Difference between revisions of "Wash Clothes without a Washing Machine"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Washing Normal Clothing by Hand=== | ===Washing Normal Clothing by Hand=== | ||
| − | #Consider buying or making an agitator. It's not difficult to wash a load of laundry without any tools, but it can be tedious. If you plan to wash all your laundry by hand, especially towels, jeans, and other heavy items of clothing, you may wish to use a handheld agitator, which is simply a plastic tool useful for pressing and moving the clothes. If you cannot find one in a store, look online or make your own by cutting a few holes in the rubber of a brand-new plunger.<ref>http://cleaningouttheclutter.com/2013/05/washing-clothes-by-hand-and-tips-for-line-drying/</ref> | + | #Consider buying or making an agitator. It's not difficult to wash a load of laundry without any tools, but it can be tedious. If you plan to wash all your laundry by hand, especially towels, jeans, and other heavy items of clothing, you may wish to use a handheld agitator, which is simply a plastic tool useful for pressing and moving the clothes. If you cannot find one in a store, look online or make your own by cutting a few holes in the rubber of a brand-new plunger.<ref name="rf1">http://cleaningouttheclutter.com/2013/05/washing-clothes-by-hand-and-tips-for-line-drying/</ref> |
#*'''Note:''' You may use these instructions whether or not you have an agitator. | #*'''Note:''' You may use these instructions whether or not you have an agitator. | ||
#Separate the white and colored clothing (recommended). Washing clothes by hand usually involves lower temperatures and less agitation than most washing machines, so there is less risk of color bleeding. It can still occur, however, so separating white and light pastel clothing from darker colored clothing is recommended. | #Separate the white and colored clothing (recommended). Washing clothes by hand usually involves lower temperatures and less agitation than most washing machines, so there is less risk of color bleeding. It can still occur, however, so separating white and light pastel clothing from darker colored clothing is recommended. | ||
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#Fill the bucket with lukewarm water. Fill until the water level is about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) above the level of the clothing. Unless the clothing is both sturdy and heavily soiled, do not use hot water. Lukewarm or even room temperature water will work fine for most laundry loads, and reduces the chance of damaging or color bleeding. | #Fill the bucket with lukewarm water. Fill until the water level is about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) above the level of the clothing. Unless the clothing is both sturdy and heavily soiled, do not use hot water. Lukewarm or even room temperature water will work fine for most laundry loads, and reduces the chance of damaging or color bleeding. | ||
#*If you are not certain whether an article of clothing can be washed in warm water, play it safe and use cool water instead. | #*If you are not certain whether an article of clothing can be washed in warm water, play it safe and use cool water instead. | ||
| − | #Add laundry detergent. If you are using a bucket or sink, you likely only need one to two tsp (5–10mL) mild detergent or washing powder. If you have enough clothing to require a bathtub, use 4 tbsp (60 mL) instead, or follow the instruction on the package.<ref | + | #Add laundry detergent. If you are using a bucket or sink, you likely only need one to two tsp (5–10mL) mild detergent or washing powder. If you have enough clothing to require a bathtub, use 4 tbsp (60 mL) instead, or follow the instruction on the package.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*If your detergent is not labeled "mild," or if you have sensitive skin, wear rubber gloves to prevent rashes or itching. | #*If your detergent is not labeled "mild," or if you have sensitive skin, wear rubber gloves to prevent rashes or itching. | ||
#Let the clothing soak. The detergent will take time to work, so leave the tub of water alone for at least twenty minutes. If your clothing has a significant amount of dirt or stains, you may wish to leave it for up to an hour. | #Let the clothing soak. The detergent will take time to work, so leave the tub of water alone for at least twenty minutes. If your clothing has a significant amount of dirt or stains, you may wish to leave it for up to an hour. | ||
| − | #Swish the clothing around in the water. Using either your hands or a simple agitator tool, move the clothing gently around in the water. Press the clothing against the bottom or sides until suds emerge, but try not to scrub or twist it, as this could stretch the clothes.<ref>http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/clothes/how-to-wash-clothes-by-hand/</ref> Do this for about two minutes, or until the clothing is clean. | + | #Swish the clothing around in the water. Using either your hands or a simple agitator tool, move the clothing gently around in the water. Press the clothing against the bottom or sides until suds emerge, but try not to scrub or twist it, as this could stretch the clothes.<ref name="rf2">http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/clothes/how-to-wash-clothes-by-hand/</ref> Do this for about two minutes, or until the clothing is clean. |
#Rinse repeatedly in new, cool water. Empty the water from the container, and fill with cool water. Continue moving the clothing around in the same way, pressing to remove the soap suds. After a couple of minutes, drain again and repeat an additional one or two times. Once no soap suds are visible when the clothing is moved or pressed, the clothes are ready to dry. | #Rinse repeatedly in new, cool water. Empty the water from the container, and fill with cool water. Continue moving the clothing around in the same way, pressing to remove the soap suds. After a couple of minutes, drain again and repeat an additional one or two times. Once no soap suds are visible when the clothing is moved or pressed, the clothes are ready to dry. | ||
#*If you are filling the container from a faucet, you may start rinsing before it's full by holding clothing in the running water. | #*If you are filling the container from a faucet, you may start rinsing before it's full by holding clothing in the running water. | ||
