What is washed on a delicate cycle. What do the washing mode icons on clothes mean?

Not every item, like jeans or a tapestry bedspread, can forgive certain mistakes in washing. To keep your favorite outfits and underwear looking, as they say, brand new longer, they require delicate care. Fortunately, modern technology almost completely eliminates the need to wash “capricious” items by hand, since it is difficult to find a washing machine today that does not have at least one program that allows you to wash clothes carefully. Our task is to remember the rules for washing delicate items: prepare them for “ water procedures", select the required detergent and gentle mode. Ready to dive into the intricacies?

What items need delicate washing?

Let's look into the laundry basket and start sorting: items made of wool, silk, cashmere, thin fabrics (organza, guipure, satin, lace, chiffon), with abundant decor and a complex, voluminous cut (sequins, rhinestones, ruffles, etc.) require a separate washing mode. folds, pleating). Also among the sissies are membrane fabrics, microfiber, thermal underwear, outfits with bright but unstable coloring or patterns, for example, printing on fabric, as is the case with T-shirts.

Whether this or that item needs delicate washing will always be indicated by labels with washing signs, which the manufacturing factory must sew in. If you cut them off, use your own discretion: “sissies” are contraindicated at washing temperatures above 30-40 degrees, regular universal powder and maximum spin.

On a note! Symbols delicate wash:

Delicate wash symbols

Delicate laundry detergents

Items that require a special washing regime, and detergents need special ones. On the shelves of stores with household chemicals, such gels, conditioners and powders have various markings indicating their usefulness for delicate care for clothes and linen. These products do not contain aggressive chemical components (phosphates, chlorine and other bleaching ingredients) that can ruin your favorite outfits - they protect the fibers and color of the fabric, making it softer and softer.

It is also necessary to use mesh bags for washing - they prevent deformation of things and damage to their decor, the appearance of pills, snags and puffs, and help to “organize” small items, preventing them from getting lost among their larger counterparts.

Features of the delicate wash mode

This mode can be called differently depending on the brand and model of the machine: “Delicate wash”, “Gentle wash”, “Hand wash”, “Delicate fabrics” or specialized “Wool”, “Silk”. But general principles Caring for the sissies of your wardrobe in the washing machine is the same. Firstly, washing takes place in large quantities water to reduce the friction of things in the drum against each other and rinse the detergent more thoroughly. Secondly, the washing temperature does not exceed 30, less often 40 degrees Celsius, which prolongs the life of the color of the laundry. Thirdly, the drum movements are slower and smoother. Fourthly, spinning is either not performed at all, or occurs at minimum speed (400-600 per minute) so that things do not stretch out and lose decorative elements. Check the features of the delicate washing mode in your machine by reading the instructions for it.

Who can you trust with the most valuable things in your wardrobe?

When choosing a washing machine, many consumers unanimously pay attention to three leading criteria: price-quality ratio, washing class, reliability of the equipment (manufacturer’s reputation, availability of protection against leaks, duration of warranty). The ATLANT SMA 70C1010 automatic washing machine may have fulfilled your family’s dream of a modern and stylish household assistant. In terms of dimensions, it belongs to narrow machines: its depth is 48 cm. Such equipment can also be placed in a small kitchen or bathroom. A large load of laundry (up to 7 kg) is convenient not only because it can empty the entire laundry basket in one wash, but also because you can wash large items in the machine: blankets, bedspreads, curtains, pillows, without resorting to a laundry service .

The machine has 16 most popular washing modes, including “Cotton”, “Jeans”, “Shirts”, “ Outerwear", "Children's clothing", "Dark items", "Synthetics", as well as the "Wool", "Silk", "Hand Wash" modes suitable for caring for delicate fabrics. The machine's energy consumption class is A+++, washing class is A, the manufacturer's warranty period is 3 years (for the electric motor - 5 years). There is a child locking function, an Aqua-Protect system (protection against leaks), and a convenient electronic control display.

And perhaps, another important argument in favor of the appearance of this smart and beautiful assistant in your home is the half-century history and positive reputation of the ATLANT brand. “Made in Belarus!” and now sounds like a synonym for quality, be it food, clothing or Appliances. Study the reviews and make the right choice!

