At American Mega Laundromat our Best Clients are the Most Knowledgeable Clients. We provide the following Materials on all subjects related to the field of Laundry.

We call this Basic Laundry Knowledge “LKE”

Laundromat Knowledge Essential (LKE)

This material is a Must Reading if you want to Optimize Your Laundry Experience at Home or at American Mega Laundromat

What is a Laundromat?
A Laundromat is a coin-operated laundry facility often called a coin laundry. Laundromats usually feature many dryers on one or two walls and rows of washing machines in the middle of the room. They allow those without access to a home washing machine, or without access to a machine large enough for certain items, the solution of having another place to do their laundry.

Laundromats usually have tables for folding clean laundry as well as chairs so that those using the Laundromat have somewhere to sit while waiting for their clothes to be washed and dried. Some coin-operated laundries may have television sets or Internet access. Many people don't like to leave their clothes in the Laundromat unattended and wait there through both the washing and drying cycles. This is because items could be stolen and the Laundromat management assumes no responsibility for any missing or damaged laundry.

A Laundromat can be convenient for travelers on a budget as well as to residents in a city or town who have no working washer and dryer available to them. Laundromat users must use their own hampers, baskets or bags for their clothing. They must also provide their own laundry detergent, fabric softener and all other laundry products. Some Laundromats sell miniature boxes of laundry soap, but it is less expensive to bring your own.

Laundromats are convenient for washing oversized items such as a king-sized comforter since many home washers don't have the capacity to hold extra-large bedding. Some people also like to wash heavier items such as dog blankets and sleeping bags in commercial machines. Of course, the washers and dryers in a Laundromat are first come, first served, so waiting for available machines may be necessary in some cases. Still, a Laundromat can provide a good solution when your home washer and/or dryer breaks down or when you really need somewhere to get your clothing or other materials clean!

Wash & Fold Service
Wash and fold service is a convenient method of sending out your laundry to be done by professionals. Unlike dry cleaning, this service launders your clothes in a washing machine and dryer similar to those you might have at home. Many busy people take advantage of a wash and fold service to save them time and reduce the hassle. A good wash and fold service begins with dropping off your unsorted soiled laundry. The service will identify the washing requirements of each item of clothing and separate them by color, temperature, and degree of agitation. Then an attendant can safely wash every load with a high-quality detergent, mild bleach, and optional fabric softener. They will gently dry your clothes, and carefully fold anything that doesn't need to be ironed, such as knit shirts, pants, or socks, for you to pick up at your convenience.

A coin-operated laundry facility and dry cleaner's may be in the same location as your wash and fold service. Therefore, you might have the option to have certain blouses or shirts pressed, or have your separate dry cleaning done at the same time. Usually, a wash and fold service charges by the pound, with other treatments charged by the item. Even though they are handling many people's laundry, your clothing should never be mixed with anyone else's.

A deluxe wash and fold service may offer to pick laundry up at your home and drop it off when complete. Some provide mild hand-washing for delicates, such as washable silk or lingerie. They may pre-treat stubborn spots by soaking some items in stain remover. Other convenient extras include the ability to wash your drapes, cotton rugs, comforters, sheets, and oversized items in special large capacity washers. When you factor in what your time is worth to you, you can save money by using a wash and fold service by eliminating the need for a washer and dryer at home, not to mention the added convenience of dispensing with this wearisome chore.

Earth Friendly Laundry Products:
http://www.ecos.com/pages/laundry.html

What is the best way to do Laundry?
Knowing the best way to do laundry will help you avoid shrinking your sweaters and dying your white socks pink. The best way to do laundry involves several steps: sorting your dirty clothes, selecting your detergent and determining which washer and dryer settings you should use. If you do all these things carefully, then doing laundry doesn’t have to be a time-consuming chore.

Sorting your laundry is the first step. The best way to do laundry is to separate your whites from your darks. If you don’t, the colors may bleed and tint your white articles. As you sort your clothes, you should check your pockets to ensure that items like money, receipts or gum won’t accidentally get thrown in the wash.

Take any items that are heavily or newly stained and set them aside. To ensure that these stains come out, you might want to pre-treat these spots with either a product designed specifically for this purpose or a bit of your usual detergent. Rub these products gently over the stained area. Many varieties of pretreatment sticks and gels are sold at most grocery stores.

