When laundry day comes around, most washing machines offer a delicate or hand-wash setting, but there are times when the best results will come from hand-washing certain types of clothing. If you’re not sure how to hand-wash clothes, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn the different techniques to washing clothes by hand and what to look out for when working with different fabrics.

Always check the care label for directions. If your garment features the hand wash symbol, follow our instructions below for cleaning clothes by hand. If the label says “dry-clean only,” avoid washing it at home. If the label says “dry-clean,” you may want to try hand-washing clothes. Before you hand-wash the garment, check a small inconspicuous area first to make sure the fabric is colorfast.