How to get customer recommend your business?

You may think it's impossible to get customers recommend your business.Almost everyone has their own favorite spa, salon, etc.If customers are impressed and satisfied with your service then customers will be happy to recommend your business to other people.It takes one happy customer to get a positive comment towards your business.

If your customers are impressed with your business then customers will be happy to recommend your business to other people. It is pretty simple.
You will get new clients from time to time from recommendations. It is a great way for your business to gain more profit.

I remember back in 2005 when we do retailing of construction materials where in we have a competitor who manage his business for almost 20 years while we are still newbie in the business way back then, We try to be friendly and approachable as can be and that made our satisfied customers recommend our business to their friends and relatives.We have established a good customer relation.What am i saying here? Most of the customers would like to be treated well.

No matter how good the service, if you don't have a good customer service relation the effort would not be enough. Don't look at one client as just one account that provides your company with several hundred peso more each month. Look at each client as someone that help your company get more than just several hundred peso by getting you new accounts just by their recommendations.

One day you will have more new customers than you can handle. It all goes back to making the customers happy. When you show that you care about the customers then in return they will show that they care about your company by recommendations to other people. It is important to be friendly and helpful to all customers.

Business Financial Plan

A curious thing happens to entrepreneurs in the end of every year. You wake up one day and realize you had better figure out how much money was made last year in order to pay your taxes. But wait, shouldn't a business owner already know how much money he or she made last year, last quarter, or last month? Don't wait. Develop your financial plan today.

If you don't keep track of how much money you're making, you have no idea whether your business is successful or not. You can't tell how well your marketing is working. You need to know what your net profit is. If you don't, there's no way you can know how to increase it.
To be successful in business, you need to make a financial plan and check it against the facts on a monthly basis, then take immediate action to correct any problems. Here are 8 steps you should take:

Create a Financial Plan:
Estimate how much revenue you expect to bring in each month, and project what your expenses will be. If you need it, get help from business planning books, software, or an accountant.

Review the Plan Monthly:
Even if time is taken to prepare a financial plan with profit and loss projections, it often sits in a desk drawer. It's not enough to have a plan -- you have to review it regularly.

Lost Profits Can't be Recovered:
When comparing your projections to reality and finding earnings too low or expenses too high, the conclusion often is, "I'll make it up later." The problem is that you really can't make it up later; every month profits are too low is a month that is gone forever.

Make Adjustments Right Away:
If revenues are lower than expected, increase efforts in sales and marketing or look for ways to increase your rates. If overhead costs are too high, find ways to cut back. There are other businesses like yours around. What is their secret for operating profitably?

Think Before you Spend:
When considering any new business expense, including marketing and sales activities, evaluate the increased earnings you expect to bring in against its cost before you proceed to make a purchase. You can often increase your profitability simply by delaying expenses to a later month, quarter, or year.

Don't be Afraid to Hire:
Retailers and restaurateurs wouldn't consider operating without employees, but many service businesses limit themselves by being understaffed. Almost any business can benefit from hired or contracted help. You can better use your talents for generating revenue than for running errands and filing.

Pay Yourself a Salary:
If you are incorporated, you may already be doing this. If not, allocate an amount to owner's compensation on a monthly basis. Each month that your business meets its profitability goal, pay yourself the full amount. When you miss your target, dock your "pay" and when you exceed it, pay yourself a "bonus." Writing yourself a monthly paycheck will give you a strong incentive to keep your business profitable.

It's About Profit, Not Revenue:
It doesn't matter how many thousands of peso you are bringing in each month if your expenses are almost as high, or higher. Many high-revenue businesses have gone under for this very reason -- don't be one of them.

How to name your business?

It's very important to choose the right name for your business. It can create a good first impression for customers and also provide a great foundation for building your brand.
 

You can be creative when choosing the name. However, it needs to be appropriate and work on all types of marketing material, from signage to stationery.
Avoid hard to pronounce words or irrelevant business names.

Your business name must meet certain rules relating to prescribed and sensitive words and expressions. And you must ensure it hasn't already been taken by another business.
Even if you don't want a website just yet, you should consider registering an appropriate website address - or domain name. The domain name has to be available and registered through an agent eg a website host for a small annual fee.

After deciding on a name, you should consider protecting it, for example as a trademark.
If you want to start on a sole proprietorship, you must register and check on DTI Department of Trade and Industry.
If you want to start on a partnership, you must register it with SEC Security and Exchange Commission.Like business names, your registered name must comply with rules on prescribed and sensitive words and expressions. It also has to contain required words.
Finally, Defining your product or service can help you to work out your customers' needs and generate more sales.




 

Marketing on a tight budget

How to attract, win and keep your customers

To maximise your marketing spend, you need to focus on satisfying your current customers, encouraging past customers and attracting new customers to your business. Identify your unique selling point (USP) - what's especially good about your product or service - and use it to make you stand out from the crowd.

