Removing Holiday Meal Stains

Removing Holiday Meal Stains

The Holidays are a time of family feasts and get-togethers with friends and loved ones. You may visit old hometown haunts or see cousins you only talk to annually. Regardless of your itinerary, be sure to include plans for removing holiday meal stains so that you don’t finish dinner looking like a soiled tablecloth.  After all, you can only pack so many outfits in a carry-on.

Removing Red Wine Stains

Wine is a necessary part of any holiday meal, particularly if certain aunts and uncles are invited.

  • Blot
  • Rinse with cool water
  • Cover with salt
  • Brush off salt
  • Soak with water
  • Blot
  • Wash in machine

Removing Gravy Stains

The only thing that will help the dry turkey is gravy, but sometimes that gravy boat can be slippery.

  • Remove as much as possible without pressing into fabric
  • Douse with white spirit or protein solvent
  • Blot
  • Rinse with cold water
  • Massage in dish soap before washing
  • Wash in machine with bio-detergent

Removing Cranberry Sauce Stains

There is an interesting debate amongst households and generations about cranberry sauce in the shape of a can and homemade cranberry sauce. Despite homemade cranberry sauce being far more delicious, the canned jellied sauce holds nostalgic value. Which cranberry do you stan?

  • Remove as much as possible without pressing into fabric
  • Douse with white vinegar
  • Massage into fabric
  • Mix dish soap and borax
  • Massage into fabric
  • Rinse with cool water
  • Repeat as necessary

FMB Laundry provides laundry equipment services to on-premise laundry rooms. We focus on multi-family, hospitality, medical, and campus properties. With expert technicians ready to solve any problem and state-of-the-art technology that includes a mobile app for residents with real-time alerts and intelligent card payments, you’ll appreciate the difference in how we do business.

For more information about laundry room equipment or to learn about a free quote for all major brands, contact FMB Laundry by calling 410-324-3654 or email us to learn how we can help you set up your on-premise laundry services today!

Different Fabrics Demand Different Care

If it seems that clothing material is becoming more specialized and blended, you are absolutely correct. The old days of natural fibers have given way to new-age fabrics that challenge your ability to clean them properly. It is one thing to wash a single garment incorrectly and a whole other problem when you wash an entire load incorrectly. If you have a more extensive operation and you are cleaning for teams, groups of employees, or multiple residents, you cannot afford to make a mistake that ruins dozens of clothing articles simultaneously.

A Few Simple Guidelines for Fabric

With all the different types of fabrics found in clothing and household items, it may seem like you need to take a class on how to handle each one. Some fabrics require very little maintenance, while others are so delicate that one mistake can ruin the garment’s integrity. Knowing how to handle different materials will help you understand what to do to clean them safely. If it makes it easier, creating a chart and placing it near the washer and dryers within your property can help you and others remember how to care for their most delicate fabrics. Here is a list of different materials and how to wash them properly:

  • Cotton is the king of natural fibers, soft, absorbent, lightweight, and blendable. It is typically used for garments worn against the skin, and it can be washed in hot or cold water and tumble dried. Remove immediately to prevent wrinkles.
  • Linen is a natural fiber woven from flax and often used in bedding. It is durable but easily stained, and it should be washed in cold water and preferably air-dried. If tumbled, use the lowest heat setting.
  • Polyester is a stretchable, durable synthetic often blended and used in uniforms and outerwear. Wash in cold water, do not bleach, and tumble dry with low or medium heat.
  • Acetate is a soft, pliable synthetic. Make sure you do not overheat it. It should always be hand washed and air dried only.
  • Wool is an animal-based fabric that is used primarily for outerwear. It should be hand washed and air dried with no exposure to heat.
  • Silk is a highly delicate fabric to wash, and it’s better to hand wash it in cool water or machine wash in a delicate setting. Immediately after washing, you have the option to hang dry or tumble-dried on a cool setting.

The Most Important Guideline

Caring for your fabrics is crucial when you want them to last. If you notice that similar problems develop with your larger loads of laundry, then it may have to do with faulty equipment. To prevent your garments from shrinking or getting destroyed, contact a professional to inspect your laundry services. This can help pinpoint any issues and avoid any further damage to clothing and machines in the future.

For your future commercial laundry room needs, contact FMB Laundry by calling 410-324-3654 or email us to learn how we can help you set up your on-premise laundry services today!

Budget Now for Upgraded Laundry Services

In any given apartment community, laundry service can be a huge pain for property managers. From outdated appliances to broken-down equipment, replacing or even upgrading them can be a huge cost. However, it’s important to factor this in because residents are looking for a clean, well-lit facility with state-of-the-art appliances. For many, the question is why should I include this in the yearly budget?

The Added Importance of Updated Laundry Services

With the recent pandemic, there is a new model placed for cleanliness and sanitation in the laundry industry. Clothes not only need to be clean; they also need to be disinfected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has set guidelines that should be considered the new standard for laundry staff and the equipment when face with washing bedsheets and garments for others:

  • Separate areas should be maintained for unwashed and washed clothing.
  • Those washing and drying should employ PPE to avoid contact with potentially contaminated clothes.
  • Washing clothes in 160º water for 25 minutes should be sufficient to eliminate any microbes.
  • Extra care should be taken to prevent cleaned clothing from contamination before wearing.

