Imagine a washing machine ruining your expensive shining clothes, just because you washed them without following the right procedure. We brought to you another way that you can confidently hand wash your clothes by simply following these DIY guides.
What do you think about immediately after seeing the word “hand wash” on your clothes? You probably create an image of someone scrubbing the clothes with both hands seriously in soapy water. But the truth is, it’s not always like that.
At times, the best thing you can do for your clothes, especially after seeing the care label is to leave the washing machine and scrub the clothes with your hand or any other method you are aware of for an effective result.
How To Hand Wash Your Clothes Effectively
Hand washing is one of the best ways to gently care for your clothes. It allows you to give utmost care to your fabric and as well as other important details of the clothes. Here is the ultimate DIY guide to help you with washing your clothes by hand.
- Read The Care Label
You must always read the care label to determine the type of fabric you want to wash. From the care label, you identify if the fabric can be washed with any detergent either gentle or free detergent.
- Fill The Tub With Water
Depending on your type of fabric fill the tub with water necessary for the washing of the clothes either warm, lukewarm, or cold. After that, you add the necessary amount of detergent to it and if there is a recommendation, make sure to go with the recommendation.
Then you lay your clothes down softly and allow the water to cover it. Then you can squeeze and scrub the clothes.
- Rinse and repeat
Always make sure that after you’ve gently put the clothes in the prepared bowl, you must rinse thoroughly till there is no sign of soap on it.
- Remove excess water
After rinsing and repeating that process, you can fully lift the clothes and squeeze out excessive water.
By following these simple steps, you will arrive at the perfect answer with your clothes in their best position.
Why Should I Hand Wash My Clothes
The first important fact about hand washing clothes is that it’s energy efficient. All you need to do is pour water into a tub, submerge the clothes, wash, and rinse.
No need for electricity since it functions manually, and it does not make too much noise that can disrupt a quiet moment. Here are more benefits of washing your clothes by hand;
- It Lowers The Clothes Exposure To Toxic Chemical
When it comes to laundry, people prefer washing machines to hand washing their clothes especially those with busy jobs. What they don’t know is that hand washing has less exposure to toxic chemicals compared to other forms of washing like the washing machine.
Chemical toxins that are mostly found on the clothes are (PFCs) perfluorinated compounds. These toxins are said to be linked to different health issues like infertility and cancer.
- It Is Safer For The Environment
Hand washing is safer for the environment than machine washing. Washing machines are more harsh and aggressive on clothes compared to hand washing, they can damage the clothes and cause them to wear out quickly.
- It Is A Great Work Out
Hand washing comes with a lot of energy and effort. The moment you start washing your clothes by hand, you are burning some calories. Without much effort, that means you are also working out and at the same time doing the needful.
- It Is Inexpensive;
The most obvious advantage of hand washing your clothes is that it is not expensive. To even get a detergent and soaking water alone is quite affordable compared to buying a washing machine.
- It Is Personal
Some people just prefer the idea of doing laundry by themselves because it makes things feel more personal. There’s this special pride in doing things yourself. Most people think that clothes will be cleaner compared to having a machine or washer man do it for them.
- It Makes Your Clothes Last Longer
Another great advantage of hand washing is that it makes your clothes last longer without losing their colour or thickness to anything. Due to the harshness of the washing machine, it makes them lose their strength and quality while some even go as far as changing the clothes colour entirely.
Effect Of Hand Washing Your Clothes
Although many people enjoy washing their clothes by hand, but here are a few disadvantages of washing your clothes by hand.
- It Takes Time
Unlike the washing machine, washing your clothes by hand takes more time and energy. You have to scrub, clean, rinse, and spread the clothes out which all these processes cost a lot of time.
- It Causes Tears On Your Hand
Did you know hand washing of clothes causes most fingernails and hand injuries? Yes, it can. Washing clothes with your hand can be rough which can lead to sore and dry fingers and hands.
- It Is Difficult To Do The Sorthing
Washing clothes by hand requires a lot during sorting. It requires checking your pocket carefully to catch money, jewellery and many more before washing the clothes. Also, not everyone has a washing machine that can help them sort the size, colour and material.
Necessary Tools For Hand Washing Your Clothes
Generally, the necessary tool used for hand washing is your “hand”. But before you hand wash your clothes there are other important tools required for better results. Here is the list of tools required to hand wash your clothes;
- Water.