 

Get more from your customer base

Your regular customer base is critical to your business' survival and growth, so you need to seize chances to build and maintain your relationship with them on each interaction or sale.
There are many ways to do this when on a tight budget. Think about how you communicate - for example, you should:

• talk to your customers and focus on their needs and wants
• be specific, honest and clear about what you can offer
• keep in touch - send email updates or a newsletter
• get to know your competitors and what they are offering

Think creatively about your selling techniques. For example, you could:

• encourage people to 'buy now' by offering lower prices for immediate/bulk purchases or bookings
• use coupons or e-vouchers that are easy and cheap to design and distribute
• offer gifts, free trials and tasters
• reward your customers with loyalty schemes

Make sure your staff are fully aware of your customer base, products and services and are inspired about your business.

 

Encourage referrals from existing clients

Referrals from satisfied customers endorsing your business are the best way of getting new customers. So if a client tells you they're happy with some work you have done for them, ask them to recommend you to other potential customers.
Consider offering incentives - such as a discount off their next order - for every new customer an existing client points in your direction.

 

Find new customers 

You should always be thinking about how to attract new customers. You need to:

• let potential new customers know who you are and what you offer
• aim to provide an exceptional experience on the first sale
• offer options and solutions to increase convenience
• position yourself as a leader next to your competition - give a reason for customers to buy from you

Try to price your products or services according to their quality - you want to avoid under pricing them.


 Public relations on a budget
 You don't need to blow your budget to keep your business in the public eye. Even a cash-strapped business can use public relations (PR) effectively and reap the benefits.
When setting out to promote your business, it's important to be clear about what you want to achieve - for example, increased sales, increased visits to your website or more awareness of your product or service.
Some of the more cost-effective ways to promote your business can be to:

• make your business stand out - eg by offering a unique product or service, or by offering savings
• join relevant professional or social groups so you can network with other people
• tell people or write a press release if your business wins an award or contract
• specialize - you will be more attractive to customers if you are an expert in what you do
• promote yourself as an expert to local media, write an article or start a blog - see the page in this guide on how to use technology to reach your customers
• lead a trend or solve a problem that you have spotted
• volunteer to speak at meetings or seminars related to your field

If your budget allows, you could try these PR methods:

• relaunch your website, shop or product/service
• if you have a car or van, use vehicle branding or magnetic signs to advertise your business' phone number or website
• get involved in charity - offer to host an event on your premises and invite the media
• get involved with the community - try fundraising or offer your product or service as a competition prize
• survey your customers - get to know their needs and future wants

With a little time and creativity, you can create effective PR campaigns quickly and cheaply.

 

Use technology to reach your customers

When planning your marketing, look at how you're using technology. Are you getting the most out of what's currently available?

 

Email marketing

Traditional marketing methods - eg direct mail - are expensive and often wasteful. Email marketing can be a much more effective alternative, because e-newsletters are cheap - or free - to produce.
If your email subscriber database also contains demographic data, and/or information about buying habits, you can accurately target your messages to specific and relevant groups. For more information, including the legal considerations, see our guide on email marketing.

 

Text marketing

Text marketing - ie targeting customers using mobile phone SMS messages - can be a very powerful marketing tool when used appropriately.

 

Social networking

You can promote your business for free using social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. If used well, these sites can also be an excellent tool for interacting with your existing customers and making new business contacts.

Internet blogs

If you're an expert in your field, think about sharing that expertise online. Offering advice or opinions on your own internet blog can be a fantastic way of promoting yourself and your business.
Blogs also tend to get high rankings from internet search engines, so having one can make it easier for potential customers to find out information about your business.

How to Whiten Yellowed White Clothes

Even if you follow all the rules on keeping white clothes white, they can still become yellowed over time. Yellowing quite often occurs on clothes that are stored improperly and react with the cardboard box or wooden shelves. So what to do?
The first step for washable clothes is to mix a solution of warm water and oxygen-based bleach (Oxibleach, Zonrox Color Safe Bleach). Submerge your white garments and allow them to soak for a day. Cover it with plastic and sealed. It is much effective if you will let it sit under the sun.
Then wash as usual, adding 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the rinse water.
If possible, dry the clothing outside in the sun. The ultraviolet rays of sunlight will help to whiten the clothes.
Chlorine bleach can be used on cotton fabrics. However, the overuse of chlorine bleach can actually cause clothes to yellow. Only use chlorine bleach if you are familiar with how to use it properly.

Banana Leaf Ironing

I remember the old way of ironing clothes.When i was like 7 year old i saw my grandmother, She would always put banana leaves underneath the iron for resting in between uses. It makes the clothes smell good like earthy, full of nature. Only people that used it understands what i am saying.
I almost forgot this technique, good thing somebody reminded me about the benefit of using banana leaf.

Now i will try to use this old method again because this is really helpful even if you use steam iron or not it doesn't matter.
It seems that the iron will move smoothly if banana leaves are used. It appears that the organic wax from the leaves enabled the iron to glide over even the stickiest of fabrics. I was also told that the leaves would also help to clean the stains from the iron.Try this at home and see for yourself.

How to wash clothes by hand

Have you been destroying shirts in the washing machine or overpaying at the dry cleaners? Washing your clothes by hand is actually the best way to save your clothes and extend their lifetime.

