Florals, polka dots, animal prints, or abstract designs — if these are your kind of statement pieces, you already know how they can flip an ordinary day into something bright and memorable. However, those eye-catching patterns and saturated hues can lose their vibrancy if you're not careful with how you wash them. 

So if you want those colors to pop every time you wear them, and not just the first time, stick to some key laundry habits. Here's what you need to start doing today.

1) Start with Cold Water, Always

If you’re still using hot or warm water for your brights, stop. Cold water is gentler on fabric dyes and keeps the color locked into the fibers. It also works just as well for cleaning, especially with today’s detergents. Cold water prevents bleeding and keeps bold tones from fading too fast.

What to do:

• Always choose the “cold” cycle on your washing machine
• Use a “delicate” or “gentle” setting for clothes with prints
• Skip hot water unless it’s for whites or tough stains
• Great for sweaters, wedding dresses, and environmentally friendly fabrics

2) Turn Clothes Inside Out Before Washing

Every time you wash your clothes, the outer fabric takes a hit, rubbing against other garments, buttons, and the inside of the machine. Turning your clothes inside out protects that outer layer from wear. It’s a small move that protects designs, graphics, and rich colors from direct friction. So if your blouse or dress has prints or beading, this step is non-negotiable.

Do this before washing:

• Flip inside out shirts, pants, gowns, or anything colorful
• Zip zippers and button up fasteners to reduce friction
• Works best for dark jeans, printed cotton, and anything with buttons or suede accents

3) Choose the Right Detergent for Colors

Standard detergents aren’t designed for bold clothing. They’re made to lift stains but not to preserve dye. You need a formula that’s made to protect colors, especially on sensitive garments like leather-trimmed dresses or wedding attire. Always go for something that says "color protection" on the label.

Always:

• Look for detergents labeled “for darks,” “color-safe,” or “bright colors”
• Avoid bleach, fabric brighteners, and cheap all-purpose brands
• Use eco-conscious options if you want an environmentally friendly wash
• Perfect for individuals looking for better price-to-quality cleaning

4) Wash Bold Items in Smaller Loads

Cramming too much into your washing machine creates excess friction. When your clothes don’t have space to move freely, they rub harder against each other, and that quickly causes fading. Smaller loads also rinse out detergent better, which helps protect your shirts, sweaters, and gowns.

Do this:

• Load the washer only halfway when washing bold clothes
• Don’t mix heavy fabrics like denim with delicate blouses or gowns
• Keep printed and embroidered items separate from rough fabrics
• Good for individuals who value care over speed

5) Skip the Dryer and Air Dry Instead

Heat is the biggest color-killer. Even one tumble dry session can shrink fibers and dull bright fabrics. Air drying helps keep your prints crisp and vibrant. If you’re worried about space or wrinkles, hang them in a room with airflow or near a fan.

To preserve colors:

• Hang or lay flat to dry, especially bold wedding dresses, suede, or blouses
• Avoid direct sunlight — UV rays fade fabrics quickly
• For sweaters or anything delicate, use a flat drying rack indoors
• Use the “air fluff” setting on your dryer if you absolutely must use it

6) Wash Bold Clothes Less Often

Washing too frequently wears down clothes, even if you wash gently. Unless a garment is stained or sweaty, there’s no need to wash it after every wear. Especially for expensive items like printed gowns, delicate sweaters, or formalwear, less is more. Preserve your investment by washing smarter.

Here’s how:

• Rewear items 2–3 times between washes when possible
• Spot-clean with a damp cloth or stain stick instead
• Steam or air out garments after each wear
• Take sensitive pieces to the nearest cleaners instead

7) Use a Mesh Bag for Delicates and Printed Fabrics

Printed dresses, lace blouses, and garments with buttons or embroidery need extra care. A mesh bag prevents friction damage and protects the surface from other rough fabrics. It's one of the easiest ways to extend the life of fragile items without changing your entire laundry setup.

Use mesh bags when:

• Washing wedding dresses, embellished blouses, or anything with suede details
• Cleaning bras, lingerie, or silk scarves
• Laundering shirts with sequins, delicate prints, or loose buttons
• Perfect for individuals looking to stretch the time between dry cleaning visits

8) Read Those Care Labels 

Care labels are fabric instructions recommended by experts. Most color damage happens because people guess instead of reading. That little tag tells you whether something should be dry cleaned, air dried, or washed on a specific setting. Don’t assume. Read it.

Pay attention to:

• Wash temperature, especially for silk, wool, or mixed fabrics
• When it says “Dry Clean Only” (and don’t ignore it)
• If the item includes leather, buttons, or specialty trims
• When in doubt, take it to the closest dry cleaner

Keep the Fun in Your Prints — Let Pier Cleaners Handle the Wash!

Keep expressing yourself with those bold colors and playful prints, without worrying about them fading away. At Pier Cleaners, we help you hold on to that vibrant energy with professional laundry care that’s gentle, effective, and designed to preserve every pop of color and eye-catching detail. This is perfect for individuals and as a trusted laundry service for families with children.

We use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergents, so your clothes come out clean without any harsh chemicals or lingering scents that can irritate your skin or wear down fabric vibrancy over time. Your garments are tumble dried, then promptly removed from our temperature-sensing dryers to prevent shrinkage, overdrying, or unnecessary heat damage.

