Hand washing Clothes

[MandiDawn]

Not sure where to put this post, so I decided to just go for general chat -

ok, I have a few nice sweaters that I picked up at garage sales this year, but they are "handwash only". I have never had hand wash clothes so how do I do this? I want to make sure they are clean since they are not "new" and how do i get all the water out so they dry in a reasonable amount of time.

so - any suggestions for how to do this? Can I just put them in the delicate cycle of my washing machine? Or do I have to acutally wash them by hand?

[tigo]

I usually clean out the kitchen sink (or if I only have one or two items, I have a scrubbed out bucket I use) and pour in a few capfuls of detergent (Woolite if I have it, regular detergent if I dont). Run the water to fill the container half to two-thirds full and then place the items to be washed in it. I normally just press the garments down so they are soaked. Leave them for 15-30 mins then move them about (I turn them over and gently rub out any spills or dirt). Let them soak a while longer then place in the empty sink (or another bucket). Rinse them in warm or cold water. I have several drying racks that I use for clothes. Sweaters can be tricky so if you have some way to lay them flat that is the best way to dry them. Jeans, tshirts, etc I just hang on coat hangers and let dry.

[KatieInLa2]

Hi Mandi! I use the delicate or handwash cycle of my washer. If you don't have woolite then you can use hand dish liquid. A pillowcase is good to put things that have sequins or beading, just tie the sweaters inside the pillowcase. Then lay flat to dry. I usually lay a clean towel on my washer and spread my sweaters out to dry there. If your sweaters are wool, use the soak cycle of your washer,cool water, no agitation. and use shampoo to wash and hair conditioner as a fabric softener.
Katie