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===Washing and Drying Wool or Delicate Clothing=== | ===Washing and Drying Wool or Delicate Clothing=== | ||
#Fill a container with cool water. If you are only washing a few pieces of clothing, you only need enough water to submerge them one at a time. You may use a washing tub or bucket, or scrub a sink clean and put in a stopper. Some delicate clothing may be damaged by warm water, so only use cool unless the clothing is heavily stained. | #Fill a container with cool water. If you are only washing a few pieces of clothing, you only need enough water to submerge them one at a time. You may use a washing tub or bucket, or scrub a sink clean and put in a stopper. Some delicate clothing may be damaged by warm water, so only use cool unless the clothing is heavily stained. | ||
| − | #*Alternatively, if you only have a couple pieces of lingerie or other small items, bring them into a cool or lukewarm shower.<ref>http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/how-to-clean-undergarments-delicates-10000001721821/index.html</ref> | + | #*Alternatively, if you only have a couple pieces of lingerie or other small items, bring them into a cool or lukewarm shower.<ref name="rf3">http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/how-to-clean-undergarments-delicates-10000001721821/index.html</ref> |
| − | #If your water is hard, add a little borax or baking soda. Hard water leaves a white, mineral residue on pipes, sinks, and dishes after heavy use. If this happens with your water, counteract this effect on delicate clothing by stirring in a spoonful of powdered borax.<ref>http://texeresilk.com/article/silk_care_cleaning_washing</ref> Baking soda is less effective, but has a similar ability to soften water. | + | #If your water is hard, add a little borax or baking soda. Hard water leaves a white, mineral residue on pipes, sinks, and dishes after heavy use. If this happens with your water, counteract this effect on delicate clothing by stirring in a spoonful of powdered borax.<ref name="rf4">http://texeresilk.com/article/silk_care_cleaning_washing</ref> Baking soda is less effective, but has a similar ability to soften water. |
| − | #Add a tiny amount of mild soap. Mix in a few drops of extra mild detergent or soap, stirring until a few suds are visible. If you are not sure whether your detergent is mild, baby shampoo is a good option, and normal shampoo is suitable.<ref | + | #Add a tiny amount of mild soap. Mix in a few drops of extra mild detergent or soap, stirring until a few suds are visible. If you are not sure whether your detergent is mild, baby shampoo is a good option, and normal shampoo is suitable.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Measure wool or cashmere clothing before washing. Material that can absorb a great deal of water, most notably wool and cashmere, will typically change size and shape in the wash. This can be counteracted by drying it in the correct position, but in order to do this you will need to know the correct size of the clothing.<ref>http://www.marthastewart.com/997076/hand-wash-cashmere-sweater</ref> | + | #Measure wool or cashmere clothing before washing. Material that can absorb a great deal of water, most notably wool and cashmere, will typically change size and shape in the wash. This can be counteracted by drying it in the correct position, but in order to do this you will need to know the correct size of the clothing.<ref name="rf5">http://www.marthastewart.com/997076/hand-wash-cashmere-sweater</ref> |
#*Measure a sweater's width at the neck, shoulders, and base. Measure the length of the sleeves. | #*Measure a sweater's width at the neck, shoulders, and base. Measure the length of the sleeves. | ||
#*Make a rough sketch labeled with your measurements for sweaters or other articles of clothing that require several measurements. | #*Make a rough sketch labeled with your measurements for sweaters or other articles of clothing that require several measurements. | ||
| − | #Gently press each article of clothing under the water. Some materials, such as silk or elastic, will last longer if you minimize the amount of time it spends soaking, so try not to spend more than a few minutes on each item unless there is still visible dirt on the clothing.<ref | + | #Gently press each article of clothing under the water. Some materials, such as silk or elastic, will last longer if you minimize the amount of time it spends soaking, so try not to spend more than a few minutes on each item unless there is still visible dirt on the clothing.<ref name="rf4" /> Swish gently back and forth, pressing or squeezing lightly. |
| − | #Rinse the clothing. Squeeze out the soapy water by balling up the article of clothing and compressing gently.<ref>http://www.marthastewart.com/269927/how-to-hand-wash-a-sweater</ref> Dip it in clean water without soap, then squeeze it again. Repeat until no suds are visible when you squeeze. | + | #Rinse the clothing. Squeeze out the soapy water by balling up the article of clothing and compressing gently.<ref name="rf6">http://www.marthastewart.com/269927/how-to-hand-wash-a-sweater</ref> Dip it in clean water without soap, then squeeze it again. Repeat until no suds are visible when you squeeze. |
#Learn how to dry wool or cashmere clothing. Lay out a large, white towel and arrange your article of clothing on top of it. Refer to your measurements from before washing and gently tug the clothing into its original shape. Roll up the towel around the item in this shape, then press the towel to remove excess moisture. Place the towel on a water-safe surface away from heat, unroll it, and leave the clothing to dry on top of the towel. | #Learn how to dry wool or cashmere clothing. Lay out a large, white towel and arrange your article of clothing on top of it. Refer to your measurements from before washing and gently tug the clothing into its original shape. Roll up the towel around the item in this shape, then press the towel to remove excess moisture. Place the towel on a water-safe surface away from heat, unroll it, and leave the clothing to dry on top of the towel. | ||
#*A colored towel may stain wet wool or cashmere. | #*A colored towel may stain wet wool or cashmere. | ||
