Its Party Time

After all of the celebrations parties and get – togethers that we have attended during the year we are rapidly heading towards the climax of the party calendar…The Christmas Party! Although we attired ourselves in smart but casual dress maybe for the family gathering at Christmas, we may have put on something light colourful but elegant for the summer bbq and even really let our hair and imagination run wild for a Halloween bash, the Christmas and festive season parties are where we really aim to shine above the rest.

If there is one piece of advise I can give, it is CHECK YOUR PARTY OUTFIT NOW!. Those of us not fortunate enough to be able to really splash out on a new special outfit will be relying on something that we already have in the wardrobe that fits the bill perfectly. But, don’t leave it till the morning/evening of the event to get it out. With our busy lives it can be devastating to discover that wine stain that occurred at the last outing or even a fault zip or missing button that you wont be able to get sorted in time.

Even if you had your clothes dry cleaned after the last event it is well worth taking it out of the wardrobe and removing the plastic protective bag and leave to breathe for a few days. The solvent used in the dry cleaning process can still linger slightly if left in a confines space with no air flow. This is not a particularly pungent odour but do you really want to be at your event with the thought of this at the back of your mind.

If there are repairs and/or stains that need some attention it is almost essential that you look to get these sorted sooner rather than later as this will avoid both disappointment and greater expense as capacity becomes more of a premium with cleaners and repairers as demand increases during the lead up to Christmas.

Never leave these tasks to the last minute as this will ensure you look your best and you can relax with complete piece of mind whilst parting the night away.

If you need your party outfits dry cleaned, laundered or ironed contact Iron Maids on 01622 870111, 01233 779009 or via iron-maids.co.uk

Free Delivery and collection

In a news report at the end of last week, it was reported that last year only ten percent of Christmas presents were bought online and predictions are that this year this figure will rise to twelve percent. This figure sounds a little dubious considering how much the humble act of going into town to do a bit of shopping now costs – and that’s without buying anything!

It is little wonder then that so many retailers and service providers are realising the benefit of offering an online service where goods and services can be dropped straight to your door without  the hassle that a trip out brings. Once you have taken into account the obvious expenses of the cost of travelling in and out of your destination and parking etc there is also that amount of time that this can take out of your day too. With the cost of road fuel rocketing, which only increases the pain on your wallet due the to increase in congestion that this time of year brings, some councils have just announced that they will be increasing their standard parking rate, a couple of them have even announced that they are intending to double these charges to boot!

So after you have spent out on the fuel, the parking and half of your day getting to where you need to get to, is it time that you started to consider who offers a collection and delivery service?

More and more companies are now wising up to the idea that this is indeed a growing market and gives them a significant edge over competitors who expect you to attend their premises. But, a word of caution… although many companies offer a door to door service, quite often there is a levy charge for this facility which can sometimes make it a less viable option for you as a customer. However all is not lost! After a bit of searching around you can find that there are local companies that can offer the same service at around the same price but with a free courier service.

So when making your decision on who’s services to use, its not simply a choice of who is the cheapest but more the case of which of these service providers offer a free collection and delivery that will offer me the best deal.

Make the most of Iron Maids FREE collection and delivery service by contacting us on 01622 870111, 01233 779009 or via iron-maids.co.uk

Iron Maids new contract

Press release November 2011

Laddingford business moves into the Fast Lane with Formula 1

 

Iron Maids, an ironing, laundry and dry cleaning service based on the Woodfalls Industrial Estate, has won a major new contract that will really put them in pole position.  Business owner, Karen Wilkinson, was delighted to be able to tell her staff that they had won a high profile contract with the Formula 1 Management Team.

Karen says “This is a real boost to our business to have such a prestigious client and we are looking forward to working with the Team, making sure that they are always well turned out.  We already work with a large number of domestic customers and our number of commercial customers is growing steadily, so this is a really exciting time for us.  Tendering for this business and winning is a real feather in our cap – I’m very proud of what we have achieved.”

The Iron Maids blue and pink vans are already a familiar sight in the Mid and West Kent areas and with the business growing as rapidly as it is, it will only be a matter of time before the vans are visible all around the county.  As Karen explains “as our customer base grows, we are already considering new areas and have Ashford in our sights, as the number of customers in that area is increasing every week.”

General Manager, Vicky Irvine adds “our customers use us as we save them so much time and effort and most people would agree that washing and ironing is never their favourite chore!  Although we started the service with mainly domestic customers, the commercial business has followed and we are now thrilled to be working with a number of events and catering companies, B&Bs and restaurants.  Winning the Formula 1 business is really exciting for us and proves that we can really deliver.”

Karen also feels that it is important for her to be growing her business and employing more people and she is looking forward to expanding her team of ironers and drivers – “employing locally is important for us.  Knowing that in time we may be creating more jobs is very satisfying.”

Why not check out our services on our website http://www.iron-maids.co.uk/. or give us a call on 01622 870111.

It's Winter !!!!!!!!

Now the clocks have gone back and we plunge into another great British winter! Although this year we do seem to be benefiting from a more mild autumn than usual and that can only be good news as heating fuel prices continue to rocket steeply upwards.

This weekend also saw that 8 week countdown to Christmas. Many of us have been seeing the arrival of the Christmas gift packs and decorations appearing in the supermarkets for a few weeks already but now the evenings are dark and the mornings are getting increasingly gloomy, it does tend to bring home the fact that its going to be at least another five months until we can safely pack up the winter coats and duvets and prepare to embrace the summer sunshine.

Whilst we are now dusting off our thermal lined coats and gloves there are some things that you should remember to keep in the back of your mind when you come in from a damp weather outing. Always make sure that you wipe down any moisture that is left on your leather garments. Even when hanging up straight away this tends to leave unsightly water marks which stand out on dark colours and suede coats can prove to be especially difficult and expensive to remove those white streaky marks from when all that was needed was a soft dry cloth to mop off any water that was left on your coat.

