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Q Can I machine wash garments labeled "hand wash only?”
A Care labels on many garments recommend hand washing procedures as the best method of
care. Many consumers and dry cleaners believe that this means a gentle cycle machine wash is acceptable, and this is not the case.
There are several differences between hand washing and machine washing. The most important difference is the amount of agitation and length
of time the garment soaks in moisture solutions. The hand washing procedure requires only a small amount of immersion in water and only a few minutes of soaking time in the washing solution. The
garment is then rinsed and carefully extracted to remove the water.
During a machine washing procedure, a garment is soaked in the washer while it fills with water. In some cases, this soak-and-fill process
may be repeated two or more times. After rinsing, the garment is subjected to a spinning process to remove the water. This spinning is another form of agitation. Dyes, sizings, and finishes
used on fabrics can often be successfully hand washed without damage, while machine washing may cause permanent damage.
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