Hand wash
Hand wash at 40°C or below. Handle gently; do not rub or wring.
READ YOUR LABEL
How to hand wash clothes without twisting or stretching them
Read the hand-wash instruction, prepare a basin, wash and rinse gently, then choose the drying method on your garment label.
Check the label, then prepare the drying space
Hand washing means cleaning the item by hand with controlled, gentle movement. It does not mean every delicate item can be washed in water. Read the whole label before filling the basin: a crossed wash tub or a dry-clean-only instruction changes the plan. Have the permitted drying setup ready so the wet garment does not sit in a heap while you find somewhere to put it.
Marks you may see
Do not wash
No hand or machine washing. Check the rest of the label.
Three decisions before the water runs
Hand wash or do not wash?
A hand in a wash tub indicates hand washing; a crossed tub prohibits washing. If the instructions are missing or conflict, ask the manufacturer before wetting the item. A machine program called hand wash is not automatically a substitute for washing by hand.
Which water temperature?
Follow any written temperature and the applicable symbol. The familiar hand-wash mark in the international system allows up to 40°C; the newer ambient-temperature variant calls for around 20–30°C. A colder instruction on the garment still prevails. Do not treat warm-feeling tap water as an accurate measurement.
Which detergent and drying method?
Choose a product suitable for the fabric and hand washing, using its basin-dosing directions. Find the separate drying instruction too. Hand wash does not tell you whether to dry flat, hang the item, or tumble dry it.
Put the instructions into practice
Prepare a clean basin
Remove residue from the sink or basin. Fill with water at the permitted temperature and mix in the measured detergent before adding the garment. Give it room to move; wash separately when its instructions require it.
Move the item gently
Lower it into the water and use slow pressing and swishing movements. Keep the process brief for sensitive or coloured pieces. Follow a stated soaking time; leaving something submerged longer is not automatically better cleaning.
Rinse without scrubbing
Drain and refill with clean water as needed, following the detergent directions. Gently move water through the fabric to remove detergent. Avoid rubbing two areas against each other or pulling on a stain.
Support and dry
Lift with the garment supported and follow its drying instruction. Gently press out water only when the label permits; for drip drying, transfer the supported item while leaving water as instructed. Do not twist it like a rope. For an item requiring dry flat, arrange it in shape on a suitable flat drying surface.
Avoid these mistakes
- Do not hand wash an item simply because a machine seems too harsh; water itself may be prohibited.
- Do not pour concentrated detergent straight onto delicate fabric.
- Do not replace gentle pressing with wringing, hard rubbing or pulling sleeves into shape.
Turn your label into a checklist
Choose the marks actually printed on your item. Keep the complete instructions together, then copy or print your checklist.
Find the marks on my label