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Her work, mostly focused on health, psychology, and parenting, has been featured in the Washington Post, New York Times, Allure, and more. She lives in the Milwaukee suburbs with her husband and two young sons. Follow [Jennifer Billock](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/jennifer-billock) [Jennifer Billock](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/jennifer-billock) Jennifer Billock is an award-winning writer, bestselling author, and editor. She is currently dreaming of an around-the-world trip with her Boston terrier. Follow updated Feb 25, 2025 Save Save Your Favorites Whenever you see the heart icon, just tap it to save it to your account\! Try it out\! [Add Us](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=apartmenttherapy.com) New See more Apartment Therapy stories when you search on Google. Share We [independently](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/about/apartment-therapy-commerce-guidelines) select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. Volume 0% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts EnabledDisabled Play/PauseSPACE Increase Volume↑ Decrease Volume↓ Seek Forward→ Seek Backward← Captions On/Offc Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreenf Mute/Unmutem Seek %0-9 Next Up How to Hand Wash Dry Clean Only Clothes 01:00 H.264 320px H.264 480px H.264 720px H.264 1280px AAC Audio H.264 1920px H.264 1080px Live 00:00 00:53 00:53 More Videos 01:00 How to Hand Wash Dry Clean Only Clothes 01:05 How to Wash an Electric Blanket 00:21 How to Whiten Clothes 00:57 How to Remove Mustard Stains from Clothing 01:16 How to Remove 3 Types of Paint from Your Clothes 01:22 Maxwell's Fantastic Find: Clothing Rack Roundup Close This video file cannot be played.(Error Code: 224003) X When it comes to [doing your laundry](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-do-laundry-37382408), you might head straight to a laundromat, shared facility, or use an [in-house washer and dryer](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/5-small-stackable-washer-dryer-113571). But if you don’t have these services near you or don’t have the luxury of a washing machine in your home (or have delicate clothing), you might have to hand-wash your clothes. Need some tips on getting the job done? Below, we asked experts to share how to hand-wash clothes (including any care advice, steps to follow, and products to use), as well as how to sanitize and dry them at home. [Create your very own home design mood board with our new tool\!](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/mood-board) In This Article 1. [What You’ll Need:](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-the-best-way-to-hand-wash-clothes) 2. [How to Hand-Wash Clothes (and Air-Dry Them)](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-how-to-hand-wash-clothes-and-air-dry-them) 3. [How to Sanitize Hand-Washed Clothes](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-how-to-sanitize-hand-washed-clothes) 4. [How Often Should You Wash and Sanitize Your Clothes?](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-how-often-should-you-wash-and-sanitize-your-clothes) 5. [Which Clothes Should You Hand-Wash, and When?](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-which-clothes-should-you-hand-wash-and-when) 6. [What Kinds of Soaps or Detergents Should You Use for Which Fibers?](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#soaps-detergents) Save [comments](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#comments-36734972) 18 [Add Us](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=apartmenttherapy.com) New See more Apartment Therapy stories when you search on Google. [cure chat](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#post-forum-embed) Share ## What You’ll Need: - Drying rack, hangers, or alternative solution of air-drying clothes - Kitchen sink - Gentle hand soap (or other soap/detergent, see: [What Kinds of Soaps or Detergents Should You Use for Which Fibers?](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#soaps-detergents)) - Water ## How to Hand-Wash Clothes (and Air-Dry Them) Follow the steps below to learn how to hand-wash clothes at home and air-dry them.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/e96759d4e2a8f180f3385ad1f11a4c06ad3bb4a83f41de432da04a5dc9e9211e) Credit: Alex Lepe ### Step 1: Clean the sink. Fully clean the sink you’ll be using to hand-wash your clothes. Laundry expert Patric Richardson (also known as “[The Laundry Evangelist](https://laundryevangelist.com/)”), who’s the author of *[Laundry Love](https://www.amazon.com/Laundry-Love-Finding-Common-Chore/dp/1250235219/?asc_campaign=AT-36734972&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apartmenttherapy.com%2Fhow-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972&asc_source=&tag=apartmentth0a-20)* and founder of the [Mona Williams](https://monawilliams.com/) boutique store, says the kitchen sink is the best place to hand-wash clothes because not everyone has a bathtub at home, and the average bathroom sink usually isn’t all that spacious. Most kitchen sinks, he says, are roomy enough to wash a few pieces at once.