What does the “Gentle or delicate wash” icon mean (basin with stripes): explanation and care recommendations
Any clothing, regardless of its purpose (casual, sports, outerwear) requires appropriate care. Special labels on clothes indicate which washing or cleaning mode is preferable for each product, and the “Delicate Wash” icon is just from this series.
To prevent the item from losing its original shape, color and characteristics as a result of an incorrectly chosen washing mode, manufacturers have taken care to inform owners about optimal care methods.
What does it look like
The "Delicate Wash" label looks like a bowl with one or two stripes at the bottom. As a rule, it is located on the wrong side in the neck or collar area, on the back of the product or in the side seam.
A basin with one stripe means delicate or gentle washing with reduced mechanical stress and moderate slow rinsing at a minimum number of revolutions.
A basin with two stripes is a particularly delicate wash, which implies a complete ban on hand spinning. Let's talk about him.
The symbol on the label may include not only a bowl with two stripes, but also an indication of the temperature: 30°C, 40°C and 50°C. Some manufacturers use the number of dots inside the basin as indicators instead of numbers. So one dot means washing at 30°C, two dots at 40°C, three at 50°C.
The delicate wash mode in the washing machine is carried out with a large amount of water, as this reduces the degree of mechanical impact on the item. It is also important to observe the temperature regime, which in rare cases exceeds 40°C.
As for the washing time, it is minimal, since the longer delicate materials are in water, the more significantly they are deformed. Spinning is performed at the lowest speeds - from 400 to 700.
Gentle washing is recommended for a number of both natural and artificial fabrics, for example, such as:
- silk;
- wool;
- lycra;
- organza;
- viscose;
- modal;
- polyester;
- area.
Lace items and items with rich decorative trim: ruffles, buttons, inserts are also washed on the delicate cycle.
Even if the product does not have a tag with a delicate wash mark, but it is made from one of these materials, then all the rules of gentle washing apply to it.
Recommendations
The delicate wash mode is present in modern washing machines.
What not to do
- time;
- temperature;
- spin speed per minute.
However, on a number of models this can be done manually. In this case, you must be guided by the following rules:
- maximum permissible temperature – 40°С (optimal – 30°С);
- the number of revolutions during spinning should not exceed 700 rpm (optimally 400-500 rpm);
- items made from natural wool should be washed in cold water at a temperature of no more than 30°C and a spin speed of no more than 400 rpm;
- It is advisable to use liquid detergents (capsules), which are easily washed out even in cold water with a low rinse cycle.
Also, during particularly gentle washing, it is strictly forbidden to wring out the products by hand, by twisting them.
What can you do
Oxygen-type bleaches should be used with caution. It is better to avoid chlorine varieties. The use of fabric softeners is acceptable.
Do not neglect the information on the product tag. The manufacturer places it precisely so that the items of his brand or brand will please you for as long as possible.