What is the delicate washing mode in an automatic machine?

Cleaning and care
5 years ago

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Labels on clothes are not just for beauty - these badges are extremely important when caring for fabrics. They help you choose the optimal washing and ironing mode, determine the possibility of using dry cleaning, and much more. Using the designations will extend the “life” of your favorite blouse and skirt, and the tables given in the article will help you remember the decodings.

In order for clothes to maintain a presentable appearance for a long time, it is necessary to properly care for the fabric: wash, dry and iron it. Due to the huge variety of fabrics that are used now, many people face some difficulties and cannot determine at what temperature it is allowed to wash an item or how to iron it correctly.

To help customers, manufacturing companies have encrypted all the necessary signs on the labels. Just by looking at these pictures you can get basic information regarding fabric care.

However, not everyone understands what the small pictures on the labels mean: they can be schematic images of a basin, water, a hand, an iron, or even numbers. The article provides a breakdown of the main icons.

Before putting clothes in the washing machine, carefully read the labels

What does delicate mode mean?

To ensure that clothes made from certain materials retain their original appearance and do not become deformed after washing, washing machines are equipped with a delicate wash program. The washing process in this mode turns into a gentle treatment and is significantly different from the standard one.

The delicate wash program most often has a similar name, and may also be called hand wash or the “wool” or “silk” function on some devices.

Ironing

No less important for giving the product an elegant look is ironing. To smooth out wrinkles and avoid leaving iron marks, carefully review the manufacturer's recommendations.

• Image of an iron - you can iron it.
• A crossed out iron cannot be ironed. Such fabrics include terry, nylon, fleecy items.
• An iron with one point inside – ironing is allowed when the soleplate of the iron is heated to 100-110 degrees. Synthetic fabrics are ironed this way.
• Iron with two points inside - iron at temperatures up to 150 degrees. This mode is used for silk, wool, polyester, viscose.
• An iron with three points inside - the item must be ironed by heating the device to 200 degrees. Suitable for linen, cotton and wet textiles.
• Two lines are crossed out at the bottom of the iron - do not steam. This mode does not apply to satin and silk.

How to understand that clothes require delicate washing?

Icons on labels or a superficial knowledge of the properties of various materials will help determine that products need a delicate treatment.

What materials is it used for?

Typically, gentle washing is necessary for both synthetic and natural materials, for example:

• silk;
• wool;
• lace;
• cashmere;
• organza;
• knitwear;
• elastane;
• guipure;
• batiste.

This is just a short list of materials that require delicate processing. There are also modern fabrics, the fabrics of which consist of several types of fibers, so the list of things that need careful care is constantly growing.

In addition, do not forget that brightly colored clothing and items with stripes, lace and inserts also require delicate handling.

Legend

First of all, look at the product label. Special symbols on the tag will help you understand that an item requires careful cleaning: an image of a container of water with two horizontal stripes at the bottom. Also, the manufacturer often indicates directly in the center of the image the recommended degrees of heating of the water used during washing.

If there is no tag on the clothing, and you do not have proper knowledge of the characteristics of the fabrics, you can check their type yourself. If clothes stretch, fade or tear easily, they should only be washed on a gentle cycle.

Where are the badge tags usually located?

Usually there are several tags on clothes that contain:

• indication of clothing size;
• brand name;
• pictograms indicating how to properly care for the item.

Textile care symbols are used to label products made from textile materials.
In this case, the labels can be located in different places, but usually they are placed like this:

• on T-shirts, T-shirts, shirts and blouses - under the collar or edge seam, at the back;
• on jeans and trousers - inside the legs, approximately at the level of the front pockets;
• on skirts - at the waist;
• on short dresses - on the side seam, on long ones - on the back, near the label with markings, or at knee level;
• on woolen and knitted sweaters, jumpers - on the inner side seam;
• on women's underwear - on the back left strap.

They determine the rules for processing products for their proper operation, as well as to prevent their premature wear and damage.

How does delicate washing work?

Automatic delicate washing always proceeds the same way, regardless of the model and manufacturer of the device, and has certain operating principles.

