If your washing machine breaks, or you don’t have access to one, doing your laundry can be a significantly more intensive chore. It is tempting to seek alternative ways to do a lot of laundry quickly without visiting a laundromat.
You cannot wash clothes in a dishwasher because it isn’t designed for that purpose. Dishwashers reach much higher temperatures than washing machines, which can damage clothing. Additionally, sleeves and pant legs can tangle into a dishwasher’s spray arms and damage the machine.
If you use your dishwasher as a washing machine and damage it, there’s a high chance that your warranty will not cover the damage. Most manufacturers explicitly state that their warranties become void if the device is not used as intended.
Can You Wash Clothes in a Dishwasher?
Washing clothes in a dishwasher is not a good idea. Not only can clothes tangling in spray arms cause damage, the high temperatures and chemicals in dish detergent can fade the color of your clothes. Dye is more likely to bleed when exposed to high heat and harsh detergents.
Can You Wash Dish Towels in the Dishwasher?
Dish towels tend to be sturdier than clothing, so it’s easy to assume that the same risks wouldn’t apply. Some people suggest that you can place your dish towels in a mesh bag to prevent them from getting caught in the spray arms.
You should not wash a dish towel in a dishwasher, even if it’s in a mesh bag. This is because dish detergent contains bleach, ammonia, and rinse aids that are harsh on fabrics. These chemicals can harm both your towel and the mesh bag you put it in.
Putting laundry detergent into your dishwasher won’t solve this problem. Laundry detergent creates far more suds than dish detergent, so putting laundry soap into your dishwasher can cause a real mess in your kitchen.
Just like how dish detergent contains ingredients that aren’t meant for laundry, laundry soap contains ingredients that aren’t meant for dishwashers. Laundry detergent may include chemicals that may become irritating or toxic to breathe when exposed to comparatively higher temperatures in your dishwasher.
How Do You Wash Clothes Without a Washing Machine?
If you can’t use your dishwasher for laundry, you still need to find a way to wash your clothes if you can’t easily access a washing machine. Most machine-based alternatives won’t do the trick because they aren’t designed for fabrics and may also be too rough on your clothes.
If you don’t have a washing machine, the best alternative is handwashing. People have been washing their clothes without the help of a machine for centuries, and it continues to be a perfectly safe and effective way to do your laundry.
Your regular laundry detergent should be fine if you handwash your clothes once or twice.
However, many laundry detergents contain 1,4-dioxane. Prolonged exposure to high amounts of this chemical can cause skin irritation. A gentler laundry soap without 1,4-dioxane will be better for your skin if you will be handwashing long term. If that’s not possible, wear rubber gloves to protect your skin.
Can You Wash Clothes in a Sink?
You can handwash your clothes in your sink. However, bear in mind that many laundry detergents aren’t food safe. So, you should thoroughly clean and sanitize your sink after each load if you also use it for preparing food.
Handwashing in the sink is actually the best option for some garments, even when you have easy access to a washing machine. Delicate fabrics can break apart from the force of your washing machine, and handwashing is even safer and gentler than your washing machine’s delicate setting.
To handwash in your sink, let the detergent fully dissolve in warm water before you add your clothes. Once the soap dissolves, submerge your laundry and gently swirl it in the water. Then, make sure to thoroughly rinse all the soap out before hanging them to dry.
Can You Wash Clothes in a Bathtub?
If your home has a bathtub, it’s easy to see how it can be used for clothing. Bathtub basins can hold a lot more than your sink. So, you may see them as an alternative to your sink if you need to handwash a lot of clothing.
You can wash your clothes in a bathtub. Doing so is perfectly safe for both you and your clothes. However, this process will require a fair amount of water. So, if you have a lot of laundry to do, you may want to consider a laundromat to save on your water bills.
Make sure your bathtub is clean if you decide to go this route. Limescale buildup and residue from could soil your laundry water. This residue can stick to your clothes and cause more stains instead of less.
Here’s how to clean your clothes in the bathtub:
- Fill your tub with warm water.
- Add your laundry detergent.
- Once the detergent dissolves, submerge your clothes.
- Let your clothes soak in the water for a little while.
- Then, swirl your laundry in the water or stomp on it with clean bare feet.
Can You Wash Clothes With a Showerhead?
It is possible to clean your clothes in the shower while also cleaning yourself. Be careful of your choice of soap if you choose this method. Soaps that are good for your clothes may or may not be suitable for your skin and vice versa.
If you’re in a pinch and decide to jump into the shower with your clothes on, scrub down your garments while they are still on. Then, remove them and hang them on your shower curtain rod before you wash your body.
Avoid wringing out your clothes because this can cause wrinkles and damage any graphics or designs if present. Instead, gently squeeze out excess water before hanging your clothes to prevent dripping and help them dry faster.
If showering with your clothes on sounds uncomfortable, you can also spray them down with your showerhead. Be mindful that the length of your shower hose determines your shower’s water pressure. If you have a shorter hose, the water pressure will be higher. High water pressure may be too rough on some delicate garments.
Final Thoughts
If you don’t have access to a washing machine, you aren’t stuck with dirty clothes. However, a dishwasher is not the solution. Using your dishwasher for laundry can damage your clothes and your dishwasher and expose you to irritating chemical fumes.
If you need an alternative way to do your laundry, instead look towards your:
- Sink
- Bathtub
- Shower
- Laundromat
The size of your load affects this decision. A sink or shower is best if you have a few garments to wash. For bigger loads, use a bathtub. However, your local laundromat may be your best option for very large loads.
