What is a delicate wash
A well-washed item looks clean, bright and can be worn for more than one season. This is influenced not only by the detergent from the advertisement, but also by the observance of the washing rules. The label on the clothes from the manufacturer is not created in vain, there are icons on it that allow you to determine which wash mode to choose.
- What is a delicate wash cycle
- When you need it
- What things are needed for
- How the delicate wash cycle is indicated
- How long does it take in time
- How to set up delicate mode yourself
- Delicate detergents
- How is delicate washing going (+ preparing things for washing)
- Drying and ironing
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Video: all about the delicate wash cycle
What is a delicate wash cycle
To disassemble with your washing machine and its modes, it will be enough to look in the instruction booklet and find the designation of all the marks on the device. Generally speaking, what is a delicate wash in each washing machine, it is a kind of gentle cleaning of things that does not harm them and protects the fineness of the fabric.
When you need it
We use delicate or thrifty washing when it is required by the fabric from which the clothes are made. Washing in this mode avoids shedding. Does not harm fine fibers. With him you can not worry that the color of the thing will lose its brightness. Of course, all these factors are possible subject to certain rules for the washing process.
What things are needed for
The list of delicate fabrics includes: satin, underwear, organza, chiffon, lace. They also include all types of fabrics with decor, membrane and microfiber.
This entire list of light, thin fabrics will be diluted: cashmere, wool and silk. This is due to the fact that these 3 types of fabric do not tolerate washing with a powerful spin, in which there will be a large number of revolutions. Ideally, do not use the spin cycle at all.
How the delicate wash cycle is indicated
The designer who created your favorite blouse has already foreseen the moment when you will not know how to wash it. Please note that things have a tag with certain icons. To determine the type of wash you need, you need to look at the basin icon and the degrees in it or above it. If it is indicated there that you need 30-40 degrees for washing, then this is what it is - a delicate wash mode.
How long does it take in time
The time interval for washing in the machine, depending on the manufacturer, can be determined in different ways. Mostly 50-90 minutes, but there are also manufacturers that allow you to wash in half an hour.
When washing by hand, do not forget to observe the temperature regime, it is important for a thrifty attitude to things. In cases with heavy dirt or stubborn stains, it is best to contact a dry cleaner for professional help.
How to set up delicate mode yourself
Manufacturers of washing machines often indicate in the instruction book which signs indicate which mode. Some of them may show concern by writing what to do if a delicate wash is needed, but they did not envisage it as a separate mode.
For each manufacturer, the delicate wash icon on a different washing machine can be labeled in its own way. This is often a flower. If there is no such mode, but the modes are divided by fabric: wool, cotton, and so on. Then you can choose your own version of the fabric, but reduce the number of revolutions on the spin or turn it off altogether.
If this type is not available:
- Choose a mode similar in type.
- Send your things to a special bag for delicate items.
- It is possible to determine what time it is recommended to use only on the basis of average indicators. Most use 50 to 90 minutes.
- Spin with a minimum number of revolutions or turn it off altogether.
- Do not exceed half of the drum loading weight.
Important! Pay attention to all the features of washing in this mode so that you can correctly combine the settings for washing.
Delicate detergents
The chemical composition of detergents can both help and harm them. There is no need to peer into the composition of each product and look for components incomprehensible to an ordinary person: are they there or not. The manufacturer does everything for us and indicates on the label for which clothes to use the gel or powder.
Yet, how does the composition for delicate clothing differ from another, if it has all the same components as the rest of the gels? A-surfactants, chlorine, phosphates, enzymes - they all belong to the category of aggressive substances. In delicate clothing products, the amount of these ingredients in the gel is reduced.
Innovative components (natural) cope with the task of decent cleaning at low water heating temperatures. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the fact that powder particles can be poorly soluble in cold water. With poor rinsing, the powder will adhere to the fibers of the fabric. Therefore, an allergic reaction is inevitable. This is especially true for people with hypersensitivity to allergens.
To avoid the risk of developing allergies, it is recommended to use washing gels. They can remove various types of dirt. They penetrate better into the structure of the fabric and are easily washed out. The composition contains additives that soften water and keep things in shape. Such products are hypoallergenic.
