How To Wash Clothes Without A Washing Machine - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Wash Clothes without a Washing Machine PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Washing Normal Clothing by Hand 2 Washing and Drying Wool or Delicate Clothing Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Ayad Mirjan

Last Updated: July 11, 2025 Approved

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This article was co-authored by Ayad Mirjan. Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA). wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 483,640 times.

Washing clothes by hand typically uses less energy and water than washing machines, and may be less likely to cause damage. It's also a handy skill to know if you're traveling without access to a wash machine, or if your power goes out.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Washing Normal Clothing by Hand

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  1. Step 1 Separate the white and colored clothing (recommended). 1 Separate the white and colored clothing (recommended). Washing clothes by hand usually involves lower temperatures and less agitation than most washing machines, so there is less risk of color bleeding. It can still occur, however, so separating white and light pastel clothing from darker colored clothing is recommended.
    • Separate out wool, cashmere, silk, lace, and any other delicate clothing from your other laundry. Wash these items using the instructions for delicate clothing, in a separate load.
  2. Step 2 Lay the clothes in a clean container. 2 Lay the clothes in a clean container. If you don't have a large washing tub or bucket, you can thoroughly clean a sink or bathtub and place the clothes in there, spreading them out evenly. The less full the container is, the easier it will be to wash. If you have too many clothes to wash at once, consider keeping a second clean bucket nearby to store clean, wet clothes while you finish washing the rest of the load.
    • If you are only washing a couple small articles of clothing, you may only need a large bowl.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Wash Clothes without a Washing Machine 3 Treat serious stains with a pre-wash stain remover or soap. If your clothing has a stain that has dyed the fabric, such as a stain from mustard or ink, rub a little stain remover cleaning product over the affected area, or use soap if you do not have any stain remover. Let the clothing sit for at least five minutes before continuing.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Wash Clothes without a Washing Machine 4 Fill the bucket with lukewarm water. Fill until the water level is about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) above the level of the clothing.[1] Unless the clothing is both sturdy and heavily soiled, do not use hot water. Lukewarm or even room temperature water will work fine for most laundry loads, and reduces the chance of damaging or color bleeding.
    • If you are not certain whether an article of clothing can be washed in warm water, play it safe and use cool water instead.
  5. Step 5 Add laundry detergent. 5 Add laundry detergent. If you are using a bucket or sink, you likely only need one to two tsp (5–10mL) mild detergent or washing powder. If you have enough clothing to require a bathtub, use 4 tbsp (60 mL) instead, or follow the instruction on the package.
    • If your detergent is not labeled "mild," or if you have sensitive skin, wear rubber gloves to prevent rashes or itching.
  6. Step 6 Let the clothing soak. 6 Let the clothing soak. The detergent will take time to work, so leave the tub of water alone for at least twenty minutes. If your clothing has a significant amount of dirt or stains, you may wish to leave it for up to an hour.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Wash Clothes without a Washing Machine 7 Swish the clothing around in the water. Using either your hands or a simple agitator tool, move the clothing gently around in the water. Press the clothing against the bottom or sides until suds emerge, but try not to scrub or twist it, as this could stretch the clothes.[2] Do this for about two minutes, or until the clothing is clean.
  8. Step 8 Rinse repeatedly in new, cool water. 8 Rinse repeatedly in new, cool water. Empty the water from the container, and fill with cool water.[3] Continue moving the clothing around in the same way, pressing to remove the soap suds. After a couple of minutes, drain again and repeat an additional one or two times. Once no soap suds are visible when the clothing is moved or pressed, the clothes are ready to dry.
    • If you are filling the container from a faucet, you may start rinsing before it's full by holding clothing in the running water.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Wash Clothes without a Washing Machine 9 Wring and dry the clothing. Twist each article of clothing to remove most of the water, or send it through a hand-cranked wringer if you have one. If you are not using a dryer, hang the clothing on a clothes horse, clothesline, or the backs of chairs and banisters. Make sure the clothing is spread out evenly, and that articles of clothing don't overlap with other. If a wet area is hidden by other clothing or a bunched up area of fabric, it will take much longer to dry.
    • Keep in mind that wet clothing will drip, and may leave a stain on hard wood or upholstery if draped directly on it.
    • On a sunny day, your clothes should dry within a few hours.
    • If you do not have sun, dry in a warm, ventilated room.
  10. Step 10 Consider buying or making an agitator. 10 Consider buying or making an agitator. It's not difficult to wash a load of laundry without any tools, but it can be tedious. If you plan to wash all your laundry by hand, especially towels, jeans, and other heavy items of clothing, you may wish to use a handheld agitator, which is simply a plastic tool useful for pressing and moving the clothes. If you cannot find one in a store, look online or make your own by cutting a few holes in the rubber of a brand-new plunger.
    • Note: You may use these instructions whether or not you have an agitator.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Washing and Drying Wool or Delicate Clothing

