Green, Home, Life

Handwashing Makes Me Happy

One of my favorite things to do during the weekends when the weather permits is to handwash a few of my “delicate” clothes. I know, it sounds incredibly domestic, doesn’t it? Well I didn’t say that I washed all my clothes this way- that would be too much work !

I like handwashing for many reasons. It saves me laundry money, it preserves my clothes longer (who are you gonna trust with your bras, you or the laundry machine across that street that’s full of gum and hair?),  and I find it very relaxing.

It sounds so corny, but it’s true: pretty much every time I hand wash my clothes I go into an instant zen meditation. I am no longer thinking. I am:

  • Adding a dash of detergent to a kitchen bowl (A sink would take too much water)
  • Filling the bowl with cool water
  • Adding my clothes
  • Swirling the clothes in the soapy water. Maybe they can sit for a minute while I make some coffee…
  • Draining the soapy water
  • Rinsing my clothes with water until the water runs clear
  • Gently squeezing out excess water from my clothes
  • Hanging my clothes outside on the clothesline
  • Saying hi to the cat that lives across the yard -“Hi Milo!”
  • Admiring my clothes fluttering in the wind while I drink my coffee

Try washing your clothes by hand, you might like it! Don’t worry, there’s really no way that you can mess this up.