Features of the mode

The delicate regime always takes place under certain conditions:

• to minimize mechanical stress on the fabric, processing takes place in a large amount of water, while the drum is loaded to a maximum of 1/3;
• delicate fabrics react strongly to high temperatures, so the water practically does not heat up;
• drum rotations in gentle mode are smooth and slow, significantly different from standard washing;
• spinning is set either at low speeds or completely absent;
• Drying clothes directly in the washing machine on a delicate cycle is excluded.

To ensure effective washing, use special products for gentle washing and properly prepare clothes for processing.

At what temperature does it pass?

Most delicate fabrics, after exposure to high temperatures, lose their declared properties, as a result of which clothes made from them become unsuitable for wear. To eliminate this, the water heating temperature in gentle mode reaches a maximum of 40 degrees . This allows you to maintain the quality of the materials and at the same time remove dirt.

Duration of delicate wash

The duration of a delicate wash is determined individually depending on the type of fabric and the degree of soiling. Typically, treatment duration varies from 40 minutes to 2.5 hours. However, when setting the duration of the mode on the device, remember that the longer the product is in water, the more deformation of the fibers of the material is possible.

As indicated on the washing machine

Typically, the delicate mode is written in words or indicated by the same symbol as on clothing. In more rare cases, mode markings may differ on different models of washing machines. To understand which symbol indicates delicate processing, it is worth studying the instructions for the device.

What means should I use?

To ensure that delicate washing is as effective as possible, choose substances for processing that:

• dissolves well in water;
• thoroughly rinsed from the fibers;
• do not contain chlorine, enzymes or other aggressive substances;
• preserve the brightness and saturation of fabric colors;
• smell nice;
• give things softness and silkiness.

Some manufacturers of household chemicals produce special lines of products for delicate laundry. Alternatively, you can also use liquid gel-like substances.

Is spin used?

Delicate fabrics do not tolerate mechanical stress, so there is no spin cycle in the gentle wash mode. Sometimes spinning takes place, but only at minimum speeds - from 400 to 600 per minute.

How is it different from hand washing?

Delicate machine washing and hand washing are significantly different from each other. Hand-processing items takes much less time than automatic washing. You can only soak the product for a few minutes, lightly rub it and immediately hang it to dry. During manual processing, you can also adjust the detergent concentration and evaluate the effectiveness of your work. The washing machine, in turn, will prevent the water from overheating, which is quite difficult to do without a thermometer when washing by hand.

If both manual and delicate modes are installed on the same washing machine, the difference between them is insignificant. For manual mode, you can additionally set the soak function and increase the wash time.

Main icon groups

There are five large groups responsible for the main actions that can be performed with clothing.

Attention! Sometimes instead of a picture-symbol there is an English name.

Depending on what is depicted with each symbol of the group, the care itself differs. It’s worth mentioning the most important additions right away:

1. Horizontal line under the main image (Delicate): the fabric requires delicate care.
2. Two horizontal lines (Gentle): the product requires special delicate care.
3. Crossed-out image: this operation with the item is impossible.

For example, if the iron is underlined on the label, it means that the item requires special delicate ironing; if it is crossed out, it is prohibited to use the iron.

How to prepare things?

The quality of gentle processing depends not only on the characteristics of the machine mode and detergents. To ensure you are pleased with the results, be sure to properly prepare the items before washing. For this:

• arrange clothes into light and colored ones;
• use a water softener;
• Pre-wash stubborn stains and dirt or treat them with a suitable stain remover;
• do not soak products before putting them in the drum, with the exception of lace, it is better to soak them in warm water with a small amount of soda for 2-3 hours;
• do not overload the device drum;
• Wash small items in a special bag;
• Wash wool and cashmere only separately from other materials;
• avoid spinning;
• Remove laundry from the drum immediately after washing.

By following these rules, you will extend the life of your clothes for a long time.

Designation by text

Classic American brands write recommendations on their product labels with the words:

• “Machine wash” - the product can be washed in a machine.
• “Hand wash only” - the item can only be washed by hand.
• “Wash separately” - clothes are washed separately from the rest of the laundry, as they may fade.
• “Hot wash” - the fabric needs to be washed hot.
• “Warm wash” - the water temperature for washing should not exceed 40 degrees.
• “Cold wash” - wash in water no more than 30 degrees.
• “No wash/Do not wash” - the item cannot be washed. Can only be dry cleaned.

