How to wash clothes by hand: see step by step and tips to follow

If you are in doubt between washing clothes by hand or in the machine, due to the item you intend to wash, look at the label and see how to handle it. Now, if the situation is that you’re on a trip, on a ranch far beyond the end of the world, in a rented house on the beach, or you just don’t have a washing machine to wash your clothes; here are some tips to help you learn how to hand wash clothes.

Be aware that, before washing any clothes in any way, washing by hand will spoil the fabric if it is too sensitive or if you rub it too hard.

So the first tip here to start off on the right foot is: be careful with your clothes. Avoid some handling even if they are dry, clean and just arrived from the store. Don’t stretch them too much. Avoid pulling them by the collar and be careful when handling products that could stain them.

Putting these tips of attention that are basic and that are care that must be taken with the clothes in general, regardless of the fabric or material they are made; now learn useful tips on how to hand wash clothes in a few simple steps.

How to wash clothes by hand: see step by step and tips to follow

1. Have water

Remember that without water it is difficult to do many things, such as hand washing. So save as much as possible, be careful with waste and reuse whenever you can. And, in addition to the water that is needed, have a bucket, a basin or a tank with a lid, so that the water doesn’t run down the drain. In short, find a container that you can fill with water to use in the laundry process.

Since washing clothes in the bucket, in the shower or in the basin are similar processes, this is a tip for places you can use to sanitize your clothes. However, avoid washing very large pieces in the shower, as water is unnecessary. The shower is ideal for washing small items like underwear, panties or even socks that are not so grimy and that need more focus, strength and faith.

2. With bar soap

For those who don’t know how to wash clothes with bar soap, don’t worry. This topic is to teach you how to do it. But it is already here, beforehand, that this is a very simple and almost intuitive process. Much like taking a shower or even washing the dishes. Bar soap is easy to handle and doesn’t need a lot of water in the process of removing stains, just rinsing.

Well. For starters, have a bar soap, of course. Sort out the clothes that need more attention and soak them in water. But before that, pass the bar soap on the most stained and grimy parts of the clothes and then let them soak. The others that are not so dirty can be washed while the dirt and grime from the clothes that are soaking in the water soften.

As you wash clothes, soap the dirty parts and rub them with your hands, soaking in the bucket from time to time so that neither the clothes nor the soap dry out. In more extreme cases, use a six pack to scrub clothes or a cleaning brush (depending on the type of fabric you’re washing, of course). Then repeat this process with the clothes that were soaking. Applying soap to the dirty part and rubbing well.

After so much “rub scrub”, because the bar soap is very hard when dry, rinse well with running water. To make sure there’s no soap left, just wet your clothes and wring them out well. If it releases soapy water, it is a sign that it should be rinsed again. Repeat this process until the laundry is free of soap and lay it out on the clothesline.

Bar soap is a slightly more rustic cleaning product than powdered soap. Therefore, it is not very recommended for very delicate clothes. However, for you who want to know how to wash delicate clothes by hand using bar soap, the ideal is to soak them in a soap and water solution for a little longer than normal. Then rub lightly to remove traces of dirt, rinse and let dry.

3. Soap powder

As washing clothes by hand is simple (but laborious), the process of washing clothes by hand with washing powder is very similar to that of bar soap, but a little simpler. The difference is in the application of soap in the most grimy region, which is not necessary with soap powder.

The dilution of powdered soap in water is very important to avoid traces of soap remaining on the fabric and which can harden the clothes. Also, prefer to soak for a longer time so that the soap acts on the dirt.

After soaking for a while, rub the parts that accumulate more dirt, sweat or are more prone to soiling, such as the collar, under the arms and the bars. Rinse the pieces well under running water and wring them out well. Make sure they don’t have any traces of soap before putting them on the clothesline.

4. Soft clothing

To ensure that clothes are soft, regardless of whether they are washed with powder or bar soap, use fabric softeners. They help prevent clothes from becoming too hard and difficult to iron once they dry. In addition to leaving a nice smell of clean clothes and becoming softer when wearing them.

But, be careful with excess fabric softener in the water in which the laundry was soaked and make sure that all the soap and fabric softener residue has left in the rinse. Excess chemicals can cause itchiness and allergies, so be careful when using these cleaning products.

5. Bed linen and towels

When it comes to heavier clothing like quilts, comforters or towels; use a large bucket or tank. Put the soap you are going to use (preferably powdered soap) and add the fabric softener. Always use the amount indicated on the package. Soak for a longer time than with lighter clothing. Take another bucket or release the used water into the tank by removing the drain plug.

Rinse well, twisting part by part of this piece, keeping the rhythm. Soap and fabric softener have already acted on clothes and now it is necessary to remove this excess so that, after drying, it does not become hard, smell too strong or cause itching and allergies when used.

6. Underwear

As washing by hand is a task that can be done anywhere, for underwear such as underwear, panties, bras and socks, the process is even simpler and can be done in the shower, during the bath.

With the wet piece and the aid of bar soap, soap, shampoo or even powdered soap diluted in water, without the need for fabric softener; just rub the pieces without too much force and twist well. Afterwards, a few hours in the sun will be enough for them to be ready to use.

7. Oldies tip

And, to finish these tips on how to wash clothes by hand, here is one to stop and dry it: use a hair dryer or an iron to finish drying light clothes that are still damp. Running a hot iron a few times or blowing the dryer with hot air can help finish the drying process for your clothes.

Clean, soft and fragrant

After this lady, a class on how to wash clothes by hand, large or small items, with bar soap or powdered soap and already knowing how to use fabric softener so that the clothes don’t get hard; Be sure to comment here on the tricks you have to deal with dirty clothes, without using the washing machine! Here’s a reminder of the importance of not wasting water. Share your tips and experiences with others and, if you have any questions, write here!