A large number of functions and programs in washing machines leave the user with a choice. To make this choice correctly, you need to not only know the program icons, but also their purpose. Let's talk about the "Delicate Wash" mode, what it means and in what cases it should be used.

Function description

Delicate wash icon on the washing machine, which is most often accompanied by the inscription 30 0. It is at this temperature that delicate fabrics are washed. Such fabrics include silk, satin and synthetics, and some mixed fabrics.

The reduced temperature of water heating allows you to preserve the color of delicate fabric, extending the service life of the product. The loading of the washing machine drum in this mode is the smallest, varying between 1.5 -2.5 kg depending on the maximum load of the washing machine. Another feature of washing is water consumption. It is used a little more. As a result a small amount of products are washed in a large amount of water, things do not wrinkle.

Drum rotation is slow during washing. Things in the drum rotate smoothly from side to side. In this mode, spinning occurs at low speeds or is absent altogether.

Speaking about delicate washing, we need to talk about laundry detergent. After all, to achieve maximum effect it's not enough to install the desired function on the washing machine. Using the wrong powder can ruin your favorite item. The gentle detergent should:

  • it is easy to dissolve in water and be washed out of fabric, and therefore it is better to use gels;
  • do not contain aggressive substances, chlorine, enzymes, etc.;
  • maintain the color of the fabric;
  • do not have an unpleasant odor;
  • soften the product, rather than making it rough and hard.

Delicate wash on different machines

The delicate wash mark in one form or another is present on different washing machines. Not all manufacturers accept the name “delicate wash,” but this does not mean that they do not use programs similar in washing algorithms. The icons are also different, but as they say, “it’s better to see once...” Let’s give examples.

Ariston brand washing machines. These machines have two similar washing modes: delicate fabrics and hand wash. The delicate fabric program runs 30 minutes longer and washes items super gently in plenty of water. The hand wash mode is faster, but it also treats things very delicately. In fact, these are two programs that emphasize soaking rather than mechanical action. In the picture below you can see the symbols with which these programs are marked on the control panel.


“Home helpers” produced under the Ardo brand. These machines, like Ariston brand washing machines, have two icons on the control panel, one means “wash by hand” (a basin with a hand in it), and the second means “delicate fabrics” (a feather). The modes work exactly the same, it feels like Ardo machines were programmed by the same specialists who worked with Ariston washing machines.

Bosch brand washing machines. Cars of this brand have an icon that looks like a woman's summer dress. What does this picture mean on the control panel of a German washing machine? This is precisely a delicate wash, and this mode is also used when you need to use a machine equivalent hand wash and when you need to wash items made from delicate fabrics such as silk, satin or mixed fabrics.

On the most modern washing machines from Bosch, the hand wash icon also appears, although on such washing machines all the icons are signed and nothing needs to be deciphered.

Electrolux washing machines. On Electrolux washing machines, there are three programs similar in execution to the delicate wash mode, and accordingly there are also three icons. In the picture below, under the number “1” you see two washing modes: hand wash (a basin with your hand in it) and light fabrics (butterfly). There is also a mode numbered “2”, which means “delicate fabrics” (flower). These programs differ in execution time. Delicate fabrics have the most gentle and longest cycle, followed by light fabrics and the fastest program - hand wash.

Zanussi automatic washing machine. Please note that Zanussi machines have 4 programs similar to delicate washing. Two types of hand wash (cold water and 30 degrees) and two types of delicate wash (30 and 40 degrees). Such a choice of programs allows you to very accurately configure the washing machine to wash certain items, without giving the equipment a chance to spoil them.

In what cases is it used?

The delicate wash mode is used in different cases. Whatever it is called, the operating principle is almost the same in all cases. In this mode, the following are most often washed:

  • products made from fine fabrics such as blouses, shirts, silk shirts, etc.;
  • curtains, curtains and tulle;
  • wool and cashmere items, if there is no “Wool” mode;
  • viscose clothing;
  • underwear;
  • soft toys and anti-stress pillows;
  • in the absence of a special regime, you can wash a padding polyester or bamboo blanket, as well as pillows.

In general, when delicate mode erase everything that is “afraid” of the rapid rotation of the drum and high water temperature. Almost all automatic machines have this mode, and if not, then there is a similar one. We hope you now know enough about delicate washing and similar modes.

