Best way to handwash clothes?

Freiheit

Hi sometimes clothes might not be dirty, just a tiny bit sweaty, rather than put them through a full machine wash I've been rinsing them in water. But rather than just water is there anything I could add, a powder or liquid, that was just have mild cleaning properties?.
Thanks
K

naughtyfox

You can buy a handwash detergent in any grocery store its usually for delicates i get it in tesco it has a pink cap and smells lovely.

annieoburns

It can be hard to find a handwash powder these days. I used to get Dreft and there used to be Fairy Snow. I like to bring some on hols to rinse out a few things but now with carry on bag and liquid problems, I do not see it in shops anymore. Yes Tesco do an 'own brand' liquid handwash and there is Woolite. I did find an Aldi one once but have not seen it in a while. I would hand wash wool/silk/delicate stuff. A bit of Fairy Liquid is probably as good as anything really

Freiheit

Thanks, fairly liquid is really ok in clothes? I believe you , I'm just clarifying, because I got a new blouse the other day and well I'd hate it to be damaged so soon. It's not really dirty, as I said, just a tiny bit of perspiration around the arm pit area, plus obviously whatever odours it picks up, but a full wash feels unnecessary.

annieoburns

Yes Fairy Liquid like the ad says is kind to hands so good for clothes even use as shampoo... good for a spot wash if greasy stain. Years ago a friend consulted a hair specialist and was told to use Fairy liquid as cleanser and olive oil for conditioner! My friend was not amused at the simple advice given the high price for the consultation.

lorebringer

You can use standard washing detergent (powder or liquid) when hand washing clothes - just dilute it really well. I tried dish washing liquid before but the clothes come out quite hard and it doesn't leave a nice smell like clothes detergent does. If you are washing in a standard kitchen sink - fill it up a third/half, add about a teaspoon of powder or liquid and it works very well (particularly if it is only one or two smallish things that you are washing, add a little more if needed). Rinse twice and it should be perfectly clean. If you need to, you could pay extra attention to stains/smelly bits on the clothes to make sure they are really clean. I hand wash bras all the time this way and have never had a problem with it, always come out as clean as in the machine and only take 10 mins max. Plus the clothes last so much longer because hand washing is more gentle than in the machine.

annieoburns

Yes I agree with you about handwash being gentler. I also hand wash bras.
I just feel that the machine wash powder might be be rough on hands. I think the more modern wash machines with eco/water saving cycles seem to be tougher on clothes.

Miaireland

I swear by woollite for handwashing. It has a lovely scent and clothes come out soft. I find it good rubbed neat on a stain.

lorebringer

annieoburns wrote: »

Yes I agree with you about handwash being gentler. I also hand wash bras.
I just feel that the machine wash powder might be be rough on hands. I think the more modern wash machines with eco/water saving cycles seem to be tougher on clothes.

Rubber gloves solve this problem! I don't have a problem with my hands getting irritated but I can see how someone with sensitive skin would.

annieoburns

Rubber gloves not good for my sore paws. I think there is a therapeutic effect of hands in warm sudsey water I am a washaholic at heart and shoving things in machine is not quite as satifying. I once asked a salesman years ago why would anyone want a 'twin tub' rather than an automatic machine and he replied that some people like to get involved with laundry! Gosh that is long time ago