How to Handwash Delicate Garments

Handwash your delicate knits to keep them looking new. It's always tempting to throw a dirty sweater in the washing machine, but you should always follow the instructions on the label. When the tag says to "handwash only", follow these simple steps for a quick clean up.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• cool water
• detergent
• clean, dry towel
• drying rack (optional)

1. Run cool water in the sink and gently submerge your garment in the water. If your garment is heavily stained you might want to pretreat it spot remover before you begin handwashing.

2. Add a detergent designed for delicates to get optimal results. You can buy these specialized detergents online for a fraction of the cost in stores. See Additional Resources for links to the best deals.

3. Gently wash away any spots or residue on your garment. Comb over every inch of the piece while handwashing to make sure you get all dirt off.

4. Squeeze (never wring!) your garment to remove some of the water.

5. Place it on top of a dry towel and reshape it as needed.

6. Roll the garment in the towel, squeezing as you go. This will speed up the drying process.

7. Remove it from the towel and reshape it on a rack or a fresh towel to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure sweaters before handwashing to help you reshape accurately.

Resources

• Buy Detergent for Delicates Here