Hand wash
An ISO 3758 washtub with a hand dipped into it, indicating the garment must be washed by hand and not in a machine.
What it means
The hand-in-tub icon restricts cleaning to manual washing, usually at a maximum of around 40 °C. It appears on items whose construction, embellishment or fibre would be damaged by machine agitation, such as wool, silk and beaded pieces.
What to do
Wash gently by hand in lukewarm water with a mild or wool-specific detergent. Do not rub, wring or twist; instead press the suds through, rinse, and roll the item in a towel to remove water before laying it flat to dry.
How to use this term
Use this washing symbol before choosing water temperature, cycle intensity or whether the item should go in the machine at all.
- Read hand wash with the other symbols on the same care label; the strictest symbol wins.
- Match the instruction to the garment's most fragile part, including trims, lining, prints and finishes.
- If the label, fabric behaviour and stain method disagree, test a hidden area or choose the lower-risk route.
Common mistake
Do not upgrade to a hotter or heavier cycle because the stain looks stubborn; the strictest care symbol still sets the limit.
For the broader method, use the Laundry temperature guide and then return to this term when the label changes the safe option.
Related terms
Sources
- ISO 3758:2012 Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols — International Organization for Standardization