Do also remember to brush your suede coat with a good quality suede brush as this not only keeps the item looking at its best but allows that suede to breathe and ultimately will prolong the life of the coat too.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for the summer holiday deals for next year and keep warm in order to keep the winter blues away

If your winter garments need any  attention call Iron Maids on 01622 870111 or 01233 779009. You can also find us online, iron-maids.co.uk or on facebook.com/ironmaids

Halloween - the history of

Halloween is the one of the oldest festivals still celebrated today. It's one of the most popular celebrations, second only to Christmas. While millions of people celebrate Halloween without knowing its origins and myths, the history and facts of Halloween make this time even more fascinating.

Some people view Halloween as a time for fun, putting on costumes, trick-or-treating, and having themed parties. Others view it as a time of superstitions, ghosts, goblins and evil spirits that should be avoided at all costs.

As the Christian debate goes on, celebrating Halloween is a preference that is not always viewed as participating in an evil worship. Halloween is often celebrated with no reference to pagan rituals whatsoever.

Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan festival, honoring the dead. Halloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago.

All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day, which was created by Christians to convert pagans, and is celebrated on November 1st. The Catholic church honored saints on this designated day.

While there are many versions of the origins and old customs of Halloween, some remain consistent by all accounts. Different cultures view Halloween somewhat differently but traditional Halloween practices remain the same.

Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, which was annually on October 31st to honor the dead.

Samhain signifies the end of the summer. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and beginning of a new one. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were fed on superstition.

The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating.

If you need your custumes dry cleaned, laundered or ironed contact Iron Maids on 01622 870111, 01233 779009 or via iron-maids.co.uk

Wool clothing

When a sheep sheds its fleece this could be spun and woven into cloth. People soon realized that to kill the sheep for only its meat was a waste of food and material. The dog was probably the only animal to be domesticated before the sheep. People soon devised a method of producing clothing from the fleece. Even before 10,000 BC wool cloth was being spun and woven by the tribes of northern Europe. To spin it they took the wool in one hand and drew it out, twisting it into a thread with the fingers of the other hand. The result was a thick uneven yarn. Later, a crude spindle was developed by fitting a stone or clay ring to the end of a short wooden stick. The ring acted as a flywheel and enabled the drawn-out yarn to be wound on to the spindle. This method of spinning was used for thousands of years and is still used by peasant communities in various parts of the world.

Weaving is the criss-crossing of threads of wool to make cloth. The first loom consisted of a beam from which lengths of yarn were hung and weighted at the lower end by stones. The weft yarn was threaded to and fro across the suspended `warp' yarns in an over and under action, as with spinning, this system was used for thousands of years.

The Saxon invasions in the fifth century nearly destroyed the wool industry. But it is known that in the eighth century Britain was exporting woollen fabrics to the Continent and after the arrival of the Norman conquerors in 1066 the industry expanded. By the twelfth century wool was becoming England's greatest national asset. Cloth making was widespread, particularly in the large towns of southern and eastern England nearest the Continent. But the greatest wealth came from exports of raw wool. Kings and their ministers keenly appreciated the revenue that resulted from exports and export taxes-and for the power it gave to the king who could grant, or withdraw, concessions to the wool towns and to the industry. Weaver’s trade guilds, powerful for hundreds of years, were founded to guarantee good work by experienced craftsmen. The `Staple' was established-a mart where raw wool for sale abroad had, by law, to be sent and where the export tax levied by the king could be collected. The Staple was originally located in Flanders-an important textile manufacturing area-but was later withdrawn to England where a number of ports became Staple towns.

Despite setbacks of the plague and the long war with France during the 1300’s,raw wool exporting expanded, and so also did manufacturing of wool fabrics. This was becoming both specialized and localized. The West Country had three advantages-extensive sheep pastures, a supply of soft water for washing, scouring and dyeing, and water-power to drive milling machinery. Similarly, the Pennine districts of Yorkshire and Lancashire had soft water, and water power from steeply graded streams.
In East Anglia there was soft water but no hills or fast-running streams to provide power for `fulling' mills. Fulling, or milling, is a shrinking process which makes the fabric firmer and its surface more compact. Instead, East Anglia used the long, fine wool from its native sheep breeds to produce a cloth which did not require the fulling process. This was the type of cloth we today call 'worsted'-after the Norfolk village of Worstead. For four hundred years East Anglia dominated the worsted trade, with skills inherited from the Flemish settlers of 1331.
Cloth from English looms quickly achieved an international reputation. From being primarily a raw wool exporter, England became in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries a manufacturer and exporter of cloth. At the end of the fifteenth century England was `largely a nation of sheep farmers and cloth manufacturers'. The next two centuries saw continued expansion of the industry despite conflicts at home and abroad.

The Industrial Revolution of 1750-1850 caused upheaval. It ushered in new inventions stemming from the Lancashire cotton industry, to mechanize and speed dramatically the processes of spinning and weaving. Manufacturing methods, unchanged since the revival of the trade in the fourteenth century, were now superseded. Mechanization had been opposed in the past and it was again. In the Luddite riots of 1812 equipment was destroyed by organized bands of workers, who feared they would lose employment. But machinery won the day. The older industries in such areas as East Anglia, where opposition had been most bitter, declined and never recovered. They were overtaken by Yorkshire where machinery was more readily accepted. The younger industry jumped ahead and never lost its lead, supported by abundant supplies of cheap coal to generate steam and, later, electrical power. Other important manufacturing centres developed in Scotland, famed for its tweeds; and in the West Country which specialized in production of high quality woven carpets.

If you need your woollens dry cleaned, laundered or ironed contact Iron Maids on 01622 870111, 01233 779009 or via iron-maids.co.uk

Gift Vouchers

Although it still seems a while away, soon enough it will be time to start the Christmas planning process once more. Many of us will struggle to think of and find that perfect gift while the rest of us will rely on the good ole faithful gift voucher. So what’s the history behind this present saviour?

The first voucher was issued in 1932 - The Book Token

In 1936 The Boots Gift Token were launched and then later re-named Boots Gift Vouchers. In the early 1960’s saw the start of the consumer incentive with the introduction of the Green Shield Stamps. As sales began to slow, the original Green Shield stamp catalogue shops from which shoppers could select their well earned gifts which they had saved hard for, were re-branded Argos in July 1973

In 1972 the bonus bond gift voucher was the first ‘multi retailer’ gift voucher acquired by Grass Roots in 1982 but a couple of years later in 1974 Bemrose Booth produced Littlewoods Vouchers.

