How I manage laundry (and the four products I wouldn’t be without)
Laundry isn’t the glamorous part of running a holiday let, but we all know it’s one of the most important aspects of a guest welcome. If something’s off, they’ll notice.
I do all the laundry for The Snug at home. That means I’ve had to keep things simple, consistent and realistic. As time has gone on, I’ve been more interested in reducing my use of synthetic scents and chemicals both for the health of my family and guests and also for the environment. If you can make one switch, be it for health, environmental or just cost reasons, why wouldn’t you?
Here’s exactly what I use and how. Some links below are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small amount if you buy something, but I only ever recommend what I genuinely use.
My routine
I have three full sets of everything: all towels and all bedding (including protectors). I have at least two sets of pillows and always have a spare duvet too. I rely on same-day changeovers to make The Snug profitable and I’ve dried one to many pillowcases with a hair dryer to risk that anymore!
Everything is washed at home. I’ve got a heat pump tumble dryer for winter and I line dry in summer. We’re in a windy spot so I make the most of it. I’ve also got a cupboard specifically for laundry storage.
When I line dry, I give every towel a really good shake as it comes out of the machine. One firm shake in each direction makes the pile stand up and brings back the fluffiness!
I only iron the pillowcases, the tea towels and the Scrubbies. I use a waffle duvet cover which doesn’t need ironing so long as I fold it at the right moment.
No scent boosters. No laundry perfume.
I don’t use scent boosters or artificial softeners. They’re not great for allergies or for the environment and I took the decision to gradually reduce my use over time.
Instead, I follow a routine based on Clean & Green by Nancy Birtwhistle. Her book changed the way I do laundry. It’s simple, effective and avoids all the unnecessary extras. I highly recommend her books and following her on social media too. She’s a powerhouse of energy and great ideas.
📚 Clean & Green – Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RYk4Du
My four essentials
🧴 Miniml laundry liquid
No unnecessary ingredients and no strong smell. Just clean laundry. It works well at lower temperatures too.
🛒 https://amzn.to/41IsrqZ
🍋 White vinegar
I use this as a fabric softener. It cuts through residue and keeps towels soft. I also use it for everything else around my home. It’s amazing for limescale, grease, mirrors, glass and pretty much everything.
🛒 https://amzn.to/3DC3LZp
🧂 Soda crystals
Perfect for softening water and helping detergent do its job. I add a scoop to every wash and treat the laundry liquid quantity as if I were in a soft water area as a result. Huge money saver.
🛒 https://amzn.to/4bNEUOP
✨ Sodium percarbonate
This is my go-to for bright whites. It works especially well on towels and pillowcases. It’s the main ingredient in the ubiquitors ‘pink’ stain remover we’ll all be familiar with. I use it to make a paste and apply to spot stains, give mucky stuff a good long soak in it and sometimes add a scoop to a normal wash if I want them to be a bit whiter.
🛒 https://amzn.to/4hponBN
Kay x
P.S. If you’re setting up your holiday let, my Setting Up Your Place guide covers everything from laundry to lightbulbs. It’s clear, practical and written by someone who’s made all of the mistakes already 😉. Find it under the ‘Courses and Guides’ tab.