Washing During the Seven Days with Water Only
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Question
Is it permissible to wear clothes washed in water without detergent?
Answer
During the seven days of mourning, it is forbidden to wear clothes washed even in water without detergent.
Source
Gemara Moed Katan, page 17b: "All those who are permitted to shave during the festival (if mourning followed mourning, or released from prison, etc.) are permitted to shave during the days of mourning. But wasn't it taught that it is forbidden? - Rav Chisda said in the name of Rav Shila: when it was taught that it is permitted - it is in the case where mourning followed mourning. - If mourning followed mourning, why only these? Even everyone can! As it was taught: if mourning followed mourning, and the hair became heavy - one may lighten it with a razor and wash his clothes in water. - On this, Rav Chisda said: with a razor, but not with scissors, in water, but not with natron or soap. Rav Chisda said: this implies that during mourning, washing is forbidden.
From this, it is evident that during the seven days of mourning, one should not wash clothes in water, except when mourning followed mourning. This is also ruled in Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 389, Paragraph 1: "During mourning, it is forbidden to wash clothes all seven days, even only in water."