Extremely gentle handling, or what the hand wash icon on the label means

Every time before washing a new item, we carefully study the recommendations on the label sewn on the reverse side.
Most items can be washed in a washing machine, subject to temperature conditions. But there are delicate fabrics that can only be washed by hand.

In today’s article, we’ll talk about such materials and how to properly wash clothes that have a hand wash icon on the label, by hand, so that they can last as long as possible.

How is it designated and what does it mean?

The “Hand Wash” sign on a label sewn into clothing looks like this: a hand completely immersed in a container of water.

If you see such a symbol on your new blouse, shirt or T-shirt, this means that the item must be washed manually, the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

When removing dirt, do not rub the product . Wring out carefully, without twisting the item, so as not to deform the structure of the fabric fibers.

Features Features

What does “Manual mode” mean in an automatic machine? This:

• maximum temperature - 40 °C;
• minimum number of drum rotations;
• plenty of water for thorough rinsing;
• weak spin or its complete absence.

Tricks that guarantee a positive result:

• Load the drum halfway: the capacity of the machine is 6 kg - put 3, then the laundry will be washed and rinsed better.
• Use special products for delicate fabrics. They care for fibers and do not contain aggressive components.
• Are there stains on your clothes? Treat them with the appropriate type of stain remover.
• Pre-soak heavily soiled items.

What is the difference between hand washing and delicate washing?

The difference is:

• less amount of laundry washed at one time;
• greater volume of water used;
• the drum does not rotate, but sways slowly;
• Spin may be completely absent.

Delicate wash can be a great alternative if you don't have a manual wash on the control panel. The temperature corresponds to the requirements of the process, the speed is regulated, and can be turned off for any model.

How to wash in a washing machine without spinning?

If there is a symbol on the label that prevents twisting, you can disable this feature on the control panel. To prevent the washing machine from spinning, after loading clothes, selecting a mode - selector, button, sensor (depending on the model), press the option “No spin”, No spin.

How long does the regime last?

The speed of the program depends on:

• selected temperature;
• the presence of pre-soaking, spinning;
• degree of laundry contamination;
• number of things;
• water pressure;
• electrical network voltage;
• washing machine models.

The average cycle duration is 60 minutes.

Can clothes with this mark be washed in a washing machine?

Of course, it is your right which method to choose - manual or automatic. The manufacturer warned you by indicating recommendations on the label. But if you still decide to take a chance and wash your clothes in the machine, then be prepared for a disappointing outcome.

Washing delicate fabrics in a machine can lead to the following unpleasant surprises:

1. The item may stretch unsightly and lose its shape. The tissue structure will be damaged, and this may occur unevenly in places. It will no longer be possible to restore the product to its original appearance.
2. The product will “sit down”. It may be possible to stretch it and the clothes will once again fit you, but they will already lose their original appearance.
3. The material may tear. And torn fragments of fabric and thread can cause damage to the washing machine.
4. Woolen clothing may become coated with pills. You can get rid of them, but the product will still look shabby.

Of course, it is possible that the product will withstand washing well and nothing bad will happen to it. To minimize risks, you need to set the “Delicate mode” and wash at a temperature no higher than 30 degrees. But even this will not give you a 100% guarantee.

Alternative choice

We have already told you how to set the manual mode yourself. Now let’s talk about how else you can carefully care for things. For a specific brand, you can choose either "Delicate" or "Gentle Wash". Also the washing mode for specific fabrics, for example wool or silk.

If the label indicates that machine washing is prohibited, do not ignore these recommendations. Sometimes hand care is justified to maintain the quality and attractiveness of the fabric.

Choose the right programs for each fabric, then your clothes will retain a bright and neat appearance longer.

Instructions for manually decontaminating items

To make manual removal as effective as possible, follow these instructions:

• 
  select washing powder or other detergent based on the type of fabric;

• dissolve the detergent in a bowl of water, choose the dosage according to the instructions on the package, the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees Celsius;
• completely immerse the product in a basin of water, rub a little;
• leave the clothes to soak in the detergent, but no more than 5-6 hours;
• After the soaking time has expired, rub the item, paying special attention to heavily soiled areas;
• place the item in a bowl of clean water and rinse thoroughly;
• wring out the item, avoiding strong twists;
• hang the clothes to dry; if the item is made of wool or other stretchy fabric, then to dry it must be laid out on a flat surface so that it does not stretch.

How to choose a washing mode?

To choose the right program, you need to know how it is designated. A basin with a hand is an international symbol, but each manufacturer may have its own system of signs. These icons are deciphered by the instructions that came with the washing machine. In case you don’t have such a cheat sheet, we have prepared a selection of popular brands. It will help you easily find the desired mode on the control panel. Program parameters may vary slightly for different CM models.

German brands

Trademarks from Germany use various methods of hints - inscriptions, symbols, pictures. A small glossary for owners of German washing machines:

• manual - Handwäsche;
• wool - Wolle;
• silk - Seide;
• delicate - Feinwäsche.

