What is a delicate wash in a washing machine? How to achieve gentle washing and how is it indicated?

Delicate washing in a washing machine is a special mode that allows you to wash particularly “delicate” fabrics, such as silk or wool. The process is carried out at a relatively low temperature with a large volume of water and a low number of drum revolutions. The mode can be enabled on any machine if you know the designation. The list of icons and application features are described in this material.

What does mode mean?

This mode is used for clothing and bedding, which are based on delicate fabrics. We are talking about materials with a fine structure, with decorative elements. The delicate wash icon is suitable for the following types of fabrics:

• chiffon products;
• woolen clothing, linen;
• microfiber;
• cashmere;
• satin materials;
• different types of silk fabrics;
• organza.

You can say exactly what delicate washing in a washing machine means. It is intended for “delicate” fabrics. This option can also be used for other materials that have different types of finishes and inserts, for example, ruffles, pleating or photo printing. This also includes all kinds of lace and clothes with rhinestones, as shown in the photo.

Gentle washing in a washing machine is indicated by the icon. It can also be found on clothing – the designation looks like this.In this case, the designation also indicates that washing can be carried out at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees.

Thanks to this, clothes do not fade and last much longer. The fibers retain their original structure, which prevents stretching. It is possible to save not only the fabric itself, but also decorative elements and finishing.

Features of the gentle wash mode

The delicate wash sign suggests that the machine operates with several features in mind:

1. A large amount of water is used. Thanks to this, the fabrics come into less contact with each other, and the powder is rinsed out gradually.
2. Low temperature - usually up to 30 degrees, which is what a delicate wash on a washing machine means. It is less common to be higher, but still no more than 40. Thanks to this, not only the coloring, but also the shape of the clothing is preserved.
3. Another important difference is that the gentle wash icon suggests that the machine drum will rotate more slowly. The number of revolutions is significantly reduced, including for rinsing.
4. At the end of the procedure, spinning may not be done or may take place at very low speeds - no more than 800 per minute. If you see how delicate washing is indicated and make sure that there is no spin function in this mode, you should dry the clothes yourself.

How do you mean gentle washing?

The delicate wash icon in the Indesit washing machine and other models may be slightly different. Below are the most common options:

1. The delicate wash icon on the Electrolux washing machine appears in 3 different versions. This can be a “flower” to indicate washing delicate fabrics, a “Wool and hand wash” option, or a butterfly to indicate silk.
2. Often the gentle process uses the same icon as for hand washing in a washing machine. Such schemes are used by the famous brand “Ariston”.
3. Delicate wash on a Zanussi washing machine has an icon in the form of a temperature limit to 30 or 40 degrees, as well as a “flower”.
4. If you look at the wash sign in the Ardo washing machine, you can see a feather pattern. There is also an icon of a hand with a pelvis, i.e. hand wash.
5. The “Gentle Wash” mode is present in almost all modern models, including the Indesit brand. Usually it is a special program, for example, “Cotton gentle wash 40” (4) or “Wool 40” (7), as shown in the photo.
6. The delicate wash icon on the “Candy” washing machine refers to several options at once. They involve processing at a temperature of 30-40 degrees.
7. The delicate wash icon on the Bosch washing machine can be called the most unusual of the series described. It looks like the one shown in the photo.

Now it’s clear what the delicate wash icon looks like on different machines. It may look like a feather or a temperature limit, as well as a flower or an icon with a hand and a basin (the hand wash icon on a washing machine). Regardless of the designation, the essence is the same - the device will process fabrics in a gentle manner at low drum speeds and at moderate temperatures.

How to use gentle mode

The delicate wash icon on your machine can vary, and is quite easy to find. It's also easy to enable this mode to start processing. Standard instructions:

1. Load laundry.
2. Add powder.
3. If necessary, pour conditioner into the desired tray.
4. Turn on the machine.
5. Select the delicate wash cycle by finding the icon.
6. Close the door until it clicks and press the start button.

During the process, you can use additional devices, such as a mesh or bag. They protect items of clothing or shoes from damage. As for detergents, they should not contain chlorine or phosphate compounds. It is better to use liquid products, since they are washed out better, but powder can also be used if it is highly soluble in water.

It is clear what delicate washing looks like and how to apply it in practice. This is a convenient option that allows you to carefully treat clothes or linen. Moreover, delicate washing in a Bosch washing machine is not much different from, for example, Indesit or Samsung. But you should understand that in this case there is no spin or it is too weak. Therefore, things will have to be dried additionally.