The best way to do laundry is to follow the instructions on your garments when deciding whether to use hot or cold water. Your garments’ tags should also indicate what setting it should be washed on. Dry-clean only items should never be put a washing machine. After sorting your clothes by color, you should also inspect each item’s tags and sort those that require the same settings and temperatures into subgroups. Sorting laundry is an important part of the best way to do laundry.

There are many types of detergent, bleach and fabric softener, but the best way to do laundry is to find the products that best suit your clothes. Detergents that contain bleach, for example, should only be used on whites. Some detergents are created for use in high efficiency washing machines; others are scented. Choose the right detergent for your needs; then pour the correct amount into your machine. Using too little detergent means your clothes will not be thoroughly cleaned. Too much detergent may not rinse completely from your items.

After your clothes have been washed, you need to dry them according to the directions on their labels. The best way to do laundry is to pay attention to the heat and intensity setting each clothing item requires. Some clothes cannot be dried in a machine at all, and must either be hung or laid flat. Once your clothes are dry, remove them from the dryer and fold or hand them right away to prevent wrinkles. For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-do-laundry.htm.

What is Laundry Sorter?
For a number of people, sorting laundry means forming two piles: one marked "dirty" and the other marked "clean." Others may stack all of their dirty laundry in a single clothes hamper, waiting until the last possible moment to separate whites from colors or permanent press from dry clean only. There is a solution to this laundry conundrum, however, and it is known as a laundry sorter. Single men may want to leave the room at this point.

A laundry sorter is essentially a three or four section clothes hamper which allows users to manually separate different types of clothing. Laundry items which can be washed as "whites" in higher temperature water are placed in one section of the laundry sorter. Colors fit in another section, while delicates or dry clean only clothes live in the third section. On laundry day, the launderer or laundress can remove each section from the laundry and wash the clothes according to temperature or type.

Many laundry sorters use separate canvas bags to hold the clothing until laundry day, but others may have more permanent partitions. The entire laundry sorter unit can be wheeled into the laundry room or the user can transfer individual batches with the help of a laundry basket. The main benefit of a laundry sorter is reducing the amount of time a user must spend dividing a congealed mass of clothes into manageable portions with similar washing requirements.
Some people may opt to change the natural order of laundry and sort dirty clothes into different categories. Socks and underwear may fill one section of a laundry sorter, while work uniforms or household linens could fill another section. The laundry sorter itself simply provides a neutral organizational platform; it's up to the individual user to decide which types of clothing are section-worthy.

A series of single compartment clothes hampers could serve as an impromptu laundry sorter as long as every player understands the rules of the game. Parents of young children may want to explain how a laundry sorter works and which types of clothing belong in each section. Despite the best of intentions, occasionally a black sock may end up in the "whites" section or a delicate item may be discovered in the permanent press neighborhood of dirty laundryville. A final check may prove useful before emptying a laundry sorter bag into the washing machine or placing the washed items into the dryer. For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-laundry-sorter.htm.

What are some Different types of Laundry Supplies?
Almost everybody does laundry. Some people that can afford it prefer to take their dirty clothes to professional cleaners where they pay to have them cleaned. Other people do their own laundry using washers and dryers or their own hands. If you are doing your own laundry, there are certain laundry supplies you will need to successfully accomplish that task.

Laundry is best done in bulk. This means that it is more efficient to accumulate a certain amount dirty laundry then do it when you have too many or too few dirty clothes. Some people do theirs once a week, other people, especially those with children, do theirs more frequently. The best way to avoid having a pile of dirty clothes on the floor is to use a clothes hamper.

A hamper is a container that holds dirty clothes while they are waiting to be washed or dried. Clothes hampers are available in many sizes and styles. For those with a lot of laundry, there are 3 section laundry hampers that allow for sorting and storing laundry into whites, darks and colors.

The basic laundry supplies needed to do laundry are water and detergent. Bleach, stain removers and fabric softeners are other laundry supplies widely used. Water can be used at different temperatures and if used inappropriately may affect your clothes. Hot water can make your delicate clothes shrink and fade but is best for washing whites, linens and towels. Delicate and dark colored clothes are best washed in cold water. Always look at the tags in clothes to know what temperature of water to use.

