How to Protect Delicates in the Washing Machine

You can put delicates in the washing machine, but you need to take steps to protect them while they are being washed. These methods will help keep delicate washable clothing from being ruined in the washing machine. This method works great for stockings and panty hose to keep them from getting twisted around the agitator in the washing machine or getting caught up as they wash. Before you wash anything, check the labels on the delicates to make sure they are washable.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine
• Delicates mesh bag
• Washing machine liquid for delicates (optional)

Instructions

1. Buy or make a net fabric bag that is made for washing delicates in the washing machine. If you have a lot of delicates to wash in the same colour group, use more than one. They are available in different sizes. Another option to use in a pinch is to put the delicates in pillow cases and close the top by tying it in a knot or tying a piece of yarn or string around it to keep it shut while the clothes wash.

2. Put a little of the washing machine liquid for delicate fabrics directly on any bad stains and rub it in a little.

3. Put the delicates in the special bag and seal the top. They usually come with zipper or sealable tops to keep the delicates in the bag.

4. Set the washing machine on a cold temperature wash and to the delicate cycle, if the machine has one.

5. Put the bag or bags in the washing machine and start it up. The mesh bags keep the delicate fabrics from being wrung and twisted too much while the washing machine is agitating and spinning. They also help keep the wrinkles out.