Improper care of clothing causes rapid wear and tear of the fabric and loss of attractive looking, so before washing, drying or bleaching any clothing, you should carefully look at its label with the icon. There in the form symbols The nuances of caring for a specific fabric are indicated.


Wash

The main process of caring for most types of clothing is washing. On a label sewn with inside items, you will see what kind of washing is recommended by the manufacturer, at what temperature the item is allowed to be washed, and whether it can be bleached and wringed.


The icon, by which you can understand how to wash a particular item, resembles a bowl of water in appearance. If your label shows only such a “basin,” then the item can be washed in a machine using any program, that is, it can be soaked or wrung out.



Other variants of this icon are deciphered as follows:

  • “Bowl” emphasized by one line indicates the need to use a gentle wash. Such an item cannot be washed on a program with a high number of revolutions, and it is recommended to load the machine only 2/3 of the allowable volume of laundry.
  • If under the "basin" did you see two lines, such a thing can only be washed on the “delicate wash” mode. It is recommended to reduce the volume of laundry in the machine to 1/3 of the maximum recommended. If you want to wash such an item by hand, then you should rinse such clothing in a large volume of water and wring it very carefully or not wring it at all.
  • “Basin” with a hand immersed in it indicates the need to wash such an item by hand. The washing temperature should not be higher than +40 C. In addition, such clothes should not be rubbed or wrung out too much. As a rule, you will see such a badge on clothes made of guipure, chiffon, knitwear, satin and similar delicate materials.
  • An image of a washing machine placed in a circle means that machine washing is prohibited. This designation is typical for fabrics that may fade, tear or stretch while spinning in the drum. You will also see this icon on outfits with sequins, beads, rhinestones and other decor that can come off when washed in a machine.
  • Crossed out “basin” will tell you what this thing Can't be washed at all. You will see such an icon on products that are taken to dry cleaning, because even gentle wash hands may damage them.



Temperature

It is important to pay attention to the water temperature indications when washing so that the item does not shrink, lose its color or become shapeless.

You can find out about the permissible temperature by two designations - inside the “basin” of water you will see either a number or dots in different quantities:

  • 30º or 1 point - the item is washed at a temperature no higher than +30ºС, spinning should be minimal.
  • 40º or 2 points – to wash such an item, the temperature should not exceed +40ºС.
  • 50º or 3 points – the item can be washed at temperatures up to +50ºС.
  • 60º or 4 points – to wash such an item, the temperature is set to +60ºС.
  • 70ºor 5 points – this item can be washed at +70ºС.
  • 95º or 6 points - such a thing can be washed at a temperature of +95ºС.


Spin

An incorrectly selected spin intensity can cause shrinkage or damage to clothing.

The icon that will tell you about the features of spinning the item is a square with a circle inside. Having seen such a sign, you don’t have to worry that the item will be washed with a high spin intensity. In addition, this designation allows the use of machine drying.


Other options for a circle inside a square are deciphered as follows:

  • If this sign underlined by one line, for such a thing both spinning and drying in the machine should be gentle.
  • If you see two lines under the sign, then such clothes should be washed on a low spin program, and machine drying should also be gentle.
  • If you see dots inside the circle in the square, this will tell you the machine drying mode for this item. As on an iron, the number of points indicates the intensity of drying, for example, if there is one point, then the mode should be gentle, and if there are three points, then drying can be quick and use high temperatures.
  • If the circle inside the square is drawn, then heating during machine drying is unacceptable (clothes can only be treated with cold air).
  • A crossed out square with a circle means a ban on spinning during washing and drying in a washing machine.
  • The crossed out image of twisted clothing indicates that such a thing cannot be twisted or wrung out.

Machine drying


Other versions of the square need to be deciphered as follows:

  • If the empty square is crossed out, such an item cannot be dried.
  • If there is a semicircle at the top of the square, clothes can be dried vertically - either on hangers or on a clothesline.
  • Three vertical lines inside the square will tell you that the item should not be wrung out, but should be hung to dry while still wet.
  • One horizontal stripe inside the square indicates the need to dry on a horizontal surface, otherwise the fabric will deform and stretch. Typically, such drying is recommended for knitwear and wool.
  • Two diagonal lines in the upper left corner of the square indicate a ban on drying in direct sunlight. Clothing with this symbol on the label should only be dried in the shade. Usually this white fabric, which becomes yellowish under sunlight, as well as bright clothes, capable of burning out.



