Many have long talked about the days of washing clothes by hand. This is because washers and dryers have delicate settings on the machines. That said, from time to time you may notice that the particular setting doesn’t wash your clothes well enough or, worse yet, tears them. Sometimes a job can only be done by hand if you want them to be very clean and still preserved.

That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide to washing your clothes by hand. It is not enough to put them in water and it is better to avoid certain detergents! Let’s start by learning how to wash clothes by hand!

How To Wash Clothes By Hand in the Sink

If you’re wondering how to wash clothes by hand in the bathtub, it’s pretty much the same process, but reserve the bathtub for large loads of clothes that you need to wash at once. It’s best to wash in small amounts because you can refresh the water more frequently, since a bathtub may not remove as much dirt and grime. After all, they are all sitting together in the same water.

Step 1: Start by separating your clothes into categories

When washing clothes by hand, it is best to separate them into categories; colors and whites. It is important to wash them in separate batches as each category may have slightly different instructions.

Pulled apart:

Sweaters
Intimate
Pants
shirts
Blouses
Socks
leggings

Step 2: What to use to wash clothes by hand

There are a few methods you can use to wash your clothes by hand. Let’s go over all your options.

You can use the normal liquid or powder detergent that you would use in your washing machine. Instead of putting it in the washing machine, you’ll simply add it directly to the sink water with your clothes and mix it by hand.
If you want to avoid laundry detergents that may contain synthetic fragrances and toxins, you can make your own laundry detergent. It is best for pets and children.
If none of these options appeal to you, you can choose a more environmentally friendly laundry detergent that does not contain harmful ingredients. Since you’re unlikely to find it in stores, you may need to order directly from the company or from sites like Amazon.

How to wash clothes by hand without detergent

Here’s a simple homemade laundry detergent recipe that works great.

What do you need

Borax
castile soap
soda ash
a grater

How to do it

Grate a bar of Castile soap or a bar of unscented organic laundry soap so it can be easily mixed into a powder.
Combine this with one packet of borax and one packet of baking soda.
For fragrance, you can add a few drops of rosehip or lavender oil.
Combine them all together. You only need ½ cup per load!

This is just one way to make homemade laundry detergent! There are a few variations you can try!

Step 3: What is the correct way to wash clothes by hand?

Now it’s time to clean your clothes. Here we’ll cover different types of clothing so you know exactly what to do. Tip: washing your stuffed animals by hand is not a bad idea either.

Let’s start with the sink. Always fill the sink with a little less room temperature water. Warm water can fade stains. Each item of clothing should have a label with the recommended temperature, and clothing groups generally have roughly the same instructions. When it’s low, opt for colder rather than warmer.

How to wash underwear by hand

Underwear may be delicate, but it requires a really good cleaning. These are the best practices for washing underwear.

In this case, you will need to fill the sink with lukewarm water. This will help kill bacteria. It is important to kill bacteria to avoid getting a urinary tract infection.
Use a generous amount of detergent, whatever type you have. It’s essential to make sure your underwear absorbs it. Mix the detergent by hand into the water, making sure everything comes into contact with the underwear.
Let your underwear soak for 30 minutes. If you want to add hotter water, now might be a good time to do so.
After 30 minutes, empty the sink and rinse away any remaining suds with lukewarm or colder water now that the bacteria is gone. Be sure to gently rub the underwear fabric to rinse away any remaining dirt.
Remove the water with your hands and place it aside on an evenly distributed dry towel.

For hard-to-remove stains, like menstrual stains, apply the detergent directly to those areas and let it soak.

How to wash bras and lingerie by hand

Bras and lingerie are some of the most delicate. Scrubbing can cause tearing and depreciation of materials. The process is a little different than underwear because underwear can withstand slightly more aggressive techniques.

