What does the “hand wash” sign mean (hand over a bowl of water): explanation, can it be machine washed and what should not be done?
Hand wash is an icon often found on natural wool sweaters, down jackets, evening dresses, expensive underwear, and hats. In all countries of the world, a pictogram of a hand over a basin of water is used to designate it.
Symbol interpretation:
- Handwash
- Do not rub or squeeze. Maximum water temperature is 30-40 C.
- Hand wash only
Recommendations
Although the “basin with hand” icon means hand washing, you do not need to take it literally and wash the item exclusively in a basin.
- Clothes can be washed in a washing machine in the “Hand Wash” mode (if such a program is available). In some cases, the machine copes with cleaning delicate items better than the housewife. For example, when you need to wash a bulky down jacket or other bulky item that is difficult to completely wash with your hands and rinse carefully.
- When using a washing machine, load no more than 3 kg of laundry into the drum. Then things will wash better. It is also useful to use a special mesh bag, which helps prevent stretching, tearing and deformation of the fabric fibers.
- Small wardrobe items, sewn from very thin fabric, openwork and guipure, with fasteners, decor, are best washed by hand in a basin or washstand.In this way, you can control the entire process and be sure that there will be no snags left on the material, it will not deform or stretch.
- When washing by hand, the cleansing movements should be soft, similar to a massage. It is necessary to remove dirt under water, trying to minimize friction.
- You should choose a detergent that can remove dirt in cool water and is easily soluble (optimally liquid). When washing with powder in a basin, it must be dissolved in a small amount of hot water in advance so that grains do not clog inside the fabric.
- To effectively remove stains when hand washing, it is recommended to pre-soak items in soapy water. In 15-30 minutes the dirt will get wet and move away from the fibers faster.
- To remove stubborn stains, use oxygen stain removers (without bleach).
If there is a sign of a basin with a hand on clothes, it means that the product is delicate and requires careful care at all stages: washing, spinning, drying, ironing.
What does it look like?
The hand wash symbol on the label looks like this:
- hand lowered into water in a basin;
- hand over a bowl of water.
The picture may differ slightly from different manufacturers, but its interpretation is the same. Often, against the background of water in the basin, the manufacturer indicates the maximum water temperature - 30 or 40 degrees.
Example of a clothing label with common hand wash symbols:
What not to do?
- wash with a brush;
- rub strongly and stretch to the sides;
- roughly squeeze and twist;
- Use very warm and hot water for washing and soaking, with a temperature above 40 degrees.
You cannot wash in a washing machine, including in hand wash mode, an item on the label that contains a sign prohibiting machine washing - a crossed out bowl of water.
What can you do?
- Recommendations for water temperature. If there is no number in the basin in the picture, you should look for information among the inscriptions. Cold hand wash translates as “wash in cold water with your hands”, unless it’s dirty wash at 30° – “if the clothes are not dirty, wash at 30 degrees” (meaning to refresh).
- Whether the item can be wrung out is indicated by the signs of a rolled up towel and a circle in a square (spin and dry).
- The recommended ironing temperature is indicated by an iron icon. The symbol also indicates whether the product can be steamed.
- Additionally, the manufacturer may recommend washing the item separately from other clothes (Wash separately), not using fabric conditioner (Do not add fabric conditioner), rinsing the item thoroughly (Rinse thoroughly), ironing inside out (Please iron in side out), and steaming only (Steam only). ), iron through the fabric (Use press cloth), after washing, renew the water-repellent coating (Renew water proofing alter washing), stretch in a wet state and give the required shape (Stretch inti shape after washing).
Questions and answers
Can I use the delicate wash program if the label shows a bowl with a hand?
No. “Delicate wash” and “Hand wash” are different programs. The delicate mode is considered more aggressive and can lead to damage to the product.
What is the difference between “Delicate” and “Hand Wash” (programs)?
Despite the fact that different manufacturers use their own washing algorithms, the difference between the “Manual” and “Delicate” programs is always significant. In “Hand Wash” the drum (centrifuge) practically does not rotate, and things are in a large amount of water, which minimizes mechanical impact. The program also suggests turning off the spin cycle. In delicate mode, less water is consumed, the drum rotates faster, and spinning is performed at minimum speed (up to 600 revolutions).
We often complain that an item turned out to be of poor quality (faded, stretched, covered in pellets), while forgetting to ask ourselves “did I take care of it correctly?” One standard wash in a washing machine can ruin clothes that the manufacturer recommends hand washing only. It is important to study the information on the label and follow the recommendations. Remember: the “hand wash” sign means “Hand Wash Only.” Do not rub, do not squeeze, do not twist. The maximum water temperature is 40 degrees.”