A Little Care Goes a Long Way
Some belongings just aren’t built for the rough tumble of a washing machine, no matter how tempting it is to toss everything in and hope for the best. Sure, it’s already annoying enough to have to separate by darks and whites, but there’s one more laundering tip you should know about: hand-washing! Come with us as we explore which items need a little more TLC, and which ones can survive any load in the wash.
1. Silk Clothing
Silk is delicate, smooth, and very easy to damage if it’s treated too harshly. You know what that means: hand-washing is best. You should take silk to cool water with a gentle detergent so the fibers don’t weaken or lose their natural sheen. Avoid wringing it out, too, since twisting can leave the fabric creased.
2. Wool Sweaters
Wool sweaters seem sturdy enough to make it in a machine, but they can actually shrink pretty quickly when they’re exposed to heat, friction, or an aggressive cycle. Hand-washing lets you clean them gently while helping them keep their shape and softness. Just make sure you lay them flat to dry so they don’t stretch out from the weight of the water.
3. Lace Items
For all of its beauty, lace sure does snag and tear more often than we’d like. Imagine what would happen to it in the wash, especially with zippers and buttons! A careful hand-wash gives you better control over how much pressure the material receives. Use mild soap and avoid scrubbing; lace doesn’t need a wrestling match to get clean.
4. Bras
How many of us have just tossed our very expensive bras in the wash? Well, no more! Bras have elastic, hooks, padding, and underwire that can all suffer in a regular wash cycle. Hand-washing helps preserve the fit and support, which means your bras are more likely to last longer.
5. Embellished Clothing
Who here doesn’t crave a few beads or sequins on their clothing? Of course you do! But it, and even gentle embroidery, should all be handled with extra care. When you wash these pieces by hand, you’re less likely to lose the sparkle that made you buy them in the first place.
6. Swimsuits
Swimsuits deal with all kinds of stuff that make them seem stronger than they are: sunscreen, chlorine, salt, and sweat can all build up, but that one-piece still needs gentle cleaning. Hand-washing helps remove residue without wearing down the stretchy fibers that keep the suit fitting properly.
7. Cashmere
The last thing you want is to ruin a gorgeous cashmere piece! If you couldn’t tell by its softness, this fabric doesn’t respond well to rough handling or high heat. You should wash it by hand with cool water and a detergent made for delicate fabrics. You should also press out extra water with a towel instead of twisting it.
8. Vintage Clothing
Vintage clothing is old-school for a reason. It often has older seams, fragile fabric, or details that may not survive a machine cycle. Hand-washing not only gives them the TLC they deserve, but it also gives you the chance to clean it slowly and check for weak spots as you go.
9. Knit Accessories
Those knit scarves and hats wouldn’t survive one wash in the machine, so don’t even think about it! Washing them by hand helps protect the texture and keeps the shape from becoming a little…odd. Use cool water and let each piece dry flat for the best results.
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10. Handmade Items
Handmade items don’t have the same mass-produced armor you’ll find in stores. These careful pieces often include special stitching, unique fibers, or construction that needs gentler treatment; hand-washing shows a little respect for the time and effort that went into making the piece.
Now, that doesn’t mean everything will fall apart in the wash! As long as you check the care label, sort colors properly, and choose a sensible cycle, these everyday essentials can usually go straight into the washer.
1. Cotton T-Shirts
Cotton T-shirts are made for frequent washing, especially when they’re part of your everyday wardrobe. That means you can toss them in with similar colors and use a normal or gentle cycle, depending on how worn-in they are. Just be sure that you turn printed shirts inside out so the designs stay crisp over time.
2. Denim Jeans
Jeans seem too gentle to hold their own, but they can usually handle the washing machine without complaint. Even better, they don’t need to be washed after every single wear, either. Use cold water to help preserve the color and prevent unnecessary fading, and button them before washing so they keep their shape.
3. Bath Towels
Bath towels are built to absorb water and soap, so machine washing is exactly what they need! Wash them in warm water when possible to help remove buildup and keep them fresh. You should also make sure to give them enough room in the washer so they can rinse properly.
4. Bed Sheets
Whether we like it or not, sheets collect all kinds of grime. From sweat and skin oils to general wear-and-tear, regular machine washing is a smart habit. Luckily, you can wash most cotton or microfiber sheets on a standard cycle with mild detergent.
5. Pillowcases
Pillowcases deserve just as much washing as your sheets; they spend hours against your face and hair. Most everyday pillowcases are made from cotton, polyester, or microfiber, so they can all go right into the machine.
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6. Socks
Socks are the small, hardworking accessory we all wear just about every day. They deserve a round in the wash—and they can also withstand one! Do yourself a favor and place them in a mesh bag if your dryer has a talent for making one disappear.
7. Cotton Underwear
Not all underwear is built for the machine, but cotton underwear is generally safe to wash in one. If anything, this fabric actually benefits from a thorough cleaning. Use warm water when the care label allows, especially for everyday pairs, and use a gentle detergent to keep the fabric comfortable.
8. Sweatshirts
Most standard cotton sweatshirts can handle regular machine washing well. All you need to do is turn them inside out to reduce pilling and help protect any printed designs! Oh, and be sure to use a cooler setting if you want to keep the fit from changing too much.
9. Dishcloths
Dishcloths pick up all kinds of kitchen spills. Residue, spills, and everyday grime can build up in no time, so they’re strong candidates for machine washing. You should, however, wash them separately from nicer clothing if they’re especially messy.
10. Casual Pajamas
Casual pajamas aren’t made from silks or delicate fabrics; they come in cotton, flannel, or polyester blends, and they’re all easy to machine wash. They’re also designed for comfort and repeated wear, so they can handle a regular laundry routine!
