What does “hand wash” mean in a washing machine and how long does it take?

The “Hand Wash” program in the washing machine is designed to work with delicate fabrics. It is designed to handle them as gently as possible.

It is used for clothes with sequins or rhinestones, products made from natural wool or trimmed with thin lace. Such materials can easily tear, deform, lose their original appearance, or even become unusable.

• Hand wash mode
• Program description
• Application cases
• Alternatives
• Useful tips
• Catalog of washing machines with reviews

Hand wash mode

Modern technology is versatile. Manufacturers have provided the possibility of using automatic devices when extremely careful handling is required. If there is a symbol on the label with the image of a hand in a basin, then such clothes can be washed by hand.

If there is a special program, it is permissible to use a washing unit. Manual mode is set if there is a sign on the label prohibiting machine processing.

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This approach significantly saves time, preserves the original quality of materials, bringing them to an impeccably clean state. Textiles are washed carefully and quickly, although the contact time with water is minimal.

Selected “hand wash” mode on the panel

How to dry properly

It is better to place the dryer itself in the house near the heating radiator. In summer, this device can be taken out onto the terrace, into a gazebo, or simply placed in the yard in a flat, sunny place. In a city apartment, a balcony is perfect for drying things.

If you wash a lot of thick items that are difficult to spin well, you can also place the dryer directly in the bathtub. This way you won't get the floors wet. And you won’t have to strain yourself too much during the spin cycle.

Sometimes it happens that clothes need to be dried very quickly. In this case, you can use a hairdryer to dry it. The item must first be wrung out and then placed on a flat surface.

The hair dryer itself should be turned on warm or hot mode. Next, using a hairdryer, you just need to dry the item, slowly moving it over its entire surface. The outside of the clothes should be dried first. Next, you need to turn the item inside out and dry it inside out.

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Program description

The program is significantly different from others. Its main parameters:

• drum rotation speed is reduced to a minimum;
• the temperature does not rise above 30-40 oC;

• water is supplied in large quantities;
• the spin is weak or completely absent.

Some machines have an extra rinse option. The increased volume of liquid allows for more thorough removal of powder residues. Reduced heating temperature promotes better color retention. The average cycle duration is 1 hour.

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The speed of program execution depends on the following factors:

• unit models;
• water pressure in the tap;
• voltage in the electrical network;
• degree of pollution;

• load level;
• selected temperature mode;
• availability of options for additional soaking, rinsing, spinning.

Often in the instructions, the manufacturer stipulates the permissible load, which is no more than half of the weight recommended for other cases. There are devices that have two separate buttons for different temperatures. They are marked accordingly on the control panel.

Table with hand wash sign

During operation, the drum moves from side to side slowly and smoothly. This ensures safety and prevents stretching and deformation. The spin option is often absent, or it occurs at minimum speed.

If there is a sign on the label that prohibits such an operation, then the function can be disabled. To do this, use the buttons or sensor to select the “No spin” option.

Particular attention should be paid to the fact that in different machines it is designated differently.

If the model of the washing machine does not include the “Hand Wash” function, this does not mean that it is not there at all. Thus, German brands use the following designations: Handwäsche, Feinwäsche. For example, in the washing machine, Bosch uses the well-known symbol of a basin with a palm. Cycle duration is 40 minutes, operating temperature is 30 degrees.

In Hansa washing machines, the manual cycle is called hand wash. So how long does hand washing take? Washing duration is approximately 1.5 hours at a temperature of 30 degrees. The Siemens brand has a Russified menu and three delicate modes – “women’s”, “wool”, “delicate linen”.

Washing temperature – up to 40 degrees, spin – 800 rpm, washing time – 45 minutes. In many models of washing machines, the speed of program execution depends on factors: model, network voltage, load level (no more than ½ of the recommended), temperature conditions, additional soaking, additional rinsing, etc.

If you have difficulties finding the “hand wash” mode, then you should not be upset. You need to manually set the lowest spin speed and the minimum water heating temperature.

