Washing bulky items: if they don't fit in the washing machine, you can use alternative cleaning methods
Most laundry washing these days is done using a washing machine - a must-have appliance in every modern home. However, not everything can be put in the washing machine. Aside from delicate things that need to be hand-washed, other items can be too bulky to put in the machine. So how do we wash these items?
Pillows, quilts, duvets and carpets are amongst the things that are difficult - if not impossible - to wash in the washing machine due to their bulk. So, how do we wash and clean these items?
Duvets, quilts and comforters
Duvets, quilts and comforters may be too large to fit in the washing machine (especially if they are not for single beds). To wash these items, we have to do it by hand (if we don't send them to a laundry service, of course). The first step to check the washing instruction labels. Once you've established there are no "special washing conditions", you can proceed.
- Whether down or synthetic, you can proceed by treating any stains on the items which you can remove using a cloth and a mixture of baking soda and water dabbed over the affected area. Once this is done, you can move on to washing the items.
- Fill the bathtub with cold water, add mild laundry soap and completely immerse the item in the water, agitating and rubbing it withy our hands in order to eliminate all the dirt in the fibers. It will take some time to wash the item entirely, so be patient. Once done, you can move on to the rinsing phase.
- Empty the tub and fill it up again with clean water, wringing out the item from periodically to remove soap and dirt.
- Finally, wring out the item as best as possible (you may need a hand with this operation) and then hang it up outside to dry.
- Remember to always shake out the item to prevent the stuffing from "clotting" and forming lumps and bumps. The sun and fresh air will dry out the item, leaving it with a fresh, clean scent.
Pillows
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After dealing with the above-described items, you can move on to the pillows. Pillows should be washed very frequently to avoid the accumulation of germs and bacteria. Some of these will fit into your washing machine, but you have some that are too big (or should not be machine-washed), what can you do? Well, wash them by hand following procedure described below:
- Remove the cover from the pillow and clean any hair and lint that you can see on it, paying attention to note the location of any stains.
- Now, fill the bathtub (or large basin) with warm/hot water - as long as the washing label does not indicate otherwise. Add a few drops of laundry detergent and soak the pillow in the warm/hot water.
- Push down on the pillow to completely immerse it. You can then scrub the pillow with your hands or use a soft-bristled brush to eliminate any stains or marks.
- Once done, rinse the pillow out with clean water, removing any soap residue.
- Squeeze out the pillow to remove as much water as possible. Then, dry the pillow outside (or next to a heat source).
Carpets and rugs
Another item that is not easy to put in the washing machine is a carpet or a rug, especially large ones. So, how do we deal with this? Many people choose to take their carpets to the cleaners for a professional cleaning, but this isn't always necessary. You can get great results doing it yourself at home. That said, we recommend reading the washing instructions before proceeding.
- The first thing to do is to thoroughly vacuum the carpet to remove the bulk of the dust, hair and dirt in general.
- Once done, you can proceed in washing the carpet in one of two ways. The first involves the use of a mixture of water and mild dishwashing liquid (and only a few drops). Using a cloth, gently scrub the entire carpet. As an alternative to this procedure, you can sprinkle bicarbonate on carpet, leave this to act for an hour or so, and then spray a mixture of water and detergent over the carpet (cleaning off with a cloth).
- After this cleaning, use a clean cloth and water to remove any soap residue and continue until the water runs clear. If you have the space, hang the carpet up outside and hose it down for a more effective rinsing.
- Now, hang up the carpet to dry thoroughly. Remember, a carpet put back before drying out properly, will start to smell.
- Finally, brush the fibers to raise the pile and lay the carpet back down.
Summary
This type of hand-washing may seem to be a challenge, but with practice and patience, you will soon master this "craft".
How often do you wash large items like these?
