Special, gentle cleaning, or what the icon means: machine wash prohibited

Before loading dirty items into the washing machine drum, it is very important to check if there is a special note on the manufacturer’s label stating that machine washing is prohibited.

Inattention or ignorance of this rule can cause some things to completely lose their appearance after cleaning.

What does the machine wash prohibited icon on a clothing label mean and what it looks like, we will tell you further.

What does it look like in the photo and what does it mean?

There are several options for icons indicating that machine washing of the product is prohibited.

The image of a basin with a lowered hand informs that Only gentle hand washing is allowed, without active wringing., at a water temperature not higher than 30C:

The image of a basin with water crossed out crosswise is a signal that the product can only be cleaned dry (dry cleaning):

The image of a rectangle in a circle is a reminder that cleaning the product in an automatic machine is prohibited:

What happens if you wash clothes in an automatic washing machine?

Violating the manufacturer's recommendation about the inadmissibility of machine washing, you need to be prepared for the following:

• your favorite item will lose its shape (most often items made from polyester, viscose);
• the clothes will stretch or, on the contrary, become several sizes smaller (it is especially important to follow the washing regime for woolen items and hand-knitted items).

How to properly process things if there is a prohibiting symbol?

Restore clothes that cannot be machine washed in proper condition, can be done as follows:

1. Fill a basin or bath (if there are a lot of dirty things) with warm water (temperature no higher than 30C).
2. A measuring cup of washing powder (liquid detergent or gel) is diluted in water. As an option, you can use grated laundry soap (3-5 tablespoons of shavings are enough for 10 liters of water).
3. Soak dirty laundry in the resulting soap solution for five to ten minutes.
4. With careful movements, things are taken out and lowered into the water; especially contaminated areas are lightly rubbed with your hands.
5. Fill a separate container with clean cold water in which to rinse the laundry.

If the “machine wash prohibited” symbol is indicated on the tag, then such items cannot be actively twisted, squeezed, or pulled. Wring out such products in a terry towel. To do this, the clothes are laid out on a towel, then carefully rolled into a roll and wrung out thoroughly.

Adviсe

Dry clothes with the “machine wash prohibited” icon only on a horizontal surface. Drying on a hanger or line may cause deformation of the product..

There is no way to find out information about the method of cleaning clothes (the manufacturer's tag has been cut off)? No problem. It is worth remembering the list of materials, for which machine washing is prohibited:

• wool,
• natural silk,
• cambric and guipure,
• lace,
• atlas,
• cashmere,
• leather and nubuck,
• membrane clothing,
• thermal underwear.

Conclusion

Before throwing things into the drum of the washing machine, be sure to study all the information indicated by the manufacturer on the product label.

The “machine wash prohibited” icon is a signal that Clothes require special, careful cleaning. Otherwise, your favorite item will very quickly lose its original appearance and become unusable.