- Bucket or tub.
- Detergent or soap.
Types Of Fabrics That Can Be Hand Washed
You’ve probably asked yourself what type of fabric can I hand wash. All items that you called delicate can be hand washed.
It will even help you make the clothes last longer. But, the general way to know if a cloth can be hand washed is from the “care label”.
Note that high fashion items and delicate silk, cashmere, wool, and especially knitted clothes meet the standard of hand washing.
Washing Machine VS. Hand Washing
Without much doubt, we concluded that hand washing is way better than using a washing machine. Although washing a whole bunch of clothes by hand can be stressful and demanding, with a washing machine you have nothing to worry about.
Hand washing your clothes can save you a lot of money but not a lot of time. Hence you can use the washing machine to save time without saving your clothes.
When using the washing machine we know that you might just chunk your clothes into the washing machine once without noticing that sneaky white shirt then your white shirt will miraculously borrow colour from other clothes in the machine bleaching wit other clothes but when it comes to hand wash, you will surely see it..
Washing machine is great, easy, convenient, and it doesn’t take away your time but what about the health benefits of it on your clothes?
Can Hand Wash Remove Thick Stains On Clothes.
Hand washing can help remove some thick stains from clothes, but its effectiveness depends on the type of stain, fabric, and the specific stain removal technique used.
Here are steps you will need to remove thick stains:
- Pre-treat the stain
Before hand washing your clothes, try to pre-treat the stain with a stain remover, detergent, or a mixture of water and vinegar. Use the solution directly to the stain, rub it in, and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Soak the garment
Just in case If the stain is still there, you can soak the clothes or the stained area in a mixture of water and a stain-removing product.
- Scrub gently
After soaking the garment, then you scrub gently. Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to gently scrub the stain. Make sure you are gentle and careful not to damage the fabric.
- Wash as usual
After following these procedures, wash the garment as you would normally do. Don’t forget to follow the care instructions on the clothing label and also, an appropriate detergent for the clothes type.
- Inspect before washing
Before finally washing the clothes, check if the stain is completely gone. Washing them with stains can take your time.
Pro tips; In some cases, professional dry cleaning may be necessary if the stains may be challenging to remove completely, especially if they are delicate.
How To Choose The Right Detergent And Water Temperature For Hand Washing Your Clothes
Choosing the right detergent and water temperature for washing your clothes by hand is essential to ensure effective cleaning while preserving the clothes’s quality. Here’s a detailed guide:
How To Select the Right Detergent
When washing your clothes, it’s important to use the right detergent specifically designed for the clothes you are washing.
Detergents are designed for different specific clothes. Some detergents are designed for specific fabrics like silk or wool. If you’re washing such materials, choose a detergent tailored to them. Here are the following options to consider
- Mild Detergent
Always go for a gentle, mild detergent labelled as suitable for washing delicate clothes. This type of detergent is formulated to be less harsh on fabrics.
- Liquid Detergent
This type of detergent tends to dissolve better in water and also reduces the risk of detergent residue on your clothes.
- Baby Detergent
Mind you, if you are washing baby clothes or you have sensitive skin, consider using a hypoallergenic baby detergent.
How To Determine The Water Temperature
The temperature of the water you use can greatly impact the result of your hand wash. Here’s how to determine the water temperature for your hand wash;
- Cold Water
Make use of cold water (around 30°C or 86°F) for delicate clothes like silk, lace, or items with bright colours that might bleed. Mind you, cold water helps to prevent shrinking and colour fading.
- Warm Water
We recommend warm water for most everyday clothing items. The water should be (around 40°C or 104°F). It removes dirt and stains without being too harsh on the fabric.
- Hot Water
When it comes to heavily soiled clothes, reserve hot water (around 60°C or 140°F) for clothes like underwear or kitchen towels. Hot water is the most effective at removing grease and oils.
How Often Should I Hand Wash My Clothes?
It depends on the type of clothes you want to wash and how often you wear them. Clothes like underwear and gym clothes may need more frequent hand washing, while others can be worn multiple times before washing them.
Conclusion
Hand washing your clothes can be time-consuming and difficult, but trust us it is worth every energy used. It has a lot of advantages over machine washing, like the ability to avoid drying fabrics, removing difficult stains, and overuse of soap.
No matter how different you have this, you will still achieve the benefits mentioned above without having any issues of concern.