The 1980's saw the majority of high street retailers have a gift voucher scheme. High Street Vouchers launched multi-redemption vouchers targeted towards Christmas Savings. Customers could redeem these at Woolworths, Dixons, John Collier, Dewhurst and Cordon Blue.  The vouchers on offer today have over 75 retailers and 19,000 stores nationwide. Luncheon Vouchers produced in 1982 by Bemrose Booth were used at 200million per year. In 1983 the High Street Vouchers enter the Business-to-Business market. The first Theatre Token was launched in 1984 purely covering Theatres in the West end. It now covers over 235 theatres in the UK.

In 2000, Argos Business Solutions launched the first electronic Gift card in the B2B market called ‘A-Card’. This product is still around today and can be used to collect points which in turn can be spent on a vast range of items within Argos and / or Homebase stores. Four years later the High Street Voucher was re-branded to Love2Shop and coincided with the launch of Love2play and Love2travel. Now B2B sales of gift vouchers have reached 45% of the total market spend.

For a novel Christmas or birthday present, get an Iron Maids voucher! Contact us on 01622 870111, 01233 779009 or via iron-maids.co.uk

The Invention of The Washing Machine

Laundering by hand involves beating and scrubbing dirty cloth. It is hard work even with old fashioned utensils like washboards and soap to help.

Clothes washing technology developed as a way to reduce the drudgery of this scrubbing and rubbing process by providing an open basin or sealed container with paddles or fingers to automatically agitate the clothing. The earliest machines were hand operated. As electricity was not commonly available until around 1930, some early machines were operated by a low-speed single cylinder petrol engine. By the mid 1850s steam driven commercial laundry machinery were on sale in the United States and Great Britain. Technological advances in machinery for commercial and hospital laundries proceeded faster than domestic washing machines for several decades, especially in the UK. In the US there was more emphasis on developing machines for washing at home, as well as machines for the commercial laundry services market which were widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Because water often had to be carried, heated on a fire for washing, then poured into the tub, the warm soapy water was precious and would be reused over and over, first to wash the least soiled clothing, then to wash progressively more dirty laundry. While the earliest machines were constructed from wood, later machines made of metal permitted a fire to burn below the washtub, to keep the water warm throughout the day's washing.

Removal of soap and water from the clothing after washing was originally a separate process. After rinsing, the soaking wet clothing would be formed into a roll and twisted by hand to extract water. To help reduce this labour, the wringer mangle was developed, which uses two rollers under spring tension to squeeze water out of clothing and household linen. Each item would be fed through the wringer separately. The first wringers were hand operated, but were eventually included as a powered attachment above the washing machine tub. The wringer would be swung over the wash tub so that extracted wash water would fall back into the tub to be reused for the next wash load.

The modern process of removing water by spinning did not come into use until electric motors were developed. Spinning requires a constant high-speed power source, and was originally done in a separate device known as an extractor. A load of washed clothing would be transferred from the wash tub to the extractor basket, and the water spun out. These early extractors were often dangerous to use since unevenly distributed loads would cause the machine to shake violently. Many efforts have been made to counteract the shaking of unstable loads, first by mounting the spinning basket on a free-floating shock-absorbing frame to absorb minor imbalances, and a bump switch to detect severe movement and stop the machine so that the load can be manually redistributed. Many modern machines are equipped with a sealed ring of liquid that works to counteract any imbalances.

What is now referred to as an automatic washer was at one time referred to as a washer/extractor, which combines the features of these two devices into a single machine, plus the ability to fill and drain water by itself. It is possible to take this a step further, to also merge the automatic washing machine and tumble dryer into a single device, but this is generally uncommon because the drying process tends to use much more energy than using two separate devices; a combined washer/dryer not only must dry the clothing, but also needs to dry out the wash chamber itself.

Contact Iron Maids on 01622 870111 or 01233 779009 or via iron-maids.co.uk.

The value of biological

So, everybody has heard of biological and non-biological washing powder but do you REALLY know what the difference is between these two different types of detergent?

A biological washing powder contains enzymes which break down stains and dirt whilst in the wash. A non-biological washing powder does not contain these enzymes but instead uses soap and more natural based chemistry to clean your clothes and this is the major difference.

Sometimes the enzymes may be artificially created so that they are more able to remove stains, particularly ones which are very deep and dried on to the fabric.

Some people with very sensitive skin may find it better to use a non-biological powder, although this may not be as effective at getting rid of stains,

In terms of the environmental impact, neither system is perfect. Whilst the enzymes contained in a biological wash powder may take longer to disperse within the environment, the temperatures for washing can be lower than for a non-biological powder. The non-bio powder could take a higher temperature to do the same wash, which uses more electricity and water and this also has an environmental impact.

You need to find cleaning products that are not tested on animals and do not do too much harm to the environment, So ultimately the choice is whether to use a chemically enhanced detergent for a more effective clean at lower temperatures or to use a more natural detergent that will need a hotter wash to achieve the same result.

By all accounts there is very little difference in cost or environmental impact whichever you choose, so this is a case where it comes down to personal choice!

Contact  Iron Maids  for  all  your  laundry,  ironing  and  dry  cleaning  needs  on iron-maids.co.uk,  01622 870111 or 01233 779009

Why have your clothes Dry Cleaned

Dry cleaning is a technique for washing clothing and fabrics that uses a chemical solution in the place of water. This chemical solution is a much gentler way of removing stains, dirt, and other debris from fabric when compared to traditional washing with water and detergent.

 
The dry cleaning process looks similar to using an ordinary washing machine, except that it is far gentler, uses less heat, replaces water with the chemical solvent, and can also dry its contents. After fabrics have been washed in the chemical solution, they are then rinsed, and the chemical solvent is removed from the fabrics. When all of the solvent has been removed, the machine will then dry the fabrics using a lower heat than traditional machines.

During the dry cleaning process, the operator has to ensure that all garments are free of pens, lipsticks, and other objects that could damage the fabrics. They also must check for seams and zips that have been damaged during the washing process, and repair any damages. While dry cleaning cannot remove every stain, it will remove a larger amount of dirt and residue than traditional washing.

