What does the hand in the tub mean?

It means wash the item by hand rather than in a washing machine. The hand is the method mark.

Can I machine wash a hand-wash symbol on delicate?

No. A machine delicate symbol is a tub with two bars underneath. A hand in the tub specifically calls for hand washing.

What water temperature should I use for hand washing?

Follow the exact hand-wash variant and any written limit. ISO's ambient version uses 20-30°C, while its other version sets 40°C as a maximum. If no temperature is stated, choose cool water as a conservative default rather than treating it as part of the symbol's meaning.

Does a crossed tub mean hand wash instead?

No. A crossed tub forbids both machine washing and hand washing. Hand washing is permitted only when the hand-in-tub symbol appears.

Hand wash only

Hand wash, not machine wash. ISO has an ambient-water variant (20-30°C) and another marked up to 40°C. An unqualified ASTM/US instruction does not itself mean cool water.

What to do

Follow the marked or written temperature limit. If none is clear, use cool water as a conservative choice and wash gently by hand.

What to avoid

Skip the machine. The hand in the tub means hand washing only.

How to spot it on a label

Look at the first symbol on the left for the washtub shape. The hand-wash mark shows a hand reaching down into the tub; confirm the fingers are inside the tub rather than mistaking bars below it or a diagonal cross for the hand.

Easy to confuse with

Hand wash only
Machine wash, normal

Check the mark

Look inside the tub: this symbol contains a hand shape, while the normal-wash tub is empty.
Hand wash only
Very mild / delicate wash

Check the mark

Check inside and below the tub: the hand is inside this one; the delicate symbol has two bars underneath instead.
Hand wash only
Do not wash

Check the mark

Follow the diagonal strokes: this one forms a hand entering the tub, not an X crossing through the whole tub.

On a real label

Merino wool scarf

Read together: Wash by hand. Do not bleach, lay flat to dry, keep the iron on low, or use professional P-solvent dry cleaning.

Beaded evening top

Read together: Wash by hand. Do not use bleach, tumble dry, iron, or dry clean; follow any additional drying directions printed on the tag.

Category: Washing
Appears on: US and international labels
Commonly seen on: Often appears on wool, silk, and delicate knits.

Related symbols

Common questions

What does the hand in the tub mean?: It means wash the item by hand rather than in a washing machine. The hand is the method mark.
Can I machine wash a hand-wash symbol on delicate?: No. A machine delicate symbol is a tub with two bars underneath. A hand in the tub specifically calls for hand washing.
What water temperature should I use for hand washing?: Follow the exact hand-wash variant and any written limit. ISO's ambient version uses 20-30°C, while its other version sets 40°C as a maximum. If no temperature is stated, choose cool water as a conservative default rather than treating it as part of the symbol's meaning.
Does a crossed tub mean hand wash instead?: No. A crossed tub forbids both machine washing and hand washing. Hand washing is permitted only when the hand-in-tub symbol appears.

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