Bosch

To designate the “gentle cycle”, Bosch uses an international symbol - the notorious basin with a palm. The “Wool” program is marked with a symbolic ball. Thin fabrics - with a flower, silk - with a butterfly. Duration: 40 minutes at 30°C. Spiral (twisted snail) is a spin option that can be adjusted.

Hansa

The brand's models are equipped with a Russified panel, which simplifies the search for a program with the same name. The manufacturer recommends filling the drum 1/3 full to avoid damage to the fabric. The machine washes for 1 hour 25 minutes, with cold water. The maximum speed - 600 rpm - can be adjusted or canceled.

Siemens

Siemens also pleases with Russian text and clear signs. Among the delicate ones - “Wool”, “Delicate linen”, “Women’s”. Range - from cold to 40 °C. Number of revolutions up to 800, plus the ability to cancel. Time - ¾ hour.

Swedish Electrolux

Delicate processes are presented in a separate sector, which makes searching easier. The icons are identical.

There are Russian and German inscriptions - it depends on the model. Temperature – “Cold” – 40 °C, no spin. Period - 55–56 minutes. You can organize pre-soaking, additional rinsing, spinning - up to 1000 revolutions.

Korean brands

The pictograms of Korean manufacturers are also quite clear. Names may be in English:

• manual - handwash;
• delicate - delicates;
• wool - wool;
• silk - silk.

Samsung

The drum gently rocks the laundry for about 50 minutes. Adjustment of cycle parameters is outlined in a separate sector.

LG

The gentle process lasts about 56 minutes, temperature - 30, 40, cold water. There is the possibility of additional rinsing, saving time, draining. Maximum load - 1.5 kg.

Italian SM

Guarantees careful treatment of all types of fabrics.

Indesit

“Manual mode” is not represented in the Indesit CM line, but there is a separate panel of delicate programs. Maximum temperature - 40 ° C, time - 55 minutes, without spinning.

Ariston

“Silk/curtains”, “Wool” - 55 minutes without spinning, standard temperature range. Some modifications are equipped with gentle drying.

Hotpoint-Ariston

30 °C, without twisting, loading of things - 1 kg.

Other manufacturers

Equipped with a Russian-language interface, they treat all types of sensitive materials with care.

Beko

Refreshes 1 kg of “capricious” clothes in a quarter of an hour. Other parameters are adjusted as necessary.

Adviсe

Here are some more tips to help you wash your items by hand as safely as possible:

1. The thinner the fabric, the lower the water temperature should be.
2. For hand washing delicate items, it is better to use washing gels. Powder particles can damage delicate fabric.
3. To maintain the brightness of the product, you need to dissolve a little vinegar in water.
4. The longer dirty clothes sit in the laundry basket, the more difficult it will be to wash them.
5. Wool, cashmere and fabrics with decor should be washed inside out.

List of items for which hand washing is preferable

These things include:

1. Underwear;
2. Silk products;
3. Wool sweaters;
4. Cashmere products;
5. Blouses made of thin, delicate fabric;
6. Lace wardrobe items;
7. Kids' things.

Not all modern housewives know how to properly wash things by hand. Wrong temperature, too strong a spin or the wrong powder can ruin things. To prevent this from happening, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic tips and recommendations for hand washing.

First, you need to sort things. The rule is the same as for a washing machine. It is necessary to separate colored and white items, and put delicate items aside. Washing should begin with lightly soiled items, moving on to darker and more heavily soiled items.

IMPORTANT! It is necessary to change the water in the basin as it becomes dirty. If it has become stained due to a faded product, it should also be changed so as not to spoil other things.

Professional dry cleaning

These symbols are intended for dry cleaning professionals. They will tell them how to properly clean your product, which compounds are allowed to be used to clean your clothes, and which are strictly prohibited.

Dry cleaning clothes

Ironing

Surprisingly, not all materials can be ironed. And some things don't like high steam temperatures. These badges on clothes

will help you figure out how best to stroke her:

How to iron things correctly?

What determines the duration of washing?

So, what can cause your washing time to increase (or decrease if you skip these steps):

• water temperature - the hotter it is, the longer it takes to heat it. Washing in cold water (30 degrees or less) is at least 10-15 minutes faster than in boiling water (80-90 degrees);
• turning on the pre-wash or additional wash mode. This will add a quarter of an hour to the main mode;
• modern machines even allow you to soak laundry, but this is also extra time (at least 1/3 of an hour);
• additional rinsing adds up to half an hour to the main washing time;
• spin mode. At high speeds (1000) it takes an average of 15 minutes to dry clothes, at lower speeds it takes faster – within 10 minutes;
• boiling laundry also takes additional time, at least to heat the water to the required temperature;
• use of intelligent modes. Modern machines are able to vary programs depending on the weight of the laundry and the degree of soiling. The larger the load, the longer the device will work. The same is true with stains: the stronger they are, the more of them, the longer the wash will be;
• model and age of the machine. Modern devices are faster and more economical. With older machines, even a quick wash can take 40 minutes.