How To Hand Wash Your Clothes

I know it might seem like a no brainer to some, but my husband recently reminded me that there are in fact people who do not know how to hand wash garments (like him).

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home, where my momma is the best laundry-washer ever... yes that's a technical term. My mom taught me the importance of washing clothing properly to ensure a longer life of the garment. You may have read my previous post about how to wash various types of fabric, but this post is dedicated to hand washing only.

I have quite a few garments that are "dry clean only," but I refuse to pay dry cleaner prices. Instead, I prefer to hand wash all my delicate items.

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 I prefer to wash only one garment at a time, especially if the colors will bleed, like this tangerine top.

Before you wash, check your labels. They will usually tell you the best way to launder a garment. Even if the label says "dry clean only" I still will hand wash it. If the garment says laundry in the washer, but the fabric looks delicate, I will hand was it as well.

Make sure your sink is clean before you begin! Then, I run cold water and then I add a little dab laundry soap. I prefer to do this in my bathroom sink, but if you want to use your tub or a bucket, that works too.

 Next, I fully submerge my garment in the water. I rub it back and forth between my hands to make sure I coat it with soapy water. If you have stains you can use a spot remover and lightly rub that area between your fingers.

 I usually just let the garment sit in the sink 15-20 minutes, but I don't think it actually matters how long you leave it.

Don't be alarmed if the garment bleeds in the water. It's very common and won't hurt your clothing.

After you're done washing your garment in the soapy water, I empty the sink. I think refill it with new cold water and add a tiny bit of fabric softener. Fabric softener is the best! It not only makes your clothes smell good, it helps with static cling too!

Another little trick, add a tablespoon of white vinegar and it will help your clothing maintain their color. Vinegar helps curb your garments from fading, and it's especially helpful with baby clothes.

After I let my shirt soak in the fabric softener (about 5-10 minutes), I rinse it clean in cold water. Then when the water runs clear I lightly squeeze any excess water out. Then, I lay it flat on a towel.

I then begin to roll the towel. This will help wring out the extra water without being too abrasive on the fabric.

 

I usually let it sit in the towel a couple minutes before I unroll it..

 

The final step: I lay it out flat to dry fully.

This really is an easy process. There are no real time constraints, and I'm pretty sure you can't mess this up. As long as you stay away from hot water and harsh chemicals, you're really good to go!

Do you hand wash your clothes? What are your tips and tricks!

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