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Process & technique

Mesh laundry bag

A zippered fine-net bag that holds delicate items together during a machine wash to protect them from snagging, stretching and tangling.

What it means

The mesh lets water and detergent through while shielding the contents from the drum, the agitator and other garments. It is the simplest way to machine wash delicates, lingerie, hosiery and small items without losing or damaging them.

What to do

Place delicates, bras and socks in the bag, leaving room for water to move, and run a delicate cycle. The bag also stops small items migrating into duvet covers and keeps pairs of socks together through the wash and dry.

How to use this term

Use this process term when a guide tells you to pretreat, soak, brighten, rinse or adapt a stain method.

  • Read mesh laundry bag 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 escalate a process before checking the care label and testing a hidden area first.

For the broader method, use the Stain-removal guides and then return to this term when the label changes the safe option.

Related terms

Sources

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