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/1979eec530a0e4ba4a374095fee1e407f851ce0e1315475468c78df8bb5daf9f) Credit: Alex Lepe ### Step 2: Sort clothes. Just like when you’re using a laundry machine, you want to make sure to follow your method of separating clothing by color or type, Richardson suggests. Double-check the care instructions to see that the article of clothing is safe to hand-wash, too\!   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/5c5486064b8458c04f6267b190525ed2e3c8f6775656ccd8ac3ee096884c9149) Credit: Alex Lepe ### Step 3: Put clothes in warm water. Once you have a load ready (make sure it isn’t taking up too much room in your sink), fill up the sink with warm water and make sure your clothes are fully immersed.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/27872a5fd52483dc7b5c118aaac6d48b2ba38c0d40d9f624df8129b94ee1d859) Credit: Alex Lepe ### Step 4: Use a gentle cleaner. You should use a gentle or mild cleaner for hand-washing clothes. Richardson actually likes to use a gentle hand soap or shampoo instead of regular laundry detergent since detergent can be close to impossible to hand-rinse out of your clothes. Apply four to five pumps of the hand soap to your kitchen sink load or a very small amount of a laundry detergent. [Laundry soap](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/laundry-soap-vs-laundry-detergent-36816363) is another option you can use, but never use dish soap.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/39db891933da0ebb84fb714abeb92b1787aa14e86f091e4c2bec7638c5b0cd2c) Credit: Alex Lepe ### Step 5: Soak your clothes. Leave your clothes in the soapy water for around 20 minutes, manipulating them with your hands every three to four minutes without getting too hard or aggressive.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/cb0d198ad4dd426eec33bbd3762475fc125f877d69d63a6c384fd998472720e1) Credit: Alex Lepe ### Step 6: Rinse your clothes gently. Pull the stopper, let the water run out, then replace the stopper and fill the sink as full as you can with cool (not ice cold) water. Swish the clothes around again — you’ll notice the water is relatively clearer.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/b3c125b8c27fe9545bb40a4905999f6015bec65852b6bcc76975b55c0bad6366) Credit: Alex Lepe ### Step 7: Repeat for a final clean. Pull the stopper one last time, swish the clothes with your hands, and the water should be clear. Your clothes should be clean and ready to dry! Just make sure to clean your hands and sink (again) once you’re done.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/78ed77ddae957eb1c11e8970b715ee134d797b061922f6f6341a14814e61474a) Credit: Alex Lepe ### Step 8: Air-dry. Once your clothes are all fresh and clean, drying them takes very little work. Give them a wring so extra liquid comes out, shake the wrinkles out, and then put them on hangers or a drying rack to dry. It’s best to dry your clothes outside (the sunlight helps kill bacteria), but you can use anything, like chairs or shower curtain rods, inside if you don’t have outdoor space.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/40624de7a23e8735e9ef642e35bb85242422b0466b6206a106b65ca47cb4afde) Credit: Sarah Crowley ## How to Sanitize Hand-Washed Clothes If there’s a sickness coming around and you want to [sanitize your clothes](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sanitizing-vs-disinfecting-36642114) in addition to cleaning them, the good news is that the soap you’re using to hand-wash will likely take care of lingering pathogens. The soap you wash your hands with, Richardson explains, contains lipids, which attach to bacteria and viruses. So when you wash, the soap literally takes the germs off the garments and they go down the drain. However, it’s heat that really does most of the sanitizing action. If you want to harness heat to kill germs on your clothing when hand-washing, you can [steam or iron your clothes](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-use-steamer-245502) after you wash them. According to the CDC, [heat of 167°F or more](https://www.cdc.gov/flu/resource-center/images/multi-language-pdfs/contamination_cleaning_english_508.pdf) is sufficient to kill flu viruses, and many steamers can reach temperatures of 200°F or more.