundromats customised their services for the needs of their customers, they have become an integral part of the routine of people who have become used to the convenience these establishments offer. The advantages that the laundromats offer is that not only is it simple to find laundry services near me because of the accessibility and number of locations that these laundries operate in but they also come in various formats such as coin laundries nearby, pound laundries nearby and fully staffed laundries near me.

Let’s talk about some of the very popular laundromat formats across the America:

1. Self service laundry near me: If you ask any person who uses laundry services, what you will soon realise is that most people would say – “I am looking for a self-service laundry near me”. Why this is one of the most sought after formats in laundromats, is because most people prefer washing their laundry by themselves, while also having the convenience of it being close to their residence, so they don’t spend a lot of time and effort commuting their laundry from one place to another. Therefore the “self-service laundry near me” need comes at the top of the list of popular laundry formats. The laundromats that operate are also aware of this, and hence they have made it very easy for the customers to spend as much time as they like inside their stores. Most laundromats offer entertainment options such as televisions and magazines, so that customers can be engaged while their laundry gets cleaned in the machines.
2. Wash and Fold Laundry Near me : As previously stated, most people prefer to have their laundromats within their neighborhoods to facilitate ease of commute and travel. However, with the busy lives and schedules of today, a large number of people are unable to cater to their laundry needs on their own. In which case, they look for wash and fold laundry near me, to do the job for them. Such laundry formats have fully staffed machines and stores, where once the laundry has been dropped, they will complete the washing, the drying and then fold your clothes and deliver them to you, or prepare it for pickup depending on the option that you might have chosen.
3. Coin Laundry Near Me : While laundries are more often than not affordable, some laundromat owners make life easy and convenient for customers by placing machines that work on coins. Customers that use “Coin Laundry Near Me” find it extremely easy and convenient and also think that this is the best use for the neglected spare change lying around the house. These laundromats are affordable and accessible and have remained one of the most popular laundromat formats across the decades.
4. Power Washing Near Me : While most laundromats offer similar services in terms of laundry washing, some laundromats have gone the extra mile to extend their spectrum of services. Sudz Coin Laundry is one such laundry service in Michigan that specialises in the cleaning of “Down”. Down is a special fluffy material that needs extra care and attention while washing. Sudz Coin Laundry has developed expertise in comforter cleaning in Michigan since they have special machines that are built and optimized to suit this material. For all your comforter cleaning needs Sudz Coin Laundry is your one stop destination.

Not just comforter cleaning,  Sudz Coin Laundry also covers all the kinds of laundry needs covered above. Right from self-service laundry near me, to wash and fold laundry near me and fully survived laundry near me, Sudz Coin Laundry offers all solutions for power and daily cleaning needs under one roof.

Sudz Coin Laundry also operates into late hours of the night to offer a wide range of time options to the customers. On weekends, the laundromat operates up to 11pm in the night which means that the customer has the flexibility to load their wash cycle as late as 10pm in the night, which makes the laundry service very convenient. The laundromat also operates on Speed Queen Machines, which is the only brand still made in America. The wash and fold laundry service is completely free of charge and the laundromat is able to return the laundry the same day, unless it has been handed over late into the evening, in which case it is returned the next day. For customers looking to do a quick cycle, Sudz Coin Laundry has machines that can run a complete wash cycle in 16 minutes.It also has the Heavy Soil Cycle setting which is for harsher stains and thorough washes, but at the same low price.

So in case you were looking for a quick and complete laundry service in Troy Michigan, look no further than Sudz Coin Laundry, Troy which provides one of the best laundry services in Troy, Michigan.