Laundry detergent mixes with water and removes dirt and stains from your clothes. Laundry detergents are available in liquid or powder form. When using powder detergent, add it to the water before adding clothes to allow it to dissolve first. Detergents are also available for different fabrics such as detergents with color-safe bleach for colors and detergents with mild formulas and no dyes for delicates. Detergents may also have fabric softeners and refreshers. Detergents with no dyes, fragrances and that are made of mild formulas are popular among people that have sensitive skin and people washing clothes for babies.

Bleach is a chemical that mixes with detergent and water to remove soil and stains from clothes. Bleaches also disinfect and whiten fabrics. Bleaches are either oxygen- or chlorine-based. Chlorine bleach is used for whites and as a disinfectant. Oxygen bleach is used on all types of fabrics. To avoid damaging clothes, always add bleach to laundry water and never pour directly on clothes.

Many stain removers are available for different types of stains and fabrics. Always read the tags in clothes and the instructions on a stain remover before using one. Some stain removers are applied directly to the stain while others are added to the wash water.

Fabric softeners are available as liquids that are added to the laundry water or sheets that are added to the clothes dyer. They are used to prevent or reduce static cling from clothes and also to soften them. Some people also use fabric softeners simply for the smell it adds to the fabrics especially on items like bed sheets and bath towels. Fabric softeners are available in many different types and scents. There are even fragrance free hypoallergenic softeners for people with allergies. If a fabric softener cannot be used, vinegar can be used as a substitute.

If washing clothes by hand, some additional laundry supplies are a basin or a laundry sink. Other laundry supplies are pre-soaks, color brighteners, whiteners and water softeners. Some laundry items require special drying care or, in the absence of a clothes dryer, then a drying rack or a clothesline could be used to dry clothes. For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link:http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-different-types-of-laundry-supplies.htm

What are Some Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Laundry Detergent?
There are a number of alternatives to laundry detergent which are not only more environmentally friendly than commercial detergents, but also much cheaper. Especially if you do a lot of laundry, these alternatives can save you a great deal of money, freeing up funds for trips, fun projects, or savings. Alternatives to laundry detergent are also easy to make and to alter to suit your needs.

Two techniques can be used to make eco-friendly laundry soap at home. The first results in a large bucket of a slimy, sloppy liquid which can be a real pain to deal with. The second is used to make a laundry powder, which can be made in batches of any size, and stored with ease. Since the only difference is the addition of glycerin or water to the liquid version, this wiseGEEK author highly recommends sticking to powdered alternatives to laundry detergent and saving yourself a headache.

To make alternatives to laundry detergent, you are going to need: soap flakes, washing powder, and borax. Some people also like to use baking soda, especially for laundry soap which will be used in bleaching. Soap flakes can be purchased loose in the store, but you can also just buy bar soap and grate it, or use home-made bar soap. Washing powder is found in the laundry aisle of most grocery and general stores, as is borax.

The basic recipe involves half soap flakes, one quarter washing soda, and one quarter borax, with around one scoop usually doing the trick per load. However, you can play around with these proportions quite a bit, and you can add baking soda to the mix to replace the borax. The key ingredients are the washing soda and the soap flakes; borax and baking soda just make your laundry soap a little more powerful, and they can also cut grease and odors, which may be useful for you.

For extra bleaching power, add lemon juice or peroxide to a load of laundry once it gets going with your alternative to conventional detergent. Lemon juice or vinegar can also be used to deodorize laundry. For stains, soak laundry in a mixture of cold water, vinegar, and baking soda; you may want to spot test the fabric first to make sure that the fabric does not bleach or stain in this mixture.

If your alternatives to laundry detergent don't smell as exciting as your favorite detergent or laundry soap, you can add essential oils to them to create a specific scent. Just be careful to avoid essential oils or floral extracts with artificial dyes, which can stain your fabrics. For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-eco-friendly-alternatives-to-laundry-detergent.htm

What is a Laundry Starch?
Sometimes referred to as clothing starch, laundry starch is a simple liquid that is used to provide a crisper appearance to various articles of clothing. Laundry starch is manufactured in more than one form, with some types appropriate for adding to the wash cycle during the laundering process, while other types of the starch being formulated for use on dry articles of clothing. Both types of this clothing stiffener are widely available and are usually considered a staple laundry product in any home where more formal clothing is worn frequently.

