Learning how to hand wash clothes is an essential skill in today’s world, especially for renters without in-unit washing machines and those who want to protect delicate garments from the harshness of a washing machine’s spin cycle. Hand washing not only preserves your clothes and wallet, but it’s also a more sustainable choice for the environment, reducing the toll of clothing waste on our planet.
While hand washing might seem daunting, it’s not as complicated as you might think. To answer all your questions, we consulted with Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd, co-founders of a laundry brand and experts in hand washing. They share their best practices for hand-washing delicate fabrics and garments, as well as addressing the common dilemma of whether hand washing or dry cleaning is preferable.
When to Hand Wash vs. Dry Clean
While we always aim to avoid dry cleaning, some items are best left to the professionals. Fur with skin cannot be washed, as the skin can shrink or become damaged with wet washing. Viscose, a type of rayon, is another tricky fabric, prone to significant shrinkage. Although many rayons can be washed, viscose is known for its tendency to shrink drastically. We also caution against washing structured materials, like blazers with shoulder pads, as these can become distorted during washing.
Preparing for Your Hand Washing Session
Keeping laundry loads small and manageable is key. Wash your clothes daily or every other day to make the process easier. A small load can be comfortably washed in a clean sink, washbasin, or large bucket. For larger loads, your bathtub is the ideal space. Before you begin washing, thoroughly clean your tub, sink, or basin to remove any dirt or grime. Create a powerful cleaning solution by mixing The Laundress’s all-purpose cleaning concentrate and all-purpose bleach alternative with hot water. After cleaning, close the drain to retain the water.
Pretreating Stains
To achieve the best results, wash similar colors and fabrics together. Pretreat any stains with the appropriate product—Stain Solution is ideal for color-rich protein and tannin stains (red wine, juice, chocolate, ink), while the Wash & Stain Bar is best for oil or grease stains (ring around the collar, salad dressing, makeup).
Washing Your Clothes
For cotton, linen, and durable synthetics like polyester, run warm or hot water until the garments are completely submerged. Add the appropriate amount of laundry detergent, usually 2-4 capfuls, based on the size of the load. Gently agitate the water with your hands to create a soapy solution and allow the garments to soak for up to 30 minutes.
Remove the laundry from the tub by pressing each garment against the tub’s edge and transferring it to a clean bucket or sink. Open the drain to release the soapy water, then close it and refill the tub with clean, warm water. Place the garments in the clean water, swirl to thoroughly rinse away the suds, and drain the water once more. If any suds remain, rinse the garments under the faucet until the rinse water runs clear.
Drying Your Clothes
Never wring your garments, as this can damage the fibers. Instead, press them against the tub’s edge to remove excess water. Hang most everyday garments on properly shaped hangers to prevent shoulder bumps, or lay them flat to dry on a drying rack or clean towel. Delicate knits like wool and cashmere should always be dried flat in their natural shape to avoid stretching or distorting the fabric. If you hang clothes directly from the shower rod, be cautious of rusting, which can be difficult to remove.
Removing Wrinkles
Steaming is the gentlest way to remove wrinkles from garments and also helps kill bacteria. We recommend ironing only when a crisp finish is desired, such as for dress shirts or sheets. To easily remove mild to moderate wrinkles, spray Crease Release six inches from the garment and smooth with your palms or follow up with a steamer.
