Lighter Liquid Detergent Oftentimes, lighter laundry detergents will be softer on delicate laundry. Charlie's Laundry Liquid is one of our favorite lightweight laundry detergents. It's hypoallergenic detergent is free of parabens, sulfates, dyes, synthetic fragrances, phosphates, and bleach.
Regular detergent (or detergent for colors) should be fine for cotton/polyester clothes. No need to use more expensive delicate detergent unless the care label says to. Delicate detergents don't have enzymes that could degrade delicate fabrics like wool and silk.
A delicate detergent should clean the clothes effectively without affecting the quality of the clothes. It should have the ability to remove all kinds of stains without causing any harm to the clothes.
Turn your delicates inside out and make sure any zippers and other closures are securely fastened. Put your delicates in a mesh washing bag, add your detergent and use the “Delicate” or “Gentle” wash setting with cold water. Choose your washing machine's lowest spin cycle to avoid damage.
Hand wash. The hand wash program replicates the gentle motions of hand washing. It's perfect for delicate items that cannot be washed in a regular cycle.
The delicate wash cycle uses high levels of cold water and a low spin speed for carefully tending to undergarments and delicate fabrics that need to be handled with care, like lace, lingerie, or silk neckties.
Truth: As long as the label doesn't specifically say “dry clean only,” hand washing is safe for silks. The right way: Fill a clean sink with lukewarm or cold water and a small amount of delicates-friendly liquid detergent, like Tide Free & Gentle Liquid.
"Delicate" washing involves using a gentle cycle with minimal agitation, cool or warm water, and a short wash cycle. This method is best for delicate fabrics such as silk, lace, and cashmere, as well as items with embellishments or prints that may run or fade in a regular cycle.
Other Options for Cleaning Delicates
Hand Washing: To hand wash, fill a basin or clean sink with lukewarm to cool water and add a small amount of delicate detergent. Gently agitate the water and immerse the delicate item, allowing it to soak for a few minutes. Gently rub the fabric to remove dirt and stains.
Woolite's detergent effectively washes away everyday dirt, while helping care for all types of clothes - from jeans, to tees, to more delicate fabrics like wool and silk.
Select the Gentle Cycle:
The gentle cycle reduces agitation and minimizes the risk of wear and tear. If your machine doesn't have a dedicated delicate cycle, opt for a short and cold water cycle to protect your clothes.
The Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent is ideal for non-stained loads or those who already have a stain remover on standby. Overall, we think it's an amazing liquid detergent that's gentle on sensitive skin and leaves your garments smelling fresh and feeling soft.
Some fabrics, like silk, wool, nylon, lace, etc. should always be treated as delicate. You may also want to treat anything that shrinks easily as delicate to ensure they get the extra attention necessary.
Woolite Delicates is a gentle washing liquid detergent, formulated to care for your delicate garments in the wash. The unique formula won't cause shape loss or fiber damage to keep the clothes you love looking like new, for longer!
Dawn. Dawn dish soap is by and large the best of the mild detergents to use.
Always wash in cool or tepid water with a gentle laundry detergent. Always separate your delicate items from other dirty laundry and wash with like colors. Modern clothes washers also come with a “Delicate” or “Hand Wash” cycle designed to gently wash your delicate items.
A delicate wash or “hand wash” cycle is the machine equivalent to handwashing!
Some people don't care. But, some people do! That's why we want to make sure you know – fabric softener is not good for your laundry, especially for your delicate garments.
Delicate Fabrics (Silk, Wool): Stick to the lower end of the detergent range – about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per small basin.
*For best results, use a little less than two teaspoons (9.5 mL) of Dawn® Platinum in a top-loading washing machine—be sure not to use too much, and don't use on delicate fabrics like silk. Spot test with a small drop in a less visible area to make sure the material will not be damaged.
It is best to wash delicate pieces with the "delicates" setting, which uses light agitation to prevent damage to the fabric.
The powder detergent goes into the largest section of the drawer, usually on the left-hand side. If in any doubt, check your washing machine's manual. The liquid softener goes into the partially covered section of the drawer with the flower symbol.
Delicate items such as lingerie, silk blouses, and lace garments require special care. These fabrics are easily damaged by rougher, heavier items like jeans or towels. What to do instead: To protect your delicates, wash them separately on a gentle cycle, preferably in a mesh laundry bag.