How to Hand Wash Clothes: Preserving Delicate Fabrics with Expert Techniques
Hand-washing clothes is an important skill that everyone should hone. It has many advantages, such as preventing clothes from fading, shrinking, tearing, and energy efficiency.
In a study, Ask Wonder noted that about 4% of people in North America wash their clothes by hand, and 82% use washing machines. Here is an exclusive guide on hand-washing clothes that will help you maintain the quality of your clothes.
Types Of Fabrics You Should Know and How To Wash Them
Improper washing techniques cause most fabric damage in households. Fabrics like silk, wool, and cashmere have different characteristics you should know before washing them.
For instance, silk loses its luster when exposed to higher temperatures or abrasive detergents due to its natural protein fibers used during manufacturing. Fabrics like wool and cashmere, which are made from animal hair, tend to shrink when exposed to heat.
Must-Have Tools and Materials For Hand Washing Clothes
Ensure that you have mild detergents suitable for washing delicate fabrics, as regular detergents may contain harmful chemicals that may break down fibers. Also, have a clean washing basin, towels to dry your clothes and prevent them from stretching, and cold water to help wash.
Step By Step Process on How to Hand Wash Clothes
Sort You Clothes by Fabric Type And Color
Separate your clothes based on fabric type and color to prevent clothes with different sensitivities, like dye, from transferring to the rest during washing. You don’t want dark silks on your white wool garment. Different fabrics, like silk, are prone to bleeding, while fabrics like wool absorb dye during washing.
Pre Treat Stains
Pre-treat stains using small amounts of specialized stain remover or detergents before washing. Detergents like baking soda can treat wet and odorous stains like coffee. White vinegar is suitable for all-natural pre-washing purposes, and hydrogen peroxide can break all stains into water and oxygen to lift the stains from fabrics.
Fill the Basin with Water and Detergent
Fill your washing basin with enough cold water and add the recommended amount of washing detergent. Cold water is essential and friendly when washing delicate clothes. Hot water causes silk and wool to lose their sheen and shrink.
Milde detergents help ensure you’re not stripping the fabrics with their natural oils, which helps maintain the softness and durability of clothes like wool and cashmere.
Gently Wash the Clothes
Dip your cloth and gently swish it around the treated water. Leave the garment to soak for a few minutes, and avoid rubbing it to prevent stretching. Avoid washing heavy and light clothes together to prevent stains from transferring.
Rinse the Cloth To Remove Soap and Residue
Dip the clothes in a basin filled with cold water to rinse the fabric and remove any soap remaining after washing. Repeat the process until the rinsing water runs crystal clear.
Rinsing the clothes is important, as leftover detergents on them during washing stiffen them, eventually degrading their quality.
Dry The Clothes
Avoid wringing the clothes when drying. Wringing distorts their shape. Gently press the cloth or roll it in a towel to absorb moisture.
Some clothes, like silk, are sensitive to direct sunlight, and the UV rays from the direct sunlight cause the fabric color to fade. Instead, hang them away from direct sunlight.
Storing The Clothes After Drying
After drying the clothes, store them in a clean and dry place to prevent mold from growing. Fabrics like cashmere and wool can be stored in cedar blocks. Padded hangers are a good storage option for silk garments. Properly storing your clothes can extend their lifespan and quality.
