The Ultimate Guide to Handwashing Laundry

While most washing machines have a delicate or hand-wash mode, there are instances when hand-washing specific types of clothing produce the most remarkable results.

Hand washing your garments can be a great way to save money, water and avoid going to the laundromat. It can be a good option if you need a special dress or piece of clothing for an event but don’t want to drag an entire load of laundry to the laundromat or waste water using your home machine.

Hand washing can also help remove stubborn stains out of your clothes without destroying them.

In this guide, you will learn how to wash your clothing items by hand and dry them, so they can look fresh and last longer!

Hand-Washing Clothes

If your garment has the hand wash symbol, depicted by a hand in a tub of water, wash it by hand using the guidelines below.

1. Start by determining the fabric type by reading the care label: silk, wool, cotton, and so on. Then, choose a suitable detergent for hand-washing your clothes. If there isn’t a care label, use a light detergent or dishwashing liquid.
2. Fill a small tub or sink with water at a temperature specified on the care label. If there isn’t a care label, use cool-to-lukewarm water. Then, add some detergent.
3. Soak the clothing in soapy water for a few minutes. Swish the item gently through the sudsy water. Scrubbing or twisting the cloth might stretch or harm it, so avoid doing that.

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Drying Hand Washed Clothes

After washing your clothes by hand, you should line-dry them.

You’ll likely need to line-dry your items once you’ve washed them by hand. Follow the instruction below for success.

1. Start by squeezing the excess water out of the clothing gently. Twist or wring the item carefully to avoid stretching the fibers and ruining the cloth.
2. Pat the freshly washed garment into shape with a dry white bath towel. Roll up the towel and wrap it around the clothing. Gently press on the rolled-up towel for water absorption. If the first towel becomes saturated, replace it with a clean, dry towel.
3. For reshaping and drying, follow the instructions on the garment’s label. If there is no care label, lay the hand-washed items on a clean, dry white towel spread over a moisture-resistant flat surface. Make sure you constantly flip the item over and, if necessary, replace the moist towel with a dry one.

Hand-Washing Bras and Lingerie

Hand washing bras and lingerie help retain their shape and delicate features. Follow these instructions for washing bras by hand.

1. Fill a bowl or sink with lukewarm water. Combine the water with a mild, alcohol-free hand-washing detergent ($4, Walmart). Place the bra in the solution and let it soak for 15 minutes. Work the suds into the bra with your hands.
2. Take the bra out of the water. Hold the bra under the sink or tub faucet and run water over it to rinse away any soapy water. Rinse thoroughly until the bra no longer produces suds.
3. Before hanging your bra out to dry, gently fold it against a towel to get rid of any excess water. To remove excess water, put the item flat on a towel and cover it with another towel. Bras should always be hung to dry.

Hand-Washing Tights

Wash delicate hosiery and tights with care to avoid snags and tears. Here’s how to hand-wash tights.

1. Fill a sink halfway with tepid water and half a cup of mild laundry detergent. Make sure you use lukewarm water since hot water will cause your tights to lose their elasticity and fit.
2. Turn your tights inside out first. Place the tights in the water mixture and clean them. Avoid rubbing and pulling, and gently scrub the bacteria-prone regions, such as the feet and crotch area. Allow 10 minutes for your tights to soak.
3. Remove the tights from the water once they have finished soaking. Rinse them with cold running water in a sink. Rinse the tights until no more suds remain. Lay them on a lint-free towel to dry

Hand-Washing a Sweater

Before you wash your sweater, double-check the label. Several sweater materials, including cashmere and wool, need to be hand-washed. Here’s how to get stains and odors out of your sweaters.

1. Fill a tub or sink halfway with tepid water and a few drops of antibacterial detergent. Add 3/4 cup white vinegar to neutralize sweat odor.
2. Swish the sweater gently in the water, being careful not to stretch it. Let it soak for 10-minutes. After that, rinse the sweater with cold water until no sticky residue remains.
3. Once the sweater is done soaking, press it against the bin’s wall to remove any extra water. Place the sweater on a flat surface and cover it with a white towel (a white towel prevents dye transfer from the towel to the sweater). To drain excess water, gently roll the sweater and towel together.
4. Dry the sweater on a flat, moisture-resistant surface.

Hire A Trustworthy Professionals

Let’s admit it; not everyone has the time and energy to do household cleaning chores. This is where a professional cleaning service like HomePlus can help!

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