Any tips on hand washing clothes?
By Bizziebod
@Bizziebod (3497)
May 6, 2008 5:01am CST
My washing machine broke down last week and it doesn't look like it will be fixed until next week - I've got lots of washing to do and don't want it piling up! I'm having great difficulty though as I'm washing it in the bath and have no way of spinning it or drying well enough to put it in the tumble dryer - any tips would be gratefully received!
2 people like this
7 responses
@ruby222 (4847)
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6 May 08
Oh Bizzie thats a nightmare,such a pain when the washer goes wrong.As you say when you can wash it out in the sink or the bath its not tooo bad,but you cant spin it,and unless there is a good sunny day it just wont drip dry.Have you no friends or relations nearby that would be good enough to spin it for you ,or maybe put it through their wasing machine?
@Bizziebod (3497)
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6 May 08
No not locally anyway, there is a laundrette about two miles away, but I just haven't got time to sit there until the washing is done - I've only come on here to ask the question, then of course I go way laid with other discussions! Thanks for your thoughts though!
1 person likes this
@heart143 (1202)
• Philippines
6 May 08
Whenever I wash clothes either by washing machine or by hands, I always soak it the night before my wash day so as to soften all the dirt in the clothes. That way washing, especially by hand is easier because you don't need to scrub or brush clothes too much. Of course you have to separate clothes first...the whites, the colored, the heavy and the delicate fabrics.
@Bizziebod (3497)
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6 May 08
Thanks, that's what I did last night I soaked them before I went to bed, but now I've got dripping wet clothes everywhere that are too wet to go in the dryer! Thanks for your response!
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
6 May 08
Wring them out as much as possible then if they are still very wet, roll them in a dry towel to absorb more moisture. Of course, this will give you even more laundry, but if the towels are wet with clean water, it won't hurt to just hang them up to dry!
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@Bizziebod (3497)
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6 May 08
That's a good idea, I shall try that, won't hurt if there's a few damp towels! Thanks for your inspiration!
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@Darkwing (21583)
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6 May 08
I have to wash my summer bed throwover in the bath because it's too big for the washing machine, being king-size.
What I do is to put it in the bath and fill with warm water, into which, I've put some washing powder, or whatever you use. Then, I get into the bath and tread, from end to end, like I'm treading grapes. This loosens any dirt and dust; then leave it to soak for a while. Next, I'll give it another tread... push it up the end furthest from the plughole and let out the water... as the water gets really low, press against the end of the bath to get out as much soap as you can. Then, refill the bath with cold water, and swish your washing around. You may need to rinse twice, then take your washing out bit by bit, and wring it with your hands as best you can, and hang on the line. It will soon dry with the glorious weather we're having at the moment.
Brightest Blessings, and happy treading! xxx
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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7 May 08
A shame you don't have a garden or some communial space to hang your washing. I do have a garden and it helps tremendously, once I've managed to get down the stairs and out the door with it. It can be quite a weight, when that wet, and tends to drip across the floor.
Your feet will be nice and clean anyway, my friend!!! 
xxx
xxx@Bizziebod (3497)
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6 May 08
You know something? as soon as I posted this discussion I thought I bet Darkwing would have a good solution to this! I will certainly try that in a moment, as I've got a load in! I haven't got anywhere outside to hang it though as I don't have a garden, but I've opened the windows as far as I can without letting the cats out! Thanks for your wise advice! Gladly appreciated! Blessed Be!
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
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13 May 08
What a pain, I know we shouldn't be totally reliant on all the new-fangled modern technology but I can't manage without my washing machine either. When I do have to do hand washing I generally wring out as much water as I can and wrap articles in a bath towel. then I roll up the towel and push down on it to force out any more water I can.
1 person likes this
@Bizziebod (3497)
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13 May 08
Oh thanks for the advice! I must admit it's getting very tedious now, but rather do it by hand than leave it smelling around the place, the lovely weather has helped as I've now found somewhere I can leave it outside safely to drip dry!!
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
10 May 08
I did a quick search for a quicker way for you to do it:
http://www.eurailblog.com/archives/000732.shtml
1 person likes this
@Bizziebod (3497)
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13 May 08
Hi, thanks for looking that up for me! It's still broken and not sure when it's going to be fixed as they've got to source the part? doesn't help me much! I can very much appreciate what people had to go through prior to washing machines! No wonder they were all fit!
@nengs10 (3180)
• Philippines
6 May 08
Sometimes, I would also hand wash my clothes. To make it easier, I would put the clothes in a water with detergent powder. I will leave the clothes first as they are soaked in the powder. After 30 minutes or an hour, I would start hand washing the clothes. By that time, it would be easier for you to hand wash them since the clothes have become softer and some of the dirt are already washed away by the powder.