Many fabrics are dry clean only and can be damaged with traditional washing. These fabrics will shrink, stretch, or become worn and damaged if they are put through a regular washer and dryer. Some examples of these fabrics are suede and imitation suede, smooth leather and imitation leather, cashmere, angora, acetate, some knits, and clothing with beading, sequins, and other embellishments.

However, there are also some fabrics that can be dry cleaned or washed in a regular washer and dryer. These fabrics are linen, wool, Polyolefin, silk, and triacetate. While dry cleaning is the best option whenever possible, they can also be washed if necessary. When washing these fabrics, it is important to use gentle cycles, cold temperatures, or even hand wash these textiles.

Even if a blouse or pair of trousers says dry clean only, many people still wish to wash their own clothing in order to save money. Many times, this will lead to a fabric being damaged or shrinking, therefore making it unwearable. If an article of clothing says that it should be dry cleaned, it is usually with good reason. To ignore these instructions is to possibly ruin your clothing.

If it is impossible to have an article of clothing or other textile dry cleaned, than it is important to at least wash the fabric in cold water, on a gentle cycle, and use gentle detergent. While this may still damage the fabric, it lessens the chance that the clothing will be irreparably damaged. However, some clothing, like suits, formal dresses, and leather jackets, should never be machine washed, regardless of the price of dry cleaning. It is more cost effective to dry clean an article of clothing than to ruin it sufficiently so that it must be replaced.

If you have any dry cleaning requirements, contact Iron Maids on 01622 870111, 01233 779009 or via iron-maids.co.uk

The History of Ironing

No-one can say exactly when people started trying to press cloth smooth, but research shows us that the Chinese were using hot metal for ironing before anyone else. They were using pans filled with hot coals that were pressed over stretched cloth. A thousand years ago this method was already well-established.

Meanwhile people in Northern Europe were using stones, glass and wood for smoothing linens and cloths. These continued in use for "ironing" in some places into the mid-19th century, long after Western blacksmiths started to forge smoothing irons in the late Middle Ages.

Ironing continued to be done with hot coals in open metal pans in China, the basic principles no different from an enclosed charcoal iron. Pan irons could be simple or highly decorative. Further west, clay smoothers were sometimes used. Solid ones could be heated for pressing.

Others were designed to hold hot embers like the North African terracotta irons. The ladies preparing newly-woven silk in a 12th century Chinese painting are using a pan iron, in the same way as the ironers in a 19th century drawing.

Although that drawing comes from Korea, Koreans were traditionally known for smoothing their clothes with pairs of ironing sticks, beating cloth rhythmically on a stone support. A single club for beating clothes smooth was used in Japan, on a stand called a kinuta.

In many parts of the world similar techniques were used in both cloth manufacturing and laundering: in Senegal, for example. 

If you would like Iron Maids to do your laundry, ironing or dry cleaning, contact us on 01622 870111 or 01233 779009 or via http://www.iron-maids.co.uk/

Water Softner

Hard water and lime scale affect 60% of UK households costing hundreds of pounds in parts, repairs and replacement appliances. Although billions have been spent ensuring that drinking water complies with EC standards, little has been done about hard water.

The problems associated with hard water are the result of the natural water supply filtering through sedimentary rock and water absorbing additional minerals. These minerals form chemical compounds which form layers of scale in plumbing and appliances.

Just 6mm of lime scale can reduce energy efficiency by up to 40%. For the average household that could mean a considerable increase per year in extra fuel costs. Add to that extra cleaning products, chemicals to soften the water, reduced appliance life, increased maintenance and the true cost of hard water is revealed.

Water softeners are designed to remove the minerals that cause hardness. Water passes through the softener containing resin beads which attract the complexes and are cleaned with chemicals.

Conditioning water through a strong, focused magnetic field is a form of magnetically induced ionisation. Without the magnetic field, minerals contained within the water break down leaving minerals free to attract and bond to adjacent surfaces.

When the minerals are broken down in the magnetic field they take on a charge and act as crystalline centres that allow them to remain in suspension instead of forming crusts on the surfaces.

Magnetic conditioners do not remove any of the natural minerals contained in the water that are essential to health. In the Far East (especially Japan) and more recently in America people are drinking magnetically treated water as it may help the digestive system and allows the waste toxins to be removed more efficiently through the kidneys.

It is also possible that drinking soft water, with high levels of sodium, may cause an elevated sodium level. High salt intake may be linked to a variety of health problems. Magnetically conditioned water does not have an increased sodium level. These also aid in lengthening the life of domestic appliances.

If you would like help with your laundry, contact Iron Maids on 01622 870111 or 01233 779009, or via iron-maids.co.uk

Saving money on fuel bills

Whilst officially we are still in the throws of summer there has been no escaping the news headlines regarding the increase of up to 18% on home fuel energy prices. An article was brought to my attention relating to the cost savings to be had by fitting lined curtains. Whilst doing some research into this I found hundreds of articles discussing the very same subject but for insulated lined curtains.

Insulated curtains are lined curtains which are meant to help keep warm air from leaving or entering through your windows which are a l­arge source for heat loss in almost every home. This reduction of heat loss will help you keep your room temperature constant without relying as heavily on the thermostat. Your heating uses lots of fuel, so any steps you can take to use it less should reflect on your bills and bank account.

Insulated curtains help maintain constant temperature by protecting your home from the four major types of heat loss. These are conduction, infiltration, convection and radiation. Essentially, heat is energy that moves from warm areas to cooler areas. Insulated curtains help slow down or stop that movement. The level of insulation depends on the curtains you buy, but most systems will comprise of an outer decorative layer protected by an inner lining, a high-density foam that blocks heat exchange and sound waves, a reflective vapour barrier to block moisture and a reflective film that directs heat back into the room. Together these layers insulate your windows against the conditions outside.

Often, there is also a magnetic strip sewn into the edges of the curtains and placed either in the window frame or along the surrounding walls. The magnets in the curtains form a tighter barrier with the wall than standard free-hanging curtains, adding another extra layer of protection. These curtains are available in a variety of patterns, thickness and durability. They're all relatively easy to maintain and require mild dry cleaning to freshen up. Like normal curtains, a light vacuum while hanging will keep them looking bright and dust free.

