Guide to hand washing: how to care for your favorite clothes.

Many of you ask us how you should wash certain types of clothing by hand. In this article we want to share with you some tips on how to wash your favorite clothes, so that they maintain their original appearance for as long as possible and last longer.

Is it good to wash clothes by hand?

In the washing machine, even if you wash on a short program, the clothes undergo a harsh process. It's not just because of temperature or time. but because of the sudden movements inside the drum. These movements can alter the fibers, seams or shapes of the garments, causing irreversible damage in some cases. On the other hand, when you wash by hand you have full control of the clothes you wash and you can adjust the way you do it. For example, when you want to remove a stain, you can concentrate the wash on that specific point, without having to wash the rest of the garment.

What fabrics should be washed by hand?

All seemingly "delicate" garments. However, the most general way to define whether clothes should be washed by hand or not is described on the label with the manufacturer's recommendations. Normally haute couture garments, silk, cashmere and merino wool meet all the requirements to be hand washed.

 

Can “dry clean only” clothing be washed by hand?

Many items that have the "dry clean only" symbol can be washed by hand. This indication on the labels assures manufacturers of their responsibility against damage to the garment in other types of washing.

However, in many cases, these types of garments can be washed perfectly by hand. Never attempt to hand wash a garment that says 'dry clean only' on the label, as these fabrics can usually be damaged by water. If for any reason you decide to hand wash these types of garments, we recommend that you find out how they will react to water; If you don't find anything against it, it should always be able to be hand washed very gently.

Summary for washing clothes by hand:

Wash

• Pre-treat any stains and/or soak the garment if you think it is necessary.
• Fill your sink or a container with warm water.
• Soak the garment, gently pressing it into the water so that the soap penetrates through all the fibers.
• Let it soak for about 15 minutes and repeat the previous step so that the water and detergent penetrate the fabric again.
• Pour in the water and detergent. Rinse clothes with cold water.
• Finish rinsing with water until no soap residue remains.

 

Dry off

• Gently press the clothing to release excess water (do not twist the garment excessively).
• Wrap the garment in a terry towel to release water.
• Gently stretch the garment, being careful to focus on the seams, collars and cuffs.
• You should dry them by placing them on a flat surface.

At Home Healthy Home we like to take maximum care of your favorite garments and for this reason, all our soaps are also recommended so that you can wash them by hand.