Have questions or need help choosing the right service for your specific garment care needs? Call us any time at 401-661-1694 or send us an email at piercleaners@piercleanersri.com. We're always ready to help you care for what you love!

Children will always be children —messy, playful, and full of surprises that often end up on their clothes. From muddy soccer uniforms to paint-splattered T-shirts, it seems like your washing machine constantly runs just to keep the family in clean outfits. Add in the daily chaos of homework, meal prep, and bedtime routines, and that growing pile of laundry can be out of control in a flash.

Thankfully, there’s a simpler way to manage all those stained shirts and grass-streaked pants. Wash and Fold Laundry Service offers busy parents an easy solution to the never-ending laundry cycle. Sounds like a win? Let’s talk about why this service is a lifesaver for busy families.

The Biggest Laundry Headaches When Cleaning Children’s Clothing

It’s no secret children can put their clothes through some serious wear and tear. From sliding in the dirt during recess to experimenting with sticky arts and crafts projects, little ones manage to test the durability of fabrics in all sorts of ways. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the never-ending stains, smells, and sorting, you’re definitely not alone.

1. Persistent Stains

Mud, grass, and paint are just the beginning—children can turn an innocent snack into a permanent splotch. These stubborn marks often require pretreatment, soaking, and sometimes multiple wash cycles to fully remove.

2. Mixed Fabrics and Care Requirements

Children’s wardrobes can range from rugged denim to delicate holiday dresses. Each fabric type might need a different wash temperature or detergent. It’s easy to ruin a special outfit if you’re not paying attention.

3. Tiny Accessories and Fasteners

Buttons, zippers, and even Velcro closures can catch and damage other items in the wash. This is especially problematic if you wash multiple children’s outfits at once, as loose or sharp bits can cause snags and tears.

4. Odor Buildup

Sweaty sports uniforms, damp socks, and that mystery smell coming from the hamper can leave a lingering odor, even after washing. Getting clothes truly fresh often requires an extra rinse cycle or specialized odor-fighting products.

5. Rapid Turnaround Needs

If your child’s soccer practice is tomorrow and their uniform is still crusted with mud, you need a quick laundry solution. Waiting for multiple wash cycles and proper drying can feel like a marathon when time is tight.

6. Constant Sorting and Organizing

With multiple children in the mix, it’s easy to lose track of whose stuff is whose. Without a careful system, you might find yourself playing detective just to figure out which tiny socks belong to which sibling.

How Wash and Fold Laundry Service Makes Life Easier for Families

As a parent, it's easy to get caught up in the ongoing cycle of sorting, washing, folding, and putting away clothes—only to find yourself starting all over again the very next day. This is exactly why many families have turned to a Wash and Fold Laundry Service. Let's break down the key conveniences this service offers busy households.

Convenience #1 — Laundry Picked Up and Delivered to Your Doorstep

Pier Cleaners Wash and Fold Service offers free scheduled pickup and delivery directly to your home or office, freeing you from the constant need to keep track of laundry baskets. No more struggling to carry overflowing hampers while juggling children, keys, and groceries. Enjoy the free time to do something you WANT to do, instead of a chore that you HAVE to do!

Convenience #2 — Expert Handling of Stubborn Child-related Stains

Tough stains? Let us know! Professionals know exactly how to tackle tough stains—be it mud from the soccer field, colorful paint from an art project, or chocolate ice cream drips. Instead of experimenting with DIY stain removal solutions, you can trust laundry experts to treat each stain effectively, extending the life of your children's clothing.

Convenience #3 — Saves Time for Family and Personal Activities

Perhaps the greatest convenience is the extra time you get back. Outsourcing laundry chores frees up hours in your week, letting you focus on quality family time, your career, or simply relaxing after a busy day. You can finally trade those evenings sorting laundry piles for movie nights, family dinners, or even some much-needed rest.

Convenience #4 — Customized Laundry Preferences

Every family is unique—and a professional Wash and Fold Laundry Service recognizes that. Pier Cleaners allows you to provide your favorite detergents, specify fabric-softening preferences, and provide instructions on how you’d like your clothing handled. This means your laundry returns smelling fresh and feeling soft—exactly the way your family prefers.

Convenience #5 — Consistent, Reliable Results

Unlike home washing machines that might be unpredictable or inefficient, Wash and Fold Laundry Service delivers consistently high-quality results every time. With professional-grade equipment and experienced laundry specialists, your family's clothing stays brighter, fresher, and in better condition over the long term.

Take Back Your Weekends and Let Pier Cleaners Do the Laundry for You!

If you’ve ever wished for a simpler way to stay on top of those endless laundry piles, a professional Wash and Fold Laundry Service won’t disappoint. For over 69 years, Pier Cleaners has proudly served our community, delivering convenient Wash and Fold Laundry Service on which customers rely.

Need more than just laundry? We have you covered. At Pier Cleaners, we also provide expert dry cleaning, precise alterations, specialized care for formalwear, wedding dress cleaning and preservation, and much more!

Contact Pier Cleaners today and experience firsthand why generations of customers trust us with their laundry needs.