Useful tips: In order for things to always look clean and please the eye for a long time, you should listen to a few tips:

• – for heavy and persistent stains, there is no need to use the “hand wash” mode; the item may simply not be washed;
• – last but not least is the washing powder you use. It must certainly be “automatic”, that is, it must contain a defoamer, and also contain substances and additives that protect the color and structure of the fabric;
• – sometimes it’s worth using alternative, more effective options;

• – for best results, existing stains should be pre-treated with soap or pre-soaking;
• – after soaking, you need to make sure that the item is ready for washing (the stains have come off or disappeared);
• – before washing, you should re-sort clothes: by color and composition;
• – delicate items are strictly prohibited from drying in dryers to avoid shrinkage or deformation;
• – wring out the item by hand and dry it in the open air, preferably in a straightened form;
• – you need to remember that a thin item can tear at any moment, so for delicate fabrics it is advisable to use special laundry bags.

Application cases

The program is designed for fabrics that cannot withstand hot water, intense spinning or strong friction. It is set for products whose labels contain a prohibiting symbol or an icon indicating hand washing. This is a universal sign.

It depicts a hand immersed in a basin. Sometimes there is a number that indicates the water temperature. The symbol prohibiting machine processing looks like a crossed out unit. For such cases, there are special modes.

Hand wash sign

The delicate category includes fabrics that can easily tear, lose color, change size or become deformed. These most often include:

• viscose;

• silk;

• cashmere or natural wool.

Sometimes the program is used to wash sneakers, textile shoes, sneakers, as well as clothes with embroidery or other decorations. “Hand wash” is effective for processing the following types of products:

• tights and underwear;
• trousers and suits;
• down jackets, jackets and coats;

• clothes with decorative elements;
• curtains made of tulle or organza.

The “Hand wash” mode is combined with the “Wool” program

Delicacy Guaranteed

To understand whether items need delicate washing, just look at the tag. There you will find a machine wash prohibited icon. But is a gentle wash program always a guarantee of gentle treatment? To accurately create all the conditions for such cleaning, you should understand the following:

Tip: By observing all these conditions, you are guaranteed to get the result of a delicate wash.

Useful tips

To ensure that things last a long time and always look fresh and neat, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. If heavily soiled, do not use the mode intended for delicate fabrics. Clothes may not wash.
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2. For the correct execution of all stages, the correct choice of powder is of great importance. It must contain a defoamer and contain additives that protect the structure of the material and its color.
3. In some situations it is better to use alternative options.
4. To improve the result, soak the laundry for 10-15 minutes in cold water with the addition of powder, or pre-soap particularly dirty areas before loading them into the drum.
5. It is recommended to use only proven powders and conditioners.
6. After purchasing the equipment, you must carefully study the symbols on the control panel and compare them with the instructions. The inscriptions may be in an unfamiliar language, and the symbols often differ between models. To ensure quality work, you must use the machine’s capabilities wisely.
7. Before loading, clothes are sorted by quality and color. You shouldn’t put everything else together with fabrics that require careful handling.

The correct choice of mode will ensure the cleanliness of things and protect them from premature wear. “Hand washing” is a convenient alternative to physical labor. A useful option saves time and effort, preserves products, gives them cleanliness and freshness. If everything is done correctly, the risk of expensive clothes getting damaged is minimal.

Video

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The hand wash only icon has variations, but not in a graphical representation, but in the adaptation of symbols on a typewriter. There are several modes:

Gentle wash

Handwash

Delicate wash

Class A wash

Wool

Thin fabrics

All these names mean the same thing. Discrepancies can only occur in the duration of washing and water temperature.

Also, delicate mode icons are indicated on the dashboard of the washing machine.

Washing wool

Wool is considered a delicate material, so all items made from it can be washed in this program.

Thin fabrics

The butterfly means that the wash will be performed at minimum settings.

Class A wash

If you don't know what washing class a means, find out from the machine's manual what class it is assigned to. And the class is the most effective on the reference scale. Nowadays there are additional classes A+, A++ and A+++. The more advantages, the cleaner the laundry. But as soon as you add more powder to a class B machine, it will produce clean sheets no worse than a more advanced model, the price of which is twice as much. Class A+++ machines have more options for neat, delicate washing. You can learn more about the classes from the video of the manufacturer of modern cars.

Kids clothes

Any children's clothes or bedding should be washed in the appropriate mode. Nowadays, instead of an icon on the indicator panel, captions are shown to more accurately describe the mode. But sometimes, instead of pictures and the words “children’s”, we see a regime based on temperature restrictions. So, children's clothes are often made from cotton, which means we choose the appropriate mode. Gentle washing does not remove some stains, so we set the program to “cotton with soaking 60”. For daily washing, use the built-in hand wash with alternating gentle + rinse.