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  1. Step 1 Fill a container with cool water. 1 Fill a container with cool water. If you are only washing a few pieces of clothing, you only need enough water to submerge them one at a time. You may use a washing tub or bucket, or scrub a sink clean and put in a stopper. Some delicate clothing may be damaged by warm water, so only use cool unless the clothing is heavily stained.
    • Alternatively, if you only have a couple pieces of lingerie or other small items, bring them into a cool or lukewarm shower.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Wash Clothes without a Washing Machine 2 If your water is hard, add a little borax or baking soda. Hard water leaves a white, mineral residue on pipes, sinks, and dishes after heavy use. If this happens with your water, counteract this effect on delicate clothing by stirring in a spoonful of powdered borax. Baking soda is less effective, but has a similar ability to soften water.
  3. Step 3 Add a tiny amount of mild soap. 3 Add a tiny amount of mild soap. Mix in a few drops of extra mild detergent or soap, stirring until a few suds are visible. If you are not sure whether your detergent is mild, baby shampoo is a good option, and normal shampoo is suitable.
  4. Step 4 Measure wool or cashmere clothing before washing. 4 Measure wool or cashmere clothing before washing. Material that can absorb a great deal of water, most notably wool and cashmere, will typically change size and shape in the wash. This can be counteracted by drying it in the correct position, but in order to do this you will need to know the correct size of the clothing.
    • Measure a sweater's width at the neck, shoulders, and base. Measure the length of the sleeves.
    • Make a rough sketch labeled with your measurements for sweaters or other articles of clothing that require several measurements.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Wash Clothes without a Washing Machine 5 Gently press each article of clothing under the water. Some materials, such as silk or elastic, will last longer if you minimize the amount of time it spends soaking, so try not to spend more than a few minutes on each item unless there is still visible dirt on the clothing. Swish gently back and forth, pressing or squeezing lightly.
  6. Step 6 Rinse the clothing. 6 Rinse the clothing. Squeeze out the soapy water by balling up the article of clothing and compressing gently.[4] Dip it in clean water without soap, then squeeze it again. Repeat until no suds are visible when you squeeze.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Wash Clothes without a Washing Machine 7 Learn how to dry wool or cashmere clothing. Lay out a large, white towel and arrange your article of clothing on top of it. Refer to your measurements from before washing and gently tug the clothing into its original shape. Roll up the towel around the item in this shape, then press the towel to remove excess moisture. Place the towel on a water-safe surface away from heat, unroll it, and leave the clothing to dry on top of the towel.
    • A colored towel may stain wet wool or cashmere.
    • After a few hours, if the clothing is not yet dry, flip it over or transfer to a dry towel.
  8. Step 8 Dry other delicate clothing on a clothesline or clothes horse. 8 Dry other delicate clothing on a clothesline or clothes horse. You may use the low or delicate setting on a dryer, but the best way to maintain the longevity of your delicate clothing is to air dry it. Place it on a clothesline or clothes horse in a sunny area, or at least a slightly warm and ventilated area. Avoid applying direct heat, such as with a hair dryer or heater surface, as this may warp the clothing.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question Can sheets and towels be hand washed? Community Answer Community Answer Yes. They hand washed everything in the old days. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 68
  • Question Is washing by hand effective compared to using a washing machine? Community Answer Community Answer Both are effective. Some people prefer hand washing their clothes because it saves money or they don’t have a washing machine available. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 46
  • Question How do I clean if I don't have any supplies? Community Answer Community Answer Use sunlight. It won't clean the stains, but bacteria and most of the odor will dissipate in the presence of sunlight. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 54
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Reader Videos