Most types of laundry starch are composed of a mixture of vegetable starch that is mixed with water. The actual origin of the starch is unknown. However, the use of laundry starch can be traced back to at least the sixteenth century. During that period, laundry starch was used to provide more body and stiffness to the ruffs and wide collars that were common elements on apparel worn by the upper classes in many European countries. The use of starch to stiffen articles of clothing continued into the New World, and was used extensively to stiffen the removable collars worn by men around the beginning of the 20th century.

While the first examples of laundry starch were added during the process of washing garments, later formulas allowed for the application of the starch to the surface of dry clothing. This made it possible to apply a light coat of starch to the garment just before a hot iron was used to remove any wrinkles from the clothing. As a result, garments would have a smooth appearance that would hold up well for several hours, even in climates with high humidity.

Today, laundry starch is available as an additive that may be used while washing clothes by hand or in an automatic washing machine. However, many people prefer to make use of aerosol cans filled with a specially formulated starch. For people who prefer to not make use of products sold in aerosol cans, there are also spray bottle versions available. Both products help to provide an even coating that is applied to dry clothing during ironing.

The various types of laundry starch on the market today can be purchased at several different retail outlets, including supermarkets, drug stores, and discount retail stores. It is also possible to find recipes to prepare laundry starch at home using various types of vegetable starch that is mixed with water. This option is often preferable when there is a desire to make a garment unusually stiff for some special event. For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link:http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-laundry-starch.htm

How Can I Make Starch?
Starch, which comes from plants and tubers, has both culinary and commercial uses. Perhaps the most common sources of starch worldwide are corn, potatoes, rice and wheat. In the food industry, starch may be used to thicken a soup, or it may be used as an additive to a breakfast cereal. Commercially, starch may be used to make paper or to launder or stiffen clothing.

Making your own starch is relatively simple and inexpensive. If you want to make starch for laundering purposes it will only take a few minutes. Moreover, the ingredients you will need will cost far less than a can of aerosol starch spray. In addition, it has no added preservatives that can damage clothes and is completely biodegradable.

There are a number of different ways to make starch for clothing. Experimenting may be the best way to discover which method gives you the crispest collar. To make starch using everyday cornstarch, you'll need, one heaping tablespoon (about 15 mL) of cornstarch, half a quart (one pint or 473 mL) of cold water, and a spray bottle.

Add the cornstarch to the cold water and stir until it is completely dissolved. The solution will be cloudy, but there shouldn't be any clumps of cornstarch visible. Pour the mixture into the spray bottle and use with the fine-spray setting. Always shake the bottle before spraying. A cornstarch-based spray will give you a very stiff finish; if you prefer an even stiffer finish, try adding one additional teaspoon (about 5 mL) of cornstarch at a time until you get the result you want.

If you prefer a softer finish, you can make starch using potatoes. You will need: one potato, boiling water, a heat-resistant bowl, and a spray bottle. Wash the potato and peel it thoroughly. Place it in the bowl and cover it with boiling water; let it sit overnight. Strain the liquid to remove any solids and pour it into the spray bottle. This starch is perishable, so you will want to use it within 48 to 72 hours.

Starch is a multi-purpose laundry tool that can help keep wrinkles at bay as well as prevent dirt and sweat stains on collars. It also helps set fabric into place, which can ease ironing and keep pleats in place.

To get the best results from your starch, make sure that you let the solution sit on your clothes for about one minute; that will prevent any white marks from forming on your clothes. Using the steam setting also helps starch set properly. For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-make-starch.htm

How Can I Make Soap?
Making soap today is more of a pastime or hobby than a necessity. But, for people who enjoy a creative pursuit, modern melt and pour methods make it easy to make soap at home. Grabbing a book from your local library is another easy way to learn how to make soap.

Soap making has been around for more than 5,000 years. Until the 20th century, people would make soap from a concoction of melted animal fats (lard), water and lye, known as lard soap or lye soap. But, because it is so difficult to make, few people attempt to make lye soap anymore.
Modern soap making methods include the hand-milled technique and melt and pour. Melt and pour soap provides the most efficient and safe method. Hand milling takes more effort, but generally produces a superior bar of soap.

To make your own soap at home, you'll need a microwave, large glass measuring cup, stirring spoon, soap base, fragrances, colorants, and soap molds of your choice. There are hundreds of choices in scents as well as coloring combinations. If you are just learning to make soap at home, begin with soap making recipes written by an experienced soap maker.