1. Wash clothes in a place with abundant water such as a shower head, bathtub faucet, or outside using the garden hose, etc.
2. Find a bucket/basin/bathtub/stoppable sink that is big enough to hold your clothes. Remember that clothing is smaller, heavier, and harder to manage when wet.
3. Add detergent. If you are using liquid, pour it right in. If you are using powder, it might work better to dissolve it with a smaller amount of water.
4. Add clothes. You might realize this is an important step, but don't forget to sort your clothes before putting in for wash. Clothes can be sorted on various bases like color (colored, dark, or white clothes), or you can sort based on type (put your normal clothes like shirts and pants together or put your heavier clothes like bed sheets and towels together) or any other way which you think it best fits you.
5. Cover the clothes with water. Whether you use hot, warm, or cold water depends on the type of fabric you are dealing with. Cold water is usually the best option for most fabrics and conserves energy. Warm water is better for heavily soiled clothes, but hot water can shrink cotton and wool. Luke warm water is appropriate for silks. Hot water is the best for socks because it kills fungi.
6. Let the clothes soak for about 20-30 minutes. 20 minutes is appropriate if you don't have many clothes, 25 if you have a medium amount, and 30 if you have a big bundle of clothing. Don't soak any longer because detergent will damage both the fabric and fade the color of your clothes.
7. Use a brand new, never-before-used toilet bowl plunger to agitate the clothes with a gentle up and down action. Your hand will work just as well. If you do use your hands knead your clothes as if you were kneading bread.
8. Drain out the water. Remove the clothes and let them drain for several minutes. (One way is to put the clothes in a sink, bath tub, or any clean place where the force of gravity will take the water away.)
9. It usually takes three changes of water to remove the soap. Put the clothes back in the container and cover with clean water. Agitate them. Drain the water. Repeat this step at least two more times. Rinsing the clothes until the water runs clear will also work.
10. Take out the clothes, and allow them to drain for several minutes.
11. Hang everything up to dry on plastic hangers.

Cleaning your iron

Starch and other laundry products can build up on your iron. It is important to remove any build up to prevent it from transferring to your clothing. This is a guide about cleaning a clothes iron.

Cleaning Your Steam Iron

To remove burned on starch from the iron place a towel dampened with vinegar on the ironing board and sprinkle generously with table salt. Set iron on warm dry setting and run over a towel until the stain is removed. Clean gunk off the surface of an iron by polishing gently with 0000 grade steel wool. Don't try this with a non-stick iron. If iron surface is dull, polish with Pearl Drops or other toothpaste.
To clean mineral deposits from a steam iron, fill it with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Allow it to steam for several minutes, disconnect, and let stand for an hour. Empty the reservoir, rinse well, and repeat if necessary.

Safety in the Laundry Area

A clothes dryer doesn't look scary or appear to be too dangerous. Unfortunately, it is the cause of over fires every year totaling millions of peso in damage. Regular cleaning and maintenance can protect you and your investment.

Get Rid of Dreaded Lint
Whether you use an electric or gas clothes dryer, you will have lint. Lint builds up in the lint trap but also inside the dryer hose and vent and can reduce air flow and drying efficiency. Lint can cause humidity levels to rise around vents causing mildew and mold to develop in walls and insulation. But most important to remember: Lint is combustible. Lint causes fires.
Fortunately, removing dangerous lint is simple. The first area to clean is the lint trap. It should be cleaned after every load by removing the lint from the screen and wiping the edges. If the screen seems clogged, it may be front the dryer sheets you have been using. Submerge the lint screen in a sink of hot water and then scrub with a bristle brush to remove all the built-up fabric softener.
The key to success in de-linting a dryer is a dryer lint brush. This long-handled flexible brush will help you reach areas that you cannot get to by hand.
Remove the dryer lint filter. In the opening - whether on dryer top or in door, use the brush to gently loosen the built-up lint. Don't force the brush if you meet resistance but be sure to cover every surface as much as possible. Remove the big chunks of lint that come out with the brush. Don't worry about the smaller pieces.
Replace the lint filter (which I'm sure you have cleaned). Turn the dryer to air only and run for a cycle. This will pull the lint into the filter or blow the loose particles out the outside vent.
At least once per year, unplug the dryer and check where the exhaust hose connects to the dryer. The hose or pipe is held in place by a clip or a steel clamp that can be loosened by pliers or a screwdriver. After removing the pipe, reach inside the dryer opening or use a vent brush to remove as much lint as possible. A shop vacuum is handy for removing the most lint and use a damp cloth to wipe away remaining lint around the connection.
Look inside the hose or pipe and clean it as well. If your exhaust hose is vinyl or foil it should be replaced with a flexible metal pipe with flexible fittings. Most building codes no longer allow vinyl or foil exhausts.
One last step is to clean the exterior vent. Again remove as much lint as possible using your hand or a shop vacuum. You may need a screwdriver or another tool to hold the vent flap open for easier cleaning. If you live in a high humidity area or use your dryer more than twice weekly, you may need to clean this vent several times per year.

Using the Dryer Safely
If possible, clothing that has been soiled by volatile chemicals like gasoline, cleaning agents or even large amounts of cooking oil should not be dried in a clothes dryer. If they must be dried in the machine, wash the clothing more than once to minimize the risk of fire. Use the lowest heat setting and shortest drying cycle possible. Use a cycle with a cool-down period at the end of the cycle to prevent ignition.

