Icons On The Washing Machine: Decoding Of Symbols. What Are The "Delicate", "Soak" And Others Modes For?

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

Modern washing machines are equipped with many useful features. Thanks to this, the user can efficiently and carefully clean any items, including clothes made of delicate fabrics. Washing modes and additional options are controlled using buttons and switches on the front panel.

Some manufacturers supplement them with textual descriptions, but it is not always possible to fit a large number of letters into a limited space . Therefore, most firms use conventions. How to decipher the icons on the washing machine will be discussed in the article.

Peculiarities

Function symbols can be located anywhere on the control panel. They are placed next to the corresponding buttons, the electronic display, around the rotary selector for program selection, and even on the detergent drawer. On the latter, the decoding of signs drawn in other places is often written.

Most of the conventions are intuitive . They are created taking into account associations so that the user can conveniently and easily manage the washing process. For example, programs designed for delicate fabrics are often identified with butterfly or feather designs associated with tenderness.

However, not all options can be represented graphically in such a way that it is clear the first time what is meant. In addition, sometimes opinions on the appropriate designations for the same option may differ from one manufacturer to another. In this case, the instruction manual attached to the technique comes to the rescue. You can also use the data from this article.

Explanation of designations

Work processes

The most important button found on any washing machine is designed to turn the machine on and off. Its icon always looks like an open circle with a vertical stripe inside.

Also on any model there is a start button . It is pressed after loading the laundry, placing the powder and conditioner in the reservoir, setting the washing mode, the desired temperature, additional programs.

It is after this that the process of cleansing things begins. The button is usually denoted by a rhombus with a strip inside.

Next, you should consider the basic washing processes

• " Soak ". Not all washing machines have this option. It is used to remove stubborn dirt. In this case, the unit heats the water up to 30 ° C and shakes things slightly so that they are better saturated with cleaning agents. It usually does not automatically switch to the main mode. The machine waits for the user to manually press the wash button or drain the dirty water to refresh it. The process is indicated by the image of the pelvis with a wavy line.
• " Washing ". The active process of cleaning things is symbolized by a basin with soap bubbles. The technique heats up the water to the desired temperature and begins to rotate the drum at the optimal speed (in accordance with the selected mode). Washing programs can vary by type of fabric, intensity, duration. These nuances will be discussed below.
• Rinsing . After cleaning things with cleaning agents, the washing machine changes the water and switches to rinsing mode. This process can be indicated by an image of a basin of water / falling drops / shower head. Some units offer you to choose a regular or gentle rinse. In this case, the second mode can have the same icon as the first, but drawn with thinner lines (as in the Indesit technique).
• " Spin ". This option on most washing machines has a graphical designation in the form of a twisted spiral. To many users, such a drawing resembles a snail. If there is a crossed out spiral on the control panel, then you can completely cancel spinning. This is useful if delicate items cannot withstand strong pressure and are prone to deformation.
• " Drain ". Sometimes it may be necessary to forcibly drain the water from the drum. In this case, press the button with a picture of a basin with an arrow pointing down.
• " Drying " … Some washing machines also have this option. It can be illustrated with a drawing of the sun.

Water temperature

Typically, users select the washing mode suitable for the items that are loaded into the unit. In this case, the technique itself sets the optimum temperature. but many models of washing machines allow you to independently adjust the temperature level.

In this case, in addition to the rotary switch for washing modes, there is a round temperature regulator on the panel. A thermometer icon is placed next to the latter, and numbers are located around (30, 40, 50, etc.). By turning the knob, the user sets the desired level.

If washing in cold water is required, the regulator is set to the “snowflake” position.

Washing types

There are several types of washing, each of which has its own characteristics and graphic symbols

• " Preliminary ". A vertical stripe pattern of a pelvis can indicate a process similar to soaking, but with greater intensity. It precedes the main treatment of things and promotes better stain removal.
• " Manual ". Many delicate fabrics bear the “hand wash only” badge on the labels. However, this does not mean that a person will have to do everything himself every time. This option is available on many modern washing machines. It means washing at low speeds at a low temperature. This mode is denoted as standard - a drawing of a hand lowered into the pelvis.
• " Delicate" ("Berezhnaya") . This mode is suitable for delicate fabrics (silk, cashmere). Earlier it was said that the images for such a wash are selected appropriate: a butterfly, a feather and the like. Some manufacturers illustrate this program with a silk ribbon pattern.
• " Fast ". Typically, the button for the accelerated wash mode is accompanied by an image of the watch dial with a marked time interval. If a quarter circle is filled, the process takes only 15 minutes. Such a program is only suitable for refreshing things that have been worn for a couple of days. If half is painted over, this means that the unit will wash things for half an hour. This option is suitable for lightly soiled laundry. Sometimes the circle is not painted over, but is simply accompanied by a number (for example, 15, 20, 30). In some models, the fast mode is illustrated by a drawing of a pelvis with the letter R or two arrows.
• " Economical ". The tree image denotes a mode for economical housewives. In this case, the drum rotation speed, temperature and amount of water are optimized so that washing is faster. This reduces the consumption of water and electricity. This approach to cleaning things not only allows you to reduce utility costs, but also meets the ecological concept of wise resource consumption. This explains the choice of the icon to illustrate the program.
• " Night ". This mode is ideal for those who do not have enough time to wash during the day. It is also relevant for regions in which payments for electricity and water at night are reduced. The unit in this mode works as quietly as possible. The water does not drain automatically. This is done by the user in the morning. The night mode icon is clear to everyone - it is a month with stars or the word "night".
• " Intense ". This program is suitable for heavily soiled laundry. The image for her is usually selected appropriately - a T-shirt with a dark spot.

