How to Hand Wash Clothes

Hand washing is useful when you don’t have a machine, when you are traveling, or when a garment is too delicate for one. It takes about 15 minutes for a few items and needs nothing more than a sink or basin, water and a little detergent.

What you need

• A clean sink, basin or bucket.
• Cool or lukewarm water. Check the care label; hot water can shrink wool and fade colors.
• Detergent: half a laundry sheet per sink or basin, or a small amount of liquid.
• A towel for drying.

How to hand wash clothes, step by step

1. Check the care label. “Dry clean only” items should go to a cleaner.
2. Fill the sink with cool or lukewarm water.
3. Dissolve the detergent. Swirl half a sheet in the water until it dissolves.
4. Add the clothes and press them under so they are fully wet.
5. Wash. Gently squeeze and swish the water through the fabric for two or three minutes. Rub stained areas together lightly.
6. Soak for 5 to 30 minutes, longer for dirtier items.
7. Rinse. Drain, refill with clean water and squeeze until no suds remain. Two rinses is normal.
8. Remove water. Press the water out; don’t wring delicate fabrics.

How to dry hand-washed clothes

Lay each item flat on a dry towel, roll the towel up and press down or kneel on it. This removes most of the water without stretching the fabric. Then hang shirts and pants, and dry sweaters and knits flat so they keep their shape. Keep them out of direct sun if you want to avoid fading.

Hand washing delicates, wool and silk

• Use cool water and a short soak, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Don’t rub or wring. Press the water through gently.
• Dry flat on a towel, away from heat.

Hand washing jeans, towels and heavy items

Use a bathtub or large bucket, with one full sheet for a tub of water. Soak longer, 30 minutes or so, and work the fabric by hand or by stepping on it. Rinse twice; heavy fabric holds more detergent.

Washing clothes without a washing machine at home

If you don’t have a machine at all, the bucket method handles a full day’s clothes. A plunger-style hand washer, a cheap tool that pushes water through the clothes, saves effort for bigger loads. For drying, a towel roll and a rack near airflow do most of the work. Our uniform guide covers bucket washing in more detail.

How much detergent for hand washing?

Less than you would use in a machine: half a laundry sheet per sink or basin, or a teaspoon or two of liquid. Too much is hard to rinse out by hand, and leftover detergent leaves fabric stiff.

Frequently asked questions

Is hand washing better for clothes?

It puts less wear on fabric, so it can help delicates and knits last longer. For everyday cotton, a machine on the right setting is fine.

Can I use laundry detergent sheets to hand wash?

Yes. Dissolve half a sheet in a sink or basin of warm or cold water, add your clothes, then rinse.

How long should clothes soak?

5 to 10 minutes for delicates, up to 30 for heavier or dirtier items.

How do I hand wash clothes while traveling?

Use a hotel sink and a universal stopper. Our travel laundry guide covers it step by step.

Washing by hand? One Box of 50 covers up to 100 sink washes at half a sheet each, and the Travel 3-Pack is made for the road.