If you would like your curtains or anything else dry cleaned, contact Iron Maids on either 01622 87011 or 01233 779009 or via http://www.iron-maids.co.uk/.

School Uniforms

Now we are approaching the end of August and many parents (albeit secretly) are counting down the days for the arrival of peace, quiet and time to themselves that the start of the new school term brings! But of course, behind every silver lining there is always a black cloud hiding! This is of course the start of the new school year.

The brief sigh of relief that the return to school will bring is completely drowned out by the thought of the last minute rushing around getting the uniforms, P.E kit and countless other items that will need to be purchased and organised, so that the kids are set and ready,  prepared for the long slog up until the Christmas break.  

Those with older kids have a slightly easier time of it as any changes of uniform and routines are already established but for those parents who find themselves having to cope with the event of moving to the ‘big school’ this is quite a daunting prospect.

Once all of the new blazers, badges and ties have been bought there is still all of the sewing on and going through the brochure with a fine toothed comb to make sure that everything is set and nothing has been missed. There is however salvation at hand! Just take some solace that once September has passed, all will be downhill from then and after all, next year will bring another army of frantic parents desperately trying to get the kids and themselves together for the first day of term!

If you need help with dry cleaning, laundry and ironing, contact Iron Maids on 01622 870111 or via iron-maids.co.uk

How to dry clean clothes

When you look at a label in an item of clothing and it says “Dry Clean Only” you probably sigh and think ‘oh well, I’ve got to find time to take that down the dry cleaners!’ But, have you ever wondered what is actually involved apart from the added inconvenience and expense?
What's so special about fabrics like silk and wool blends? Well, these materials may shrink, change colours or lose their shape if washed in water. Garments made of rayon become rumpled and misshapen because water is attracted to the hydrophilic fibres in this fabric. When immersed in water, the fibres expand because water molecules form hydrogen bonds with individual molecules within each fibre. The water molecules also interfere with weak attractions between adjacent fibres, and the fabric as a whole can lose its strength. In order to avoid ruining your favourite shirt, you'll have to resort to other means of cleaning it such as dry cleaning.

Dry cleaning removes dirt and other stains from clothes without using water. Despite its name, commercial dry cleaning is not actually a "dry" process. Clothes are immersed in Perchlorethylene (perc) which is a solvent, instead of in water. These solvents are especially good at removing oil and grease-based stains, but they have some drawbacks. For instance, the solvents used can make you sick if you're exposed to them constantly. This primarily affects the workers who actually run the dry cleaning machines.  Don’t panic though, almost all of the solvent is removed from your clothing before it is returned to you. However, some people find the remaining traces of the chemical in their clothes to be very irritating to the eyes, nose and throat.

In the past, your only choice was to go to a commercial dry cleaner. Now, you have the option of cleaning dry-clean-only clothes without leaving your home. Several home dry cleaning kits now on the market let you launder these delicate garments using your tumble dryer. These can be effective but do not offer the guarantee that professional dry cleaners do.

To   contact   Iron Maids, either call    01622 870111   or   01233 779009  or   via iron-maids.co.uk

Here comes the holidays !

Now we are in the season for the mass school exodus for the long summer holiday. But, do children have too many breaks and are they just too long?

Historians at Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum that recreates an 1830s New England farming village, say not. According to the web site and headmistress there, farm children went to school from December to March and from mid-May to August. Adults and children alike helped with planting and harvesting in the spring and autumn. The schools in the 1800s also lacked the long summer break modern people take for granted. Like working families today, new immigrant families needed a safe and affordable place for children to stay while parents worked. In large cities, children of parents who worked in factories, shops, or mills learned English and other subjects during an 11-month school year.

Short school years with long holidays are not the norm in Europe, Asia, or South America either. Children in most industrialized countries go to school more days per year and more hours per day than in America. While just sitting in a classroom longer does not necessarily ensure children will learn more, many American teachers spend weeks every autumn just reminding kids of what they forgot over the summer. Some teachers,  parents, and children believe strongly that a six or seven week break hurts children, fragments education, and wastes tax payers money. Since the early 1900s, school boards around the country have offered a longer school break or a school calendar of multiple short terms interspersed with many short breaks. Other parents feel just as strongly that short school years and long summer vacations are essential to growing up.

One popular alternative calendar is the "45-15" type, by which nine-week terms alternate with three-week breaks throughout the year. Kids start school in "waves", rather than all on the same day. In this system, one group is always on holiday during any given week. Schools are less crowded, with fewer students in attendance at once, but still serve the same number of children.

To help free some time for you during the breaks, contact Iron Maids at iron-maids.co.uk or call 01622 870111. We can fold your clothing if requested to save you time when packing.

Washing temperatures - helpful hints

With the advancements of new washing powders and machines, you will probably see that it is now possible to wash your clothes at 30 degrees, but do you really get the value and results out of your powder at the lower temperatures that you want? If you raised this point with someone else and they replied with the question  “What’s the best temperature to wash clothes?” would you know the answer? First of all, do not be afraid of those two giant white machines of mystery! Washing clothes in the right temperature is not rocket science; there really isn’t a best temperature to wash clothes in because it almost always varies. If you know how to press buttons and read tags then learning the basics is easy!

Hot water:
You should hardly ever use hot water to wash your clothes because hot water isn’t very gentle. It also likes to shrink things. Hot water is usually used for linen that needs to get extremely clean, like bed-sheets or towels.

Warm water:
Warm water is good to use with most trousers, jeans, and t-shirts. It doesn’t usually shrink anything, because it’s half hot water and half cold water, but it definitely can. It is recommended to only wash jeans, socks, and some t-shirts in warm water just to be safe. Most garments are made of a mixture of different materials, and broken up into percentages. Check the t-shirt’s tag. If it has a high percentage of cotton it’ll probably shrink a little, but not by much.

Cold water:
You can wash anything in cold water because it won’t damage or shrink clothing. It just won’t clean it as well as warm or hot water would, so if there’s a stain that needs getting out, buy a good stain remover and scrub the garment hard before throwing it in the wash. Anything that’s made out of “natural fibres” will shrink easily, so wash them in cold. That means 100% cotton, wool, and silk among others.