Whitening

Before using bleach, be sure to look for the triangle on the label:

  • If there is a triangle, bleaching is allowed.
  • If such a triangle is crossed out, then, accordingly, bleaching is prohibited.
  • Also pay attention to the letters inside - if you see “Cl” in the triangle, you can use chlorine bleaching products.
  • If the triangle with the letters “Cl” is crossed out, then bleaching is allowed, but chlorine-containing products cannot be used. The same meaning applies to a triangle with two diagonal lines inside it.


No icons

Although on most clothes manufacturers mark the washing features with icons, there are also clothes on the labels of which you will see inscriptions in English. You can decipher them like this:

  • Machine wash– the item is machine washable
  • Hand wash only– for such items only hand washing is permissible
  • Wash separately– the color of such a thing is unstable and can fade onto other clothes, so it will have to be washed separately
  • Hot wash– use hot water for washing
  • Warm wash- wash this item in warm water
  • Cold wash– to wash such a thing, the water should not be warm
  • No wash/Do not wash– with this inscription the manufacturer warns that the item cannot be washed



Dry cleaning

Designations associated with the peculiarities of chemical treatment of clothing are mainly of interest to dry cleaners, since they indicate what kind of cleaning is permissible for a particular garment.

  • The most important icon associated with dry cleaning for the average person is crossed out circle. He will tell you that such an item should not be taken to a dry cleaning salon, since dry cleaning is contraindicated for it.
  • Round icon without any letters indicates that the item has been dry cleaned. Often you will find this designation on wool, leather, silk or suede clothing.
  • If there is a letter inside the circle, she suggests what chemicals It is permissible to clean the fabric. These can be the letters A, F, P or W. And a dash under the circle will tell the dry cleaning worker that the treatment should be delicate.


Ironing

During ironing, the fabric is exposed to high temperatures, so each manufacturer notes the optimal temperature on the label. temperature regime depending on the fabric. For example, linen or cotton fabric can be ironed with high heat from the iron, and the use of steam will only help smooth out the wrinkles. If you overheat the iron when ironing synthetics or wool, the item will be damaged.


The ironing mode on the label is indicated by an image of an iron. If you just saw "iron" without dots, then such a thing can be either ironed with any heat or treated with steam. Decipher other images of the “iron” as follows:

  • One point inside the "iron" allows the iron to be heated during ironing to a maximum of 110ºC. This is a gentle ironing, which is used mainly for synthetic materials, for example viscose or polyamide.
  • Two points inside the "iron" allow heating up to 150ºС. This temperature regime is used when ironing silk, polyester, and wool.
  • Three points inside the "iron" allow the iron to be heated to the highest temperature (+200ºС). This mode is usually chosen for processing cotton and linen products.
  • "Iron" inside a circle indicates ironing temperature up to 140ºС.
  • Crossed out "iron" It is prohibited to iron the product. This designation is often found on terry cloth or nylon.
  • If the legs of the “iron” are crossed out, then when ironing you cannot use moisture. Typically, such a recommendation is present on the label of silk, satin and satin clothing, which is prohibited from steaming.



To consolidate everything you’ve read, watch this informative, fun and easy-to-follow video from the author of “Abaldet Channel”:

Modern washing machines are equipped with a bunch of different programs that are designed for different fabrics. One such program in a washing machine is a delicate wash. This program is especially in demand among washing machine users, as it allows you to wash things carefully. But let's figure out whether delicate washing is actually a program that you can trust for washing clothes made from delicate fabrics? Or is it just a marketing ploy.

How does the delicate cycle work in a washing machine?

The delicate washing mode of different washing machines consists of different cycles, but they are united by the following general rules:

  • Washing takes place in large quantities of water- this means that with delicate washing washing machine draws more water into the tank so that the mechanical effect on the laundry is as gentle as possible.
  • Wash at low temperature– all delicate fabrics require washing at low temperatures, usually 30°C – 40°C (depending on the manufacturer and model). This temperature will reduce the shedding of things and they will not be dyed.
  • Smoother drum movements– the delicate washing program assumes that the drum will spin more slowly and more smoothly, so as not to spoil the laundry.
  • Delicate spin– on some washing machines, the spin cycle is not activated at all, and washing occurs without it. On others, the spin speed is much lower than on a regular wash.

