Author Topic: Hand washing of laundry (Read 4991 times)

Telesphorus · « **on:** September 12, 2011, 02:03:56 PM »

Right now I'm using an old "Triumph Zinkeinlage" (washboard) from Germany and a 32 gallon pvc basin to hand wash laundry. I have a clothes line up. I use the homemade borax/washing soda/ivory soap detergent and bars of ivory soap to wash.

Though it is time consuming, driving half an hour to the laundromat and back, and spending the money in the machines adds up to time and money that makes the cost of washing at home roughly equivalent.

I don't have heatable metal wash basin yet.

Anyway, if someone has any expertise to share about hand washing, please let me know!

St Jude Thaddeus · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2011, 03:39:29 PM »

I'm not in the States, Tele, and we have different brands here, but look for a detergent that allows you to soak the clothes overnight in it beforehand. Then, the next day, when you wash, the stains/dirt/grime come right out with little effort.

In the "Mexican" sections of supermarkets, or in mini-markets in Latino neighborhoods, they sell bar soaps that are good for washing clothes on a washboard. The soaps rinse out very easily. Don't use a brush on the clothes unless they are very heavy duty. A brush will wear out the clothes fast. Just grab a fistful of the cloth in one hand and gently work it back and forth across the ribbed washboard surface. Turn the clothes inside out before you do this if you want to preserve the outside, especially if it's a T-shirt or something with some kind of a logo or design. Make sure you keep the washboard free of sharp or hard particles that could rip open a hole in your clothes.

I have a slow connection or I would do it, but I bet you can find some web sites with helpful tips or even YouTube videos with advice also.

Also, wash out the day's clothes that same night. It only takes about 15 minutes and that way a ton of dirty clothes won't get on top of you all at once!

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2011, 08:47:29 PM »

Tele,
I wash a lot of things by hand but not with a washboard. Around here you can buy a bar of Fels-Naptha Soap. It works amazing for getting out stains on just about anything. I soak things in the bathtub or sink overnight if necessary. Works great. About $2 a bar. It even gets out chocolate and grease!

For small stains, Dawn dishwashing liquid and a toothbrush works better than anything. I scrub in cold water by rubbing the cloth to together.

I find stains come out much better if treated right away.

If I think of other things, I'll certainly pass it on.

Telesphorus · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2011, 09:27:06 AM »

Quote from: CathMomof7

For small stains, Dawn dishwashing liquid and a toothbrush works better than anything. I scrub in cold water by rubbing the cloth to together.

I once put Ivory dish soap on some cotton sheets and it seemed to change the texture of the fabric. I'm not sure if the spot is still like that though. It warned me off using dish soap on clothes, but since you do it, it's probably okay.

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2011, 01:32:27 PM »

Quote from: Telesphorus

Quote from: CathMomof7
For small stains, Dawn dishwashing liquid and a toothbrush works better than anything. I scrub in cold water by rubbing the cloth to together.

I once put Ivory dish soap on some cotton sheets and it seemed to change the texture of the fabric. I'm not sure if the spot is still like that though. It warned me off using dish soap on clothes, but since you do it, it's probably okay.

Tele,
I only use Dawn for this. Some dish soap has a lot of abrasives in it and will affect the texture of the fabric. Dawn does not do this. I have 7 children who get their clothes really dirty sometimes. If I use Dawn and a toothbrush, I can get out most everything. Other wise, I use Fels-Naptha.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2011, 01:38:59 PM »

I'll second the handiness of Dawn. I've used it to spot-clean a wedding dress with no problems.

herbert · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2011, 05:02:11 PM »

why not just throw out clothes if they stained? stains dont go away they just disappear. or use for cleaning rag.

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2011, 09:58:27 PM »

Quote from: herbert

why not just throw out clothes if they stained? stains dont go away they just disappear. or use for cleaning rag.

Because it is wasteful.

We don't throw out any clothes unless they are beyond repair or cannot be used for anything else.

Sometimes I keep the stained clothes for children's play clothes or for yard work.

herbert · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2011, 12:16:28 AM »

Quote from: CathMomof7

Quote from: herbert
why not just throw out clothes if they stained? stains dont go away they just disappear. or use for cleaning rag.

Because it is wasteful.

We don't throw out any clothes unless they are beyond repair or cannot be used for anything else.

Sometimes I keep the stained clothes for children's play clothes or for yard work.

but clothes are so cheap. i can go to goodwill and get 10 outfits for 10 bucks. i went there the other day and they had 20 boxers for 1 buckaroo. although they were used, but i dont mind.

Cheryl · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2011, 08:27:08 AM »

Quote from: St Jude Thaddeus

I'm not in the States, Tele, and we have different brands here, but look for a detergent that allows you to soak the clothes overnight in it beforehand. Then, the next day, when you wash, the stains/dirt/grime come right out with little effort.

In the "Mexican" sections of supermarkets, or in mini-markets in Latino neighborhoods, they sell bar soaps that are good for washing clothes on a washboard. The soaps rinse out very easily. Don't use a brush on the clothes unless they are very heavy duty. A brush will wear out the clothes fast. Just grab a fistful of the cloth in one hand and gently work it back and forth across the ribbed washboard surface. Turn the clothes inside out before you do this if you want to preserve the outside, especially if it's a T-shirt or something with some kind of a logo or design. Make sure you keep the washboard free of sharp or hard particles that could rip open a hole in your clothes.

