How to Hand Wash Clothes When Washer is Broken
When your washing machine breaks, the easy answer of how to wash clothes is to take them to the nearby laundromat. However, if you don’t have the convenience of a nearby laundromat, there is still a way to take care of your dirty clothes. Handwashing is a simple and effective way to get your clothes clean without the electricity or mechanical parts of a washing machine.
Steps to Hand Wash Clothes
- Sort. Before you start handwashing, it’s important to sort your clothes by color. Separate light-colored and white items from darker items, such as blues and black.
- Add Detergent. Fill a sink or large basin with cool water and add a small amount of liquid laundry detergent. If you prefer a natural solution, you can make a paste of water and baking soda instead of using detergent.
- Soak. Allow clothes to soak for 15-30 minutes so the water and detergent can penetrate the fabric and lift the dirt.
- Gently Agitate. Using your hands, move the items of clothing around in the water and lightly rub the fabric together. This will help release and remove the dirt, but be careful not to scrub or rub too hard or you could damage the fabric.
- Rinse. Carefully remove the clothes and rinse them out in cool clean water until the suds have disappeared and the water runs clear.
- Repeat. If your items are still dirty, repeat soaking, gently agitating and rinsing until your clothes are clean.
- Lay Out to Dry. To prevent damage and shrinkage, air dry your hand washed items by laying them out on a towel.
Tips
- Test Fabric. Before you hand wash, check the care instructions on the clothing label. This will give you an idea of the proper temperature for washing and whether the fabric should be submerged in water or gently dabbed with a cloth instead.
- Cold Water. Use cold or cool water when washing, as this will help prevent colors from running while also saving on energy costs.
- Air Dry. If you want to dry your clothes faster, wrap them in a towel and gently squeeze out the excess water to speed up the air drying process.
Handwashing can be an effective and efficient way to take care of your clothes when you don’t have a washing machine. While it may seem like a lot of extra work, being mindful of how you are washing and drying your items will help extend their life.