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/79b961c28c5759a44eccbff0c2c5987f0c40b7c6ae8a15f07788531b54eb0a88) Credit: Sarah Crowley ## How Often Should You Wash and Sanitize Your Clothes? Generally, Richardson isn’t normally a fan of washing your clothes more than you need to. If you’re just hanging out at home, wear your clothes until you absolutely need to wash them — until you spill something or the garment appears truly dirty. Usually clothes that aren’t exposed to outside germs can go without sanitizing for six to seven wearings, Richardson says. No matter what you’re washing, the important thing is to be realistic. If you’re around someone who is sick, wash your clothes just like you would wash your hands. If you can’t wash the dirty clothes immediately, quarantine them in a hamper until you can.   Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/687eaeec085696e7f0bb00c2e5a3c6c6a13b44fee0a4e23fa9c309fb1d691c60) Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock ## Which Clothes Should You Hand-Wash, and When? According to Elizabeth Shields, the operations manager at [Super Cleaning Service Louisville](https://supercleaningservicelouisville.com/), handwashing is ideal not just for clothes made out of delicate fabric, but also for new clothing. That way, she says, “you can observe if the color bleeds.” Shields also suggests hand-washing anything with a fresh stain to ensure it’s completely removed and doesn’t set in, and anything made of silk, lace, or a fuzzy fabric. You can also easily hand-wash single items that have been left behind in a hamper. Many people hand-wash clothes in the sink or tub if they’re traveling and no laundry facility is available, as well.   [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/53b4612e927be598e87acae75ef260177d58e4b2b64e55bdbe0a331004b3cfb7) Credit: mariakray/Shutterstock ## What Kinds of Soaps or Detergents Should You Use for Which Fibers? Richardson prefers a gentle hand soap while Shields likes to use [Seventh Generation liquid detergent](https://atmedia.link/product?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.grove.co%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2F7g-laundry-detergent-2x-concentrate&referralSource=&id=36734972&site=AT&refUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apartmenttherapy.com%2Fhow-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972) for all her hand-washing needs, because it’s plant-based and doesn’t dry out her hands. Nishant Prasad, cofounder at [Clean Fanatics](https://cleanfanatics.com/), breaks it down by fabric. For animal fibers like wool, silk, and cashmere, he uses a pH-neutral detergent, a gentle soap like baby shampoo, or a detergent specifically for wool. “Alkaline detergents can strip the fabric’s natural oils, leaving them rough or brittle,” he says. If you’re washing a plant fiber, like linen, cotton, or hemp, go ahead and use a regular mild liquid detergent. Prasad also pretreats stains with a paste made of baking soda and water. Synthetic fabrics (nylon, polyester, and spandex) can be washed with a standard detergent, but be sure not to use any type of fabric softener — it can coat the fibers and alter their breathability. Filed in: [Cleaning](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/cleaning) [home cleaning](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/collection/home-cleaning) [skills & how tos](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/collection/skills-how-tos) [laundry](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/collection/laundry) ## More to Love from Apartment Therapy  [The \$50 Amazon Find That Instantly Transforms My Bathtub into a Washing Machine](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/breathing-mobile-washer-review-36944640) The results were surprising\! Britt Franklin Jan 26, 2024 [I Asked a Cleaning Pro What Every Washer Cycle Means](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/washing-machine-cycles-37503876) From perm press to rinse and spin\! Jennifer Billock Aug 26, 2025 [The Most Effective Way to Get Smoke Smell Out of Clothes](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-get-rid-of-smoke-smell-clothes-37422853) According to experts. Jennifer Billock Sep 6, 2024 [The Best Way to Do Laundry (Especially If You’ve Never Done It Before!)](https://apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-do-laundry-2-37523989) According to a laundry expert. L. Daniela Alvarez Dec 19, 2025 [The One Laundry Task This Organizing Expert Refuses to Do](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/organizer-doesnt-fold-kids-laundry-37277449) Everyone has their limit when it comes to laundry duty. Abigail J. Fallon Jul 16, 2023 [I Just Found a \$16 Solution to Your Annoying 'Clothes Chair' Problem](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/storage-solution-to-hang-laundry-37088908) Finally, a home for clothes too clean to wash and too dirty to put away. Shifrah Combiths May 21, 2023 [This Delicate Detergent from an Editor-Favorite Brand Is the Only One I Trust for My Silk Pillowcases](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/steamery-delicate-laundry-detergent-review-ll-37332109) It saved my linens from a dire fate. Britt Franklin Oct 31, 2023 [How to Do Laundry: A