Popular manufacturers have divided the gentle washing process into color sections. So, you can choose a tool for colored clothes, for white and black separately. Thanks to this, the color is retained better and the risk of shedding is reduced. But it is not necessary to accumulate things in different “mountains” so that when the required floor of the drum is filled up, they can wash them.
How is delicate washing going (+ preparing things for washing)
Gentle cleaning of things is the same as any other, but with certain nuances. Be sure to remember to inspect clothing pockets, if any, for small and important items.
Items for delicate washing do not need to be divided by type of fabric. For example, you can wash cashmere and wool together. You don't have to separate things. Shedding when washing at 30 degrees is excluded. The color will be preserved thanks to the chosen medium.
But some of the manufacturers still recommend separating the white from the black, and sending the color to a separate washing tray.
Fill the detergent drawer with powder or gel and conditioner. The latter is recommended for softening water hardness.In addition, this liquid retains the brightness of the color. Although the manufacturers of washing gels have already foreseen this fact and added it to their products. Such a complex of components significantly saves the cost of buying detergents.
The temperature regime should not exceed 40 degrees. If the machine does not have a gentle mode, use the above steps with actions in this situation. We must remind you that the spin should not be strong and you can turn it off altogether. During squeezing, even more so, the tissue fibers are destroyed. The drying mode does not need to be switched on at all. Delicate fabrics are also gently dried.
If the garment is laced, use a cloth laundry bag to decorate. In case of absence, you can replace it with a cotton pillowcase.
If the wash did not show a high-quality result, you should think about which stage was missed or was done wrong.
Drying and ironing
For thin, delicate items at the end of the wash, it is recommended to abandon the drying mode. Then how do you dry your clothes after washing?
For example, consider a delicate fabric like chiffon. After removing from the washing machine, lay the garment horizontally on a terry towel or other fabric that easily absorbs moisture.
It is not recommended to dry close to heat sources and in direct sunlight. When using clothespins, traces of them may well remain on clothes. The solution to such issues will be in the form of hanging clothes on a hanger, in an even state, without folds.
Chiffon wrinkles easily, and ironing it is not the most favorite pastime of many. In order for everything to go well, it is worth following the following points:
- Choose chiffon or silk mode. If the iron does not have such functions, make sure that the temperature regime does not exceed 130 degrees.
- Do not forget to inspect the condition of the iron before starting work. The work surface must be clean.
- Start ironing when the garment is still not completely dry. Before that, be sure to turn it out and cover it with gauze or cotton cloth.
- A spray bottle or steam can leave streaks.
- The steam generator is distinguished by good efficiency.
- Iron on small areas without pressing hard on the clothes. The item does not need to be squeezed or stretched.
- If it's a pleated skirt, you can take a tub of hot water and hang the item on a hanger over it.
After all the cleaning and leveling manipulations, do not forget that delicate clothing requires careful storage.
Advantages and disadvantages
Even a gentle wash has its pros and cons. Based on all the parameters that are needed for gentle cleaning, the good sides are:
- The duration of the wash conserves energy.
- The process is fast enough.
- Gentle effect on textile fibers.
- Saving human costs of time and effort.
- You need a little detergent.
It is not necessary to sort items by color and fabric, they can be washed all together. This will save time, which would have been spent on the accumulation of the required amount of clothing. During the collection period, the stains could be absorbed more into the fibers.
Of the negative aspects, it is worth noting:
- Lack of clothing disinfection. Viruses and bacteria die at high temperatures.
- If there are perspiration and unpleasant odor stains on things, it is very difficult to remove them with cold water.
- To eliminate complex types of stains, you first have to soak the product or soap it.
- You can't get rid of dust mites.
- It is better to wash bed linen at high temperatures or in boiling mode.
- If the granules of the powder dissolve poorly at low temperatures, it may cause an allergic reaction.
- Frequent delicate washings can ruin the machine. A gray-green coating will appear. The solution to the problem is flushing or repairing.
Unfortunately, making a choice, refusing to wash carefully, can damage your favorite clothes irrevocably. Dry cleaning is expensive every time. Therefore, try to pay attention to the choice of a detergent that does not harm the washing machine, softens water, preserves the color of clothes and makes you happy with the result. In difficult cases, in order to save clothes and money, it will not be a shame to turn to the pros.
Video: all about the delicate wash cycle