Boldly Lauren

Do you avoid buying clothing that specifies to handwash it? I certainly did for a long period of time because who has time for that? Lately though, I find myself purchasing garments that are made of natural fibers, and with that comes more tedious care; a.k.a. handwashing and drycleaning.

I found an innovative tool that dramatically cuts down the time and effort to handwash my clothes – meet the Strucket or “straining bucket“. It’s a bucket that allows you to soak your garments (I like this gentle detergent) then easily strain and drain. The 19L size is perfect for clothes.

My silk Sezane Chloe top is an excellent example of a piece that should be handwashed. Silk isn’t scary once you learn how to care for it; I love it’s elegant drape, and it feels so light and breezy, too.

Once I’ve dropped my garment into the basin, I add my water and detergent, then give it a little swish. Let it soak for the alotted amount of time, then it’s time to drain.

Lift the garment up in the straining bucket, then set the grooved edge of the straining bucket onto the side of the basin.

I give my clothes a few minutes of rest to allow a majority of the water to drain. This step reduces a majority of the heavy lifting (literally) associated with handwashing especially for heavier clothes. You don’t have to spend a ton of time wringing out water! After a few minutes, I usually just need to give my garment a light squeeze before hanging to airdry.

Pull the plug located on the bottom to drain the dirty water. I do my washing in my stand up shower, but this could also be done at a kitchen sink or a mud room.

What makes the Strucket so special is the ability to soak your items and then strain directly over the basin without creating a huge mess because the bucket fits perfectly in the basin. It’s truly the easiest handwashing you’ll ever do for your clothes, and it’s been a total gamechanger for my closet.

Additionally, Strucket makes a mini 4.5L Strucket that I LOVE for washing fruits and veggies! The mini size comes with a lid which is nice if you need to soak things a little longer and keep curious critters (like my cat and toddler) out.

You can buy Struckets indivitually, but they also come in a set with a 19L and 4.5L which is what I purchased. I have zero regrets – this tool has become a daily use for me! Honestly there are so many ways beyond how I use my Struckets on the regular that they could be useful. As a parent, I think about washing toys specifically, but also how helpful it would be for parents who use cloth diapers.

If you’re looking to simplify your life when it comes to labor intensive hand washing of items, you need a Strucket.