You can put hand wash clothes in the washer without damage, but it's essential to follow some guidelines to ensure they come out looking their best. Delicate items like lingerie and silk can withstand machine washing if you use a gentle cycle with cold water.
Most hand wash clothes are designed to be machine washable, but it's crucial to check the care label first. If the label says "dry clean only", it's best to stick with hand washing.
The type of fabric also plays a significant role in determining whether hand wash clothes can be machine washed. For example, wool and cashmere can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water, but they may felt or shrink if exposed to hot water or agitated during the wash cycle.
Understanding Hand-Wash Labels
Hand-wash labels are a warning sign that your clothes may be damaged if washed in a machine. Many delicate items like lace, beaded, or sequinned items can be ruined by machine washing.
The real culprit behind damage is not the machine itself, but the temperature of the water and the agitation of the wash cycle. Non-washable wool, for example, can shrink and felt if washed in water that's too warm or spun too vigorously.
If you're thinking of taking the risk and washing hand-wash only clothes in the machine, use a gentle detergent and a low temperature setting. A hand-wash setting on your machine can be a good option, but it's still at your own risk.
Some people have successfully washed their hand-wash only sweaters in the machine, but it's not always a guarantee. To do it safely, turn your sweater inside out before placing it in the washing machine and use a wash bag if needed.
The key to machine washing hand-wash only clothes is to use a gentle cycle and a mild detergent. Some experts even recommend using a 30-degree Celsius wash or lower for natural fibres.
Front loader machines are generally gentler and more efficient than top loader machines, which can be a good option if you want to machine wash hand-wash only clothes.
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Machine Washing Hand-Wash Items
Machine washing hand-wash items can be done, but it's essential to do it carefully.
Turn your hand-wash item inside out before placing it in the washing machine to protect the delicate outer layer from damage.
Use a gentle detergent and set the machine to a delicate cycle or a low temperature and low spin speed. Most machines have a 'delicate' or 'hand wash' setting, so check your machine's options.
A front loader machine is gentler and more efficient than a top loader, and it's a cleaner wash that leaves garments looking better.
Be sure to follow the water temperature advice on the item, or if it doesn't have any, use cool to lukewarm water. Hot water can cause natural fibres to shrink.
Lay your hand-wash item flat to dry, as hanging it up can cause the fabric to stretch out of shape.
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