Line Fresh! Getting Ready to Go Back to School

New pencil cases have been chosen, shoes are polished and name labels are sewn on. The return to school is upon us and with homeschooling behind us (we hope), you’ll want to ensure the kids are looking their absolute best when they leave the house. Whilst we can’t guarantee they’ll come home looking just as smart, with some laundry tips to help, you can keep on top of the inevitable stains you’ll encounter this school year.​​​​​
 

Top tips to help lighten the load

  • ​​​​​​​Get the kids involved to help separate the whites and colours. After all, we’ll take any help we can get around the house!
  • Make sure you’re amply stocked up on the stain busting essentials such as baking soda, white vinegar, salt and your chosen stain detergent.
  • Always test products on small, inconspicuous areas first to make sure they are suitable for the fabric in question.
  • Powder, liquid, gel, or tablet? Knowing the right type of detergent to choose in each scenario can be a bit of a mind boggle. Thankfully, Good Housekeeping has put together a handy visual reference to decipher the types of detergents for you.

Stubborn School Stains

School Bags

Whether it’s a squashed banana, a burst pen or mud, school bags can get pretty grimy as the term goes on. 
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  1. To properly spruce them up, first unzip all pockets and get into every single compartment with a handheld vacuum to remove any crumbs. 
  2. Next, remove any loose threads, detachable straps etc. and treat any stained areas with a stain remover and a soft bristled brush. 
  3. Pop the school bag into a pillowcase or large laundry bag and put it in the washing machine on a gentle, cold water cycle with a small amount of gentle laundry detergent. 
  4. Once the cycle has finished, hang it upside down to air-dry with all pockets etc undone, outside if possible. 
  5. Make sure it’s completely dry before putting books back in so you aren’t offering the kids any soggy homework excuses on a plate!
Grass Stains

It’s not the end of the world if the kids come home with a grass-ias from making daisy chains at lunch time or cheering their pals on from the sidelines. Fabric dependent, there are different ways to remove the stubborn green devil.   
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  1. Treat the stain as soon as possible by applying a stain remover or laundry detergent and working it into the affected area.
  2. Allow this to soak in for at least 15 minutes, then pop the item into the washing machine. 
  3. After the wash cycle, ensure the stain has gone before using the tumble dryer as the heat will make any remaining stains harder to remove.  
  4. If the grass stain has been on the garment for several days or hasn’t disappeared with the steps above, submerge it in a solution of warm water and all-fabric oxygen bleach for a few hours, then wash the item in the machine as normal. (Not recommended for use on silk or wool).   ​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Ink Stains
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  1. A common classroom related stain, you can remove ink from uniforms by first dabbing the stain with a kitchen towel or sponge. 
  2. Next, spray a light mist of hairspray onto the affected area.
  3. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and apply this to the area, dampening with a cloth until the stain lifts.
  4. Once you’ve waved goodbye to the stain, wash the item as normal on a 40° degree cycle.
​​​​​​​Glue Stains

Did the kids get in a sticky situation during Art class? The easiest way to remove glue is to ensure it is completely dry first. 
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  1. ​​​​​​​When the glue has set, scrape as much of it as possible off the clothing item with a blunt knife. 
  2. Leave to soak overnight in a dish of cold water. 
  3. Lightly rub some liquid laundry detergent into the stain after removing it from the cold water.
  4. Put the item in the washing machine on a warm cycle. 
  5. Now... you won’t feel so glueless next time!

Helping To Sort Life, One Load At a Time

With washing machines to suit every family lifestyle, the more environmentally conscious, and the tech crowd, you can find out more about the latest washing machine technology here. And, if you like to get stuck into the nitty gritty, our handy buyers guides on washing machines and washer dryers break it all down for you. ​​​​​​

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Please refer to item specific washing labels. And if in doubt, pop in to your local dry cleaner for expert advice.​​​​​

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