Hand Washing vs. Machine Machine Washing – What You Should Know

When washing delicates, hand washing is typically the best option in most cases, if possible. Hand washing is most likely the most effective way to keep your delicates in the best condition for lasting longevity, and it also allows you to control the amount of pressure used at each stage of the cleaning process, as well as the water temperature.

It is important to note that when hand washing, use a delicate laundry detergent meant specifically for delicates; one that is free of harsh chemicals and fragrances. In your sink or tub, combine the detergent with cold or warm water, and gently swirl your garments around the mixture. Pay special attention to stains by gently rubbing them as you go.

We should also mention that while hand washing is typically the best option for protecting your delicate clothing long-term, we understand that hand washing is not always an option – and a lot of washing machines have settings that are fine for delicates.

I mean, is anyone really hand washing their clothes? The answer is yes. But the average person with the average wardrobe isn’t doing much hand washing.

Washing machines typically include a “delicates” cycle, allowing you to save time and energy on hand washing, if that’s what you choose. If your washing machine doesn’t have a setting meant specifically for delicates, make sure to put it on the gentlest setting option – typically with cold water.

Modern laundromats also have delicate settings on their machines. Long gone are the days of quarters and single-cycle laundromat machines. These days, you can choose your temperature, your cycle, and ever opt for extra care.

To Dry or Not to Dry?

When it comes to delicate laundry, it’s typically a good rule of thumb to avoid using a dryer and opt for air-drying instead, if possible. This is because dryers are notorious for shrinking and/or fading delicate materials.

Be careful when choosing how to air-dry your garments. Some garments can dry hanging on a hanger. However, drying on a hanger can damage heavier garments because the weight of the damp fabric uses gravity to pull and stretch the garment down. A safer bet is to ‘flat-dry’ your garments by laying them flat to dry on a perforated surface.

However, if you have a dryer with an air-dry or air-fluff-only setting, you could place your delicate garments in mesh bags and dry them for half a cycle (making sure to check the clothing label first to make sure this is okay), then laying your items flat or on a line to dry, away from direct sunlight.

At the end of the day, washing your delicate laundry does not have to be a stressful or difficult experience. You can keep your delicates in excellent condition for a long time if you add just a few extra steps to your regular laundry process.