What does the “machine wash 30 degrees” icon mean (basin 30 degrees): explanation and care recommendations

Some clothes and types of fabrics may become distorted and fade in warm water. We recommend washing them at 30 degrees. The icon on the label may look different: a basin of 30 °C, a basin with one dot, with one or two underlining lines or without them. It's easy to guess what it means, but it's better to be sure.

Machine wash icon 30 degrees

So, a possible decryption:

— Wash in water 30 °C
— Delicate wash in cold water (if the basin is underlined twice)
— Machine wash in cold water, maximum temperature – 30 C
— Washing at t = 30°C

Recommendations

There is an opinion that cleansing at 30 °C does not give the desired effect, and stains on clothes do not wash out. In fact, even stubborn stains can be removed with a quality detergent designed for cold water.

Recommendations:

  • When choosing a detergent, pay attention to what temperature it operates in.
  • Give preference to liquid detergents (they dissolve better).
  • To remove stubborn stains, pre-treat with a stain remover.

What does it look like

“Machine wash 30 degrees” is an icon with many guises. It usually looks like this:

30 degree wash icon

The pentagram of the basin may be different, but the sign is still easy to recognize:

The second version of the same symbol is a basin with a dot.It also means a temperature limit of up to 30 degrees.

Photo:

Basin icon with dot

You should know that this sign comes with a clarification. If the basin is underlined twice, it means that a delicate wash is recommended for the product, that is, gentle washing at 30 degrees without intensive spinning of the drum.

Photo of the symbol:

Icon gentle wash 30 degrees

It is important not to confuse gentle cleaning of products with manual cleaning. These are two different icons. The basin symbolizes water, and not washing in a basin, as many people think. For hand washing, a separate sign is used - with the outline of a hand.

Separate sign - with the outline of a hand

Olga
Olga
Question to the expert

What not to do


Olga
The “30 degree basin” sign prohibits the use of programs that involve cleansing at temperatures of 35 ° C, 40 ° C and above. For example, “Intensive”, “Children’s clothing”, “Cotton 40”, “Cotton 60” and others.

  • You cannot select programs in a high-temperature washing machine. Before you press “Start”, you should check at what temperature the machine will wash. To do this, you need to use the “Temperature on the control panel” button or look in the instructions in the section describing the device modes.

  • If the label on the clothing contains the symbol for delicate wash 30 °C (the basin is twice underlined), you cannot use programs other than “Delicate”, “Hand”, “For wool and silk”.


The tag may contain other prohibiting symbols and inscriptions. Study all the information correctly so that you know what else you can’t do.

Often there are inscriptions:

  • It is necessary to wash with textiles of the same color (Wash with similar colors).

  • Wash separately from other items at temperatures up to 40 degrees (Wash separately).

  • Clothes must be turned inside out (Wash inside out).

  • Wash in cold water up to 30 °C (Cold wash).

What can you do

Olga
Any item that has a “30 degree wash” sign on the label can be washed by hand in water at the specified temperature. It is better not to trust your feelings, but to use a thermometer. 30°C is quite cool water, which can easily be confused with barely warm 40°C.

Questions and answers on the topic

Which items are best washed in cold water (if the tag is cut off and lost)?

You definitely need to wash down products in water at 30 °C: blankets, jackets, vests, pillows, baby onesies. The recommendation is relevant for cashmere and wool fabrics, tulle, organza, and lace underwear. Some types of cotton, especially colored and fine ones, may lose their color vibrancy and shrink in warmer water.

What are the benefits of washing at 30 degrees?

Machine washing at 30 degrees allows you to consume 40% less energy compared to high temperatures. In cold water, the risk of shrinkage and deformation of the fabric is significantly reduced, it wrinkles less, and retains its new appearance longer.

The “30 degree basin” icon is often found on down jackets, sweaters, and warm winter clothes. It means that the item cannot be washed at a higher temperature. You need to carefully select the program in the washing machine, and also choose a detergent that washes stains in cold water.

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