So those are just a few quick tips on the best temperature to wash your clothes in. And don’t forget, the dryer can play a huge part in making or breaking your clothes. So read those tags and follow what they say. Your clothes will last longer and over time, you’ll spend less money!

For all your laundry, ironing and dry cleaning needs, contact iron-maids.co.uk or call Iron Maids on 01622 870111 or 01233 779009

Natural fibres versus man made ones

In this day and age, as more people are becoming more environmentally aware and adjusting their lifestyles accordingly, it is no surprise that clothes are also under scrutiny. There is a long standing debate going on regarding the viability of synthetic and natural fabrics in the manufacture of clothing, linen and other home furnishings. It may seem obvious at first glance, but this is not as clear cut as you might think. There pros and cons to both types of fabric.

Synthetic fabrics have been under attack for some time now. Pro synthetic people argue that they are cheap to produce but there are some major drawbacks. They are made from petrochemicals which are fossil fuels. This is a resource that the planet is rapidly running out of.

To stop the clothing from shrinking and wrinkling, man-made fabrics are often coated with formaldehyde, a chemical which has been associated with cancer. Also, in order for these fabrics to hold dye better, they are further coated with chemical fixatives which contain heavy metals. These are not biodegradable and impact on the environment

Natural fabrics contain fibres that originate from animal or plants such as cotton, hemp, sisal, wool, alpaca, silk, jute and bamboo. These are generally more breathable than synthetic fibres. They are biodegradable and renewable. Because they are natural, these fabrics often don’t last as long as their man-made counterparts.

Although natural fabrics are renewable, they are higher in resource terms when it comes to water for the plant based fibres and grain to feed the animals which produce wool, Some man-made fabrics are also more expensive to maintain and clean than wool or cotton. In addition, some natural fabrics actually last longer thanks to advances manufacturing processes. So how do you choose? Ideally, you’ll inform yourself of the manufacturing process of whatever garment you purchase and wear. It’s time-consuming but if you wish to be more aware and make better choices for your health and the environment, it’s a small price to pay.

For full details of the areas we cover and our services, check out our website www.iron-maids.co.uk

Starch - the benefits ......

Have you ever wondered what the benefits are of using starch on your clothes? Using starch on your dress shirts has its advantages and some disadvantages.

Starch is a complex carbohydrate found in plants. Starch has been used for a few centuries to stiffen fabrics. Not much has changed in the manufacturing process of the starch we use today compared to the one used over a hundred years ago. Over 80% of all commercial starch used today is derived from corn. Dried corn is ground into a fine powder, which is then mixed with water into a pulp. After removing impurities, this solution is filled into aerosol and cans together with light fragrances.

Starch will give your clothes a nice, crisp look, also starch makes ironing a little easier since it will reduce "iron drag". Another advantage of using starch is that most people don't know is that starch protects fabrics from stains. The starch seals the individual fibres making it more difficult for stains to penetrate through the fabric.

The main disadvantage of using starch is fraying. Heavy starch will reduce the lifetime of your clothes. Over time, residue of starch will remain in the collar and cuffs. The starch eventually dries out the fabric, causing individual threads to break or fray. Since starch will reduce the life of a dress shirt, use starch sparingly.

 If you prefer a heavier starched look then use more durable clothes made from a thicker fabric. Perfectly suited are white shirts made from a thicker oxford cotton fabric. If you want to have a stiffer looking shirt, it is recommended to apply two or even three layers of starch instead of one heavy layer.

A more environmentally friendly and cheaper option is to mix your own starch. To do this use one table spoon of regular cornstarch with one pint of water. Mix them both together and fill the solution into a spray bottle.

To find out more or to book in with Iron Maids just e-mail us on www.iron-maids.co.uk or call 01622 870111 or 01233 779009.

Iron Maids exciting new purchase.

With the constant onslaught of new technology being released on what seems a daily basis, it’s always good to see that the less pleasurable and mundane tasks are also suitably catered for in the modern world.

When we think of new technology we can all be forgiven for immediately conjuring up images of computers, entertainment systems and mobile communications. Over the years our domestic chores have been hugely lightened by developments in the home, with the advent of newer and more compact components.

Even the most basic jobs such as the vacuuming can now be done by a robot that will navigate its way around your home and complete the vacuuming whilst you are out at work! Irons are no exception to this either. In recent years they have become packed with microchip technology with fast water heaters and temperature controlled auto steamers.

Now ironing has taken another step up the evolutionary ladder with a device called Easyform. This essentially is a manikin torso which will inflate your shirt or blouse with steam whilst at the same time a heater bar is placed along the button line. Further heated clamps are also placed on the collar and cuffs to produce a very quick steam inflation of the garment. The whole process takes under a minute and is guaranteed to produce a great result pretty much every time.

 No more bending over a hot ironing board with a jug of water one side and a trailing electrical cable the other for hours on a Sunday morning just give us your ironing so that we can simply place the garment on the machine, clamp it in place and press a button and within a few seconds your beautifully pressed clothes are ready for be hung or worn.

Isn’t technology great.

Why not check out our services on iron-maids.co.uk or call  us on 01622 8780111 or 01233 779009

Half term is nearly here

The logistical nightmare begins for many in a couple of weeks as parents across the country juggle their lives around the May half-term break. No doubt leaving many to question whether this is one school holiday too many.

The logistics and costs of childcare are becoming increasingly worrying. How will parents cope, how do my friends cope, how do you cope?

With only myself  to think about when planning a holiday, the toughest part in deciding when to go involves avoiding work commitments and the date of the Hop Farm Music Festival!
Having my future holidays dictated by my children’s school is not something I would look forward to, and without a family network within commuting distance, this type of assistance is a non existent too. I’ve spotted many weary couples recuperating by the beach on my holidays.
Even those of us who have planned to take time off  in a couple weeks will have faced a planning headache. The Which? Holiday team received two conflicting reports on the same day about whether holiday prices had increased or been slashed for the half-term.

Research by The Co-operative Travel, says that the price of family holiday to Turkey is down by a third compared to last year’s half-term. But Santander Cards found that the price of half-term family holidays could be up to 135% higher than in the week after, when school reopens. This just leaves parents guessing as to whether they should book future holidays early or wait for last minute deals.