Beginner-Friendly Guide](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-do-laundry-2-37523989) According to a laundry pro. L. Daniela Alvarez Dec 19, 2025 [Everything You Need to Know About the Delicate Cycle on Your Washer](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/what-to-wash-delicate-cycle-37457303) Find out what clothes can be cleaned in this setting\! Jennifer Billock Feb 25, 2025 [One Good Thing: The Simple Effective Hand Powered Breathing Mobile Clothes Washer](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/one-good-thing-the-simple-effective-hand-powered-breathing-mobile-clothes-washer-36977432) Welcome back to One Good Thing! This week I got a tip from a friend that there was a new trend around washing your clothes at home with this thing called the Breathing Mobile Washer. At first, I was skeptical and I also thought it looked like a plunger, but then I tested it and found it to be a surprisingly smart new tool for the home. Why? Maxwell Ryan Sep 17, 2021 [I Tried 3 Ways to Wash Pillows, and the Winner Was Transformative](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-wash-pillows-2-37491868) It’s so simple yet so effective. Shifrah Combiths Jan 9, 2026 [The Right Way to Wash Pillows (and How Often You Should Be Cleaning Them)](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-wash-pillows-37391262) According to experts. Jennifer Billock Apr 9, 2024 [8 Things People with Always Clean Bedrooms Do](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/clean-bedroom-habits-37216673) Rest easier with a cleaner space. Shifrah Combiths Feb 1, 2023 [“Affordable Yet Luxurious”: The One-Step Trick That Changed My Laundry Routine](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-laundress-fabric-spray-review-37535777) My clothes look smoother (and smell better). Alexa Casanova Feb 5, 2026 [The Game-Changing \$17 Find That Will Free Up So Much Space in Your Laundry Room](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/washing-machine-magnetic-hanger-organizer-amazon-reviews-37261862) This product is perfect for hanging clothes straight out of the washer or dryer\! Morgan Pryor Jun 1, 2023 [2 Ways to Clean a Hat, According to Experts](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-wash-hat-37114412) Experts share their top tips. 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- [Cleaning](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/cleaning) - [Laundry](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/collection/laundry) ## This Is How to Hand-Wash Clothes the Right Way, According to Experts   [Ashley Abramson](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/ashley-abramson) [Ashley Abramson](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/ashley-abramson) Ashley Abramson is a writer-mom hybrid. Her work, mostly focused on health, psychology, and parenting, has been featured in the Washington Post, New York Times, Allure, and more. She lives in the Milwaukee suburbs with her husband and two young sons. Follow [Jennifer Billock](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/jennifer-billock) [Jennifer Billock](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/jennifer-billock) Jennifer Billock is an award-winning writer, bestselling author, and editor. She is currently dreaming of an around-the-world trip with her Boston terrier. Follow updated Feb 25, 2025 Save Your Favorites Whenever you see the heart icon, just tap it to save it to your account\! [Add Us](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=apartmenttherapy.com)New See more Apartment Therapy stories when you search on Google. We [independently](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/about/apartment-therapy-commerce-guidelines) select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. When it comes to [doing your laundry](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-do-laundry-37382408), you might head straight to a laundromat, shared facility, or use an [in-house washer and dryer](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/5-small-stackable-washer-dryer-113571). But if you don’t have these services near you or don’t have the luxury of a washing machine in your home (or have delicate clothing), you might have to hand-wash your clothes. Need some tips on getting the job done? Below, we asked experts to share how to hand-wash clothes (including any care advice, steps to follow, and products to use), as well as how to sanitize and dry them at home. In This Article 1. [What You’ll Need:](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-the-best-way-to-hand-wash-clothes) 2. [How to Hand-Wash Clothes (and Air-Dry Them)](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-how-to-hand-wash-clothes-and-air-dry-them) 3. [How to Sanitize Hand-Washed Clothes](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-how-to-sanitize-hand-washed-clothes) 4. [How Often Should You Wash and