Okay, okay, we know what you're thinking – how hard is it to hand wash your clothes? And when was the last time you even needed to hand wash clothes? From a broken washing machine to abrupt spills and delicate clothing items, knowing how to hand wash clothes can actually be a total lifesaver. And knowing how to do it *correctly* is a really useful adulting skill to have. Because it's not until you're in a bind that you realise you actually have no idea what you're doing.
We're all trying to do better and make more conscious, sustainable fashion choices, and that includes mending our clothes – rather than just chucking them away or buying replacements. Hand washing clothes falls under this category, as it can be the difference between effectively removing a stain and looking after your items versus ruining them.
For one, it’s a lot gentler on clothes than a washing machine, avoiding any fabric "pilling" or other damages. This means your clothes have a longer lifespan. It’s also more eco-friendly as you’re using considerably less water, and there’s no electricity involved. It’ll save you some money along the way too!
Thankfully, it’s also pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. But there are a few things you’ll want to think about when you go to hand-wash clothes.
Things to consider
- Look at the care tag in your clothes for water temperature guidance. If it says 30 degrees, washing it in boiling hot water could damage the garment. Also check for any other special washing instructions, such as “dry clean only” meaning it isn’t usually suitable for sink-washing. If it just says “dry clean” however, you should be fine.
- The type of detergent you use should be based on the fabric of what you’re washing. Most regular detergents are usually ok to use, however, more delicate fabrics such as wool or silk, will wash better with something less harsh, such as Ecover Delicate Laundry Liquid.
- You can still treat stains when hand-washing. Rather than scrubbing that red wine stain out (oops, we’ve all been there), gently massage it between your fingers using the stain remover, before rinsing with water.
Keep scrolling for the full instructions, including materials and in-depth guides for each step…
What you'll need
- Clothes (obvs)
- Warm water
- A tub or bowl you don’t mind putting chemicals in
- Laundry detergent
- A light brush or sponge to treat stains
- A towel
Instructions
- Fill the tub with warm water (or if your label dictates a different water temperature, follow as appropriate!), and dissolve the correct measure of laundry detergent in it.
- Put each item of clothing into the tub individually, and press down firmly to immerse in the water before swishing it around to pick up the detergent. Don’t worry if it looks like dye is leaking from your clothes or the water changes colour – this is a normal reaction and you won’t notice any loss of colour when you take it back out again.
- Once you’re satisfied that you’ve got your clothes nice and clean, as well as removed any dirt or marks, empty your tub of water and re-fill it with cold water. If you’re washing something more delicate or vintage clothes, use a colander at this step instead.
- Rinse your item of clothing in the water, and then squeeze it out. You’ll want to repeat this about three times, just to make sure you’ve got out any nasties.
- When you’re ready to begin drying, squeeze as much water out as possible without gripping too tightly (you don’t want to cause any damage), and then lay your clothes flat on a towel and pat dry as much as possible. Try to avoid stretching or overly twisting your items, especially delicate items, as this can distort the shape.
- Once the water is soaked up, take a fresh towel, lay your clothes flat on top of the new towel, and leave to air dry to prevent any wrinkling and speed up the drying process.
Easy! Now, why not check out some of the top-rated hand-washing essentials for clothes to help you get started?
The Laundress Delicate Wash, 475ml
Zerone Washing Board, Portable Convenient Effort-saving Bamboo Wood Clothes Washboard Hand Washboard for Home Laundry 50 * 18 * 1cm
Zerone Washing Board, Portable Convenient Effort-saving Bamboo Wood Clothes Washboard Hand Washboard for Home Laundry 50 * 18 * 1cm
Leisurewize LW569 Eco Washer – Blue, 5 L, Portable Manual Washing Machine, Hand Cranking, Dual Wash Cycles, Compact Design
Leisurewize LW569 Eco Washer – Blue, 5 L, Portable Manual Washing Machine, Hand Cranking, Dual Wash Cycles, Compact Design
The Laundress Wash & Stain Bar, 57g
ECOVER Ecover Zero Wool & Delicate Laundry Liquid 1L
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