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.

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.

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.

The effectiveness of the “Hand Wash” program

What does the “Hand Wash” program mean? Installed in an automatic washing machine, it helps to wash things delicately and accurately due to the low water temperature (30-40°).

If you are interested in how to wash in a washing machine without spinning, opt for the manual mode. In this case, spinning is not carried out, and the drum rotates slowly.

Thanks to a smaller load of laundry (half the maximum capacity), things do not wrinkle and rub against each other as much. Therefore, they wear out less, and rinsing is high quality.

Designation

How to choose the right hand wash mode in a washing machine? Different brands of washing machines have their own designations. Some display an icon of a hand with a basin of water. Some people simply sign each program. Let's figure it out:

• Bosch washing machine brands have icons that are easy to decipher thanks to the manual. Even if the user manual is lost, and your items need careful cleaning, set the temperature to no more than 30 degrees and turn off the spin cycle, or reduce it to a minimum.
• Samsung manufacturers have designated standard modes with icons; they are easy to read and remember.
• Zanussi CMA models allow you to set the temperature by turning the selector on the control panel. Then, using the keys, additional parameters are set.

In some models you can select a delicate program. What is the difference between hand washing and delicate washing? Only because for different brands it is carried out either with or without spinning.

Correct Application

Not every item can be washed using the manual program. Overly soiled laundry cannot be washed; it is better to pre-soak it for 20-30 minutes.

Use the hand wash program in an automatic machine for:

• delicate materials with lace, frill, pleating, decor;
• natural fabrics (wool, silk);
• things made of membrane;
• bright linen;
• outerwear: jacket, down jacket, coat.

If you find it difficult to determine the type of fabric, look at the label on the garment. Usually the required temperature is indicated there.

A table with symbols will help you:

How long does it take to hand wash in a washing machine? Approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes. Depending on what model you have, times may vary slightly.

Let's find out what program can be installed to gently clean things in addition to hand washing.

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.

Features of the mode

Each machine mode has its own separate washing criteria. So, the icon cannot be washed in a machine does not at all mean a direct understanding of the symbolism. The system draws a larger amount of water into the drum of the machine, which provides less friction between the fabrics. Also, careful handling of things is due to the following indicators:

• The volume of water allows you to rinse out the remaining particles of dry powder;
• A temperature of 30 degrees allows you to extend the life of colored items and thin fabrics;
• The drum moves slowly and smoothly;
• The spin function is automatically disabled.

Thanks to these functions, things do not stretch out and do not lose their practicality; textiles in the interior do not lose their original decorative appearance.

What items can be washed with gentle care?

A gentle cycle in the washing machine is required for some natural and synthetic fabrics. Elastane, lycra, organza, cashmere, polyester, viscose, satin, guipure, wool, silk - all these fabrics can stretch, fade and can even tear when washed. They are washed in a gentle mode.

In addition, this mode is provided for items with colored inserts or bright colors. Combining contrasting colors or different fabrics, the presence of a large number of accessories, a complex style are also indicators for the use of gentle washing. Whether items require delicate treatment can be determined by the labels that manufacturers always sew in.

How to do push-ups correctly

Of course, clothes washed with a plunger can simply be twisted in the usual way to remove water. However, this method is only suitable for very strong items made of non-stretch fabric.

For more delicate clothes, it is better to use a different spinning technique. Take the item and roll it into a ball. Press down on the lump with your palms to remove water.

For dense items, you can use another effective spin technology. Take a thick towel and place, for example, jeans on it. Begin to slowly roll the towel together with your pants into a thick roll. A thick towel will quickly absorb moisture. Ironing your jeans will be much easier later.

If desired, thick items that do not look good can be left without wrung out at all. Hang your jeans, jacket or vest on a line above the bathtub and wait for the water to drain. Then transfer the items to the dryer or leave them to dry directly over the bathtub.

Detergents for gentle washing

Delicate items require special detergents , since fabric fibers can be destroyed due to the use of conventional powders. It is best to use special products that come in liquid and powder form. It is preferable to use liquid gels, since the powder does not dissolve well in cold water. In order for a product to satisfy all requirements, it should be selected according to the following criteria:

• the liquid should be intended only for wool and silk;
• a good preparation does not contain preservatives, dyes or enzymes;
• the smell should be natural.

