Washing clothes with liquid soap, particularly when hand-washing, involves a few simple steps starting with preparation and ending with gentle cleaning.
Using liquid laundry soap for hand-washing offers a gentle way to clean delicate items or small loads. It's a process that can be done easily in a sink or basin.
Hand-Washing Process with Liquid Soap
Based on common methods, including information from resources like HGTV, washing clothes by hand with liquid soap follows a clear sequence:
1. Prepare and Pretreat
Before introducing water and soap, it's crucial to tackle any specific marks on your garments.
- Spot-clean stains: Apply a small amount of liquid laundry soap or a dedicated spot-cleaning solution directly onto any visible stains. Gently rub it in with your fingers or a soft brush. Let it sit for a few minutes, but avoid letting it dry on the fabric.
2. Prepare the Water Basin
Choose an appropriate container for washing.
- Fill a sink or bowl with water: Select a clean sink, wash basin, or large bowl. Fill it with water. The water temperature should be suitable for the fabric you are washing – warm for durable items, cool or cold for delicate fabrics, bright colors, or dark clothes to prevent bleeding.
3. Add Liquid Laundry Soap
The amount of soap needed is usually less than you think for hand-washing.
- Pour in a small amount of liquid laundry soap: Add the liquid detergent to the water before adding clothes. Swish the water around with your hand to distribute the soap evenly and create a light lather. Too much soap can be difficult to rinse out and may leave residue.
4. Submerge and Wash
Gently clean the garments without harsh scrubbing.
- Submerge your garment(s) and use only your hands to gently wash: Place the clothes into the soapy water, making sure they are fully submerged. Gently swish the items around in the water. For areas that need cleaning, lightly squeeze the fabric or rub it against itself under the water. Avoid vigorous scrubbing, twisting, or stretching, which can damage fibers.
After Washing
Once the washing is complete, the next steps involve rinsing and drying.
- Drain the soapy water.
- Rinse the clothes thoroughly under running water or by refilling the basin with clean water multiple times until no soap residue or suds remain.
- Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing.
- Lay items flat to dry on a clean towel or hang them on a drying rack away from direct heat or sunlight, depending on the fabric care instructions.
By following these steps, you can effectively wash your clothes by hand using liquid laundry soap, keeping your garments clean and well-maintained.