Installing the Dryer Correctly
A clothes dryer should not vent inside. The exhaust contains too much humid air and can cause problems with mold and mildew which are hazardous to health. A vent less dryer should be used if outside venting is not possible.
Be certain that you have a 220v grounded electrical outlet available for an electric dryer. A professional should used to install gas lines for gas dryers.

Never store volatile chemicals or rags near a dryer. Some liquids emit vapors than ignite. The area around the dryer should be kept free of lint, papers and stacks of clothing.

LPG maintenance

• Always keep the LPG valve / regulator switched off when not in use, especially at night after the work is done and when going on a holiday.
•  LPG should also be sealed and place inside a cage.
• Always store the LPG cylinder in an upright position and away from other combustible and flammable materials. Store no more than one spare LPG cylinder at any given time.
• Check for gas leaks regularly by applying soap solution on cylinder joints. The appearance of soap bubbles indicates leak points. Do not use open flame to detect leaks.
• Always replace worn-out or defective tubing and regulators. Half of all gas-related accidents occur due to leakages from the rubber tube. Change the tubing every two years and the regulator every five years.
• Make sure all parts of the installation are in good condition. If you should find anything wrong with any part, contact your distributor immediately and ask for assistance.
• Never tamper with your LPG cylinder.

Disinfecting Washers

It may seem strange because it always has soap and bleach swirling around inside it, but you still need to disinfect it at least twice a month. I do the regular disinfecting of washer every week because of soap residues that sticks to the washer.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

1. Locate the stuck-on detergent inside your washing machine. Don't forget to check the lid, too.
2. Scrub off all the caked-on soap gently using a non scratching scouring sponge or old toothbrush and with chlorine bleach. Be sure to feel up underneath the opening. This is an area that is often overlooked.Try to removed soap residue form the fabric softener dispenser.
3. Add 1 cup of bleach to the bleach dispenser, if the machine has one.
4. Run the machine on the heaviest cycle.
   
   

   

   
   

How to remove mold out of fabric

Mildew, like mold, is a fungus that tends to grow in dark, moist places, especially those that aren't accessed too often. Storing seasonal clothing away for next year makes them a prime target for mildew.

Before you consider tossing everything away and spending you're hard-earned money on a new wardrobe, try removing the mildew. Here are some easy and inexpensive ways to get mildew out of clothes:

 Lemon juice and salt:

1. Make a paste from lemon juice and salt.
2. Rub the paste onto the mildewed areas.
3. Let the garments dry in the sun.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until no mildew remains.

White vinegar and water:

1. For heavy mildew buildups, pour some full-strength vinegar on the mildew.
2. For light stains, mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Pour this solution on the mildew.

Ironing Tips

Do you sometimes feel like your clothes look even more wrinkled after you iron them? The following tips and guidelines should help make your ironing go more smoothly.

Ironing Time-Savers

• Do your ironing in the bedroom. You'll be able to use the bed to sort your laundry, and you'll have hangers close at hand in the closet.
  
• Cut your ironing time by putting a piece of aluminum foil under the ironing board cover. The foil will reflect heat so you're actually ironing from both sides at once.
  
• Progress from articles or garments needing the lowest temperature to those requiring the highest.
  
• For a perfect fit, place your ironing board cover on the board while it's still damp, and let it dry in place.
  
• 
  Raspberry Laundry and Dry Clean Services
  To avoid creases, place a rolled up towel in a sleeve before ironing.
  ­To prevent wrinkles, keep moving freshly ironed surfaces away from you.
  
• To prevent collars, cuffs, and hems from puckering, iron them on the wrong side first.
  
• Iron double-thickness fabric on the inside first, then on the outside.
  
• Acrylic knits can stretch out of shape if moved when wet and warm. Press each section dry, and let it cool completely before moving it on the ironing board.
  
• When pressing badly wrinkled corduroy, hold the iron just above the garment and steam the fabric thoroughly. While the corduroy is still damp, quickly smooth it along the ribs with your palm.
  
• Revive the nap of velvet or corduroy by pressing it right side down on a piece of the same fabric.
  
• If you don't have a sleeve board, insert a rolled-up towel in sleeves so they can be pressed without leaving creases. Or make your own sleeve board from a cardboard tube covered with soft fabric.
  
  ­
• Quick spray starch can be made at home by slowly adding 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 2 cups water. Stir until the starch is dissolved, and pour the blend into a clean spray bottle. Spray fabrics lightly when ironing. 

• Raspberry Laundry and Dry Clean Services
  Use paper clips to hold pleats in place.
  ­­Restore a shiny look to chintz by ironing the fabric right side down on waxed paper.
  
  
• To keep from giving your wash-and-wear garments a sheen when you do touch-up ironing, turn the clothing inside out and iron the wrong side.
  
• To remove wrinkles from a tie, insert a piece of cardboard cut to fit its inside. Cover the tie with cheesecloth, and press lightly with a steam iron.
  
• To avoid flattening embroidery or eyelets when ironing, iron them face down on a thick towel.
  
• Hold pleats in place with paper clips when ironing. Be careful that the clips don't snag the fabric -- particularly if it has a loose weave.

