How to wash clothes by hand?

Washing clothes is a laborious task, especially if you have to wash clothes by hand. So, why not make the entire process simpler and more interesting. Though it may not seem an interesting task to many yet if you have to do it, then why not do it with interest?

You may not be having access to a washing machine that will make the task easier and faster. Clothes are of different types because these are made of different fabrics to satisfy the needs of the buyers and seasons. Hence, all clothes are not washed in the same way. Some require gentle handling while some can be washed with a lot of scrubbing. Let us see the right way to wash clothes by hand.

Selecting the right detergent is also a task that cannot be overlooked. It is better to buy a detergent (powder or liquid) that is designed according to fabric type. It is easy to spot a detergent for woollen and gentle clothes in the market. Thus, we know that the market provides us with various options and hand-washing products are available in abundance.

• Select the right detergent

If you have a pile of dirty clothes, then buy a powder detergent because these detergents can create suds that allow stain removal of clothes with conviction and clear results.

Mild detergents work well for delicate clothes. But if you have to wash woollen, silk, and lace fabrics, then it is better if you buy a liquid detergent. Liquid detergent does not make high suds and hence are good for silk and woollen clothes. This means that repeated rinsing of such fabrics is not an ideal move. So, liquid detergents will work well on these fabric types.

If there is a baby in the family, then you can opt for a detergent that is specifically designed for baby clothes. Such detergents will have ingredients that act softly on baby clothes.

If you have woollens like fleece and blankets, then opt for a detergent with lanolin oil. Lanolin oil is produced by sheep and being a natural oil is considered good for woollens. So buy a liquid detergent with lanolin oil for fleece clothes.

• Separate the clothes as per colour to wash clothes by hand

It is a bad idea to soak all the clothes in one bucket. It is best to soak clothes according to colour. Do not mix light and dark coloured clothes. Coloured clothes can bleed colour and stain the light/white clothes. If you have only one bucket handy for hand washing the clothes, then opt for lighter clothes first. Then wash the coloured ones.

If you have clothes that you think can shrink after washing, then dip them in cold water. Do not use warm water for washing such clothes because heat further causes shrinkage in clothes.

Similar colour clothes can be washed in the same tub. Some washing brand labels have complete information about using the detergent. It is best to read the directions and then wash accordingly. Follow the instructions mentioned in the label to get the best results.

• Soak the clothes

Soaking dirty clothes in warm water and detergent can help in removing the stains easily. As the clothes get completely drenched in the solution, light scrubbing can provide the desired results. The task will become simple if you soak in soap water solution for 4-5 minutes before taking it out for washing.

Don’t soak the clothes for more time because then it can cause shrinkage of the fabric.

A word of caution: Harsh scrubbing is the worst idea because it can damage the fibre of the cloth. Areas like underarms may require scrubbing but do it gently.

• Rinsing the clothes

Use a different tub for rinsing. After washing the clothes, soak in clean water once to remove suds. Again, fill the tub with clean water and repeat the process of rinsing. When you squeeze the garment, if it is still slippery, then the third cycle of rinsing will be required. But if the clothes do not slip out of your hand, then the suds are gone and repeating with the third rinse is not required.

• Fabric softener/conditioner

This is an optional step. Some like to have fragrances in their clothes after washing. They can dip the clothes after washing in the fabric conditioner for a few seconds and then take it out. No need to rinse after this process. You can directly head for the drying process.

• Drying

Drying is a trivial process. Do not squeeze the clothes hard because too much twisting can also damage the fibre of the cloth. Lift the cloth from the tub and let the excess water drip from it. You can keep the clothes on the tap or sink and allow extra water to drip away. Then you can lay the clothes flat on a clean surface to dry. Clothes drying racks are also available in the market. The clothes can be handed on these racks for drying.

If you have clothes like trousers or tracks with pockets, then flip the side of the cloth after 2-3 hours so that the other side also dries completely.

These are some of the simple tips and tricks that will help you to achieve the best results if you have to hand wash the clothes.

Final Thoughts

Hand washing can be a task if you are not aware of the right process. If you have a big pile of clothes, then the first thing you have to do is separate the clothes as per its colour. Then dip in the water (warm or cold) according to the requirement. 

Drying the clothes is also a simple procedure if you follow the right technique to get the best results. Winters can be difficult for drying clothes. But summers have harsh sunshine and you may need to dry your clothes in shade. So, follow these simple tips about how to wash clothes by hand to live a stress-free life.

Also, You Can check this Article: Do You Really Need Cycling Shorts?