PRODUCT CARE
Wash in water no warmer than 30 degrees celsius
Wash with like colours
Do not bleach
Do not use fabric softeners - they only lead to product build up and break down elasticity and strength in garments especially on our heat bonded garments.
Do not tumble dry - hang dry instead. Fold immediately after drying to avoid creases.
Do not iron our heat bonded garments. Synthetic fabrics rarely need to be ironed or steamed and any creases will fall out within minutes of wearing.
On our cotton items, steam where possible or use a cool iron on the underside of the garment. Using an ironing cloth on the outer side will prevent fabric shine
Do not iron over any decorative bonding tape, labels, care tags or Crew ID tags - they may melt or warp
*Our heat bonded garments are susceptible to heat damage and weakness from excessive use of laundry products. We cannot guarantee the life of these bonded seam garments if carelessness during laundering takes place.
Laundry tips, hacks and recommendations from an ex Chief Stewardess
It’s often said that the laundry is the heart or the epicentre of a yacht. When it slips, all departments are affected and this in turn impacts the guests and puts added pressure on the crew.
Whether a yacht is in the shipyard or on a guest trip, the majority of the laundry workload is derived from crew uniform. It’s vital to have a dependable system in place which starts with investing in quality garments and reliable laundry products, then putting the knowledge and training in place to use them correctly.
No fabric is completely immune from staining. Each fabric should be treated differently and the more an item is laundered, the more information is gained, like how it reacts to different products and laundering methods.
Read the care label and fabric content before you do anything
Give your garment the best chance by pre-treating with stain remover before placing it in the washing machine. Even if it looks clean, there will be oils and sweat from skin, suncream on collars and deodorant on underarms.
Try the natural approach first - see more below
Use cold water unless otherwise advised
For persistent stains, re-treat and leave sit for up to 30 mins or soak for no longer than 2 hours depending on individual products.
Gentle tamping with a toothbrush can often help lift a stain
Avoid setting any stains by applying heat (hot water, iron, tumble dryer) until you are sure it is completely gone.
Don’t over soak or keep concentrated products on fabric for long periods of time. This weakens the fabric and can lead to holes.
Don’t use fabric softeners, a buildup can cause yellowing in clothes, weakness and reduce the absorbency of fabrics
Liquid bleach should be a last resort for stains on white garments (Bleach on polyester often results in yellowing of fabric)
Oxi based products and bleach should not be used on suncream stains. The chemical reaction will only lead to further yellow stains. To help eliminate the problem buy sun creams without avobenzone.
Hang drying wet uniform will add seasons to your uniform. Heat from dryers will break down elasticity in fabric and dulls colours.
When pressing garments, use an ironing cloth especially over pockets, cuffs and collars.
Try steaming rather than ironing.
Specialty stain treating products
Chanteclair sgrassatore spray - great first response
Dr Beckmann or Carbona Stain Devils - specific to every stain
K2R stain remover spray - for wool, silk and other dry clean only fabrics
The laundress wash and stain bar rubbed on general stains pre wash
Clorox Bleach pen - (last resort treatment on white items) to isolate and control the product
Dylon Stain Remover for Dry Clean only fabrics
Ruk - rust remover (should be flushed with water immediately after)
Tide to go pen - great to have in the guest grab bag
Wine Away spray
Shout Colour Catchers
*As always, read product instructions and test before treating
Switch to natural
To reduce your environmental footprint and protect the onboard tank microbiome, consider switching to eco-friendly laundry products. There are many natural alternatives to chemical based products that can contaminate our oceans and harm our health.
Trusted natural detergents and other laundry products
Winni’s Naturel full range of detergents
Ecos Hypoallergenic Laundry detergent
Biokleen Sport Laundry Liquid that neutralises odours.
The Laundress Wool and Cashmere Shampoo
Seventh Generation Detergent for Sensitive skin
20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster
Nellie’s Natural Oxygen Brightener
Ecos OxoBrite
Nikwax Tech Wash for performance wear
Natural products you may have on board already
White distilled vinegar - Use it in the wash instead of fabric softener and as a disinfectant. Add to your machine in a hot cycle to remove a build up of soap scum and bacteria.
Lemon Juice - use on alkaline stains such as tea and coffee, combine with salt to lift red wine stains - use with caution on natural fibres ie. cotton, linen, silk
Baking Soda - Works as a mild abrasive and as an absorbent for liquid or greasy stains like suncream. Sprinkle over fresh stains and leave for a few hours, shake off then sponge with a mild dishwashing liquid/warm water solution. A little baking soda added to the wash cycle will naturally brighten colors
Hydrogen Peroxide 3% - a mild bleach, good for spot treatment or on marks left after other stain treatments have done a partial job. Also acts as a disinfectant. Hydrogen peroxide is a whitener/brightener.
Ammonia - add to liquid detergent and leave on underarm stains for 20-30 mins. A solution of 2 tbsp ammonia, 1 tsp dishwashing liquid, 2 cups warm water in a spray bottle can be used as a pre-treatment for collar stains.
Corn flour - lifts oil from silk and other fabrics
More tips can be found in this great guide: Natural stain removal secrets by Deborah L Martin. This is a small, clever handbook that covers - why go natural, dos and don’ts for successful stain removal, tools and treatments and the 5 stain groups.
Useful links
EYS - Environmental Yacht Services is a one stop shop for eco-friendly cleaning products.
Cora Ball - The single biggest pollution problem facing our ocean is microfiber. These in-wash balls collect fibers and fluff in your washing machine that would otherwise end up in the ocean.
Laundryboard - Wardrobe and laundry management app