All these conditions must undoubtedly be met with a delicate washing regime, but in reality this is not always the case.

Is “gentle mode” really gentle?

In reality, everything is not always as we would like it to be. On some washing machines, the delicate cycle involves washing woolen and silk fabrics. On other washing machines, manufacturers have decided that a delicate wash is needed in order to wash delicate synthetics or cotton.

Therefore, before relying on the automatic program of the washing machine, be sure to read the instructions for it, which should indicate the parameters of delicate washing: temperature, number of spin revolutions, fabrics for which it is intended.

Very often, manufacturers imply that washing items made of silk or wool should be done in programs of the same name, therefore, on such washing machines, the delicate program is not intended for washing such fabrics.

What to do if your washing machine does not have a delicate cycle

Many manufacturers do not use a delicate wash cycle on their washing machines at all, considering it redundant. This is due to the fact that standard programs are quite sufficient for washing delicate fabrics. Plus, to the standard washing programs, they add washing modes for fabrics, for example, wool, thin fabrics.

Also, many washing machines have a “hand wash” program, which, according to the manufacturers’ idea, is an analogue of a real hand wash and involves a very gentle washing mode for things, for example, for washing tulle.

From all of the above we can conclude: if your washing machine does not have a delicate wash mode, but there are such as hand wash, delicate fabrics or the like, then make sure by reading the instructions that they are suitable for your clothes and use them.

If your washing machine does not have such programs, which is unlikely, then you can set the delicate mode yourself in the following way:

  • Set the washing temperature to 30°C
  • Disable the spin function
  • If possible, wash in special laundry bags.

Of course, you won’t be able to make the drum run smoother, but the above steps will already allow you to wash most delicate fabrics in a washing machine.

Most modern machines have many functions and programs that allow you to use automatic washing for the most different types fabrics, including capricious ones. Delicate wash is a program that gently removes dirt from delicate, openwork or knitted items. How does it work?

The cycles that an item goes through when cleaning in this mode are various models machines may differ, but the principle itself gentle cleansing implies that:

  1. A larger than usual amount of water is drawn into the machine. Thus, when cleaning, the laundry is not subjected to strong friction or mechanical stress from the drum.
  2. The water does not heat up to high temperatures. Most often, the process takes place in water at 30-40°C. This is necessary in order to reduce the risk of loss of color of delicate fabrics and their unwanted staining.
  3. The machine washes at lower speeds - smoother and quieter rotation of the drum eliminates the possibility of damage or stretching of fabrics.
  4. There is no or minimal spin.

It is important to remember that when washing delicate clothes, you should put half as much laundry in the machine as usual. This way you can avoid unnecessary twisting of things and their deformation.

Detergents for delicate cycle

When washing delicate fabrics, it is better to abandon conventional powders and purchase special liquid detergents. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the composition: products that gently clean fabrics do not contain enzymes.

If you use universal or bleaching powder, you can ruin things - they will become colored and lose their original appearance. Undoubted dignity liquid product– it is easier to wash out of the fabric, acts gently, and does not destroy the color and texture of the fabric.

However, among the powders you can find those that are suitable for gentle cleaning. They do not contain phosphates, but lanolin and other substances are added to remove dirt from things. They act gently on the fibers of the material without washing out the color.

Whatever remedy is chosen, it must:

  • wash dirt well and deal with stains;
  • do not contain causing allergies or rashes on the skin of additives, do not harm health;
  • maintain the brightness of the color of the item, its shape, and prevent the formation of pellets;
  • give clothes softness and do not have a sharp, intrusive odor.

Analogues of delicate mode

Not all manufacturers place a "gentle wash" symbol on their products. As a rule, on models that have big choice programs, there is none. Such machines have modes for all types of fabric: woolen, fine, silk, cotton, synthetic and many others. In this case, it makes more sense to use one that is designed for a specific type of material, and there is simply no need for a general delicate wash program.

Some models have a hand wash program. In essence, this is the same delicate one - it also gently cleanses things without subjecting them to strong mechanical stress.

To understand which mode to use, if the machine does not have a delicate mode, it is best to use the instructions.