Hand milling begins with grating several ounces (roughly 200 or so grams) of natural soap, commonly found in whole foods stores and sometimes in hobby stores. Water is added to the grated soap base and the mixture is carefully heated until melted. Before pouring the melted soap into the molds, the soap-maker adds her desired combinations of scents, coloring, and natural additives including grains, herbs or spices.

Melt and pour soap kits and supplies are commonly available in hobby stores everywhere. With adult supervision, children age 12 and up are capable of making melt and pour soaps. The soap base comes in easy to measure, one-ounce (about 28g) chunks. There are several types of base used to make soap, including clear and opaque soap bases made of glycerin, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, shae butter, or olive and aloe.

It is important to use only fragrances and dyes specially formulated for soap making, and only in recommended amounts; other types of additives, or too much of some approved additives, can cause skin irritation.

Soap fragrances can be artfully blended to create pleasing and unique combinations. The different scents are broken into three categories, known as notes. The main scent is known as the “predominant note.” Secondary notes, known as “blenders,” are used to enhance the main scent. Lastly, “contrasts” add a lively little kick known as low notes.

Color mixing for soap making can be a little tricky. Dyes used to make soap are extremely concentrated and it is easy to ruin a batch of soap with too much experimentation. Try experimenting with soap coloring in a four-ounce (about 113g) glass of water. The water method offers a good preview of color mixing for clear glycerin soaps, but does not work as well to predict the color of opaque soaps.

Molds used to make soap come in a variety of shapes, from the typical bar or oval to elaborate floral molds. In general, most molds are between two and six ounces (56 to 170g) in volume.

A lot of the fun of making your own soaps can be in packaging the creations for gift giving. Some fancy tissue paper and ribbons, a special piece of pottery or a decorative box can go a long way to dress up your homemade soap.

For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link:http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-make-soap.htm

What is HE Detergent?
HE, or high efficiency, detergent is a specially formulated detergent suitable for use in the newer high efficiency washing machine models on the market today. HE detergent is different from conventional detergent products in that a high efficiency laundry detergent product produces fewer suds and makes rinsing of washed clothing an easier task. Detergent of this type is not available in most major supermarkets.

A front-loading high efficiency washing machine is designed to make optimum use of a small amount of water while still cleaning the laundry thoroughly. Because of the lower water level used during the wash and rinse cycles, conventional laundry detergents are will not work as well in these newer machines. In fact, use of older types of laundry detergent can actually through the cycles off sequence, resulting in delays between the cycles and interfering with the ability of the machine to rinse the clothing thoroughly during the rinse cycle.

By using HE detergent, all this issues can be avoided. The lower sudsing action of the high efficiency detergents means there is no residue to cling to the clothing as the washing process progresses from one cycle to the next. This is especially important to the rinse cycle, as the HE detergent will not leave behind traces of the detergent after the laundry is thoroughly rinsed.

It is important to note that HE detergent is not a good option for a conventional washing machine. Just as dishwashing products formulated for an automatic dishwasher will not work well when washing dishes by hand, the same is true for HE detergent. Consumers would do well to make sure any detergent used with a given washing machine meets the standards of the manufacturer of the washer.

In most cases, HE detergent is no more expensive than other types of washing powders and liquids. Each container of the detergent will wash the same number of loads as the traditional formulas. Most supermarkets display HE detergent alongside other detergent products. Manufacturers include a designation of “HE” on the packaging, making it easy for consumers to locate HE detergent products.

For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-he-detergent.htm .

What is an Oxygen Cleaner?
An oxygen cleaner, also sometimes called oxygen bleach, is a popular product that uses oxygen bubbles to lift stains and clean. This type of product is generally non-toxic and more environmentally friendly than traditional household cleaners which use chemicals such as ammonia or bleach. Most reviewers say that oxygen cleaners are surprisingly powerful and successful at removing stains, though it may take a little longer to do so than traditional cleaners.

Oxygen cleaners generally use one of three possible active ingredients. These include hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate and sodium perborate. Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid, but the others are powders -- this is why you see both powdered and liquid versions of oxygen cleaner. You can find oxygen cleaners to perform just about any cleaning task in your household, including laundry detergents, carpet cleaners, stain removers, dishwashing detergent, glass cleaners, general household cleaners and even outdoor cleaners for the deck or patio.