How to iron and dry clothes after washing

Wäschetrockner, BaWa 004
It is worth noting that gentle washing alone is not enough to preserve the original appearance of products. It is recommended to dry and iron clothes properly.

Tips for drying delicate materials:

• if you did not use a spinner, hang things on hangers over the bathtub and let the water drain;
• Never dry wet items on a line in a bent state or attach them with clothespins;
• either hang the product on hangers or lay it out on a horizontal, preferably mesh, surface;
• to speed up the process, do not place clothes on a radiator or other sources of artificial heat;
• Do not leave light-colored laundry to dry in the sun; try to hang the items in the shade;
• Place the guipure and lace on a flat horizontal surface and cover with absorbent material.

Tips for ironing delicate fabrics:

• for processing, use a high-quality iron with a clean and smooth sole;
• first, try ironing an inconspicuous area of ​​the material with a slightly warm iron, see if the treated area is deformed;
• iron wool at a maximum of 180 degrees only through slightly damp cotton fabric;
• Either do not iron synthetics at all, or set the iron temperature to 110 to 130 degrees, and process only through cotton fabric;
• Iron the organza through a thick sheet of paper at a temperature of 100 to 110 degrees;
• iron silk clothes from the inside out slightly damp, setting the iron temperature to a maximum of 160 degrees; if the material is dry, to prevent streaks from appearing, do not spray the fabric, but moisten it by wrapping it in a damp towel;
• It is better not to iron velvet items, but to treat them with steam from a steam generator or by hanging the item over a bathtub with hot water;
• products made of nylon and elastane cannot be ironed;

If you are unsure of the type and origin of the material, look at the label on the product. The crossed out iron icon means that ironing clothes is prohibited, and the number of dots in the center indicates the degree of heating of the device.

Tables with additional icons

Sometimes you can find additional icons on clothes for washing, the meanings of which also need to be taken into account. These include the following:

• a square with two parallel stripes in the upper left corner and a semicircle in the upper part - dry in the shade on a line;
• a square with two parallel stripes in the upper left corner and one horizontal stripe in the center - do not wring out, dry horizontally in the shade;
• a square with two parallel stripes in the upper left corner and three vertical stripes in the center - dry in the shade in a vertical position, do not wring out;
• circle with the letter “W” inside – wet dry cleaning without restrictions;
• circle with the letter “W” inside and a stripe at the bottom – delicate wet dry cleaning;
• circle with the letter "W" inside and two stripes below - delicate wet dry cleaning with minimal impact;
• black crossed out circle – wet dry cleaning is prohibited;
• triangle with the letters “Cl” inside – bleaching only using chlorine;
• circle with the letter "F" inside and two stripes below - delicate cleaning using hydrocarbons and trifluorotrichloromethane;
• a circle with the letter “P” inside and two stripes below – delicate cleaning based on perchlorethylene.

Gentle washing in automatic machines from different companies

In order not to get confused in the modes, carefully study how delicate washing is indicated on washing machine models from different manufacturers.

Ariston

The latest generation washing machines - Hotpoint-Ariston - are equipped with two gentle processing modes: “silk/curtains”, a gentle mode in cold water without spinning, and “wool”. Older models may have 3 wash options: Delicates, Wool, and Hand Wash.

Ardo

Ardo washing machines offer us three options for gentle care:

• “Delicate wash” - indicated by the image of a feather, lasts longer than others and includes a minimum spin.
• “Hand” - depicted as a hand wash icon, includes soaking, but does not have spinning.
• “Wool” - the mode is shown as a skein of yarn. It is distinguished by a minimum drum rotation speed during processing, a low water temperature from 30 to 40 degrees and the ability to select a spin cycle - from 0 to 800 revolutions.

Bosch

In Bosch washing machines, gentle treatment is indicated in two modes: “Delicates/silk” and “Wool”. Both functions are characterized by gentle rotation of the drum, low water temperature and minimal spin speed.

