Handwashing clothes instead of washing machine!
By allegradream
@allegradream (210)
July 6, 2009 7:35am CST
Hi, I have been handwashing clothes for a week now due to my washing machine completely dying on me after 10 years hard labour looking after 6 children lol! I was just wondering if anyone else out there handwashes their clothes, have you found a best method of doing it? I start with whites that Ive soaked overnight, soak them in wash powder in the sink for an hour, scrub any stains with a scrubbing brush and soap, then soak in a "rinse" bucket, before wringing out (usually with a stick and twisting) and putting on the line. I also tend to soak my dishclothes and teatowels in bleach if they are smelly...any tips for better washing..and does anyone know how my scrubbing brush compares to a washboard?
3 people like this
17 responses
@marguicha (215846)
• Chile
6 Jul 09
I have had a lot of washing machines throughout my long life and many times I had to do handwashing. I discovered that a washing machine (as a dishwasher) pays quickly for itself if you know how to use it and don´t overload it or underload it either. Washing machines can be bought in several payments, you can even byuy a second hand one as long as it works.
With 6 children, you´ll end up at the doctor with your back in pieces if you don´t get help there. And THAT is expensive.
With a washing machine you save in heating (you can wash many things with cold water and rinses are ALWAYS cold). The amount of detergent a machine uses is a lot less than what we use.
If you can´t buy a machine by any of these or other means, go to a laundrymat with your clothes.
You are doing well, but you are not taking care of yourself.
Take care
1 person likes this
@allegradream (210)
•
8 Jul 09
Hi, thankyou for your comments, we will get a new one, but it will take a few months before we can afford, and I dont mind waiting, but unfortunately there is no laundrymat around here :(
@allegradream (210)
•
8 Jul 09
Hi, I am planning on replacing it, but at the moment we are having the garage converted into another room so all our money is being ploughed into that, once it is finished..hopefully one more week..we can start to save up for a new one, as long as I get one for winter Ill be happy :)
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
6 Jul 09
You must be washing clothes all the time with 6 children!!
I have 4 children, 3 still at home and my washing machine is used every day! I would just go out and buy a new machine rather then washing by hand. I guess I feel that my time is more important than using it handwashing clothes.
I give you a ton of credit. Sorry no tips from me.
1 person likes this
@allegradream (210)
•
8 Jul 09
Thanks, I'm ok as long as I keep up with it, I usually start around 7 and have the first 2 "loads" out by 9, with maybe just towels and bedclothes on the line by 11. I havent been able to wash anything today as the water has been off (we're having renovations done..hence I cant afford a new one just yet) so Ill start slightly earlier tomorrow morning to get them done, but the kids havent had a shower tonight, so the towels will be kept at a minimum and also all the bedclothes are done for this week (phew..now Im glad i got those out of the way earlier on in the week)!..I used to do about 2 washes a day in the machine, with bedding and towels making up a third wash when needed..so around 18 - 20 washes a week! I did wonder about getting some sort of secondhand wrangle but not sure where to get hold of one..thankyou for your comment :)
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
30 Jul 09
I'm sorry that you have to hand-wash because your washing machine broke down. I used to wash with my hands too, on rare occasions though. Like when my mom was sick or really tired and I'm just too lazy to use the machine, I have this extra tendency to hand-wash. I know what you must be thinking. It's more better to machine wash right, LOL. But I sometimes find myself enjoying the hand-wash session. I can sort out my thoughts and get some extra mini exercises too. LOL..
@Azaerus (820)
• Philippines
6 Jul 09
Well sometimes when our maid washes our clothes with the washing machine some stains are still there and not totally removed..try this one though my girlfriend used to do this with some stains she find a bit hard to remove..when you have stains like this you might wanna try using a bath soap which is placed in a freezer..it can help remove some tough stains..well that's just it I don't know anything else about laundry.our maid d it for us..
1 person likes this
@allegradream (210)
•
6 Jul 09
Thankyou for your tip about the frozen soap..I imagine if its frozen it scrubs the material better than soft soap..i shall definitly have a go :)
@FinanciallySMART (41)
• Jamaica
6 Jul 09
Why do you use the stick to wring your clothes. Well there are some good soaps that will make your washing easy. Talking with the cashier at your local grocery shop will allow you to choose the right soap. You can also purchase blue which you can use to make your white clothes sparkling white but don't use much because it can be disastrous.
