How to properly wash things by hand?

Hand washing is not as popular now as it used to be, because almost everyone has a washing machine at home. But if the “assistant” breaks down, you will have to work with your hands. There are also items that should not be machine washed. Of course, modern washing machines have a delicate mode. But it does not work correctly on all machines.

What cannot be washed in a washing machine?

On the tags of some things there is an icon - a schematic representation of a basin of water in which a hand is lowered. This is what makes us give up the washing machine. In most cases, manufacturers play it safe so that they are not held liable in the event of a defect after machine washing. But sometimes a washing machine can really damage the product. Also, you should not put things with certain types of dirt into the machine.

What can't be machine washed?

• Items contaminated with oil products - gasoline, machine oil, kerosene. If they get on the rubber parts of the machine, they can corrode them. When contamination is extensive, flammable vapors can cause an explosion.
• Clothes made of leather and faux leather. The product will lose its shape and color.
• Delicate lace items (unless a delicate wash cycle is provided). Under normal conditions, the lace may tear.
• Products with a rigid shape - suits, coats, hats. But washing in a basin is also not recommended for them. Better take them to the dry cleaner.

Unlike machine washing, you can wash everything by hand.Well, or almost everything - with the exception of things that require chemical treatment.

How to prepare for the hand washing process?

If you decide to wash by hand, first prepare everything you need:

1. 2 basins;
2. detergent;
3. rinse aid;
4. latex gloves;
5. contaminated things.

Place the basin so that you do not have to bend over too much. Otherwise, your back will get tired very quickly. You can place a wide board on the sides of the bathtub or place the basin on a chair.

Rubber gloves are a must if you want to keep your hands soft and healthy. Aggressive detergents corrode the top layer of skin, after which redness and cracks appear on the hands.

How to sort contaminated items before hand washing?

Items are sorted in the same way as during machine washing. The principles of sorting are simple.

• White and colored linen are washed separately.
• Colored things are divided by color - blue to blue, red to red.
• Items made from delicate fabrics are washed separately from other items.

When hand washing, light, lightly soiled items are washed first, after which darker or soiled items are placed in the same water. The water is changed as it gets dirty.

Note!

If during washing the water becomes “colored” (green, blue, red, yellow, black or another color), your item has faded. This water must be changed, otherwise the pigments will color the fabric of the next item placed in water. You can wash items of a similar color - at your discretion.

What water temperature is required for hand washing?

The water temperature is selected not only based on the permissible washing temperature of the product. The water should not burn your hands. You can withstand a maximum of 50°C.

Tags on products are often cut off to avoid chafing the skin.You can select the correct degree of water heating based on the type of fabric.

• Natural fabrics of plant origin - linen, cotton - can be washed at any temperature and with any intensity. Things from them do not shrink or stretch out. Colored items rarely fade.
• Natural fabrics of animal origin - silk, wool. Water temperature 30-40°C. Things made from these fabrics are finicky, they need to be washed carefully and practically not wrung out, but let the water drain.
• Viscose - wash in cold water recommended. Washing temperature no more than 30°C.
• Synthetic fabrics - lavsan, acrylic, lycra. Water temperature 40-50°C.
• Combined fabrics (most often used) - cotton + nylon, wool + lavsan, etc. Washing temperature 40-50°C.

If you do not know what fabric your item is made of, wash in warm water (approximately 30-35°C).

How to choose a hand wash product?

For hand washing, choose only products that are marked accordingly.

• Powders for hand washing contain less aggressive components and are more gentle on the skin of your hands. Be sure to ensure that the powder is completely dissolved in the water. Only after this place the item in the foam solution. The powder granules are very concentrated. When they get on the fabric, they corrode it.
• Washing gel is a good solution. It dissolves quickly in water. This property is especially important for products that require hand washing at low temperatures. Powder takes longer to dissolve in cold water than in warm water.
• Laundry soap is an unfairly forgotten laundry detergent. It perfectly removes complex stains, is gentle on the skin of the hands, and does not cause allergies. The use of soap for underwear, which comes into close contact with the skin, is especially important.
• Oxygen bleach is used to remove stains from fabric. Eliminates any organic contamination while maintaining the color of the laundry. Please note that oxygen bleach is available for white and colored laundry. Don't get confused.
• Chlorine bleach is used only for white linen made from natural fabrics. It removes stains and grayness. Chlorine bleach is very aggressive, and chlorine fumes are harmful. Use it only when necessary.

It is important to know

Artificial fabrics - lavsan, lycra, acrylic - cannot be washed with products containing alkali. These include some powders (see composition) and laundry soap that contain sodium carbonate.

Natural fabrics of animal origin - wool, silk - cannot be washed with enzymes that decompose proteins. Choose special products so that your items last as long as possible.

How does the hand washing process work?

How to wash by hand? A properly performed washing process looks like this.

1. Choose a place to do your laundry. It must have access to water. Can be washed in the bathroom or outside near a water pump or well. If there is no hot water, you will have to carry hot water from the kitchen.
2. Pour water at the appropriate temperature into the basin. Add powder or gel to the water in the amount specified in the instructions. Mix by hand until foam forms. Make sure that the powder crystals are completely dissolved. If you decide to wash with soap, just place it near the basin.
3. If clothes require intensive washing, place the items in foamy water and wait 15-20 minutes. Heavily soiled items can be soaked for 2-3 hours, bed linen - overnight.
4. Rub the laundry with your hands not only in places of contamination, but also over the entire surface.You can use a washboard for washing. If you wash with laundry soap, lather the item first. You can also use soap in addition to the powder.
5. Remove the clothes from the basin by gently wringing them out and place them in the basin to rinse.
6. It is recommended to rinse clothes twice - in warm and cold water. First rinse with warm water, trying to remove as much foam as possible. Then repeat the process with cold water.
7. Lightly wring out the item to remove as much water as possible. Do not overdo it so that the item does not become deformed. Instead of spinning, delicate items can be wrapped in a dry towel, taking away the water.
8. Hang things up or put them on the dryer. If you dry your clothes in the sun, be sure to turn them inside out. Remember that wool and cashmere items stretch when dried vertically. If you don't have a dryer, lay out a towel on the table and place the item on it to dry.
9. Wait until the item is dry and remove it from the line or dryer.

Now your things are clean.

Advice

To prevent your clothes from freezing when drying outside in winter, add a handful of salt to the water during the last rinse.

Hand washing is labor-intensive work. Arm yourself with the knowledge to simplify this process, and washing will no longer be an unloved activity.