My sympathy to you. Not a pleasant experience. I do wash small charms, new ones from the mfg. I prepare a basin of warm water, with lots of suds. I do all the light colored charms first. The charms are loosely arranged into the sudsy water, and I alternate soaking and then pat them, giving them and up and down motion. No wringing. Sometimes I let them sit for a day. Complete the rinsing the second day. Leaving them spread on a fluffy towel to dry. Second batch is for darker colors. Third batch is for reds. Beware the red dyes, even in quality fabrics!