Hand washing clothes

Gordon

Woohoo - I have a personal issue!

So...

I don't have a washing machine and I live in a country that doesn't have launderettes. Henceforth, therefore, can anyone provide me with tips on handwashing clothes?

I currently use the handwashing soapy flaky stuff with hot water and rinse about three or four times with hot water until the water isn't soapy anymore.

However, I have been moving onto leaving the clothes in soapy water for a day or two - partly down to being busy and partly down to hearing that it is good to do this.

So, is there a better way, because my clothes don't ever seem fresh and clean these days. Or am I doing it correctly so far.

:dunno:

Sorry, crap thread really now that I think about it. I could have gone even more boring by talking about my mouldy flat but I won't.

Capt'n Midnight

If you switch to biological detergent (enzymes in the ingridents list) be sure to wear gloves that stuff can give dermatitis - skin is made of protein and the enzymes are there to break down the protein in grass and blood stains (though as someone pointed if you have blood and grass stains on your cloths - you probably have more important issues than having your whites white.)

On hols in portugal many moons ago they had these concrete wash basins with a roughened area to rub the cloths against - are you using a smooth basin ?

Fabreeze or one of those smelly sprays ?

Gordon

Hmm, my hands do feel a bit funny after washing. Guess I'll need gloves.

I just use a bucket tbh, a concrete washbasin like that would be heaven..

Fabreez? I don't really like these post-washing cover up smells, I'd rather get the clothes clean at the source (not that they smell of course, as I am naturally sweet in every way). Maybe I should try the stuff people put in the washing machine after it does the wash - like hair conditioner for clothes?

Beruthiel

poor Gordie
ya
I'd go with the biological detergent as CM suggested and when you are doing your first rinse throw in a little Comfort (conditioner for clothes ) or whatever the Greek equivalent is, it gives your clothes a nicer smell, then rinse away as you have been doing.
and yes, get yourself some gloves

I suppose there's no chance of buying a washing machine or getting the landlord to buy one? :dunno:

catspring

i'm guessing that if the country doesn't have laundrettes then quite a few people must be in your situation, and, in the hope that my first assumtion was right, then the shops prolly have a lot of handwashing stuff, compared to here, so (finally) could you not get one of those wooden thingies that they used here back in the olden days with the ridges on 'em? they kinda look like those wee wooden toys that toddlers get with the spinning blocks wityh the alphabet on them....

ok, erm, i've just read my reply and i don't s'pose you'll understand it.... brain not functioning the best today... :rolleyes:

Beruthiel

perhaps you mean one of these?

ferdi

http://hundorp.homestead.com/files/washboard.jpg
now thats old school.

bug

I don't have a washing machine and I live in a country that doesn't have launderettes. Henceforth, therefore, can anyone provide me with tips on handwashing clothes?

its mad how many males in their 20/30's dont know how to handwash clothes, or even doubt their ability to do it right. I mean suds....dump it in..swirl it round or pumel it, rinse out suds, spin/wring. isnt it logical common sense..I dunno..I remember the days when men were men and pansy was the name of a flower/end owlone rant.

use something really suddy..for some bizarre reason though the rest of europe hasnt discovered proper handwashing powder, they still use that stuff that, when you wash your clothes in it and dry them, they hurt you because theyre so stiff and coarse. Its usually called "vim" or "whizz" or other suspect brandnames.

Just go swimming in your clothes Gordon. failing that get a bar of sunlight soap. and use the handle on the side of the bath, catch your clothes underneath and pull them through, that gets rid of most of the water.

Gordon

Bru - no chance of that!
Catspring - people here either have a washing machine or get their parents to do their washing. But the washboard - thats a fantastic idea, I didn't even think of that. Plus it doubles as a musical instrument too. 'Shampoo AND conditioner'.

Bug - You are right - I'm going to try dunking them in a mucky puddle like wot real men do..

Heh, I checked out the supermarket for names:
Dixan
Superskot
Omo
Rol "forever black"
Pastra
Soupline (my all time favourite)
Differ soap
And I saw some sanitary towels called 'Slipad'.

Thanks for the advice - I'm going to try and find a skeety washboard.

coolio_64

hi
havbe a washing machine

its whirlpool anyone want to tell me how to use it?