The Ecological Way to Wash Clothing

Of course, the prevention of spreading a virus is one reason for upgrading to a high-quality laundry machine. Another has to do with advancements in energy-efficient machines. High-efficiency washers use 25% less energy and 33% less water than regular washers. Of course, this depends on the washer capacity, load size, cycle type, etc. but, regular washers will use anywhere between 14-20 gallons of water per load. For the average household that runs between 4-6 loads a week, that’s over 5,000 gallons of water a year! Talk about a costly water bill. By using an energy-efficient washer you are not only lowering your overall water bill cost but also lowering the amount of water used every year.

On-site and multi-family laundry services need to utilize state-of-the-art equipment to meet today’s ecological and sanitation standards. To find the best available appliances and get them economically, contact FMB Laundry by calling 410-324-3654 or emailing us.

Secrets to Longer Lasting Clothing

They are your clothes. You would think you know them. In truth, however, as often as you have worn them, your clothes have kept some secrets from you. The good news is, as you find out what they are hiding, it will allow you to extend their lives—sometimes almost indefinitely. Make sure you like new clothes when you buy them since using these laundry tips will make them part of your lives for a long time.

Laundry Hacks to Make Your Clothes Last

Some of these may make sense to you, while others may seem counterintuitive. Give them a try and see if your clothes thank you for looking attractive and feeling comfortable a lot longer:

  • Wash in cold water except for towels and soiled whites. Warm water fades, shrinks, and is more abrasive.
  • The more detergent you use, the faster your clothes age. For most loads, a tablespoon will suffice.
  • Turn your dark clothes inside out as well as your clothes with decals. Colors rub against other exteriors and fade.
  • If you have a stain, soak it in cold water and spray it. There is no need to add more detergent for the whole load.
  • Take your time drying wet clothes. Use the “delicate” cycle, which ensures lower temps.
  • Avoid the dry cleaner, which exposes your clothes to abrasive chemicals. Place delicates in a mesh bag and use cold water and a gentle setting.

Smart Tech Comes to the Laundry Room

While we are discussing smart ways to wash your clothes, you may be interested in knowing that smart tech has found its way to the laundry room. You can utilize washers and dryers by programming your smartphone with the help of FMB Laundry, which provides smart equipment for residents of colleges, multi-family homes, and more. You can check us out on our website or give us a call at (800) 832-6193.

Make Doing Laundry Stress-Free

Laundry room etiquette can be a new concept or unclear for some people that use a communal laundry room. The most basic rule in the laundry room is to treat others with respect. There are some dos and don’ts of laundry room etiquette that will save you from having to deal with any bother or headaches while doing laundry in your building!

Be Timely

First and foremost, do not leave your items in the washer/dryer for an extended period of time. This is rude to other residents and may result in your garments being removed and tossed aside before you return.

Instead, try and do laundry when you have the time to complete a load in both the washer and dryer. While it may take some effort to find the time, it is preferable to having your clothes become dirty as a result of being thrown away or accumulating mold as a result of being left in the washer for too long. With the Clothesline Mobile app, you will receive alerts when your laundry is done, making timeliness much easier to accomplish.

Be Patient

If a unit has been in use for a while, be patient. If a machine has been stopped for more than an hour and is still occupied, stack the clothing neatly or remove the garments inside and place them in a plastic grocery bag. Place them beside the machine in case they were placed there by a resident.

Be Prepared

It is important to be prepared when doing your laundry in a shared space. Be sure to have your SmartCard with you with enough money on it to do your laundry. Double-check that you have detergent before you head to the laundry room. If you get there and realize you forgot detergent, going back to grab it not only wastes time, but you might lose out on an available machine.

By using some common courtesy, you can make doing laundry in your building a stress-free experience. For more tips on creating a stress-free laundry environment, contact FMB Laundry today!

Superior Laundry Services With FMB Laundry

When you provide laundry services at your building, you need to make sure that the facilities are accessible and easy to use for all residents. However, you also want to make sure that your laundry facilities are easy for you to maintain. At FMB Laundry, our top priority is taking excellent care of our clients so that you can provide excellent service to your residents.

Providing Service When You Need It

Because your washers and dryers get so much use, you need them to be working properly at all times.  At FMB, we can provide repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice a problem. We can also install brand-new equipment to replace worn-out machines.

We know that you may lose money when even just one machine is broken. The lack of a machine can also be frustrating for your residents. When you notify us of a problem, we dispatch a repair team immediately, and this team can usually fix the problem within 24 hours.

Helping You Go Green

Protecting the environment and saving money is a crucial concern for many of our clients. At FMB, we can help you meet both of these goals. We can perform an assessment of your laundry facilities so you can see how much energy and water you currently use. In many situations, upgrading to new, energy-efficient machines can help you save money on your utility costs. In turn, using less water and energy allows you to help the environment.