Sanitize Your Clothes?](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-how-often-should-you-wash-and-sanitize-your-clothes) 5. [Which Clothes Should You Hand-Wash, and When?](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#htoc-which-clothes-should-you-hand-wash-and-when) 6. [What Kinds of Soaps or Detergents Should You Use for Which Fibers?](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#soaps-detergents) What You’ll Need: - Drying rack, hangers, or alternative solution of air-drying clothes - Kitchen sink - Gentle hand soap (or other soap/detergent, see: [What Kinds of Soaps or Detergents Should You Use for Which Fibers?](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972#soaps-detergents)) - Water How to Hand-Wash Clothes (and Air-Dry Them) Follow the steps below to learn how to hand-wash clothes at home and air-dry them.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/e96759d4e2a8f180f3385ad1f11a4c06ad3bb4a83f41de432da04a5dc9e9211e) Credit: Alex Lepe Step 1: Clean the sink. Fully clean the sink you’ll be using to hand-wash your clothes. Laundry expert Patric Richardson (also known as “[The Laundry Evangelist](https://laundryevangelist.com/)”), who’s the author of *[Laundry Love](https://www.amazon.com/Laundry-Love-Finding-Common-Chore/dp/1250235219/?asc_campaign=AT-36734972&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apartmenttherapy.com%2Fhow-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972&asc_source=&tag=apartmentth0a-20)* and founder of the [Mona Williams](https://monawilliams.com/) boutique store, says the kitchen sink is the best place to hand-wash clothes because not everyone has a bathtub at home, and the average bathroom sink usually isn’t all that spacious. Most kitchen sinks, he says, are roomy enough to wash a few pieces at once.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/1979eec530a0e4ba4a374095fee1e407f851ce0e1315475468c78df8bb5daf9f) Credit: Alex Lepe Step 2: Sort clothes. Just like when you’re using a laundry machine, you want to make sure to follow your method of separating clothing by color or type, Richardson suggests. Double-check the care instructions to see that the article of clothing is safe to hand-wash, too\!  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/5c5486064b8458c04f6267b190525ed2e3c8f6775656ccd8ac3ee096884c9149) Credit: Alex Lepe Step 3: Put clothes in warm water. Once you have a load ready (make sure it isn’t taking up too much room in your sink), fill up the sink with warm water and make sure your clothes are fully immersed.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/27872a5fd52483dc7b5c118aaac6d48b2ba38c0d40d9f624df8129b94ee1d859) Credit: Alex Lepe Step 4: Use a gentle cleaner. You should use a gentle or mild cleaner for hand-washing clothes. Richardson actually likes to use a gentle hand soap or shampoo instead of regular laundry detergent since detergent can be close to impossible to hand-rinse out of your clothes. Apply four to five pumps of the hand soap to your kitchen sink load or a very small amount of a laundry detergent. [Laundry soap](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/laundry-soap-vs-laundry-detergent-36816363) is another option you can use, but never use dish soap.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/39db891933da0ebb84fb714abeb92b1787aa14e86f091e4c2bec7638c5b0cd2c) Credit: Alex Lepe Step 5: Soak your clothes. Leave your clothes in the soapy water for around 20 minutes, manipulating them with your hands every three to four minutes without getting too hard or aggressive.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/cb0d198ad4dd426eec33bbd3762475fc125f877d69d63a6c384fd998472720e1) Credit: Alex Lepe Step 6: Rinse your clothes gently. Pull the stopper, let the water run out, then replace the stopper and fill the sink as full as you can with cool (not ice cold) water. Swish the clothes around again — you’ll notice the water is relatively clearer.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/b3c125b8c27fe9545bb40a4905999f6015bec65852b6bcc76975b55c0bad6366) Credit: Alex Lepe Step 7: Repeat for a final clean. Pull the stopper one last time, swish the clothes with your hands, and the water should be clear. Your clothes should be clean and ready to dry! Just make sure to clean your hands and sink (again) once you’re done.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/78ed77ddae957eb1c11e8970b715ee134d797b061922f6f6341a14814e61474a) Credit: Alex Lepe Step 8: Air-dry. Once your clothes are all fresh and clean, drying them takes very little work. Give them a wring so extra liquid comes out, shake the wrinkles out, and then put them on hangers or a drying rack to dry. It’s best to dry your clothes outside (the sunlight helps kill bacteria), but you can use anything, like chairs or shower curtain rods, inside if you don’t have outdoor space.