Washing machines have been a modern luxury for the past 100 years and one that most people aren’t ready to live without. Still, there may be times when you find yourself with a broken washer or in a place without laundry facilities.
Before the 1900s, most people washed their clothes in tubs with washing boards or in bodies of water. Today, if you’re in a pinch, you can get your clothes fresh and clean with the help of laundry soap and a sink or bathtub.
How to Hand Wash Your Clothes Like a Pro
Before hand washing your clothes, check the care tag. Most clothes are well-suited for hand washing, with the exception of dry-clean-only garments.
Step 1: Fill the Sink with LukeWarm Water and Mix in Detergent
Fill a sink or bathtub with lukewarm water. For large loads, turn to the bathtub. For small loads, turn to the sink.
Add in the appropriate amount of laundry detergent and swish with a wooden spoon to combine. (Use powdered or liquid detergent — don’t use laundry pods for handwashing. If you don’t have laundry detergent, use a few drops of mild dish soap.)
Step 2: Submerge and Agitate the Clothing
Submerge the clothing in the water. Choose a piece of clothing and use your hands to squeeze it up and down with gentle force, working the suds through it. Do this several times per item. Finally, use your hand or spoon to swish the piece of clothing around the water.
Step 3: Rinse the Clothing
Drain the soapy water and fill the sink or tub with fresh water. Add the clothing and swirl it to rinse the laundry detergent. If there’s a sprayer connected to your sink, drain the water and spray each item as an extra rinse.
Step 4: Hand Wring and Dry Flat
After draining the water, use your hands to wring excess moisture from each item. If you have access to a dryer, add all clothes and dry them as usual. If you don’t have access to a dryer, lay your clothing items flat on top of dry towels, turning them over when they’re halfway dry.