Many manufacturers offer users to sort the laundry by type or type of fabric. In accordance with this concept, icons are placed on the panel, each of which corresponds to a program designed for a specific group of clothes.

• " Synthetics ". A program for washing such items can be illustrated with the icon of a chemical flask, a long sleeve with a hook or an empty hanger.
• " Dark Synthetics ". In some models, such things are proposed to be allocated in a separate category. The symbol of the program is a black T-shirt.
• " Cotton ". Such clothes are depicted in the form of a T-shirt, underwear, a dress with a flower. Sometimes you can see a drawing of a blossoming cotton boll.
• " Wool ". The mode created for washing woolen garments symbolizes a skein (or several skeins) of yarn.
• " Thin linen ". Lace, silk and other delicate items are washed in the delicate wash cycle. The matching pattern is a nightgown with a bow tie.
• Denim . Trousers pattern is a symbol representing a program designed for washing jeans. In this mode, the fabric does not fade and does not shrink.
• " Shirts ". The image of one straightened shirt or several folded shirts symbolizes the mode designed for washing just such things. Typically, the unit is loaded with about 5 shirts at a time.
• " Sportswear ". Most often, a sports uniform needs special care, whether it is professional equipment or just training clothes. On the panel of the washing machine, the program for this type of clothes can be illustrated with a picture of a T-shirt or a T-shirt with a number. Sometimes a ball is added to the clothing pattern.
• " Kids' things ". This is another type of lingerie that requires special treatment. Baby clothes are washed at high speed and at fairly high temperatures. This allows not only to remove all dirt, but also to disinfect the fabric. Rinsing takes place in an intensified mode, because the residues of detergents must be carefully removed. It is easy to guess that this mode is indicated by a pattern of sliders or a bottle with a nipple.
• " Curtains ". Such a program is not common, but any hostess can appreciate its convenience. The mode symbol is a curtain drawing.
• " Blanket ". The image of the corresponding item indicates that in this mode you can wash down, synthetic and other blankets, bedspreads, rugs.
• " Winter clothes ". Mountain peaks are an icon rarely seen on washing machines.

Nevertheless, it symbolizes an extremely useful program designed for washing down jackets, bolognese pants, ski suits.

Additional functions

Often, modern washing machines are equipped with additional options that increase the convenience of using equipment and the quality of cleaning things

• " Antibacterial wash ". The medical cross shown on the equipment panel means complete disinfection of things. The process takes place at the highest possible temperature (90 ° C).
• Additional rinse . Sometimes it is necessary to remove as much of the powder as possible from clothing. For example, this is important for allergy sufferers. In this case, the "Aquaplus" option becomes useful. On Candy washing machines, it is indicated by a pattern of two drops with a + sign. On the technique of other brands, you can find a symbol in the form of a basin with water and a plus or a shower head with a few drops.
• Ironing . The image of the iron indicates that this mode will not allow the fabric to wrinkle too much. This effect is achieved by reducing the speed of rotation of the drum. Also, during rinsing, the machine draws up more water than usual.
• " Protection from children ". A drawing of a smiling toddler can mean blockage. This option will not allow the child to accidentally turn on the equipment. On some washing machines, manufacturers place a padlock pattern to indicate this capability.
• Start Delay . The clock drawing may illustrate a delayed start. As a rule, it is located next to the button that allows you to set the start time for washing.

How to choose a mode?

Sort the laundry thoroughly before starting the process. In this case, one should take into account the color of things (colored or white), the materials from which they are made. If your washing machine has programs for different materials (cotton, synthetics, silk), you can simply select the one that suits you . The technique itself will adjust the optimal temperature and speed, choose the spinning method. You can focus on the type of things (baby clothes, sportswear, jeans) by pressing the corresponding button.

If you have special wishes, it is worth using other possibilities of technology. For example, if things do not tolerate ironing and steaming, you can enable the light ironing option. If the garment label says “do not wring out”, press the button with the corresponding value to eliminate the risk of deformation of the fabric.

Washing advice

It is strictly forbidden to press the buttons of the washing machine at random. If you select a setting that is not suitable for the loaded laundry, the items may be damaged or not washed well. If you try to start several wash modes at once, this can lead to serious damage to the equipment . The same goes for accidentally launching incompatible functions.

In this regard, before starting operation, it is important to carefully study the instructions attached to the household appliance . Even if you have previously owned a washing machine and many of the symbols seem familiar to you, you should not rely on this knowledge. The same manufacturer improves its products over time, which means it can make changes to the design of new models. As for different brands, the icons on their household appliances can vary significantly.

If there is no decoding of conventional icons on the unit panel, and you cannot remember all the symbols, you can simplify your life . Print out a copy of the instructions page or write down the basic symbols on a piece of paper and glue this cheat sheet to the washing machine with tape. This saves you the hassle of having to look at the instruction manual or search for information on the Internet every time.