Mesh laundry bags are an essential laundry item for many. They protect delicate items from the metal drum which can be too rough for some materials, and protect items which could be prone to detaching during a wash such as sequins and beads.
In addition to this, you can place items in a mesh bag that may snag on other items of clothing, such as buckles and zips.
Unfortunately, they can get lost or forgotten about and you may find that when you come to wash certain items, you’re stuck because you don’t have a protective mesh bag.
Not to worry though, there are other items you can repurpose to do the same job as a mesh laundry bag.
Using a Pillowcase Instead of a Mesh Laundry Bag
The best alternative to a mesh laundry bag is a pillowcase. Putting your delicates in a pillowcase allows the water and detergent to soak through the pillowcase and wash the items inside. The pillowcase also protects them from being thrown about by the spinning drum.
If you have an old pillowcase you’re no longer using, you can repurpose it to become a laundry bag. However, even if you don’t have an old pillowcase, you can still use it to wash your delicates without damaging it.
To seal off the opening, you can use string, shoelaces or even knot the two ends together.
Using Tights Instead of a Mesh Laundry Bag
If you have an old pair of tights, they can also be used to protect your delicates. They aren’t as practical as a pillowcase because they won’t fit as many items inside and they mustn’t have large holes otherwise items may escape into the wash.
However, if you have a sturdy pair of old tights, just seal off the waist in the same way as above, using shoelaces, rope or knotting two sides together.
Making Your Own DIY Mesh Laundry Bag
If you happen to be a sewing whiz and you have the materials lying around, you can quite easily make your own mesh laundry bag. You will need mesh fabric, thicker cotton for the edges and a zip.
If this is too much work, you could just invest in some good ready-made laundry bags. They are usually pretty cheap!
In The Wash is your guide to the best laundry and cleaning products, tips and tricks. Our mission is to solve the UK’s cleaning and laundry dilemmas!