The oxygen cleaner is applied and rubbed in, causing the oxygen bubbles to essentially "effervesce" and release. One benefit to an oxygen cleaner is its versatility. You may be able to use one or two types of oxygenated cleansers for various household tasks where you used to need five or six different cleaners. This cuts down on waste and also saves you money. Most eco-friendly oxygen cleaners come in recyclable bottles.

You could make your own oxygen cleaner with a little effort, too. Mixing one part baking soda, one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts hot water can help remove stains from clothing. Do not use this mixture, or any oxygen cleaner, on silk or wool, as it can damage the fabric.

It is especially important to follow directions when using an oxygen cleaner. Using too much or leaving it on the stain for too long can damage fabrics and carpeting, potentially voiding any manufacturer's warranty on the carpet. Often, less is more with oxygen cleaners, and doubling up the amount called for will produce disastrous results. When used properly, oxygen cleaners are especially successful on typically hard-to-remove stains such as blood and pet stains.

Oxygen cleaners are relatively easy to find in stores due to the recent resurgence in popularity. They may be purchased in a powdered or liquid form, which needs to be diluted, or in a ready-to-apply mixture. You've probably also seen infomercials selling oxygenated cleansers. While oxygen cleaners can be more expensive than traditional cleaners, it will give you peace of mind to know that the household cleaners you use are not toxic to people, animals or plants.

For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-oxygen-cleaner.htm

How Can I Make Homemade Laundry Detergent?
There are plenty of cleaning products that can be found in any supermarket, including laundry detergent. Many markets also distribute green laundry detergent, meaning that the product is made of ingredients considered safer for humans and the environment. Still, whether due to environmental concerns or financial frugality, some consumers prefer to make and use homemade laundry detergent. However, while making homemade laundry detergent was a necessity generations ago, it’s not a common practice today. This leaves many consumers wondering:

How can I make my own laundry detergent?
Another question that begs answering is, why anyone would want to make homemade laundry detergent when they can just buy it off the market shelf? For some people, the reason may be due to allergic reactions to conventional laundry products, so they seek a more natural alternative. For others, there may be health considerations since many laundry products may contain questionable ingredients. For example, alkylbenzene sulfonate is commonly added to laundry detergent even though it is a known liver carcinogen and is readily absorbed through the skin. Another common ingredient, fluosilicate, is a highly toxic pesticide.

A final concern for anyone looking into the feasibility of making and using homemade laundry detergent is its effectiveness. In other words, will it clean laundry just as well as a conventional brand? Yes, it will. However, it may be necessary to be a bit more diligent about addressing spots and stains right away instead of letting the soiled laundry article sit around for days before washing.

For many of us, the idea of making homemade laundry detergent conjures up images of stirring a huge vat of lye and ash outdoors to make gallons of laundry soap at one time. However, making homemade laundry detergent doesn’t need to be so complicated and time consuming. In fact, it’s much easier to make, use, and store homemade laundry detergent in smaller batches.

Homemade laundry detergent can be made from a handful of ingredients and does not require the use of harsh chemicals. In fact, many consumers are surprised to learn that most conventional liquid laundry detergents contain up to 70 percent water. A simple alternative to conventional liquid laundry detergent starts with the use of liquid castile soap, which is derived from vegetable oils.

The following is a sample recipe for liquid homemade laundry detergent that can be made on an as-needed basis: 1 ounce (30ml) liquid castile soap; 1 cup (240ml) washing soda (available in supermarkets in the laundry aisle); 1 cup (240ml) baking soda; 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar. Instructions: Fill washer with water and add each ingredient in the order given. Launder as usual. For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link:http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-make-homemade-laundry-detergent.htm.

What is Castile Soap?
Castile soap is a soap made with fat of purely vegetable origin, rather than animal fats such as tallow. This type of soap has historically been highly prized and viewed as a high quality soap which is gentle on the skin and useful for a range of other applications. Many stores sell castile soap, and this soap is a specialty of several regions in Europe, where it is made with various traditional ingredients. It is also possible to purchase a castile soap base for the purpose of blending your own soaps.

This soap is said to be named for the Kingdom of Castile, a region in what is now known as Spain. Evidence seems to suggest that castile soap actually originated in Northern Italy, and spread outwards from there, although this soap is so ancient that it is a bit difficult to pin down the precise details of its history. In Castile, the soap was made with olive oil only, and some people differentiate between capitalized Castile soap, made with olive oil, and lower case castile soap, made with other vegetable oils.