How to Start Your Own Work at Home Wash and Fold Service

There are many work-at-home business ideas that don't occur to most people. One of them requires no special skills and very little start up money. Moreover, everything you need to operate this business can be found in your laundry room. Not sure what I'm talking about? Here's a hint: you already do it and probably have been for years. I'm talking about starting your own wash and fold service.

Laundry. So simple to do, yet most people hate doing it. For you, it can provide an extra income.

Many stay at home parents (SAHPs) looking for a work at home (WAH) job or business probably don't think of a wash and fold service as an option. It certainly wasn't something I thought of initially when I was looking for something to do from home. But after trying a few different opportunities and being disappointed with each outcome, the idea of a running home-based wash and fold service was born. It took some work and a few trials and errors, but now I clean clothes once a week and gross 20,000 a month. Not bad for just cleaning clothes!

I'm going to share with you how I began my home-based laundry service, Raspberry Laundry and Dry Clean, and give you tips that would have saved me a lot of time. I'll include a step-by-step guide as well as ideas for marketing. Starting a home laundry service is a great way to make extra money without having to sacrifice a lot of your time!

Take Care of the Legal Stuff
You'll need to check with your state on potential licensing and registration requirements. There will be a sales tax you'll need to pay on a frequent basis; it is imperative that you know what the sales tax is in the county you will be operating in. You'll also need to establish how you will be organized; Sole Proprietor, Partnership or Corporation.

Open a Business Checking Account
I strongly recommend keeping your laundry business and personal transactions separate. Although not necessary, it is easier come tax time to report your earnings and expenses if they are not commingled with your personal finances.

Set up Your Record-Keeping
You will need to keep track of several things including:

• Laundry clients
• Payments received
• Expenses
• Mileage

This does not mean you need to go out and purchase fancy financial software- What i did is i buy a columnar notebook and list all the expenses and receivables.

Arrange the Method and Terms of Payment
Determine your payment terms. Will your clients pay you before services are performed or after?  These are policies you'll need to establish prior to taking on clients. Almost all of my clients prefer to pay cash.
You'll also need to determine how much you will charge your clients.

Make a Website
Some may argue that this step is not necessary, but I'd have to completely disagree. You do not have a brick and mortar store like the Laundromats, so your website, in a sense, is your store. You need to have a way for clients to find you and get information about your services. You can accomplish this goal by creating a website. Weebly s is a free web design site that is very user-friendly.

Market Your Services
There are several online and offline ways to market your services; I'll begin with online marketing.

When it comes to creating your online presence, you're going to have two options: free marketing and paid marketing. I use a combination of both to promote my wash and fold service. Free marketing would include listing yourself on free directories such as Google Places and Yahoo! Local. Sulit and olx  is another great source to advertise your laundry service for free. Paid marketing includes sponsored ads you see on a search engine results pages. The top dogs are Google Adwords, Yahoo! Search, Microsoft Advertising and Facebook Ads. There are many more free and paid online marketers, but use this as your starting point.

Social media marketing is an imperative piece to your marketing efforts. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn are just some of the available social sites. You don't need (and won't have the time) to create multiple accounts--a Facebook Page is sufficient to begin. To get clients to "Like" your Facebook page you could offer an incentive such as money off their first order.

Online marketing requires only time and a computer. For offline marketing you're going to have to do a lot of walking and talking. First thing you'll need to do is create an attention-getting flier. Fliers are a cheap way to promote your business and if there's a local college campus, you can expose yourself to hundreds of potential clients every day. Make sure your flier has an attention-getting headline and print it on vibrant colored paper.
Include pull off tabs at the bottom of your flier containing your:

• Business name
• Phone number
• Email
• Web address (if you have one)

Business cards and flyers are another marketing tool you'll need for those times when you are talking with a potential client.

Make a list of local companies that could use your service (spas, doctor's offices, day cares, restaurants) and contact them either by phone or in person. You don't have to make it a pushy sales pitch. Just give a quick introduction about yourself and your laundry service, coupled with how your service can benefit their business.
Here's a little insider information that I've used to win over business clients: you are less expensive than big, commercial cleaners and you don't require lengthy contracts. Most large commercial cleaners require at least a year's contract and will charge for multiple items, such as fuel and processing. Knowing this information can give you something attractive to offer potential business clients.

Lastly, you'll need to talk about your business as often as you can. Networking is a very powerful tool. You never know when you'll run into someone who just happens to need your service or knows someone that does.

Ready...Set...Launch!
Now you are ready to go live with your business. Please be patient and understand that Rome wasn't built in a day. You will need time to grow your business. I didn't get my first client until 2 months after launch and believe me, I was starting to think I never would. After that first client I grew to 4, then 8, then 12. As a stay-at-home mom, I was making great extra money by just doing laundry out of my home. Now I help other stay-at-home parents accomplish the same thing through my company Raspberry Laundry and Dry Clean Services.

For more details you may call 0917.447.4068 or simply visit our site www.raspberrylaundry.com

How to clean your upholstery?

When you know how to clean and care for your upholstered furniture it will retain the look that made you fall in love with it in the first place. With proper cleaning, care, and maintenance, it is possible to have all your upholstery looking its best for a long time. It pays to be consistent, and it’s not hard to do.

