handwashing clothes!!

PasturesNew

Just put the powder into the bath and add water about the right hotness (if they are delicates then warm; if they are more robust items like towels, jeans, bed linen, then as hot for your hands).

You just need enough water to cover the items, no need to overfill the bath and have it many inches of water deep.

Then just squeeze and jiggle it all about for a few minutes. I sometimes would walk away at this point and leave it to soak for 10 minutes, then go back for another jiggle. With robust stuff, you can even walk up and down on it ... although that sounds a great idea, you feel silly and it can be tedious and you don't feel you're getting anywhere.

What I would then do is drain the water out - and depending on if I thought the stuff was clean enough, I'd either fill it again with more hot water and give it all a 2nd going over, or fill the bath with cold water to rinse.

With the cold water in, jiggle it and squeeze it all about to get the suds out. Then drain and repeat until no more suds.

The soap and brush would be where you want to tackle specific small areas of actual staining/dirt. If the stuff just needs washing and isn't "dirty" as such, then just jiggling is enough.

Hope that helps.

There's no rocket science.

PasturesNew

I would add that I did try one of these once, when I lived in a caravan:
http://www.laundry-alternative.com/washing.htm

You stick in a minimum of water, screw the lid on then turn the handle.

Overall I found it DID work and it was great for those items that are a pain in the bum to wash in the bath (the really big stuff like jeans, towels). However, I DID find it a problem getting it to stay still while I was trying to build up some speed turning the handle.

nx74201

Thanks so much for your advice PasturesNew, it's very reassuring to have another point of view, all I ever do is dwell on the possible negative outcomes of everything.

When would he the best time to use the fabric conditioner, if at all?

Can everything go in as is or is it best to have certain items turned inside-out?

Many thanks ...:)

noonesperfect

You put the fabric conditioner in the final rinse.

As for turning things inside out - yes I think it's a good idea if you're washing them in a machine, but probably not really necessary if you're washing by hand; unless you're washing something that has beads and that type of thing sewn on, then it may be advisable.

You could start by collecting everything that needs washing in one place, sort it into piles. Items such as towels/tea towels and bedsheets/pillow cases can stand hot water so you would wash them first, maybe followed by shirts and underwear and as the water is cooling sweaters/socks. Do you get the picture?

It may not be very OS, but until you find your feet would it be a good idea to take your washing to a laundrette for a service wash and let take them worry out of it for you?
It's a tough time for you losing your Mum and trying to support your Dad as well.

In the meantime we're here to help each other.:grouphug:

This site has quite alot of advice although it is referring to machine washing it may help you to read through the tips etc. I'm working on the assumption the more informed you are the more confident you'll be.

Click here for advice link

nx74201

Hi noonesperfect, thanks for your advice and kind words.

The washing is just for me now as Dad passed away several years ago. The last few weeks is the first time I've been on my own in this house in over thirty years, it's still taking a lot of getting used to.

chardonnay_2

wow, good luck, it can be back breaking work but if it is only for you then perhaps it is managable

i would recommend joining your local freecycle and either asking or wait till someone offers a washing machine - then all you would need to pay for is perhaps a man with a van who will collect it for you.

to be honest if you can afford it i would buy one or save for one as it could be one of the best presents you ever buy yourself.

stefejb

Welcome - and sorry for your loss

I hand washed for a few months in the summer and hated it but this is what I learned. put in as little washing powder as you can get away with which saves rinsing. Use a sink plunger to do the jiggling - just sort of plunge the clothes - i heard that people do this on boats - I think it forces the dtergent through the clothes. your biggest problem is going to be wringing. I got an over bath airer and just let the clothes drip dry into the bath while I was at work and by the time i got home they were dry enough to hang elsewhere. Use rubber gloves - prolonged contact with detergent can irritate and will also help you get a better grip when wringing

I did have a wonder wash but it's a very small load and in any case the handle fell off after a few weeks

belfastgirl23

I have to say even if I had to have a washing machine in my sitting room I'd make space for it truthfully washing by hand is an unpleasant job and your mum has my admiration for sticking with it for so long. I agree, keep an eye on freecycle and see if you can get hold of a machine. As someone who has handwashed before when I was a student, believe me machine is much much better.

Old_Meanie

Why not use a liquid instead of powder for washing. I dont see why value washing liquid for automatics wouldnt do the job as I sometimes use this for handwashing jumpers or something I dont want to risk in the machine. It is easier to dissolve and makes less suds therefore making rinsing easier. Be careful with very wet clothes, they are extremely heavy - did your mother have a mangle? this would help. Perhaps a neighbour would spin your washing for you ? Best of luck

Primrose

Getting your washing dry this time of year is often a problem, even if you've got a garden, if it's wet. If you can fix a washing line or some kind over your bath so that clothes can drip dry, this will help or good hardware stores will have plastic airers with various rungs on them that can be rested over the bath. If not, some smooth thick sticks of wood draped across your bath will allow you to rest items on them so that water can drip away.
Look at http://www.icon.co.za/~retractali/retractaline.htm
They make retractable washing lines which can be fitted over your bath or elsewhere for drying clothes. I have one of these supplied years ago by another manufacturer and it's worth its weight in gold for drying laundry.
Also checkout: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=blended&field-keywords=retractable%20washing%20line&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-2_blended_202295008_1&results-process=default