6
6. WASHING GUIDE
6.1. Sorting and preparing your
washing
•
Sort the washing by type and care symbol (see chapter
5.4: International symbols for care of textiles): normal
wash for strong washing that can resist energetic wash
and spin; delicate wash for delicate washing that should
be treated more carefully. For mixed loads composed of
articles of different types of fibers, choose a program
and temperature suitable for the most fragile fiber.
•
Wash white washing and color washing separately.
Otherwise, the white washing may be colored or look
gray.
•
New clothes very often have too much color. Preferably
wash new clothes separately for the first time. Respect
"wash separately" and "wash several times separately"
care instructions.
•
Empty pockets and spread out the washing.
•
Take off all loose buttons, pins and hooks and eyes.
Close zip fasteners, tie knots in laces and straps.
•
Turn clothes made of several layers of textiles (sleeping
bags, anoraks, etc.), colored hosiery and wool and texti-
les with add-on decorations, inside out.
•
Wash small delicate items (socks, tights, bras, etc) in a
washing net.
•
Treat curtains with special care. Remove curtain hooks
and put net curtains in a net bag or a sachet.
6.2. Washing load depending on the na-
ture of the material
The quantity of washing that you put in your drum must not
exceed the maximum capacity of your washing machine.
This capacity may vary depending on the nature of your tex-
tiles. Reduce the quantity of washing if it is very dirty or if
you have terry cloth type materials.
Not all textiles have the same volume and the same water
retention capacity. This is why in general the drum should
be filled:
•
completely, but without excessive pressure for cotton
and linen, and for mixed washe,
•
half full for treated cottons and synthetic fibers,
•
about one third full for very delicate articles such as net
curtains and wool.
For a mixed wash, fill the drum as required for the most de-
licate material.
6.3. Detergents and additives
Only use detergents and additives suitable for use in a
washing machine. Read the manufacturer's instructions and
respect sections 2.1 and 3.2.
Powder detergents can be used without restriction; liquid
detergents should be poured either in the proportioning bowl
directly in the drum, or in the wash compartment provided
that the washing machine is started immediately; deter-
gents in tablets or doses must be put into the wash compart-
ment of the detergents dispenser in your washing machine.
The quantity of detergent to be used depends on the amount
of washing to be washed, the hardness of the water and how
dirty the washing is.
If the water is soft, you can reduce the doses slightly. In-
crease the doses slightly if the water is hard (it is recommen-
ded to use a water softener) or if the washing is very dirty or
stained.
You can ask the water distribution company in your region
or any other competent authority to find out the degree of
hardness of your water.
6.4. International symbols for care of
textiles