Vacuum

Vacuum your upholstered furniture weekly for general cleaning and to remove surface soil. This also prevents dirt from becoming embedded into the fibers.
You can also use a brush to gently whisk the dirt away. Make sure to always use a soft bristled brush so that you don't snag the fabric.

Spot Clean

While regular care does a lot for your upholstered furniture's maintenance, accidents will happen. Blot any spills immediately with a clean folded towel: never rub, but blot gently. Sometimes this is enough to get rid of the stain completely, especially if the fabric has been pre-treated with a fabric protector.
Always test in an inconspicuous area before you use any product for spot cleaning, and check the manufacturer's instructions to see if you need a water based or solvent based cleaner. It is best to use a mild cleaning product. Apply with a soft brush in a circular motion to work into the fibers, then vacuum when dry.

Avoid Sunlight and Pollutants

Too much sun can damage your upholstery fabric, causing it to fade and even fray. Try to position it so that it doesn’t sit in the sun for extended periods of time. This is especially true for silks.
Airborne pollutants such as fumes from cooking or smoke can also harm your fabric. It isn’t always easy to avoid that from happening, however, proper ventilation can help. It can also help with odor control, as upholstered furniture can easily absorb odors.

Call a Professional

It is best to have a professional clean your upholstered furniture every couple of years or so. Experts recommend having this done on a regular basis and not wait for it to get visibly dirty. The dirtier a sofa or chair becomes, the harder it is to restore to its original glory.

Contact A Professional to do the cleaning for you 358-1375 / 3918115 or visit www.raspberrylaundry.ph.tc 

How to Fix White Clothes That Have Turned Pink

Panic time?
A load of fresh white clothes can quickly be turned into a load of wet pink clothes with only one red shirt slipping into the washing machine. However, those clothes can be saved and turned white again.Turning them white again can be accomplished with bleach and hot water as long as it is done immediately.

If the stains were caught before the clothing was put into the dryer, put the wet clothing to the side and fill up the basin with hot water.
Add one cup of chlorine bleach to the hot water and add the pink clothing to the basin.
Cover it with plastic for a day or until the pink residue has been totally removed. It is also best if you would place the basin into direct sunlight.

Raspberry Laundry & Dry Clean in Ortigas Center Pasig City

Raspberry Laundry is currently building another laundry in Goldland Millenia Tower in Ortigas Center Pasig City. The shop will be a reception site only and will be a satellite for laundry pick-up and drop-off.

Raspberry Laundry will also cater seminars on putting up a laundry business.The Shop will have its retail laundry chemicals and personal care products.

For pick up and delivery schedule within Ortigas Center you may call us at 0917.447.4068

Raspberry Laundry C.Raymundo Ave

Raspberry C. Raymundo Ave is now open to serve you.

Raspberry Laundry Kiosk

Raspberry Laundry is currently building its kiosk concept in C. Raymundo Ave., Pasig City. The kiosk will be a reception site only and will be a satellite for laundry pick-up and drop-off.

The Raspberry Kiosk's design shows off Raspberry's new character by being both modern and functional.

Watch for the opening of Raspberry Laundry C. Raymundo Avenue on October! 

Raspberry Laundry & Dry Clean proudly uses Charlie's Soap.

What's so special about Charlie's Soap?
Charlie's Soap is environmentally friendly to all land, air and marine life, when used as directed, because it contains only the purest natural ingredients.  Charlie's Soap contains no lye, phosphates, bleach, brighteners, dyes, softeners, petroleum, perfumes, or other fillers to fool you into thinking you just cleaned something.  Bright colors stay bright.  Dark colors stay dark.  Elastic stays elastic, etc.Other detergents use lots of additives that stick to the fibers in your clothes (and washer) that make them appear clean and smell fresh.  The residue of these additives can irritate delicate skin and wear out your clothes.  But, Charlie's Soap cleans all the way to the fibers and rinses clean.  There's no residue to stiffen the fabric, so softeners aren't usually needed.  Charlie's Soap restores the natural softness to cotton, microfibers, and silk and is a perfect choice for laundering cloth diapers.There's nothing softer than really clean clothes!  So try Charlie's Soap now and feel the difference!

Types Of Stain And Stain Removal

General Stain Removal

Stains may seem like the enemy, but rest assured there are some very basic strategies that can give you the edge on even the toughest stains. No matter what kind of stain you are dealing with, some very specific rules apply to what you do.

There are some specific categories of stains that need different types of treatment. Depending on what category your stains fall into, you may need to use different water temperatures, stain removers, and removal methods to make sure that every trace of the stain is removed.

Protein Based Stains

These stains include blood, dairy products, body soils, baby formula, mud, eggs,and baby food. Protein based stains will usually have some soiled areas that will need to be cleaned off with a spoon before attempting to treat them. Remember to avoid using hot water on these stains. Heat sets protein stains in fabric. Use cool water for washing and rinsing. Dried and old protein stains may need several rounds of treatment before they will be fully gone.

Protein Based Stain Removal

To remove protein based stains, you'll need a detergent or stain remover with enzymes. Most liquid laundry detergents already contain enzymes. Oxygen color safe bleaches can be very effective on protein based stains as well. Be sure to avoid heat. Hot water, an iron, or a dryer will set protein stains, ruining any chance of saving the stained item. Make sure a stain has been completely removed before drying it.