Tips

  • Use all used water (except water containing bleach or other harsh compounds) to irrigate your gardens or lawn. The soap in the water will lessen the surface tension of the planting medium and will provide deep watering of plant roots. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
  • Instead of washing powder, you can also use soap cubes and rub them on the wet clothes to clean off dirt. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Do not dry clothing directly on a heater or other heat source, as this could start a fire. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 10
  • Do not use a brush or agitator for delicate clothing. Thanks Helpful 27 Not Helpful 10
  • Bleach may irritate your skin, and is not recommended for hand washing. If laundry is heavily soiled and cannot be cleaned by ordinary detergent, add 1/2 the recommended amount of bleach and wear rubber gloves while washing. Use color safe bleach for colored clothes to prevent discoloration. Thanks Helpful 24 Not Helpful 9
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Things You'll Need

  • Washing powder or mild laundry detergent
  • Soap or stain remover (optional)
  • Brush
  • Bucket, sink, or bathtub

& for delicates:

  • Large, white towel
  • Extra-mild detergent, baby shampoo, or
  • Agitator

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References

  1. ↑ Ayad Mirjan. Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/how-to-wash-clothes-by-hand/
  3. ↑ Ayad Mirjan. Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.marthastewart.com/269927/how-to-hand-wash-a-sweater

About This Article

Ayad Mirjan Co-authored by: Ayad Mirjan Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist This article was co-authored by Ayad Mirjan. Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA). This article has been viewed 483,640 times. 21 votes - 100% Co-authors: 13 Updated: July 11, 2025 Views: 483,640 Categories: Cleaning Clothes Article SummaryX

To wash clothes without a washing machine, first put them in a bucket, or in your sink or bathtub. Then, fill your container with lukewarm water until your clothes are completely submerged. Next, add 1-2 teaspoons of laundry detergent to your bucket or sink, or 4 tablespoons to your bathtub. Let the clothes soak for 20 minutes before you swish them around with your hands. Finally, empty the water, add new, cool water, and swish the clothes around again to rinse out all the soap. Wring the clothes out to dry. To learn how to hand wash wool or delicate clothes, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Sarah Gotzman

    Sarah Gotzman

    Jun 2, 2020

    "I had a load of laundry I really needed washed and this helped so much! I can't believe the results I got from..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ayad Mirjan Co-authored by: Ayad Mirjan Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist Co-authors: 13 Updated: July 11, 2025 Views: 483,640 100% of readers found this article helpful. 21 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Sarah Gotzman

Sarah Gotzman

Jun 2, 2020

"I had a load of laundry I really needed washed and this helped so much! I can't believe the results I got from..." more Mia

Mia

Jul 13, 2021

"We're going camping, for a long time without a washer or dryer, and our little is a mess. This helps so much!" Lilith W.

Lilith W.

Oct 23, 2018

"I don't have any space for a washing machine where I have recently moved to, but this has great ideas." Amanda Elizabeth

Amanda Elizabeth

Mar 21, 2016

"I didn't know I could reuse laundry water to water my plants! Thank you! Clean clothes and save water!" Clarissa Arrezola

Clarissa Arrezola

Apr 26, 2016

"Worked! I now know how to do these steps. Really helpful, thanks, wikiHow!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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