# Hand wash — Laundry Care Symbol | Launderwise

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Washing

![Hand wash](/images/care-symbols/hand-wash.svg)

# 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 ](/blog/laundry-temperature-guide/index.md)and then return to this term when the label changes the safe option.

## Related terms

- [Machine wash, delicate](/glossary/machine-wash-delicate/index.md)
- [Do not wring](/glossary/do-not-wring/index.md)
- [Delicates](/glossary/delicates/index.md)

## Sources

- [ISO 3758:2012 Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols ](https://www.iso.org/standard/42918.html)— International Organization for Standardization

[ Back to the full glossary](/glossary/index.md)