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/40624de7a23e8735e9ef642e35bb85242422b0466b6206a106b65ca47cb4afde) Credit: Sarah Crowley How to Sanitize Hand-Washed Clothes If there’s a sickness coming around and you want to [sanitize your clothes](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sanitizing-vs-disinfecting-36642114) in addition to cleaning them, the good news is that the soap you’re using to hand-wash will likely take care of lingering pathogens. The soap you wash your hands with, Richardson explains, contains lipids, which attach to bacteria and viruses. So when you wash, the soap literally takes the germs off the garments and they go down the drain. However, it’s heat that really does most of the sanitizing action. If you want to harness heat to kill germs on your clothing when hand-washing, you can [steam or iron your clothes](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-use-steamer-245502) after you wash them. According to the CDC, [heat of 167°F or more](https://www.cdc.gov/flu/resource-center/images/multi-language-pdfs/contamination_cleaning_english_508.pdf) is sufficient to kill flu viruses, and many steamers can reach temperatures of 200°F or more.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/79b961c28c5759a44eccbff0c2c5987f0c40b7c6ae8a15f07788531b54eb0a88) Credit: Sarah Crowley How Often Should You Wash and Sanitize Your Clothes? Generally, Richardson isn’t normally a fan of washing your clothes more than you need to. If you’re just hanging out at home, wear your clothes until you absolutely need to wash them — until you spill something or the garment appears truly dirty. Usually clothes that aren’t exposed to outside germs can go without sanitizing for six to seven wearings, Richardson says. No matter what you’re washing, the important thing is to be realistic. If you’re around someone who is sick, wash your clothes just like you would wash your hands. If you can’t wash the dirty clothes immediately, quarantine them in a hamper until you can.  Save Your Favorites Create your own custom collections and keep all your inspiration in one place. [See More Images](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/image/687eaeec085696e7f0bb00c2e5a3c6c6a13b44fee0a4e23fa9c309fb1d691c60) Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock Which Clothes Should You Hand-Wash, and When? According to Elizabeth Shields, the operations manager at [Super Cleaning Service Louisville](https://supercleaningservicelouisville.com/), handwashing is ideal not just for clothes made out of delicate fabric, but also for new clothing. That way, she says, “you can observe if the color bleeds.” Shields also suggests hand-washing anything with a fresh stain to ensure it’s completely removed and doesn’t set in, and anything made of silk, lace, or a fuzzy fabric. You can also easily hand-wash single items that have been left behind in a hamper. Many people hand-wash clothes in the sink or tub if they’re traveling and no laundry facility is available, as well.  Credit: mariakray/Shutterstock What Kinds of Soaps or Detergents Should You Use for Which Fibers? Richardson prefers a gentle hand soap while Shields likes to use [Seventh Generation liquid detergent](https://atmedia.link/product?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.grove.co%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2F7g-laundry-detergent-2x-concentrate&referralSource=&id=36734972&site=AT&refUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apartmenttherapy.com%2Fhow-to-hand-wash-clothes-36734972) for all her hand-washing needs, because it’s plant-based and doesn’t dry out her hands. Nishant Prasad, cofounder at [Clean Fanatics](https://cleanfanatics.com/), breaks it down by fabric. For animal fibers like wool, silk, and cashmere, he uses a pH-neutral detergent, a gentle soap like baby shampoo, or a detergent specifically for wool. “Alkaline detergents can strip the fabric’s natural oils, leaving them rough or brittle,” he says. If you’re washing a plant fiber, like linen, cotton, or hemp, go ahead and use a regular mild liquid detergent. Prasad also pretreats stains with a paste made of baking soda and water. Synthetic fabrics (nylon, polyester, and spandex) can be washed with a standard detergent, but be sure not to use any type of fabric softener — it can coat the fibers and alter their breathability. Filed in: ## More to Love from Apartment Therapy  [One Good Thing: The Simple Effective Hand Powered Breathing Mobile Clothes Washer](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/one-good-thing-the-simple-effective-hand-powered-breathing-mobile-clothes-washer-36977432) Welcome back to One Good Thing! This week I got a tip from a friend that there was a new trend around washing your clothes at home with this thing called the Breathing Mobile Washer. At first, I was skeptical and I also thought it looked like a plunger, but then I tested it and found it to be a surprisingly smart new tool for the home. Why? Maxwell Ryan Sep 17, 2021