Shirt

Indicates the gentle wash mode. Applicable to all types of clothing that have decorative elements. Pay attention to additional symbols - such markings can only be deciphered by the manufacturer, since there are no standards applicable to drawings. Different companies may depict spinning in different vector drawings. The same wash of wool can be designated as a ball of thread, a wave spiral, a triangular skein or a full-fledged phrase.

Iron/Technology

Iron is an icon for machine washing, which is equivalent to delicate washing. With this mode, the clothes will not be very wrinkled, and ironing will be easy. Instead of the mode, they have now come up with the SteamCare system - washing using steam on the fabric during the process. That is, if a steam generator replaces the prohibited washing, ironing and cleaning, then a washing machine with steam cleaner functions now takes over ironing.

Pelvis with a wave on top

This symbol indicates adding water - similar to the “extra rinse” function. Only instead of a function you use an entire mode. At the same time, those things that you do not want to rinse for a long time in water with a function can be washed in this mode. And the washing time is shorter, and rinsing is present.

Empty basin

This is not a sign of a missing rinse, but a quick wash. For some things it is necessary so as not to damage the form of clothing by prolonged soaking.

As you have already noticed, on modern washing machines the modes are presented not in the form of designations, but as an object wash - curtains, jeans or blankets. This is probably easier for many householders to figure out what to wash and under what conditions, and whether it is possible to combine it - if so, then by what criteria should this be done? But remember that the symbol cannot be washed in a washing machine is not always a ban on automatic washing. Nowadays, even the most careful cleaning can be done better by technology than by humans.

Detergent used

Modern household chemical stores are simply overflowing with a variety of laundry detergents. On the packaging of most of them it is written that the efficiency will be quite high even at 30 degrees, but this is far from the truth. When choosing a product, it is worth remembering:

• low temperatures will not be able to completely dissolve powdery substances, and therefore the cleaning characteristics will be significantly reduced,
• It’s also better not to take capsules for washing at 30 degrees, their effectiveness will be better with higher thermometer readings,
• Liquid gel products are perfect for washing at low temperatures; they dissolve well and are washed out when rinsing.

Depending on the type of fabric, it is allowed to use stain removers and bleaches as auxiliary agents, but only in cases where the manufacturer has prescribed this on the label.

Rules for washing things in a washing machine

You may think that there is nothing difficult about washing with a machine. It would seem that he added the powder, loaded the clothes and the washing began. In fact, there are certain rules here too; if you follow them, things will wash much better and not wear out, and the machine will delight you with excellent performance.

First you need to choose the right washing powder. When choosing it, you should not be guided only by price, since there is no significant difference between expensive and cheap powders. The price largely depends on the popularity, manufacturer and company, but this has no effect on the quality of the powder. Sometimes a very cheap powder can deal with various contaminants much faster and more effectively than a super expensive one. Therefore, buy washing powder that has been tested for quality and time. If you have an automatic car, then the powder should be marked “automatic”.

When machine washing, you must add conditioner to the water; with its help, the laundry will become softer and more delicate, and the fabric will be much easier to iron. Thanks to fabric softeners, things retain their original appearance much longer and look more neat.

Each housewife follows different tips when doing laundry. First of all, you need to pay attention to the tag and the care tips written on it. You also need to choose the appropriate mode and detergents.

What happens if you violate the recommendation?

Maintaining temperature conditions is one of the main criteria that determines how long clothes will retain their original appearance.

By violating the recommendation of washing at a temperature of 30°C, there is a high risk that:

• 
  clothes fade (especially if clothes of different colors are put into the drum at the same time);

• clothes will become a size or two smaller (especially true for products made from woolen fabrics);
• clothes will lose their shape (especially important for things made of polyester and viscose).

It is very easy to avoid mistakes; before washing, it is enough to carefully study all the information provided on the label by the clothing manufacturer.

What does it look like and what does it mean?

The permissible temperature of 30°C can be determined by the following designations on the clothing manufacturer’s label:

Hand or machine wash at a temperature not exceeding 30°C

Particularly delicate wash in an automatic machine or by hand, in plenty of water, without spinning

Hand wash only at a temperature of no more than 30°C, gentle spin (without active wringing)