Electrolux

Electrolux brand machines are distinguished by a maximum range of delicate washing modes. The function is added in 5 variants:

• “Thin fabrics” - depicted by a flower.
• “Hand wash” - a picture of hand wash.
• "Wool" - displayed as a skein of yarn.
• “Silk” is a picture in the form of a butterfly.
• “Sport” - an image of a pair of sneakers (suitable for washing synthetic delicate materials).

Indesit

All washing programs on Indesit machines are numbered on the selection scale, and their explanation is shown on the outer panel of the detergent compartment. Standard functionality includes 2 gentle modes: “Silk” and “Wool”.

Siemens, Samsung, Beko, LG

Washing machine models of these brands contain complete information about the functionality of the device on the control panel, so selecting the desired program is not difficult.

Zanussi

Zanussi brand devices have 3 gentle care programs, which have 2 specific temperature modes:

• “Delicate fabrics” - an image of a flower.
• "Wool" - displayed as a skein of yarn.
• “Hand wash” - a picture of a basin with a hand.

Delicate wash and modern technologies

Washing machine software developers regularly update the functionality of their products, introducing various innovative technologies. This affects all washing modes, including delicate.

Eco Bubble

Similar innovative technology is installed in Samsung devices. Helps improve the quality of washing by creating air bubbles with a special generator. Rich foam made from water and detergent penetrates deep layers of fibers and does not harm fabrics at all. With the Ecobub function, even heavily soiled items can be washed in cold water.

6 Motion

The technology is used in LG washing machines and involves selecting a specific drum rotation out of 6 possible ones. You can set basic or reverse rotation, saturation, smooth, twist, wiggle. The last 3 modes are fully suitable for improving the quality of delicate washing.

Honeycomb and teardrop drums

The latest models of Miele washing machines are equipped with drums with a special surface. A special form of coating in the form of a honeycomb creates a special film between the clothes and the drum, which ensures the most gentle washing.

Improved Bosch devices are equipped with drums with protrusions of various shapes in the form of drops. In such a drum you can safely wash delicate fabrics without fear of them becoming deformed.

True Steam

Steam processing technology allows you to wash things as carefully as possible. Washing machines from Electrolux, LG and Miele are equipped with similar technology.

Is it possible to set the gentle mode manually?

If your washing machine doesn't have a delicate cycle, don't despair. You can set the gentle fabric treatment function yourself. Unfortunately, you cannot configure the smooth reel rotation mode on your device. However, you can set the optimal water heating temperature, spin speed and processing duration on almost any automatic machine.

Algorithm of actions:

1. First, read the operating instructions for your washing machine to ensure you set the required values ​​correctly.
2. Choose a shorter wash cycle. Optimally - about 40 minutes.
3. Set the desired heating temperature. For delicate fabrics, this figure varies from 30 to 40 degrees.
4. Program a double rinse to better rinse detergent from fabrics.
5. It is advisable not to specify spin in the program. However, if necessary, adjust the setting to a maximum of 600 rpm.
6. Disable the drying and ironing function if these programs are included in the basic machine settings.

Machine drying in a drum dryer.

Why is gentle washing dangerous?

Delicate washing helps preserve the original quality of the material. However, it is believed that such processing may be harmful to health because:

• low temperatures do not kill dust mites, harmful microorganisms and bacteria;
• if you use dry powder, it may not completely wash out of the material;
• a regular washing program in cold water provokes the formation of mold on the inner walls of the washing machine;
• Sometimes cold water cannot wash away stubborn stains and dirt, even when using high-quality detergents.

Considering the indicated disadvantages of gentle washing:

• do not use the delicate mode to process children's things;
• drive the car at high temperatures from time to time;
• Try to wash stains immediately after they appear.

The algorithm for delicate washing is to be gentle on the fabric, use non-hot water and avoid spinning. Use this treatment to clean delicate fabrics and materials with bright prints, inserts and lace, and then they will remain in their original form for a long time.

Whitening

In the event that an item needs to be bleached, be sure to familiarize yourself with the symbols regarding this process.

• Empty triangle – fabric is bleach resistant.
• Crossed out triangle – bleaching is prohibited.
• The triangle says “Cl” - you can use chlorine-containing products for bleaching. “Cl” is the designation for a chemical element on the periodic table called chlorine.
• A triangle with two stripes on the inner left side - it is allowed to use bleaches that do not contain chlorine.