How to Hand Wash Clothes the Right Way From silk to wool, hand washing your delicates can help your clothes last longer. Close Key Points Hand wash delicate fabrics such as cashmere, wool, silk, and embellished items to maintain their condition.Always separate colors and use mild, rinse-free detergent to preserve fabric quality.Avoid using chlorine bleach and dryers on delicate fabrics to prevent damage and prolong their lifespan. Hand washing clothes, from silk to wool, can extend the life of your delicate garments. When doing the laundry, you may already follow rules like separating colors from whites and using cold water for non-white items. While avoiding dryers for delicates is a given, many wonder about the specifics of washing clothes by hand. The process shares some rules with machine washing, such as separating colors, but advancements in hand-washing products have made it easier and more effective. Gwen Whiting is a co-founder of The Laundress. Lindsey Boyd is a co-founder of The Laundress. We consulted experts to learn more about the essential rules of hand washing clothes. Both Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd, who founded The Laundress in 2004, believe that taking the time to hand wash certain items can help us keep clothing in tip-top shape for longer. "Hand washing is the safest and gentlest way to wash items made of cashmere, wool, silk, and embellished items," Boyd says. "These items are made of delicate fabric that can be prone to shrinking or snagging in the machine." While most clothing items should be able to be washed by hand, Boyd suggests that you test an inconspicuous area of the garment before you dunk it into water and suds. Look for puckering or color bleeding, which is a sign that the item needs to be dry cleaned. You can have a professional do it, or you can try our method for at-home dry cleaning. 10 Common Laundry Mistakes That May Prevent Your Clothes From Getting Clean What You'll Need Materials Large sink or wash basin Rinse-free detergent Stain remover pre-treatment (optional) Drying rack Instructions Fill your sink or basin, and presoak your clothes (optional) If you have a sink large enough, fill it with cool water and presoak your items there. You can also use your bathtub to wash longer items, such as full-length maxi dresses, rompers, or even fine linen sheets or duvet covers. If you only have access to one sink—or if your sink is too small for larger items—you can buy a freestanding washbasin that can be stored away when not in use. Keep in mind that some detergents can be unfit for consumption, so if you choose to use a kitchen sink, be sure to sanitize surfaces afterward. If you are hand washing white cotton, linen, or denim, a thorough presoak is key to treating stains and restoring color, not bleach. "Never use chlorine bleach—it damages fabrics and actually causes yellowing over time," Boyd says, suggesting that a bleach alternative can sufficiently remove stains and brighten fabrics. Turn your clothes inside out and separate by color If you didn't presoak your clothing, now is the time to make sure you've separated your items and paired them with same or like colors only. Then, turn each item inside out. Each item is unique, Whiting says, so sometimes, you may have to alter your approach based on the fabric you are washing (washing wool and cashmere requires different tactics compared to lighter materials like silk). But Boyd and Whiting have developed a simplified process for hand washing nearly any piece of clothing in your closet, and it starts with "putting it in reverse," Whiting says. Add clothing and detergent to cool water In cool water, add the amount of detergent prescribed on the product's packaging. Too little could leave lingering scents or stains, whereas too much can become difficult to rinse out completely, and can make dry clothing feel "crunchy," Boyd says. The 12 Best Laundry Detergents on the Market, According to Experts Submerge and agitate your clothing Submerge your items and gently agitate the water with your hands in order to evenly distribute the soap and water. Place items in the water one at a time. You can soak your items in the mix while doing other chores around the house—just make sure it's within 30 minutes, Boyd says. If a piece is really dirty or brand-new—meaning it may bleed more—wash it alone. Submerge it and swish it around, before letting it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse your items Afterward, run cool water through your items until the rinse water is no longer soapy, but don't wring your clothes, as this can easily tarnish details and leads to wrinkles. Press the water out of the item by pushing it between your hands or against the surface of the wash basin or sink. If you notice color or traces of dye in the water, don't worry. "This is normal and it's simply the fabric or yarn releasing color. You won't notice any loss of color in the end," Boyd says. Lay out to dry After you've successfully pushed out all of the water in your piece, lay the item flat in its natural shape on a hard surface or on a drying rack to avoid stretching. If you choose to hang the item on a hanger, be sure to position the neckline appropriately as to prevent stretching, Whiting says. You can throw cotton or other durable fabrics into a dryer if you wish—but you should not place cashmere, wool, faux fur, silk, delicate synthetics (such as rayon and nylon), or highly embellished items in the dryer. "The dry heat is very harsh on fabrics and can cause color fading, shrinkage, and even melt certain materials. You're also saving energy by not using the dryer," Whiting says. "For those with limited space, we recommend a collapsible drying rack for easy storage when it's not in use." 8 Times You Should Never Use Fabric Softener in Your Laundry Explore more: Cleaning & Organizing Laundry & Linens