“Hand wash” sign on a washing machine

The “Hand Wash” icon, which can often be found on a washing machine, means that the equipment supports the program of the same name. It is needed to carefully wash delicate fabrics. This function is used to work with clothes on which sequins or rhinestones are sewn, for natural woolen fabrics, as well as for lace. With standard washing, such products can tear, change shape and generally lose their natural appearance. How to recognize the specified icon? What does he look like?

What kind of drawing should I look for?

On some models of washing machines, on the front panel you can find the inscription in Russian “Hand Wash”, so you don’t have to look for and recognize any icons. But often, equipment manufacturers use graphic drawings to indicate washing modes, since this option greatly saves space on the panel. But everything is not so complicated, because the sign, the designation of which is “hand wash,” is very easy to recognize even without studying the instructions.

This is a picture depicting a basin and a hand dipped into it.

Other image options are not used in this case, so it is impossible to confuse it. Sometimes the same symbol is used for a wool washing program, but in most cases the mode is called “Hand Wash/Wool”. Combining these two programs into one is justified by the fact that they have the same reel rotation algorithm.

How does the program work?

This washing program is very different from all others in the following parameters:

• very low drum rotation speed;
• a large amount of water is poured into the machine;
• the water heating temperature will not exceed 40⁰WITH.;
• spinning does not occur, or occurs at a very low speed.

Sometimes your washing machine has an extra rinse function. A large amount of liquid helps to better remove powder from the fabric. Low heating temperatures preserve the original colors of the clothes. Typically washing on this program takes a little over an hour. The duration of “Hand Wash” depends on a number of factors:

• device model;
• machine load level;
• the pressure with which water enters the unit;
• set heating mode;
• degree of soiling of clothing;
• the presence of an additional soaking function.

Usually, the instructions for the equipment stipulate the possible load, which for a given program is no more than half of the maximum possible. During operation, the drum moves smoothly and evenly, with frequent stops. This helps keep delicate items intact without wrinkling or stretching them. Often the machine automatically turns off the spin option and does not allow you to force it on manually.

When should I turn on this program?

This option is designed to work with those fabrics that cannot withstand treatment with too hot water or intense mechanical stress. This mode should be used for washing items on the labels of which there is a symbol prohibiting automatic washing, or where there is a sign recommending washing the item by hand. The list of these fabrics includes those that can easily tear, deform, lose color or change size:

• wool;
• silk;
• viscose.

Often such a program is used to process shoes if the device does not provide a special program for these needs. “Hand Wash” is also suitable for working with underwear, tights, trousers and suits, down jackets and coats, clothes with thin and fragile decorative elements, with tulle or organza curtains.

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