Dye Based Stains

Dye based stains include some inks, fruit, grass, Kool Aid, and mustard. The trouble with dye based stains is in their strength and how rapidly they stain. To remove them, you'll probably need to soak the stained area repeatedly if the stain has set. If you get to a dye stain quickly enough, it can be removed with water, if not you may need repeated treatments. Unlike protein based stains, dye stains are best removed with hot water.

Dye Based Stain Removal

To best remove dye based stains, you need to get to them quickly. Dye based stains that are fresh can possibly be removed with just hot running water. If a stain has been sitting for awhile, it will probably be necessary to soak the stained area to fully remove the stain. Dye stains frequently need multiple treatments to fully remove the stain.

Tannin Based Stains

Tannin based stains include tea, coffee, soft drinks, fruit juice, and wine. Tannin stains are actually one of the easiest fresh stains to remove. Simply running a stained area under cold water and then washing in a regular cycle with the hottest water safe for your fabric will remove most stains. Set in tannin based stains are not as easy to get rid of. These stains will frequently need more thorough treatment, but be sure to avoid bar soaps. Tannin stains will be enhanced and made permanent if a soap is used.

Tannin Based Stain Removal

To remove fresh tannin based stains, run the stained area under cold water, followed by a regular wash cycle with the hottest water the fabric will safely tolerate. Set in tannin stains are a different story. These stains may require multiple treatments and soaking to remove the stains fully. Be sure to avoid any bar soaps or any other type of soap when dealing with a tannin stains. Soap will set a tannin stain permanently. Make detergents are used instead of soaps.

Oil Based Stains

Oil based stains include margarine, butter, makeup, oil, mayonnaise, deodorant, gasoline, and ring around the collar and cuff stains. The problem with oil stains is that they tend to reappear just when you think you've seen the last of them. Oils grab onto the fibers in your clothing and they don't like to let go. Oil stains also darken over time. To remove oil stains the key is letting a detergent soak into the stained area, and washing in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Double check that the stain has been removed before you place clothing in the dryer, and treat it again if your in doubt.

Oil Based Stain Removal

Oil stains can be difficult to fully get rid of. Oil stains can reappear just when you think you've seen the last of them. To remove oil stains, you'll need hot water and detergent. Soak the stained area before washing in the hottest water the clothing will tolerate. Check the stained area before you dry it to make sure the stain is fully gone. When in doubt repeat the stain removal process.

Combination Stains

Combination based stains include, crayons, gum, lipstick, chocolate, gravy, tomato based stains, and bbq sauce. There are tons of combination based stains. These stains take the best of two other groups and mix them together to make it hard for you to treat them. Usually the combination is dye or color and oil. Start by removing the oily part of the stain first and then remove the dye or color portion.

Combination Based Stain Removal

Combination based stains are two or more classes of stains that each have to be dealt with to fully remove a stain. Combination based stains most often have oil and dye components to be removed. The first step is to treat the oily part of the stain followed by the color portion of the stain. Combination stains may need repeat treatments, and since a dryer will set the stains, be sure to fully remove the stain before drying.

Front Load or Top Load?

One of the most important appliances you need to have in your house is the washing machine- unless you're perfectly contented in bringing your laundry every now and then to the Laundromat and pay for it.

Once you have decided to buy your own washing machine, you have to choose between the top loader and the front loader. Perhaps your parents would suggest getting the traditional top loader while your friends would persuade you to get the more modern front loader. The question is which suits your lifestyle best? Here are some factors you need to consider before you decide.

What's the difference, I mean, physically?

The top load machine has been around for some time now. Expect to find top loaders in most traditional homes. On the other hand, the front load machine has been commercially used in laundry businesses, unlike its counterpart. Top loaders stand vertically while front loaders are typically set up against the wall. While both machines operate on the same method, many people believe that the modern front-loader is the better option. Why? Read along.

I need to conserve water.

A top load machine will finish your laundry quicker but it turns out that you can save more water when you use a front loader. When you use a top loader, after you put in all your dirty clothes in the bin, you need to fill it with enough water to cover everything. You need to do this so that all of your items will be washed thoroughly.

On the other hand, if you use a front load machine, you don't have to fill the entire tub. Instead, you only have to use a third of the amount of water you usually use in a top load machine. This is because of the front loader's nature. Clothes inside a front loader will spin up and down, not sideways. Gravity will pull the clothes downwards into the water, thus thoroughly washing them.

I also need to conserve energy.
The front loader still scores in this area better than its counterpart. A standard top loader has an average of 650 rpm while the front loader reaches up to 1,000 rpm. Because of this, the front loader has less water left inside the bin and among the clothes, resulting to a faster drying time

I do not have all the extra space in the world, what do I do?

If you are using a top load machine, a separate dryer will have to be placed beside it. On the other hand, because of the nature of the front loader, you can just stack the dryer on top of it.

How about my clothes?

A front load machine uses no agitators on clothes because gravity helps in spinning them. Top loaders cannot rely on gravity and have to use agitators, which can actually cause your clothes to wear and tear.

On the other hand, the more comfortable option is...

