About Hand-Washing Clothes

Hand-washing clothing is a practice that is common throughout the world and throughout time. Though the methods may have changed, this form of clothes washing is still popular as a way of preserving clothing, money and electricity. These facts will help you learn more about the practice of hand-washing clothing and may even make you consider hand-washing your own garments.

History

Hand-washing clothing is a practice that has been used since the beginning of time. Nomadic tribes and many early villagers would often wash their clothing in water sources such as streams, ponds and rivers, beating the clothing items against rocks to get the item clean. People who used well water would often fill tubs full of water and rub their clothing on corrugated boards, with or without cleaning solutions.These practices are still done today in parts of the world where electricity is scarce or in homes where washing machines are not owned.

Benefits

Hand-washing clothing may not sound practical in the modern age, but it can actually be better than modern ways.
Hand-washing takes a fraction of the energy it takes to wash clothing in a washing machine. This can save on your electricity bill and using less energy is better for the environment.
Hand-washing is good for the clothing, too. It is recommended by manufacturers for delicate items such as knits, lingerie, silks and undergarments. Machine washing can tangle and beat up a garment, making it lose shape.

Function

Because hand-washing is so gentle, garments that are cleaned this way tend to last longer and wear better. The colors often stay brighter, as well, since care is taken with the temperature of the water that is used to clean the garment.

Identification

Most hand-washing in modern areas of the world is done in sinks or bathtubs. The clothing is soaked in water that is a temperature recommended on the label and cleaning solution. Then, the hands swish the garment through the water so that dirt and grease can be carried away. The garment is then rinsed in clean water and lightly rung out.

Time Frame

Hand-washing one small garment can take less than five minutes. When washing several large garments in a tub or basin of water, the items can be washed in about 10 minutes. To wash many garments quickly, the washer can grab several items at a time and swish them through the water together.