It’s not just the parent’s that are affected either. What about the rest of us left back in the office having to work with depleted staff numbers? As we carry out our daily jobs, a crowd of colleagues exit the building amidst a mass of confusing emails detailing random days off and re-scheduled working hours. Our only consolation is that our commute home will be quicker.
Do school holidays need to be better distributed throughout the year, or should we scrap some of them altogether?

Either way, if you would like more time to do your thing during these breaks, let Iron Maids take away some of the pressure with offers running on dry cleaning and ironing and laundry services.

Why not check out our services on our website http://www.iron-maids.co.uk/. or give us a call on 01622 870111

Facts you didn't know about 'The' Wedding

Now that all the pomp and ceremony is dying away after the huge event that was the royal wedding, life will soon return to normal. But how much do you actually know about it? Here are a few facts and figures that you may find interesting….

An estimated 2billion people, in more than 180 countries around the world were expected to see reports, photos and TV pictures of the royal wedding, which was covered by more than 8,500 journalists in London alone.

 Facebook calculated that 2.8million people in Britain and America alone had written status updates about the royal wedding in the 24 hours before the service began.

In the build-up to the service, Twitter users were posting 237 tweets every second about the royal wedding

An estimated 1,000 miles of bunting was sold to mark the wedding, much of it being used to decorate the 5,000 street parties taking place across Britain.

About 1,900 people were invited to the service at Westminster Abbey, most of whom were drawn from the couple’s relatives and friends, along with 50 members of the Royal family, 40 members of foreign royalty, 200 politicians and diplomats and 80 guests from the Prince’s charities.

Kate Middleton arrived at the Abbey in a Rolls Royce Phantom VI, which had been presented to the Queen for her silver jubilee while Prince William travelled in a specially designed 20.4ft (6.22m) long Bentley.

The train of Kate Middleton’s dress measured 8ft 8ins (2m 70cm), while the red carpet laid from the Great West Gate to the Sacrarium in the Abbey was 300ft long.

As well as flowers from Windsor Great Park and the Sandringham Estate, Westminster Abbey was decorated by Shane Connolly with eight 20ft-high trees, six English Field Maples and two Hornbeams.

Music at the service was performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey, the Choir of Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, the London Chamber Orchestra, the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the RAF and the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry.

Three of the pieces of music played before the service were also heard at the Prince of Wales’s second marriage in 2005.

The couple chose a traditional Church of England liturgy from the 1928 prayer book, known as the Series One form of solemnization of matrimony, but Kate Middleton did not say she would “obey” her husband in her vows.

Following the service, the 10 bells of the 1,000 year-old Abbey were rung in a “full peal” lasting more than three hours, in which no sequence of sounds is repeated.

150,000 copies of the Official Programme were being sold by Explorer Scouts and Cadets in central London at £2 each, but it was also available to download as a PDF from Apple’s iBookstore.

In total about 5,000 Met officers were due to police the royal wedding including 900 lining the route of the procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. By midday at least 18 people in central London had been arrested for offences ranging from breach of the peace to possession of an offensive weapon.

Now that we are all back to regular hours and full weeks of work, let Iron Maids help with your laundry or ironing needs, we even dry clean Wedding Dresses! Why not check out our services on our website http://www.iron-maids.co.uk/. or give us a call on 01622 870111.

The New Sport of Extreme Ironing

With the Olympics constantly in the news and the closing date for ticket applications passed, many people see this as a chance of bringing the lesser followed sports into the limelight. One such sport is the specialist sport of Extreme Ironing.

Extreme ironing was born in the UK, so perhaps it is not too surprising that one opportunistic enthusiast used the closure of the M1 motorway to indulge his passion for the sport.
 Described as "the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt", extreme ironing fittingly has its roots in Leicester, served by the M1. Phil Shaw, who has written the definitive book on the sport, is often credited with inventing it in 1997 and since then instances have sprung up across the globe. The dressing gown-clad individual who jogged onto the M1 to iron what appeared to be a single white shirt, in reality had enough time to rattle through the rest of his wardrobe, with all southbound lanes between junctions one and four remaining closed until further notice because of fire damage.

The seven mile section had been shut since Friday after a large fire at a scrap-yard underneath an elevated section at Mill Hill in north London. The full width of the motorway didn’t reopen until Thursday.

The good news for extreme ironers is sadly unlikely to offset the misery suffered by motorists and holidaymaker.

So if erecting an ironing board in the middle of one of the countries busiest roads or trying to perfect razor sharp creases whilst sky-diving then why not give us a call as we don’t promise to make the headlines but do promise a professional and affordable ironing service

Why not check out our services on our website http://www.iron-maids.co.uk/. or give us a call on 01622 870111.

Easter is here ......

Easter is here! … or it very nearly is. Although a fundamental date in the Christian calendar, this is also a time for getting together with friends and family, just sitting down and relaxing in the garden with a BBQ, in order to supply burnt offerings to any poor unsuspecting visitor who happens to drop in! As we all know, the one thing we can guarantee in the UK is the unpredictability of the great British weather.

Now this gives you two choices mainly…. lock them outside to face a virtual drowning,  with only a water logged burger to aid survival or you can always resume the party from the comfort of the inside of the house. The second option also has its perils,  risks like the grubby arm ends on the 3 piece suite,  that are a reminder of  what fun the children can have in the garden, or the creases in the curtains that usually you don’t notice but as company’s expected,  seem to be surrounded in flashing lights to advertise themselves!

So why not get a full spring clean done in the house and all of the covers, curtains and tablecloths professionally dry cleaned or laundered and ironed?

We can offer a full service ready for your Easter break, thus giving you peace of mind and enabling you to relax and enjoy yourself. Give us a call for a quote and you could be surprised how reasonable our rates are too!

Why not check out our services on our website http://www.iron-maids.co.uk/. or give us a call on 01622 870111.

Tumble or line dry ?

On a more practical level, why would you want to dry your laundry in a tumble dryer? With the ever-escalating cost of electricity and the growing threat of the planets future, when for a few minutes effort, you can dry it for free in the fresh air?