Gordon

Put the big long stringy type thing that has a strange plastic bobble at the end with three metal spikes coming out of it - into the wall in a place that has holes similar to the shape of the three spiky things.

Paddy20

As a confirmed bachelor. I used too do my washing by hand. Steep overnight in hot soapy water with some 'Omo' ! I remember it well. However, in the end I had to give in and got a washing machine .

It was either that or get a slave :dunno:

P. :ninja:

Silent Grape

where are u living, Gordon?

Gordon

Athens - Greece.

Does the steeping actually make any difference? I can't tell.

Capt'n Midnight

Omo used to be here too
Dixan big brand in Italy

Are Lux soap flakes for hand wash ?


Have a look at the manufacture on the side of the packet - apart from own brands and the likes of Lidl and Aldi most detergents etc., back in Ireland are made by Lever or Proctor & Gamble - ie. just two brands despite all the advertising and pretty boxes..

Do any of the locals take in washing - you could try to find someone who does ironing and beging the investigations there...

Paddy20

Re: Steeping ?..

Take it from me steeping takes a lot of the hard work out of washing by hand as long as you remember the soap flakes and hot water also 'one night only'.

I remember I had to use a damned nailbrush on the shirt collars and cuffs, and in the end I had it down to a fine art of steeping one of each vital item per night, small amounts of hand washing makes it lighter work. A little each day instead of trying too do a ruddy weeks wash all in one day makes for a happier life.

Best investment I ever made was in an automatic washing machine. They must have those in Greece

A local washerwoman is probably available. Trouble is they usually want to wash you as well

Good luck.

P. :ninja:

Seraphina

am i the only one who sees a business opportunity here?

Paddy20

Re Taking in washing ?..

Women 'Taking in washing' is one of the oldest "business opps" around, except of course for the other oldest profession.

I remember when I was a young lad in Donegal. There was no shortage of women who took in washing for a fee, mind you there were no washing machines then, and times have really changed. Most of the women around here now seem too go out to work and earn darn good money.

Although, I have noticed a sign in my local 'Dry Cleaners' window. Stating " Weekly laundry/clothes washing service available at reasonable rates "

P. :ninja:

Walter Ego

Originally posted by Paddy20
Steep overnight in hot soapy water with some 'Omo' !

Should this be in the Lesbian Gay Omosexual Forum? .:D

Trojan

Find yourself a nice Greek woman...?

aidan_walsh

A guy in my year once built his own washing machine. He got an old bucket, a mop handle, a box of detergent, a kettle and a Tip-Ex pen.

He put the lot in close proximity to each other, and used the pen to write "Whirlpool" on the side of the bucket.

Instant washing machine...

neuro-praxis

I handwash clothes quite a bit because I like fabrics like linen that don't fare well in the old washing machine.

I would only advise you to soak clothes when they have a very stubborn stain on them. There's no need to soak them otherwise and it doesn't really help.

I would advise using powder, not flakes. It is better with hard water and less harsh on fabric. Use gloves, and make sure the water is hot (but not boiling).

Just use your hands to wash them. Dunk, ruffle, lift, dunk ruffle, lift, until the water is dirty. Use ordinary soap on the specific area for any stubborn stain. If you want your whites to be really white, you can soak them for a short time (say an hour) in a solution of bleach and water. If the fabric is really crap though, the chemicals in the bleach will wreck it. However, I bleach my white cotton shirts and tank tops etc and they are fine. Sparkly!

Then rinse them a couple of times - first in warm water til all the suds are out and a last rinse in cold water.

Then take Bug's advice and squeeze it through the handle on the side of the bath to get the water out. If you have no handle on the bath, use your hands to squeeze out as much as possible.

If you leave them bundled up in a basket for a while they won't smell fresh. So, after the final cold rinse, squeeze well and immediately hang them up to dry. If you have no outdoor washing line, it is very easy to make one, or simply hang them in your bathroom/on a horse (you can buy a clothes horse very cheaply). Then your clothes should dry fresh and fab.

Best to put aside an evening a week to do this, otherwise you never have anything to wear. Alternatively, advertise locally that you would like your clothes washed and pressed and somebody will do it cheaply for you.

Hope this helps!