I have a slow connection or I would do it, but I bet you can find some web sites with helpful tips or even YouTube videos with advice also.

Also, wash out the day's clothes that same night. It only takes about 15 minutes and that way a ton of dirty clothes won't get on top of you all at once!

Tele, I think one of the bar soaps that SJT is talking about is called Zote. It is made from beef tallow and works great. I'm not sure where you're at but I've found this soap at Big Lot/Odd Lot for ninety cents. I'm a firm believer in Fels-Naptha. I buy it for 97 cents at Wally World. I use both soaps grated in a regular machine and wouldn't go back to using any other kind of laundry soap. Fels-Naptha is great for treating stains. Just wet some, rub it into the stain and scrub on your board. For lazy moments, look for a fingernail brush and use this to work the soap into the stain on your clothing. I've also found the dollar store brand of oxygen cleaner to work well for overnight soaking of hard to remove stains.

SJT...Nice to see you back!

Elizabeth · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2011, 08:34:25 AM »

Quote from: Cheryl

Quote from: St Jude Thaddeus
I'm not in the States, Tele, and we have different brands here, but look for a detergent that allows you to soak the clothes overnight in it beforehand. Then, the next day, when you wash, the stains/dirt/grime come right out with little effort.

In the "Mexican" sections of supermarkets, or in mini-markets in Latino neighborhoods, they sell bar soaps that are good for washing clothes on a washboard. The soaps rinse out very easily. Don't use a brush on the clothes unless they are very heavy duty. A brush will wear out the clothes fast. Just grab a fistful of the cloth in one hand and gently work it back and forth across the ribbed washboard surface. Turn the clothes inside out before you do this if you want to preserve the outside, especially if it's a T-shirt or something with some kind of a logo or design. Make sure you keep the washboard free of sharp or hard particles that could rip open a hole in your clothes.

I have a slow connection or I would do it, but I bet you can find some web sites with helpful tips or even YouTube videos with advice also.

Also, wash out the day's clothes that same night. It only takes about 15 minutes and that way a ton of dirty clothes won't get on top of you all at once!

Tele, I think one of the bar soaps that SJT is talking about is called Zote. It is made from beef tallow and works great. I'm not sure where you're at but I've found this soap at Big Lot/Odd Lot for ninety cents. I'm a firm believer in Fels-Naptha. I buy it for 97 cents at Wally World. I use both soaps grated in a regular machine and wouldn't go back to using any other kind of laundry soap. Fels-Naptha is great for treating stains. Just wet some, rub it into the stain and scrub on your board. For lazy moments, look for a fingernail brush and use this to work the soap into the stain on your clothing. I've also found the dollar store brand of oxygen cleaner to work well for overnight soaking of hard to remove stains.

SJT...Nice to see you back!

Ditto SJT :cheers:

OH YES on these soaps! :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox:

And don't forget to wash skin with Fels-Naptha if there is any chance of having touched Poison Ivy or some such nasty.

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2011, 10:32:36 AM »

Quote from: herbert

Quote from: CathMomof7
Quote from: herbert
why not just throw out clothes if they stained? stains dont go away they just disappear. or use for cleaning rag.

Because it is wasteful.

We don't throw out any clothes unless they are beyond repair or cannot be used for anything else.

Sometimes I keep the stained clothes for children's play clothes or for yard work.

but clothes are so cheap. i can go to goodwill and get 10 outfits for 10 bucks. i went there the other day and they had 20 boxers for 1 buckaroo. although they were used, but i dont mind.

I buy plenty of items at the Salvation Army. But I don't throw anything away if I can help it. Clothing 7 children is not cheap. Why spend 50 or 60 dollars on each one every year when I can buy clothes, clean them, and store them for the next one? I haven't bought very many clothes in I don't know how long.

herbert · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2011, 07:18:03 AM »

Quote from: CathMomof7

Quote from: herbert
Quote from: CathMomof7
Quote from: herbert
why not just throw out clothes if they stained? stains dont go away they just disappear. or use for cleaning rag.

Because it is wasteful.

We don't throw out any clothes unless they are beyond repair or cannot be used for anything else.

Sometimes I keep the stained clothes for children's play clothes or for yard work.

but clothes are so cheap. i can go to goodwill and get 10 outfits for 10 bucks. i went there the other day and they had 20 boxers for 1 buckaroo. although they were used, but i dont mind.

I buy plenty of items at the Salvation Army. But I don't throw anything away if I can help it. Clothing 7 children is not cheap. Why spend 50 or 60 dollars on each one every year when I can buy clothes, clean them, and store them for the next one? I haven't bought very many clothes in I don't know how long.

cathmomof7, have you entertained buying just one outfit and having you kids wear it in shifts?!

Telesphorus · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2011, 12:20:38 PM »

I received some Fels Naptha soap today - three bars sent from home. I haven't seen it in the stores around here.

I'll let you know how it works!

Telesphorus · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2011, 06:52:03 PM »

I've come to the conclusion that handwashing, though laborious, is cheaper and it gets the clothes cleaner. Hand wrung clothes go on the line wetter and don't get nearly as wrinkly. The Fels Naptha works great, I collect bars of soap (ivory, castile, fels naptha) that are near the end in a styrofoam cup and make my own detergent.

It is a lot of work but it's better than driving for 25 minutes each way, and putting money into the machines, and then putting money into the drying machines, and sitting there waiting. And then you realize the clothes aren't as clean as you can get with handwashing.