{"id":22494,"date":"2024-10-19T15:36:20","date_gmt":"2024-10-19T14:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/?p=22494"},"modified":"2024-10-22T15:36:34","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T14:36:34","slug":"laundry-tips-washing-the-school-essentials-in-half-term","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/kitchens\/laundry-tips-washing-the-school-essentials-in-half-term\/","title":{"rendered":"Laundry tips: Washing school essentials in half term"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019re already halfway through the first term of the new school year – so now\u2019s the time to give your kids’ school essentials a deep clean using our laundry tips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students will be breaking up for October half term any day, and their everyday items will have built up plenty of dirt and grime over the past seven weeks – guaranteeing it’s time for a thorough wash!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From backpacks to trainers, here are some laundry tips from Vivien Fodor, Laundry Category Manager at Indesit<\/a>, on how to save time, money and effort when washing these items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow her advice to get your kids\u2019 school essentials looking and feeling brand new for the next half term…<\/p>

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School bags<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bags or backpacks are an everyday school essential for all students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prep them for washing by turning the bag inside out and shaking outside to get rid of any debris or crumbs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, put the bag into a pillowcase to protect your machine from zips and plastic straps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a gentle setting at a low temperature to get good results. A 45-minute wash at 30\u00b0C is ideal.<\/p>

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Pencil cases<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like the school bag, get rid of debris like pencil shavings before washing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wash at 30\u00b0C or below to avoid wearing out the fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more delicate pencil cases, you don\u2019t need to resort to handwashing the item. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a delicates cycle for a gentle wash action with a low spin speed to avoid damaging the fabric.<\/p>

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Trainers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PE trainers will certainly need a wash after weeks of games lessons in muddy fields. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remove any loose dirt first, and set aside laces and insoles to wash separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put trainers into a mesh washing bag to protect them from damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check care guide labels on shoes before machine washing<\/a>. <\/p>

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As a general rule, avoid washing trainers with leather or suede elements, or glued-on details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some machines have a designated shoe wash cycle. If not, use a cold wash delicate cycle to protect fabrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After washing, reshape the trainers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lunch boxes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lunch boxes should be regularly cleaned by hand to get rid of spills, leaks or unwanted food. But a wash in the machine at half term will give them a deep clean.<\/p>

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Use diluted white vinegar or a baking soda\/water combo to loosen any stubborn stains first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, place the open lunch box inside the drum and run a cold, gentle cycle with a splash of detergent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To save on water use and save time, add other laundry like towels, pencil cases or other school essentials to the same wash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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