When washing lingerie, sweaters, and other delicates by hand, avoid these common mishaps that could ruin your favorite fabrics.
1. You put garments in the sink before filling it.
Think of hand-washing as giving your clothes a bath. Just like you wouldn't step into an empty tub before you fill it, you shouldn't put your sweater into the sink before adding the water and detergent.
The force of the water hitting the fabric can cause stress, and detergent can be more difficult to rinse out when poured directly onto clothing. Instead, fill your sink or basin with lukewarm or cool water (follow your clothes' care labels) and as it's filling add the recommended dose of fine fabric detergent. Swish the detergent in the water to be sure it's completely dissolved, then lay your garment in the water and gently press it down to fully immerse it.
2. You scrub stains.
Aggressive scrubbing can damage fabrics, especially fragile ones. Treat stains by gently working some laundry stain remover or liquid detergent into the stain with your fingertips. Then, as it soaks, gently squeeze the sudsy water through the garment several times. Most garments will be clean in about 15 minutes. Some heavily soiled items may need longer soaking.
3. You use the faucet to rinse.
Holding delicates up under running water can cause fabrics to stretch, so you should rinse them the same way you washed them, in a bath of clear water. When you are ready to rinse, scoop up the entire garment in both hands for support and place it in a colander. If you have a sprayer on your faucet, you may be able to thoroughly rinse any lightweight garments, like lingerie or swimsuits, right in the colander. If not, fill the sink or basin with cool, clear water; immerse the item and squeeze the clear water through it to rinse.
4. You wring out the water.
Twisting and tightly wringing wet, delicate fabrics is a surefire recipe for damage. A better way to remove excess moisture is to carefully lift your garment out of the rinse water with both hands and gently squeeze out as much as you can. Then, lay it flat on an absorbent towel. Roll the towel and garment together, gently squeezing as you go; then unroll.
5. You hang items to dry.
To ensure that delicates, especially knits, don't stretch out of shape, always lay them flat to dry. Lay your sweater or swimsuit on top of a dry towel, blocking it back into shape, and allow to air dry. Once the front is dry, turn it over to give the back some air.
Carolyn Forte is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab.
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Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
