Even if youve spent the past two months of the coronavirus lockdown in pajamas, you have undoubtedly accumulated at least some laundry during that time. And without handy access to an in-home washer or dryer, you might be tempted to start hand-washing your leggings .

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd know a thing or 30 about washing by hand. They are the co-founders of The Laundress , an all-things-laundry-all-the-time brand that offers a wealth of products and knowledge about how to clean just about anything . Now theyre sharing some of that knowledge with us.

Below, their tips for hand-washing your clothes in the tub.

Start with a clean slate.

This one might sound like a no-brainer, but your bathtub is likely covered in germs . Whiting and Boyd recommend doing a deep clean before stopping the drain and filling it with water for your laundry.

Consider the temperature.

Different materials require different water temperatures, Whiting and Boyd explained. Items like woolens, faux fur, down jackets, bedding, delicates and denim should be washed in cool water. Activewear and everyday laundry, on the other hand, can be washed in warm water.

Be discerning with detergent.

Whiting and Boyd recommend using an effective, plant-based detergent thats formulated to whiten, brighten and preserve color while removing stains. Laundry expert Patric Richardson recommends items from The Laundress brand, like their signature detergent and bleach alternative , while Richardson also recommends brands like Eczema Honeys hand soap and Sonnett organic liquid laundry detergent .

Prepare the water before you put the clothes in.

Without the machine-operated, suds-making mechanisms available in a washing machine, its important to make sure the water is soapy before putting the clothes in. Agitate the water with your hands to create a soapy solution, Whiting said, then let the garments soak in the soapy water for 30 minutes.

Watch the clock.

You might be inclined to let your garments soak while you take care of other things around the house, but Whiting and Boyd say they should sit only for 30 minutes before rinsing. Remove the laundry from the tub by pressing each garment against the edge of the tub and placing in a clean bucket or sink, Boyd explained. Then, open the drain to release the soapy water and close the drain again before filling with clean, warm water. Swirl to thoroughly rinse away the suds and drain once more.