How to wash laundry by hand

Laundry can also be done without a washing machine. It may seem tedious, but it certainly offers several advantages:

Save energy and water.
No you risk ruining delicate items such as wool, silk, cashmere or clothes with decorations.
You can concentrate the wash directly on stubborn stains, increasing effectiveness without having to repeat an entire wash cycle
With targeted washing and warm water you can often use less detergent, or opt for natural alternatives such as Marseille soap, baking soda or vinegar.

Index of topics

Classic hand wash

There are three ways to wash your laundry by hand with good results: the classic method, the one with a bag and water, or the “rubbing” technique.

In the case of classic washing, proceed as follows:

needed:

Tub, sink or bucket
Laundry detergent
Hot or warm water

Procedure:

Fill the container with warm water and add the detergent.
Submerge the clothes and let them soak for 10–30 minutes.
Gently rub the dirtiest areas.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water until the soap is removed.
Squeeze gently (do not twist too much to avoid deforming the fabrics).
Lay out to air dry.

Washing with bag and water

This method is used effectively when you don't want to rub the clothes too much.

Place the cloths in a resealable bag with water and detergent.
Shake vigorously for a few minutes, then leave to soak.
Rinse and dry.

“Friction” washing

This is a wash that works very well if the clothes are particularly dirty.

Lay the garment out on a flat surface.
Apply the cleaner directly to the stains.
Scrub with a soft brush or your hands.
Rinse and dry.

Detergent and natural alternatives

The amount of detergent must be in any case very contained, and must be mixed well with water to ensure it dissolves completely. As an alternative to the industrial product, more natural and sustainable solutions can be used for hand washing:

In some cases, think of a pair of socks, the clothes can be washed with just water, which already has a high cleaning power, increased by the strength of the machine.
If the laundry is particularly dirty, it can be treated in the basin with sapone of Marseille and perhaps add some sodium percarbonate. The wash can be completed using vinegar or citric acid.
In the basin for hand washing, instead of detergent you can also add some sodium bicarbonate that degreases.
To deodorize clothes, you can use an essential oil of your choice, which releases its pleasant scent.

How to disinfect laundry by hand

If it becomes necessary Disinfecting laundry by hand: You can use natural, homemade antibacterials that sanitize and are safe for your skin. Baking soda is perfect; just add two tablespoons to the washing machine drum or even the basin if you're hand-washing. Then, let it dissolve and then soak your laundry. Baking soda sanitizes and is an odor-removing agent.

Washing soda is also excellent, dissolve it in hot water and then soak your laundry in it.
For hand washing, hydrogen peroxide is also effective, perhaps added to the detergent, for a whitening action on yellowed clothes.
The vinegar White disinfects, eliminates odors, and can even be used in the washing machine instead of fabric softener, simply by pouring it into the appropriate drum. For hand washing, place it in a basin.
Il tea tree oilEssential oils such as lavender, sage, or thyme have antifungal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Simply add a few drops to your handwashing basin and let your clothes soak for a few minutes.

How to do laundry without using the washing machine