How to Wash Clothes by Hand

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Approved

Maybe you don’t have access to a washing machine to do laundry and you need to clean smelly, dirty clothes. Or maybe you have clothes that are hand wash only as they are too delicate for the washing machine. To wash clothes by hand, start by selecting a detergent that will not be too harsh on the clothes. Then, use water and detergent to gently wash the clothes. Finally, dry the clothes properly so they are clean and damage-free.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Selecting the Right Detergent

1
Pick a mild detergent for delicate clothes. Mild detergent is fine to use for most clothing items as long as they are not made of delicate fabrics like silk, lace, wool, or fine-knit material. Look for a liquid detergent that is made for delicate clothing. Brands like Woolite or Soak are good options.^{[1]
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- In a pinch, a regular detergent like Tide or Gain will work for delicate clothing that’s not made of lace, silk, or wool.
- Baby shampoo or mild liquid soap would also work well.
2
Try a no-rinse detergent for silk and lace. For clothes made of delicate fabrics like silk and lace, go for a detergent that does not require any rinsing once you have soaked the clothes with it in water. This will make cleaning silk and lace clothing easier, and ensure the clothing is not damaged by too much rinsing.^{[2]
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- You can find no-rinse detergents online or in the detergent aisle at your local store. Popular no-rinse detergents include Eucalan and Persil.
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Use detergent with lanolin for wool and fine knits. Lanolin is a natural oil produced by sheep to help waterproof their fleece coats. It also makes wool and fine knit garments softer. Use a detergent with lanolin on any wool or fine knit clothing so they stay soft and do not get damaged during washing.^{[3]
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- You can find detergent with lanolin online or in the detergent aisle of your local store.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Hand Washing the Clothes

1
Wash light and dark clothes separately. Start with the lightest colored items first. Save the darker colored items for last. Wash each item one at a time to avoid bleeding color from one item to another.^{[4]
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- If you have a new item of clothing that is dyed or colored, wash it separately in a different tub or basin so the color does not get on other clothing.
2
Fill two tubs with water. Use wide deep tubs that can fit at least one item of clothing. You can also use your sink as a basin. Fill both tubs ¾ full with water that is 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius), or just warm to the touch. Water that is too hot can make clothing dye bleed, and water that is too cold will not remove stains well.^{[5]
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- If you are worried about shrinkage, use cold water in both tubs to prevent any shrinking of the clothing with warmer water.
- You can use the same tub of water for clothes that are similar colors, such as only dark clothing or only light clothing.
3
Add the detergent to one tub. Use one teaspoon (5 grams) of detergent for one item of clothing. Mix the detergent into the water.^{[6]
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Wash the clothes in the water. Put the clothes in a tub with the water and the detergent until they are submerged. Then, use your hands to gently move the clothes around in the water so dirt is removed. Make a swishing action with the clothes in the water. Continue doing this for two to three minutes, or until the clothes look clean.
- Do not scrub, twist, or rub the clothes in the water, as this can damage them.
- Do not let the clothes soak in the water for longer than three to four minutes, as this can lead to shrinkage.
EXPERT TIP

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert

When you're hand-washing clothes, be careful not to scrub them too hard. If you do, you can damage the fibers, rip the item, or make them look stretched and threadbare. Also, be sure to pay extra attention to areas such as the underarms, and let the garments soak in the water long enough for the detergent to break up any dirt or oil.
5
Rinse the clothes in the other tub. Once you have washed the clothes well, remove them from the water. Then, carefully place them in the other tub of clean water. Rinse the clothes by pulling them in and out of the water for two to three minutes. This will help to remove any soap still on them.^{[7]
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- Check that the clothes look clean, not soapy. If there is still soap on them, dump out the water in the tub and rinse them again with clean water.
- If you are using a no-rinse detergent to clean the clothes, you can skip this step.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Drying the Clothes

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Do not wring out the clothes. Avoid twisting and wringing the clothes to dry them. This can warp the clothes and damage them. Instead, lift the clothes above the water and let excess water drip off it into the tub or basin.^{[8]
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Lay the clothes flat to dry. Place the wet clothes on a clean surface, such as a countertop or a table. Reshape the clothes so they lie flat and in their natural shape.^{[9]
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- You can also lay the clothes on a drying rack as long as they lay flat and do not hang off of the rack vertically. Hanging the clothes vertically can ruin their shape.
3
Flip the clothes over to dry completely. Wait two to four hours for the clothes to dry on one side. Then, flip the clothes over so the other side can dry. Let the clothes dry overnight and check that both sides are dry in the morning.

Community Q&A
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Can you use regular laundry detergent for hand washing?

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It is not a good idea to use regular laundry detergent for hand washing on a regular basis. If it’s an emergency, you can use it, preferably on clothes that would normally be machine washable. Wool, silk, cashmere, and any other item that normally needs hand washing should normally be washed in a gentle soap mix or hand washing mix because the enzymes in normal detergent are too strong for such materials. Also consider the effect the machine detergent might have on your hands, as it can be quite drying. In most cases, you’d be better off choosing a mild dish-washing liquid over machine detergent when hand washing clothes.
Question

How do I hand wash a white cotton shirt?

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White clothes fare best when washed together, away from dark clothes, to avoid transfer of colors. So, if you have clothes to hand wash of different colors, separate the whites. Use water as hot as you can stand to put your hands in, as it’s usual to wash cotton in hot water but don’t make it so hot you scald yourself! Add hand washing detergent and if there are any stains, focus on treating and scrubbing those as well as washing the shirt. For more help with washing white clothes specifically, see How to Wash White Clothes.
Question

Can you use body wash for hand washing clothes?

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It is possible to use body wash for hand washing clothes and can be especially handy when you’re traveling or you’ve run out of hand-washing detergent. Be careful to avoid any body wash that might transfer dark colors (test a small unseen part first if you’re unsure) and avoid any with additives like glitter, as these will stick to your clothes. Treat body wash as an emergency alternative rather than regular hand-washing detergent though, as it lacks the brighteners in detergent and isn’t made specifically for clothes washing. Finally, never put body wash in a washing machine, as the suds it will create will damage the machine.