Growing up with the privilege of having a washing machine and dryer at home meant that laundry hacks and stain removal tricks were slotted into my brain from a very young age. I have always found laundry to be a deeply satisfying task. There is something so rewarding about taking a massive pile of lived in clothes and flipping them into a perfectly pressed, fresh, and organized batch of garments.
The Foundation of Fabric Care
On a superyacht, you are handling high end fabrics that require specific knowledge to maintain. One wrong move can ruin a thousands of dollars worth of clothing or upholstery. And personally I NEVER want to be held accountable for ruining someone’s clothes when it can be easily prevented. Here is a quick breakdown of how I approach different materials:
• Silk: This is a protein fiber and very delicate. I always hand wash or use a specialized delicate cycle with cool water and silk specific detergent.
• Cashmere and Wool: These should NEVER see a dryer. I lay them flat to dry to prevent shrinking or losing their shape.
• Linen: This is a summer staple on boats. It needs to be ironed while slightly damp to get those crisp, professional lines.
• Cotton: While more durable, high thread count cotton sheets need to be pulled from the dryer just before they are bone dry to avoid deep set wrinkles.
Mastering the Iron
I was lucky enough to get a head start on my pressing skills because my dad has always worn dress shirts for work and leisure. Practicing on his shirts taught me the importance of the collar, the cuffs, and the yoke. Practice makes perfect, and I have spent years refining the speed and precision needed to make a shirt look brand new.
The Science of Stain Removal
Stain removal is a skill that most girls learn early on out of necessity. Period stains are a common reality, and learning how to treat them effectively is a rite of passage. I have become an expert at getting “mean” stains out by understanding the chemistry behind them.
• Oil Based Stains: Things like sunscreen or salad dressing come out much better when treated with a bit of dish soap or a specialized degreaser to break down the lipids before washing.
• Protein Based Stains: Blood or sweat respond best to cold water and enzymatic cleaners. Using hot water on these will actually set the stain forever.
• Tannin Stains: Wine or coffee usually require an acidic treatment or an oxygen based soak. ESPECIALLY red wine which is a tricky one.
The Spain Influence vs. Yacht Reality
Since I have been living in Spain, I have come to love the system of hanging clothes out to dry in the Mediterranean sun. The dryers here do not blast as much hot air as the machines in the US, and that fresh air scent is unbeatable. However, I know that air drying is not always an option on a yacht. I am very comfortable working with industrial dryers and know how to adjust heat settings to protect the integrity of the fabric.
My Golden Rules for a Yacht Laundry
To keep the interior running smoothly and the crew looking sharp, I follow these non negotiable steps:
1. Always Separate: To the common person, mixing might seem fine, but to keep those white polos crisp and uniform colors bright, you must separate whites from colors every single time.
2. The Golden Rule of Spot Treating: Never, ever wash or dry an item until you have spot treated the stain. If a garment goes into the dryer with a stain still on it, that heat will bake the stain into the fibers permanently.
3. Turn Items Inside Out: Especially for uniforms with embroidery or delicate prints, turning them inside out protects the “face” of the fabric from the friction of the machine.
4. Immediate Transitions: As soon as the timer goes off, the load must be moved. This prevents that “damp” smell and keeps wrinkles from settling in. Never leave a wet batch in the washer over night!!
Perfecting the Presentation
Housekeeping on a yacht is about more than just cleanliness. It is about the “reveal.” When a guest walks into their cabin, the bed should be tight enough to bounce a coin off of, and the towels should be folded with surgical precision. I am currently practicing these high level presentation skills every day so that I am ready to impress on my next vessel.
Do you have a secret stain removal hack that never fails? Share it in the comments below so we can all level up our laundry game!