Although olive oil is the traditional base oil, castile soap can be made with coconut, hemp, avocado, almond, walnut, and many other vegetable oils. The composition of the soap will vary slightly, depending on which base oil is used. In pure form, castile soap is white, hard, and odorless. Many soapmakers also make a liquid version of castile soap, which is odorless and pale cream to white, often thickening in cool weather.

Once the base is made, castile soap can be scented with various floral ingredients, blended with oatmeal and other coarse materials to assist with exfoliation, or treated in other ways to create soap with specific purposes. Castile soap is often used as a hand soap in fine hotels, and the soap can also be used as a general body soap, a shampoo, or a general cleaner. Castile soaps can be used to wash clothes, scrub floors, bathe pets, and in a variety of other situations when something needs to be cleaned.

This type of soap is often highly prized because it is made with natural ingredients, appealing to people who want to be environmentally conscious. It is also very gentle, suitable for people with sensitive skin along with delicate surfaces and fabrics ranging from soft stone to silk. Some people like to blend their own castile soap, using soap base and essential oils. For more information on this subject, you can visit the following Link: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-castile-soap.htm.

Stain Removal Tips:
American Mega Laundromat’ Wash & Fold Division Experts
Provide Valuable Tips

First a few rules: No matter how strong your urge, do not rub a stain - pat only. Rubbing will push the stain further down into the fabric. Patting will move the stain into the rag or napkin you are patting with. Rubbing damp silk will damage the material.

Applying Water or Clear Soda Water? Either one will usually dilute a stain and make it easier to remove later.

If you have a surface stain (like spaghetti sauce), place the garment stain down on a towel or rag and pat the stain removal liquid (i.e. water or liquid detergent) from the backside so as to move the stain on to the towel. If you pat from the stained side you will push the stain further into the fabric. Some stains (such as coffee with cream and sugar) may have many different components all taking a different stain removal process, so be patient. Never machine dry a garment before removing the stains. They will be permanently set. The older the stain, the more difficult to it is to remove. Don't procrastinate - get it out as soon as possible. Oily type stains must be removed at once, as they will yellow with age.

Beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks, wine, alcoholic drinks, fruit juice) - rinse stain in cool water. Preferably before the stain dries. Pre-treat with pre-wash stain remover or a mild laundry detergent and white vinegar. If the stain is still there after laundering, try an enzyme detergent (like ERA) or go back to the first step. Presoak if possible.

Blood, egg, urine, vomit, feces or other animal type stains - scrape off any residue then soak freshly stained garment in cold water for 30 minutes and rinse. Gently rub detergent into any remaining stain. Rinse and then launder. If any stain remains or the stain is dry, soak in lukewarm water with an enzyme product (like ERA) and then launder.

Fruit, mustard, grass, tobacco or other plant type stains - rinse with cool water and treat with a milk detergent and white vinegar before washing or presoak in an enzyme product (like ERA) in the warmest water safe for the fabric. Then launder as usual. May need to repeat if stain is not completely gone.

Grease, motor oil, salad dressing, butter, cooking oil, cosmetics, crayon - light stains can be pretreated with a spray stain remove. Heavier stains require a mild laundry detergent mixed with household ammonia, or detergent mixed with a detergent booster. Launder in hottest water safe for the fabric. Remember pat only, no rubbing. Will have to repeat several times for heavy stains. Very heavy oil may require a solvent-based stain removal product - see candle wax below.

Perspiration - treat with pre-wash stain remover, or dampen stain and rub with bar soap. If the color of the fabric has changed slightly, apply ammonia to fresh stain or white vinegar to old stain, rinse. Launder in hottest water safe for that fabric. Stubborn stains may respond to pre-treating (soak) with an enzyme product, like ERA, and then launder using all-fabric bleach.

Candle wax, lipstick - gently lift off larger pieces. Treat with a solvent based stain removal product (K2R, Goof-Off). Again, pat from the backside into a cloth. Then wash in the hottest water safe for that fabric. Test colored items first.

You are responsible for what you put into your laundry bag. Please tell us if there are items in your laundry that require special handling or that you want to account for specifically on the invoice; otherwise, we accept your bulk laundry “as is” and you agree to accept it from American Mega Laundromat “as is.”