Rinsing the Laundry Line: Why Hand Washing Clothes is a Must
It's vital to wash these items manually to preserve their pristine condition:
Washing your delicates by hand might sound like an unnecessary chore, but let's face it—you don't want your favorite cashmere sweater to end up in the trashcan or your delicate lace bras to be snagged beyond repair. So, heed this advice from Alicia Sokolowski, the big kahuna of AspenClean, to learn why hand-washing your clothes is the way to go.
Items Best Left to Hand:
- Wool, Cashmere, and Natural Fiber Sweaters: They're like the grandmaster of delicate fabrics—wealthy in texture, but quite sensitive to the rough and tumble world of washing machines. Machine washing these items can lead to stretching or shrinkage.
- Lace: A delicate flower that refuses to stand up to the tumultuous waltz of a washing machine—snagging, tearing, and stretching are just some of the possible fates.
- Any Item with Structured Details Like Pleats: They need some TLC—from that defined wave of a pleated skirt to the perfect crease of a dressing gown, they'll lose their appeal if subjected to the harsh handling of a washing machine.
- Silk Clothing and Fabric: Whether it's a silk blouse or luxury bedsheets, hand-washing is the key to preserving their delicate structure, vivid colors, and smooth feel.
- Rayon or Viscose Clothes: Be gentle, because these fragile fabrics made from cellulose can easily suffer from shrinkage or weakening when washed in a machine, as they're highly absorbent and lose their structure when wet.
- Embellished Garments: Beads, sequins, and embroidery might come loose or weaken in the wash, and the harsh conditions could ruin even the most intricate designs.
Hand-Washing 101
Hand-washing doesn't have to be a tedious, laborious process. Adopt a gentle, hands-off approach with these pointers:
- Use cold or lukewarm water: Hot water is generally recommended for dirty towels and items that need sanitizing, but it can cause damage to delicate fabrics.
- Mild detergent: Pick a detergent that's gentle, designed for delicate fabrics.
- Soak, don't scrub: It's all about gentle handling—let items soak for a few minutes, then gently agitate the water.
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse each item in cool water to remove any residual detergent and prevent skin irritation.
- Dry flat: Hanging delicate items can cause them to lose their shape—lay them flat on a clean towel instead.
Machine Washing: A Shot in the Dark
Popping hand-wash-only items into the washing machine is like rolling dice—you might get lucky, or you could end up with damaged clothes, stained fabrics, or missing embellishments. Here are some potential issues:
- Shrinkage: Natural fibers like wool and silk are susceptible to shrinking when exposed to agitation and heat.
- Fabric Damage: Delicate weaves may break down or stretch out of shape.
- Color Bleeding: Dyes in delicate fabrics can run, especially if the water temperature isn't controlled.
- Embellishment Loss: Beads, sequins, or embroidery can come loose, fall off, or get damaged due to machine agitation.
Happy hand-washing! Now stop daydreaming about that new washing machine, and take care of your delicate clothes like a true fashion aficionado.
- Alicia Sokolowski, the expert from AspenClean, suggests hand-washing delicate items like wool, cashmere, and natural fiber sweaters to preserve their texture and avoid damage from washing machines.
- For the items with structured details like pleats, such as pleated skirts or dressing gowns, it's crucial to hand-wash to prevent loss of appeal due to the harsh handling of washing machines.
- To further protect delicate clothing items like silk blouses, luxury bedsheets, or rayon or viscose clothes from shrinkage or weakening, they should be hand-washed.
- To conserve delicate embroideries, beads, sequins, or any intricate designs on embellished garments, hand-washing is recommended instead of machine washing, which could potentially ruin them.