How to straighten down in a down jacket after washing

Most manufacturers produce a separate series of products for delicate items . They usually indicate that this drug is intended for thin fabrics.

Removing stains

Before you start washing, carefully inspect your dirty items. Place the clothes that have stains on them in the bath. Put the rest of the things aside. If they are too dirty, you can soak them for 20 minutes.

Take the item with the stain. Wet the stain with warm water. Apply stain remover to it. Today such a composition can be bought in any hardware department. But if you wish, you can make an effective stain remover yourself.

Take dish soap and hydrogen peroxide. Mix them in one container in a ratio of 1:2.

Apply the resulting mixture thickly to the stain. For dense fabric, use a toothbrush. For delicate material, a silicone grater is better. Rub the stain until it disappears. Leave the product on the stain for 5 minutes, rub a little more and rinse the fabric. Let these clothes also soak for 20 minutes.

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Disabling spin on other equipment

The spin cycle is disabled not only on Korean washing machines. You can adjust the rotation of the drum on equipment from almost every brand. Usually, the ability to adjust the speed includes refusing them. Sometimes this function is available only on some programs - it all depends on the manufacturer and model. The procedure for turning off the spin cycle depends on the brand of the washing machine.

• Indesit. To stop spinning the drum, just turn the speed control knob to the “No spin” position. On some models, the position is indicated by a crossed out spiral.

• Beko. There are two options for adjusting the speed: turning the knob to the “No spin” position or reducing the speed with the “spin” button to zero.

• Hansa. After activating the desired program, you need to pay attention to the “Spin speed” button. It is pressed several times until “Off” appears on the washing machine display.
• Bosch. If the model is equipped with a display, then the button marked with a spiral icon is pressed until “OFF” appears on the screen. On other machines, you should select the key with the image of a basin.
• Siemens. The spin option is turned off with the button responsible for varying the speed. Just press it several times, after which the “No spin” icon or the image of a crossed out spiral will light up.
• Candy. Models of this brand have a “Spin” or “Spin Speed” button. To adjust the rotation of the drum, you need to press the key several times, refusing to “dry”.

It’s easy to understand your existing washing machine – just look at the factory instructions or carefully study the dashboard. The spin control scheme is standard regardless of the brand, as are the icons used to encrypt programs. It is worth considering that on some models, failure to final spin the drum is tantamount to soaking. It is better to know the nuances of the “no-spin” function in advance so that the cycle does not bring surprises.

Factors affecting washing time

The operating time of the machine depends on the set modes; it is lengthened by additional functions, reduced by low temperatures and by skipping some actions.

Water heating temperature

Water is drawn from a cold tap and heated automatically. The higher the temperature, the longer the device operates. It takes 10-15 minutes to heat up to 95°; the duration of operation, accordingly, increases depending on the assigned temperature.

Extra rinse

A new set of water for repeated rinsing, as well as the work itself, increases the cycle by 15-25 minutes.

Spin speed

Getting laundry semi-dry requires high spin speeds. At low speeds you can dry things in 10 minutes, at high speeds it will take 15 minutes.

Extra wash function

Up to a quarter of an hour is added for additional washing, during which time the drum rotates, consuming electricity.

Soak

Pre-soaking extends the wash by 15-30 minutes, depending on the machine model.

Boiling function

When boiling is scheduled, additional electricity consumption occurs to heat the water, which increases the time by 5-10 minutes.

Laundry weight

Determining the weight of laundry is available only in expensive models of washing machines of the latest generations. Performing an additional function extends the operation of the device.

Degree of pollution

Only highly intelligent, expensive machine models can determine how dirty the laundry is. The wash is extended by the processor's operating time and additional time for washing.

Individual features of the model

Modern models of washing machines, in general, work faster. Water heating is accelerated, drainage occurs more dynamically, and transition to another operation occurs. Old machines can complete the minimum amount of work in 40 minutes, modern machines can be completed in 15-30 minutes.

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.