Making Laundry Easier for Your Residents

We can also help you upgrade your laundry system so that it is better for your residents to use. At FMB, we offer the Clothesline Mobile app that can tell your residents which machines are open and notify them when the cycle is done. We can also streamline the payment system to eliminate the use of coins, as coins are becoming a thing of the past.

If you are ready to upgrade your laundry services, contact us today! We can help you find the laundry solution that works best for your facility.

The Clothesline Mobile App Is Essential for On-Site Laundry

It seems everyone is busy these days. Whether your residents are sleep-deprived students, busy parents, or overloaded professionals, they don’t have time to sit in a laundry room while their clothes wash and dry. Fortunately, you can offer a solution that provides more flexibility and convenience to all of your residents. Discover the benefits Clothesline Mobile can offer you and your residents.

Features That Benefit Everyone

With the Clothesline Mobile app, your residents can go about their busy lives without worrying about ruining their clothes in the washer or dryer. When they download the app, they receive alerts when their cycles are complete and can see when another machine is available. With the SmartCard, balances are shown on the app, so tenants know when the card needs to be reloaded. If a cycle finishes and the tenant wants it to tumble for ten more minutes, Bluetooth allows that tenant to start the machine again.

As a property manager, you also cash in on the benefits of the Clothesline Mobile app. Through it, you can request service when a machine malfunctions. You don’t have to worry about collecting coins from the machines and are able to offer your residents a modernized experience they won’t complain about.

How Technology Is Improving the Laundry Experience

With technology such as the Clothesline Mobile app, the laundry experience is improved at a higher level. Everyone uses technology for almost everything. Many people don’t rely on pen and paper anymore, and several individuals don’t wear a watch. All of these things that were once commonplace are now included in smartphones. Because technology completes so many tasks, things like doing dishes or doing laundry can get mundane. With an app that keeps you on track, the task is more convenient and likely to get done more often.

As you can see, technology plays a large role in every industry, even laundry. As a property manager, it’s up to you to ensure your residents have the most pleasant laundry experience possible. Contact FMB Laundry today to learn more.

Financial Support for Your New On-Site Laundry Facility

As a property owner catering to the needs of others, there could be various facilities and services you have implemented. Are you ready to tackle an on-site laundry facility? That’s great! At FMB Laundry, we know it’s not always easy to finance the services that will benefit your tenants and clients most, and that’s why we’re here to help.

Financing and Leasing Options

At FMB Laundry, we offer Speed Queen Financial Services to help our clients set up the on-site laundry facilities they need most. As your partner, we have resources and programs designed to assist you when your finances become challenging. Our financing and leasing options are flexible and customizable, allowing you to make that unique investment for your property. We are able to offer our clients a decision on financing in as little as 24 hours because we control underwriting.

When it comes to our rates, they are some of the lowest in the industry. We don’t ask for a security deposit, and there’s no penalty for full or partial prepayment. Our professionals have the experience it requires to manage your account, with online management options to make your life easier and more convenient.

Why Financing and Leasing Work

We know you’re doing your best to keep your property in good shape. With additional facilities like laundry service, your clients and tenants can experience more convenience, which is only going to make them happier and more satisfied. With satisfied tenants, you’re more likely to have a steady flow of rent and income. This is why financing and leasing your laundry equipment works. We know you’ll have the income it takes to keep up on payments.

Discussing Your Personalized Services Today

If you’re considering an on-site laundry facility for your property, FMB Laundry has the financing and leasing options you need. Call 410-324-3654 or email us today to discuss the personalized services and financial needs you have.

Preventative Maintenance Tips For Your Laundry Equipment

Take your laundry room equipment to the next level by acknowledging that maintenance goes beyond just fixing what is broken. Investing in preventative maintenance for your commercial laundry equipment can go a long way. At FMB, we provide several maintenance options to prolong the life of your equipment. In addition to professional maintenance, monitoring your equipment is crucial to your laundry room’s overall health.

Clean Lint Filters

Ideally, lint filters should be cleaned out after every use or at the very least once a day. When lint builds up, the dryer has the potential to overheat.

Inspect Water Inlet Valve

There are water inlet valve connections on the back of most machines. While you can keep an eye out for leaks daily, but make sure they are thoroughly inspected at least once a month. If there are any cracks, deterioration, or blisters, the hose will need to be replaced as soon as possible.

Clean the Dryer

The condition of your equipment has a direct impact on how clean the laundry comes out. Sanitization can prevent the spread of disease and illness. It can also remove pesticides and petroleum chemicals. Extensive cleaning needs to be performed by a professional once a year.

Maintain the Door

One of the easiest daily tasks you can do is ensure that the door and its locks work. Test the doors at the end of each day, then leave the door open so that any moisture can evaporate. You should also be sure to clean the glass regularly with a damp cloth.

If you invest in simple maintenance for your commercial laundry machines, you can avoid more expensive problems down the line. Laundry equipment is expensive to replace, but with preventative maintenance, you can prolong the life of your washer and dryer. To learn more, contact FMB Laundry today by calling 410-324-3654 or sending us an email.