How To Hand-Wash Towels
Towels are one of the most common linens found in homes today. There are towels for drying dishes, drying bodies, drying hands and more. Some towels are made from a cotton blend, while others are made from more delicate fabrics, requiring hand washing. You can also hand-wash your towels if your washing machine is broken and your towels need to be washed immediately. Either way, hand-washing towels is not all that difficult.
Step 1
Fill a clean bathtub halfway with cold water for a full load of towels. Pour a cap of mild laundry detergent into the bathtub and mix it in with the water, using your hand to mix.
Step 2
Put the towels in the bathtub and push them under the water until they are completely submerged. Allow them to sit for at least 10 minutes for stains to be penetrated.
Step 3
Take one towel with both hands and rub the towel's surface together until the entire surface of the towel has been scrubbed. Do this with each towel. Drain the water.
Step 4
Rinse each towel thoroughly and wring out as much water as possible.
Step 5
Hang the towels on a clothesline to dry. If you don't have a clothesline, hang them on a surface that won't be damaged by water.
Tip
A laundry soap designed for delicates can be used for cherished, vintage or delicate towels such as tea towels. Follow directions on the soap package for hand washing, as specifics may vary from brand to brand.