The top load machine. If you have back pains or are simply not excited with the thought of bending every now and then, you can avoid the front loader. This is especially true if you stack a dryer above your front loader; you'd really have to bend every now and then. On the other hand, you only have to stand in front of your top loader.

And last minute additions?

If you tend to forget putting all your clothes inside the bin before washing them, please choose the top loader. Once it begins spinning, you can leave the bin open in case you find dirty socks lying around your living room. Unlike the top loader, when you start washing clothes in the front load machine, you have to close the bin. There's no way you can add last minute laundry there.

Most important factor: budget

Generally, top loaders are cheaper by hundreds compared to the front load machine. If you are on a really tight budget, please don't push it and stick to the top load machine. Then again, you can't just ignore the energy and water saving benefits of the front loader. If you have extra money to spend, you can invest in a front load machine and realize your savings later on.

If you ask me, I would save money and invest in a front loader. Not only will I save water and electricity, I will also save myself from repair costs. Top load machines are said to be problematic, including broken belts, hoses that leak, noisy spinning sound and in some models, dryer problems. The front loader might just be the best machine for you.

                                          FRONT LOAD WASHER

Front load washers were in older days used heavily in commercial businesses, however now days they are smaller, more affordable and better looking, which make them a great household washer.

The front load's main advantage is the water conservation, while the top load lacks in this category, the front load exceeds. The front load uses up to 60% less water and up to 68% less energy than conventional top loading machines, saving you on those electricity bills. As well as the water conservation front loads are much gentler on your clothes. The main reasons for this are because they have a drum with no agitator, and your clothes will not get caught and stretch.

While front loaders hit the lead with their water conservation, they fall back again with their longer wash cycles. There are models out these days with quick wash cycles; however this is only effective with lightly soiled fabrics like sheets, as heavily soiled loads will not clean properly.

                                            TOP LOAD WASHER

The top load washer has been the market leader in terms of washing machines for many years. They are common in many households, and have been the first choice for many people purchasing a washing machine.

The top load is great for anyone who doesn't have much time; one main advantage is that it is much quicker to wash your clothes. Your cycle will generally be finished much quicker than if it was done in a front load washer. Another main advantage is that the top load is right in front of you, and you don't have to bend down to put your clothes in. This may be okay if you're young and don't have a bad back, however a lot of older people would rather not bend over when they have the choice.

Although at this point the top load seems the way to go, like anything there are some disadvantages. One is they use a lot of water, and we know that today this is a very vital factor. Water conservation is more important than ever, and if you purchase a top load, forget getting any kind of rebate from the government except for the odd one or two machines new two the market place. Another disadvantage is that they are hard on your clothes, from experience I know this, I found even after a couple of months my t-shirts were stretched and almost ready for the gym pile. You can get top loaders without the agitator but these machines do not achieve the greatest wash results.

Vinegar Tips

Looking for brighter whites or bolder colors? The answer just might be white distilled vinegar. It’s a safe and inexpensive way to boost the power of your detergent and add a little more muscle to your stain remover. With vinegar in the mix, your clothes have never looked better.

Prevent lint from clinging to clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the wash cycle.

To remove soap residue that makes black clothes look dull use white distilled vinegar in your final rinse.

Get stained white socks and dingy dishcloths white again. Add 1 cup white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring it to a rolling boil and drop in the articles. Let soak overnight.

Some stains on clothing and linens can be soaked out using equal parts milk and white distilled vinegar.

Before washing a mustard stain, dab with white distilled vinegar.

Attack spaghetti, barbecue, or ketchup stains with a white distilled vinegar and water solution.

Remove perspiration odor and stains on clothing, as well as those left by deodorants, by spraying full-strength white distilled vinegar on underarm and collar areas before tossing them into the washing machine.

Forgot that you left wet laundry in the machine and it now smells moldy? Pour a few cups of white distilled vinegar in the machine and wash the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent.

Remove smoky odors from clothes by filling the bathtub with very hot water and 1 cup white distilled vinegar. Hang the garments above the steaming water and shut the door so the steam can penetrate the fibers.

Keep the steam iron clean and in good working order by getting rid of mineral deposits in steam vents and spray nozzles. Fill the water chamber with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and distilled water. Set it in an upright position and let it steam for about 5 minutes. When the iron is cool, rinse the tank with water, refill and shake water through the vents onto an old cloth. Test before using.

Remove scorch marks from an iron by rubbing it with a warmed-up solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and salt. If that doesn’t work, use a cloth dampened with full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Remove musky smells from cotton clothes by sprinkling them lightly with white distilled vinegar and then pressing them.

Get water and salt stains off shoes and boots by wiping them down with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and water.

Give patent leather shoes and bags a better shine by wiping them down with white distilled vinegar.

Get cleaner laundry! Add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse. The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.

Eliminate manufacturing chemicals from new clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water.

Remove soap scum and clean the hoses of your washing machine with white distilled vinegar. Periodically run the machine with only a cup of white distilled vinegar in it—nothing else added to the wash cycle.

Bring out bright colors by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Fluff up wool or acrylic sweaters (hand- or machine-washed) and rid them of soap smell with 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar in the last rinse water.

Get rid of the tiny holes left along the hemline when you take out the hem of any garment by moistening a cloth with white distilled vinegar, placing it under the fabric and ironing.