1 person likes this
@allegradream (210)
•
8 Jul 09
Hi, I use the stick on big items like towels and sheets..I fold the sheet in half and put the stick in the crease, then one of my children twists the stick while I hold the open ends and the item twists up and wrings the water out..if I do it all using my hands i get blisters :( I will ask at my shop for the soap, many thanks for that tip..but I am unsure if i can get blue around here..would it be in a general shop?
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jul 09
my mum used to handwash our clothes when we are still very young until they can afford to buy a washing machine... and i can imagine how hard it can be especially with 6 children to look after... i salute you for being able to do that... anyway, i wish you all the best and hopefully you can get a new washing machine soon... take care and have a nice day...
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
7 Jul 09
I also do my laundry by handwashing. This makes me take care of my blouses that have delicate fabrics. One tip that I could give you is to use a combination of powdered detergent and fabric softener for your towels and other smelly clothes. This works wonders for me. Also, by drying out clothes naturally in the sun, the sun gets to sort of disinfect your clothes too because of its heat. Not only do you save money from electricity, you also save water because a washing machine can use so much water. For other heavy clothes such as blankets and comforters, my dear don't even try handwashing them. It might break your back. LOL. Just bring these to the dry cleaners.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
10 Jul 09
When I moved years back I didnt having a washing machine for a few weeks. The best way for me to do washing was to put the water in the tub and do the washing there. I stomped on it with my feet. I started with the cleanest clothes and worked from there. It worked for a while but it was a lot of work. I still do it again once in a while just for kicks.
@ShirleyBillingsley (1544)
• United States
7 Jul 09
When we were in the hurricane, with no electricity for over a week, i put a tub out in the yard, and then, add the clothes and the soap. You will get a specail effect, since you have kids, add them as well. Let them bounce, jump, step up and down on them, and believe it or not, the clothes will come out nice and clean.
@positiveminded1977 (7072)
• India
7 Jul 09
I have never had a washing machine; I have always stonewashed my clothes. I don't soak them overnight. I change my clothes everyday; so they don't get so dirty. However, the bedsheets and clothes that have been through rough use do get soaked overnight. I more or less follow the same method as you do.
Cheers and happy Mylotting
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
7 Jul 09
I must say that you are very diligent. It is not easy to wash so many clothes. It is not an easy housework. I use washing machine to wash the clothes as I can't do it by myself. If one day my washing machine doesn't work, I think I will get it fix and then wash my clothes. I prefer to wait for a few days and get my clothes washed, it doesn't matter.
I love China
@edelweiza (157)
• Philippines
7 Jul 09
i prefer hand washing only when i'm on the mood. washing machine makes life asier for me. actually, the past months i've been sending my laundry to the laundry shop for washing. i don't have much time to wash my own clothes anymore. busy life, i guess i have that. :)
@sharlahodges (813)
• United States
7 Jul 09
I am sorry to say but no I do not hand wash my clothes. I do have a few items I have to handwash but that is the only thing I hand wash.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
6 Jul 09
I sometimes wash clothes by hand out of choice. A washboard beats a scrub brush for getting stains out, but bar soap does a great job without either. Rub the soap into the stain and scrub it against itself for a minute and that takes out almost everything. Besides the other tips you've received here, if you have white clothes that seem dingy, put them in a large pot with a tiny bit of detergent and boil them. It's amazing how much difference that makes.
@jedopi (401)
• Canada
6 Jul 09
I went through a situation similar to this about two years ago. My washer broke down and I had to wash the clothes by hand also and I have four kids. It really makes you appreciate the washing machine when it's not there anymore, doesn't it. I had to soak some stuff too, but mostly the things that needed bleaching like dishrags, etc. It reminded me of when I was really little and I used to watch my mom scrubbing our clothes in the cement basin in the basement before she put them through the wringer washer. I'm so glad I got my washer fixed and I hope I don't have to do laundry like that again. It's really hard on the wrists and back wringing all the water out, and they take forever to dry too.
