Nobody enjoys washing their clothes and it can feel like one of those household jobs that is never-ending. And while it's easy enough to throw everything in your hard-working washing machine, some items of clothing are required to be hand washed. While this usually tends to be the case for delicate pieces and the likes of cashmere and silk, this method can be useful generally if perhaps your washing machine is broken or you don't have enough clothes for a full load, so it's well worth learning how to hand wash clothes.
Whether you've got a special item of clothing you're keen to wash carefully or you want to get rid of a pesky wine stain pronto, laundry expert Sarah Dempsey from Myjobquote.co.uk, the UK’s leading trades matching site, is here to explain how to hand wash clothes.
How to hand wash clothes
Follow the steps below to easily and effectively hand wash your clothes.
- Start by carefully reading the care label to determine the fabric type. From there, you will be able to find the best laundry detergent to use with that material. Standard detergents should work for most items. However, delicate items may need something more gentle.
- If there are any stains, you should focus on these first. Gently work in some laundry stain remover or liquid detergent to the stained area using just your fingertips. Avoid scrubbing the area.
- Fill your sink or bathtub with lukewarm water. Some items may need to be washed in cold water. Take a look at the care label for advice on this. While the water is running, add the recommended amount of detergent. Swish the laundry detergent into the water to ensure it dissolves properly.
- Gently place your clothing item into the water and gently press it down to submerge it. Allow it to soak and squeeze the water through it several times.
- Then, fill the sink or bath with cool, clean water and submerge the clothing item in it. Squeeze the water through the garment to rinse it. Repeat as many times as necessary to remove all of the detergent.
- Gentle squeeze out as much water as possible without wringing the item too hard. Then, lay it flat on an absorbent towel and roll the towel up with the garment so that it absorbs much of the excess water. Be gentle when doing so.
- Lay the item flat to dry as this will prevent it from warping or stretching out of shape.
What to use when hand washing clothes
When hand washing clothes, it’s best to use water and a delicate detergent. Some items may require more gentle cleaning solutions. It’s best to always read the care label thoroughly to ensure you’re taking the right approach.
How to dry hand-washed clothes faster
It’s important to dry hand-washed clothes while they are lying flat to prevent them from becoming warped or stretching out of shape. To help speed up the drying process, lay your wet clothing item on a dry towel. Once the front of the garment is dry, flip it over and allow the other side to dry. Hand-washed clothes should always be left to air dry.
How to hand wash delicate clothing
Follow the steps below when hand-washing delicate clothing items:
- Fill your sink or bathtub with cold water and add a small amount of gentle liquid detergent. Then, stir the water around to ensure the detergent is distributed well.
- Submerge the item into the water to ensure that it is completely saturated. Leave it to soak for at least five minutes.
- Then, gently swish the item through the water. Avoid scrubbing or twisting the fabric as this could damage it or cause it to stretch or warp.
- After that, lift the item out of the water and drain it. Avoid wringing it out as this could cause damage or warping.
- Empty the sink and re-fill it with clean, tepid water. Put the item back into the water and swish it through the clean water. Repeat this step until there are no suds left.
- If it is a lightweight item such as lingerie, this can be hung and allowed to drip dry immediately. Use a padded hanger for this. If it is a heavier item, place it flat on a clean white towel and roll it up to absorb the water. If the item is knitted, re-shape it before drying.
- Then, place the item onto a flat surface and allow it to air dry in a well-ventilated room. You should never place delicate items in a dryer or dry with direct heat. Flip the garment over periodically to speed up the drying time.
How to hand wash underwear
When hand washing underwear, use the same method as above and hang your underwear to allow it to drip dry.
How to hand wash jumpers
When hand washing wool, such as cardigans or jumpers, use the same method as above. If the jumper is knitted, you will need to reshape it before allowing it to dry. Always dry jumpers flat as these are heavier items. Drying them flat will prevent them from becoming stretched or warped.
How to hand wash cashmere
To hand wash cashmere, use the same method as above. Be sure to check the care label before doing so as certain items may require a specific cleaning method. Some cashmere clothing items may need to be dry-cleaned only. That’s why it’s important to always read the care label before attempting to hand wash your clothing items.