Fresh air is nature's own fabric conditioner, and it's there for the taking. And the stretching and bending involved in loading your line is a mini workout in itself, but without the sweating and the hefty gym membership fees. These days, there's also the concern of the carbon footprint and the energy saving aspect of line drying. That's a consideration, of course, but it doesn't really influence my preference. Like most people in the developed world, I owned a tumble dryer. It used to sit, alone and unwanted, in the utility room. It was only ever used if we had a solid two weeks of rain and I ran out of clean underwear. When it expired, probably in a fit of depression at being so undervalued, I didn't bother to replace it. And I haven't missed it.

Your clothes are a bit like your skin. If they're subjected to too much harsh treatment, the effects will soon become apparent for all to see. Drying clothes naturally will extend their life, giving you an extra saving in addition to reduced electricity costs.

Constant exposure to the heat of the tumble dryer will cause damage to the fabric and may increase the risk of shrinking if you get the temperature wrong. If you don't believe me, just take a look in the filter in your dryer. All the white fluffy stuff you remove on a regular basis once formed part of your wardrobe. Regularly tumble drying your clothes is like constantly exfoliating your skin it's not a good idea!

If all this has failed to convince you to bypass the white box in the utility room, just think of climbing into a freshly changed bed, when the sheets are straight from the line. If they could find a way to bottle that fresh, clean aroma, somebody would literally clean up!

Why not check out our services on our website http://www.iron-maids.co.uk/. or give us a call on 01622 870111.

Mothers Day

Now the clocks have gone forward and the sun is beginning to emerge out of the damp cloudy skies, it must mean that Spring is finally here! And of course the first date in the diary for this period is Mothering Sunday or Mothers day as it is more commonly called. Have you ever wondered what the history of Mothers day is?

Mothering Sunday is always the fourth Sunday of Lent, however as the dates vary as to when Easter and Lent fall, the actual Sunday chosen to celebrate it does tend to  vary.  Most Sundays in the year, churchgoers would worship at their nearest parish or "daughter church”. In olden times it was considered important for people to return to their home or "mother" church at least once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their "mother" church.

The return to the "mother" church became an occasion for family reunions, when children who were working away from home returned. The majority of historians think that it was this return to the "Mother" church which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants, or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family. This special day has now become a time when people give thanks to their mothers and offers an opportunity to express both love and thanks for the work that they do. So why not show your mother how much you love and appreciate her by letting us provide a professional service for her.

Why not check out our services on our website www.iron-maids.co.uk. or give us a call on 01622 870111.

What's living in your curtains ?

Did you know that household curtains can be free lodgings for over 10,000 tiny dust mites? Curtains are excellent air-filters that trap airborne dust, odours, hairs, smoke and dead skin particles which create the perfect habitat for dust mites. This can cause a wide variety of allergic reactions, including eczema, dermatitis, asthma, dry coughs, hay fever and sinusitis. Having your curtains dry cleaned can help reduce the build up of mites and ease the symptoms of their presence to all members of the household.

It is advised that people should clean their curtains, swags, tails and pelmets at least every six months and much more regularly if anyone in the house suffers from asthma or allergies. Smoke and nicotine can also attack and damage curtain fibres.

We can thoroughly clean and press your curtains, whatever their size, with a level of perfection fit for a show home - We guarantee a truly professional finish! But don’t forget the carpets and furniture covers too. After all what goes up, must come down and you carpet is the ideal landing group for any air born mites, lice and other insects that can be carried in on the breeze. These are also ideal feeding grounds as they have a good steady supply of food debris and skin particles which never make it to the curtains but live a very comfortable life in your carpet and on your furniture covers. So why not have these professionally cleaned too, then sit back and relax with the peace of mind in knowing that your soft furnishings are not a hotel for some less than welcome guests!

Why not check out our services on our website www.iron-maids.co.uk. or give us a call on 01622 870111.

The Art of Housekeeping

Do you know what the art of house keeping is ?

“Clean sheets, polished wood and fresh flowers? Have we lost the art of good housekeeping and do we care anyway?”  This was the question posed by the BBC’s Woman’s Hour just a few days ago because a brand new enterprise was launched in rural Cheshire, the ‘Household Academy’.

The Household academy is a new seat of learning that is devoted to the many facets of running a home for both individuals and for housekeeping services.

Recent surveys have confirmed that most women do care and if they had the option, would love to be full-time housekeepers, making sure everything ran like clockwork. How is this possible anymore with the majority of people out at work, not only earning much needed wages, but building their careers?

This is where services like Iron Maids can be of help.

Iron Maids can be part of your regular routine.  We collect your laundry or dry cleaning at pre-arranged times.  We will wash and iron it for you, or if required, just wash or iron. We will fit our service around your needs.

We may not provide you with flower arranging and the social niceties of life, but Iron Maids is fully committed to answering your laundry needs, making things just that little bit easier.

For full details of the areas we cover and our services, check out our website www.iron-maids.co.uk

Spring is the air

After what seems to be the longest ever winter, the mornings are beginning to get lighter and the evenings are slowly drawing out. This can mean only one thing…Spring is here – or is it? Do you know when the official first day of spring is? Now-a-days the first day of spring is classed as 1 March, saying March, April and May are regarded as the spring months. But traditionally spring has started on the night of 20/21 March and a row has erupted over the official date.
"You would not regard the first three weeks of June as spring, yet historically summer does not start until 21 June," says a spokesman for the Met Office. "Equally, the bulk of people now regard 1 March as the first day of spring."  So whilst that argument rages on, do you know where the term “Spring Clean” comes from? This stems from the days before we had central heating and insulated homes and relied on an open coal fire to keep us warm. During the winter month’s people would keep all windows and doors firmly closed and as a result of the coal fire burning constantly, a film layer of coal dust would cover the entire house with a sooty dust. Traditionally on the first day of spring all of the windows and doors would be opened and a thorough deep clean of the entire house would be undertaken ready for the new summer season.
So why not get your home spring cleaned? We can wash and press all of your curtains, furniture covers and bedding. Don’t forget also that the other side of the business can provide a high quality spring clean, along with carpet cleaning. So why not give your home a complete refresh ready for the long awaited summer to arrive!

Why not check out our services on our website www.iron-maids.co.uk. or give us a call on 01622 870111.