Fill your sink with cold water. Hot water can melt materials and many underwear have metal or plastic wires in the bras that can be affected by hot water. This can ruin the shape of the lingerie.
It is important to mix the right detergent here that will not add stains. If possible, opt for a colorless detergent. Never use bleach.
Wash your hands gently, stir the water and let the lingerie soak for 20 minutes.
Don’t use the same thing you would use for underwear. It can also stretch and ruin the shape. Gently dry the underwear with towels to absorb water before letting them air dry.

How to wash socks by hand

Our leggings are our end. We use them for exercise and we use them for our daily activities. There’s nothing worse than when fabric gets damaged in the wash. We want them to retain their elasticity, so here’s what you can do to hand wash them. The same goes for mesh stockings.

Fill your sink with cold water and a generous amount of laundry detergent. A generous amount is recommended as this type of clothing is worn a lot.
You never want to rub your tights or leggings. It is important to use gentle hand movements with the detergent and water to remove dirt and residue.
Drain the water and repeat steps 1 and 2 for an extra clean feeling.
Don’t try to squeeze the water out when you’re done. Simply let the clean water rinse away the foam then place it on an absorbent towel. After a few hours of drying, hang them on a clothesline to speed up the process.

How to wash a sweater by hand

Sweaters made from cashmere or softer fabrics require tender love and care that a washing machine simply cannot provide. That’s what you should do.

Fill your sink with cold water. Add a small amount of detergent. It’s important in this case not to overload the water with detergent because our sweaters probably won’t get too dirty and you don’t want them to absorb too much detergent.
Let the sweater soak in cold water for only 10 to 15 minutes. That’s enough time.
Using cold water, rinse the sweater while draining the water. It’s important not to let the sweater get stuck near the drain, as this could cause it to get stuck.
You can gently squeeze out some water and let it air dry for best results.

How to Hand Wash Delicate Shirts

Work blouses and shirts should be washed by hand, although many people throw them in the washing machine. This is because they lose their color shape when pulled too much.

Using room temperature water is fine. This will help kill bacteria, because during the warmer work months your clothes will likely sweat a little more.
Use a generous amount of detergent to help clean shirts thoroughly.
These materials can withstand a little more friction than underwear because they are sturdier materials.
Let the sink drain, rinse and wring out any excess water before hanging it to dry. When you don’t wring out the water, in this case it may cause wrinkles.

Delicate shirts can look a lot like jackets in the wash. Materials matter. Hand washing a leather jacket and hand washing a suede jacket require different processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The process of washing clothes by hand is not complicated, but it is worth asking a few questions. These questions and answers can help you avoid making costly mistakes. Here’s what you need to know.

Q: Does washing clothes by hand make them clean?

A: Absolutely! Washing your hands is often better than using the washing machine itself if done correctly. Some washers end up not cleaning clothes as much. When you do it by hand, you ensure the job is done and you don’t risk messing it up.

Of course, if you just soak your clothes in water without a cleaning solution and don’t take the time to mix them, you end up with a different problem.

Q: Do you wash clothes by hand in hot or cold water?

A: Most of the time, it is better to use cold water rather than hot water because the materials may allow shrinkage. However, in situations where a lot of bacteria needs to be eliminated, hot water is the solution.

These are your things, like underwear and everyday shirts, that can withstand the temperatures. However, the manufacturer’s label must specify the temperature needed to wash the clothes.

Q: How long should you wash clothes by hand?

A: Most clothes take between 30 and 45 minutes to wash by hand. Most of this is done by soaking. That being said, the difference is that you can’t wash everything together like you could in a washing machine. So a particular group of clothes might take 30-45 minutes, but then you have to wait and move on to the next group. This can build up over time, so you need to spend time on it when washing clothes by hand.

Q: How to dry hand-washed clothes

A: The best way to dry clothes by hand is to dry them gently at first when they come out of the sink. They take a clothesline and hang it up. If there is sunshine and a slight breeze, even better. This will get the job done quickly. Plus, it’s better for the environment.