How to wash clothes – Machine and hand washing tips

Taking care of a home is not an easy task, mainly because it involves several different tasks. You need to know how to clean the floor, wash the dishes, in some cases cook your own food, and of course, wash your clothes. This all seems very easy and obvious, but it is not always as simple as many people imagine. In the case of washing clothes, if not done correctly, it could end up damaging your clothes. But, after all, how to wash clothes?

It’s not difficult, especially if you have a washing machine at your disposal. However, as much as the appliance is an ally when washing clothes, it’s not enough to simply put everything there and that’s it. It is necessary to organize, separate the parts, use the appropriate products and choose the correct program for each type of part. The same happens with hand washing, which may not be as practical, but is also very simple.

Therefore, today we will learn tips on how to wash clothes, both in the washing machine and by hand, the oldest method of all. The latter always works very well, especially when it comes to delicate pieces.

How to wash clothes: preparation

Before learning how to wash clothes itself, we need to prepare ourselves to start the work, whether using the machine or by hand. Some points should be taken into consideration before simply putting everything into the machine anyway.

Prewash Tips

Check out these tips on what to do when preparing to wash your clothes:

• The first thing to do before starting to wash the clothes is to sort them. It is very important to do this to avoid damaging the parts. Therefore, start separating the items by color (white, colored, and black clothes), by type (dressing clothes, bed linen, bath linen, dish towels, rugs, etc.) and by level of dirt.
• Once this is done, it is important to observe whether any piece has stains or grime. If this is the case, pre-wash the item, leaving it to soak for a few minutes.
• In the case of light-colored clothes that do not fade or are not very dirty, they can be washed together with the white items.
• For very delicate items of clothing, the tip is to wash by hand. But it can also be done in the machine, as long as it is in delicate wash mode, and preferably inside bags to protect clothes.
• If you have a new piece that has never been washed, do a test to see if it releases paint.
• Protective bags can be used for delicate clothes, and also for clothes that shed hair.
• Remove all ornaments from clothes, such as belts, brooches, buttons, buckles, etc.
• On shirts and pants, button all buttons and close zippers.
• It’s always a good idea to check your pockets to make sure you don’t have anything, like a note or forgotten money, so it doesn’t get wet.
• Make a washing schedule, one for each category of clothes. For example, one for jeans, another for towels, one for bedding, and so on.

How to wash clothes in the machine

Now, how to wash clothes in the machine. First of all, it is important to read the instruction manual for your washing machine. Although most machines work basically the same way, they can have some important differences that are worth knowing before you start using them. So, knowing this, let’s check out general tips and recommendations for washing clothes in the washing machine.

• With everything separated according to color, type and level of dirt, it’s time to put it in the machine.
• Choose the washing mode according to the type of clothing and level of dirt. For example, lightly soiled light and white items should be washed in light washing programs.
• In the case of very dirty items, the ideal is to use more intense and longer washing programs.
• In the case of baby clothes and underwear, the washing mode is the gentlest.
• The quick wash program is used for clothes that are not very dirty and do not have stains.
• When putting soap and fabric softener into the machine’s reservoirs, a great tip is to dilute them first.
• As for the water level, select one compatible with the number of pieces.
• And last but not least: don’t overload the washing machine. In other words, do not place clothes beyond what the appliance supports.

Step by step

1. Place the separate parts in the machine;
2. Add the soap and fabric softener to the indicated reservoir.
3. Choose the washing program.

After washing, simply remove and lay out the pieces to dry in an environment with good air circulation.

How to wash clothes by hand

Don’t have a washing machine or do the items simply require a more delicate wash? Hand washing is the oldest method of washing clothes, and although it is a little more laborious, it is very efficient. Not to mention, sometimes you will need to wash one item or another by hand. Therefore, it is very important to know how to wash clothes by hand.

For those looking for ways to preserve their clothes for longer, hand washing is the best option. Or also in cases where the piece is stained. Check out the step-by-step guide for washing clothes by hand:

1. First, soak the items of clothing to be washed. To do this, add neutral or coconut soap to a bucket of water and then add the pieces, in this case already separated by color during pre-washing.
2. Then, remove the pieces from the bucket and gently rub them with your hands, paying special attention to the stained parts or those that accumulate more dirt, such as the armpits.
3. Then, rinse the parts well in clean water until the soap is completely removed. More than two rinses may be necessary.
4. Once done, remove excess water and hang the pieces on a clothesline in a ventilated environment.

General laundry tips

So, now that you know how to wash clothes, both in the machine and by hand, let’s move on to some final tips to make your washing even more efficient.

• Always check the clothing labels to find out washing recommendations, which products can be used and instructions on product conservation.
• Have a washing schedule. This way you can gather as many items as possible to wash at once, saving work, water and energy.
• Respect the specific characteristics of the washing machine, so as not to overload it.
• Dilute the soap and fabric softener before coming into contact with the items, to avoid staining them.
• In the case of white clothes, a washing tip to remove stains is to soak the items in a bucket with water and bleach or bleach.
• Choose cold water when washing to preserve the color of the items for longer.
• For new colored items, do a test to see if they release paint, to avoid staining other clothes.
• Baby clothes can be washed both in the machine and by hand, but always on the delicate wash program. And give preference to special products for children’s clothes or coconut soap.

Anyway, what did you think of this article? In fact, take the opportunity to also check out How to wash a pillow – Step by step to wash, dry and whiten.

Sources: Zap at Casa Viva Decora Zoom

Images: Decor Ideas Homepedia Vix Cleanipedia Wash at Home