How to Wash Clothes With Dish Soap

Sometimes you are desperate for clean clothing but have run out of laundry detergent. Maybe you can't make it down to the laundromat or have run out of quarters for the machines. In a pinch, a little dish soap in a sink of water can do the trick.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Dirty clothes
• Sink or bucket
• Stain remover
• Vinegar

Instructions

Wash Clothes with Dish Soap

1. Fill a sink or a bucket with about 1 to 2 tbsp. of dish soap per gallon of water. Use cold water for light colors and delicates. Use warm water for darker colors.

2. Pre-treat stains using your favorite stain remover or apply dish soap directly to the stain and gently rub.

3. Plunge the clothing item into the sink or bucket of soapy water. Gently rub the clothing against itself or against a wash board.

4. Rinse the clothing article with clear, cool water. Add a little vinegar as a fabric softener to the rinse water.

5. Hang the clothing article to dry on a clothesline outside or inside.

Tips & Warnings

• Vinegar not only softens the clothing, but also removes the soapy residue.

• While this technique works well for basic laundry care, it may not necessarily remove all tough stains.