Do not wring your clothes and what to do instead

Short answer: When you wring wet clothes, you pull on the fibres and the fabric can lose its shape. Press, roll and let the air do the work instead. Here is why wringing harms, and how to get the water out gently.

Why wringing strains the fabric

When you wring, you put the fibres under both pull and twist while they are wet and weak. That can stretch stitches, pull threads out of line and give clothes a new, unwanted shape. The damage does not always show at once, but after a few washes it can appear as clothing that fits differently.

Press the water out between your palms

The simplest method is to press the clothes lightly between your palms or against the edge of the sink. Press, release, press again and let the water run off. You do not need force. It takes a little longer, but the fabric keeps its shape, and you do not pull on seams and edges.

Roll the clothes in a dry towel

Lay the clothes flat on a clean towel, roll it up like a swiss roll and press gently along the whole roll. The towel soaks up the water. Unroll, and repeat with a dry towel if the clothes still drip. It is a gentle method that suits delicate and thick clothing.

Let it drip first

If you have room, let the clothes drip over the bath or in the sink for about half an hour before hanging them up. That way you avoid carrying dripping laundry around, and the floor stays dry. Let the pieces hang loosely so the weight does not pull at a single point.

Use the spin with care

The washing machine spin is often a better choice than wringing, because the drum presses the water out more evenly. Choose a low or medium spin speed for delicates and follow the care label. A hard spin can create creases, so match the speed to what you are washing.

Spread the weight when clothes hang

After pressing, clothes should dry without being stretched. Hang light items over a bar so the weight is shared on both sides, and lay heavy knits and sweats flat. A wide hanger works for tops, but a hoodie is better laid flat. Choose by weight and thickness.

Take a little longer and the shape holds

It is tempting to hurry, but patience pays off. Clothes that dry calmly keep their shape and softness longer. Place them somewhere with good airflow, away from heat sources and direct sun. When they are nearly dry, you can shape them with your hands and put them in place.

Good habits make clothes last longer

It comes down to treating wet clothes as the delicate things they are. Press, roll, dry and shape, and avoid wringing and dragging. If you want to see something new, have a look at bestsellers for men, the range for men or a soft bamboo hoodie for men, which benefit from a gentle wash.

Frequently asked questions

Should I never wring clothes?

For delicate and knitted clothes you should avoid it, because it can stretch the fibres. For sturdy items light wringing can do, but pressing and rolling is almost always the gentler choice.

How do I get the water out without wringing?

Press the clothes between your hands, or roll them in a dry towel and press gently. That soaks up most of the water without pulling on the fibres, and the clothes dry faster afterwards.

Is spinning better than wringing?

Often yes, because the drum presses the water out evenly. Choose a low or medium spin speed for delicates and always follow the care label.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.