Guides
The Laundry Llamas Guide to Expert Garment Care
Welcome to your resource for all things laundry! At Laundry Llamas, we believe that proper care is the secret to making the clothes you love last longer. While we’re always here to take the full load off your hands, we wanted to share some of our professional knowledge to help you handle those everyday laundry challenges.
Guide 1: Stain Removal 101 - A Quick Guide to Common Spills
Accidents happen, but a quick response can save your favourite garment. The golden rule is to blot, never rub, and act as fast as you can. Here’s how to tackle some common culprits.
- Coffee or Tea : Immediately flush the back of the stain with cold water. Gently dab a small amount of liquid detergent into the spot and let it sit for a few minutes before washing as normal.
- Red Wine : Blot the stain to remove as much excess wine as possible. Cover the entire stain with a generous layer of table salt, which will draw the wine out of the fabric. Let it sit, then rinse before washing.
- Oil or Grease : Don't use water! Cover the stain with an absorbent powder like cornstarch or baking soda. Let it sit for 30-60 minutes to absorb the oil, then scrape it off. Dab the remaining spot with a bit of dish soap before washing.
- Ink : Place the stained area face down on a clean paper towel. Dab the back of the stain with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser. You should see the ink transfer to the paper towel. Repeat with fresh paper towels until the stain is gone, then rinse and wash.
Guide 2: Decoding Care Labels - What Do Those Symbols Mean?
Ever felt like you need a secret decoder ring to read a clothing tag? Let’s simplify the most common symbols.
- The Washtub (Washing Instructions)
- A tub with a number: Machine wash, but do not exceed the temperature shown (e.g., 30°, 40°).
- A tub with one line below: Use a gentle, permanent press cycle.
- A tub with two lines below: Use a very gentle, delicate cycle.
- A tub with a hand: Hand wash only.
- A tub with an 'X' across it: Do not wash. This is a dry-clean-only item.
- The Triangle (Bleaching Instructions)
- An empty triangle: Any bleach can be used.
- A triangle with two diagonal lines: Use non-chlorine bleach only.
- A triangle with an 'X' across it: Do not bleach.
Guide 3: The Art of Sorting - It's More Than Just Lights and Darks
Proper sorting prevents colours from bleeding, reduces lint transfer, and protects your delicate clothes from damage.
- Sort by Colour: Create separate piles for whites, pastels/light greys, and dark colours (blacks, navies, deep browns). Always wash new, brightly coloured items like reds or deep blues on their own for the first few washes.
- Sort by Fabric Type: Wash heavier items like jeans, towels, and jumpers separately from lighter items like t-shirts and blouses. The heavy, abrasive fabrics can damage the delicate ones during the wash cycle.
- Sort by Soil Level: Heavily soiled items like muddy sportswear or greasy work clothes should be washed in their own load to prevent dirt and grime from transferring onto lightly soiled garments.
When in Doubt, Let the Professionals Handle It.
These guides are here to help you with day-to-day care. But for a truly deep, convenient, and professional clean that saves you time and effort, the Laundry Llamas herd is always ready to help.