The "Wool" symbol on a washing machine

Washing machine control panels don't always have explanatory text or explanations; often, the manufacturer simply displays icons. To understand what each icon represents, you'll need to consult the manual or search online. Another option is to press a button at random and wait for the result. Don't take any risks with wool items—it's better to learn what the "Wool" symbol looks like on most brands of washing machines.

Control Panel Icon

Different manufacturers designate their wool wash program differently. The meaning isn't always recognizable or clear, especially if the washing machine was manufactured long ago, outside of Russia, and the manufacturer's instructions have been lost over time. In this case, it's best to check what the "Wool" mode might look like on the control panel.

1. "A ball of yarn with a thread hanging out." The most common and recognizable variant, making it easy to guess the program's purpose.
2. "Two Balls of Wool Side by Side." This is more complicated because one large image is replaced by two smaller ones. Users with poor vision may have difficulty identifying the wool, but it's possible with a magnifying glass.
3. "Three balls arranged in a pyramid." This encryption is considered the most incomprehensible, as several small elements merge and appear unfamiliar.
4. "One skein of yarn tied with a ribbon down the center" is the symbol used by most stores selling wool yarn, so manufacturers have incorporated this image into their dashboards.
5. "A pyramid of three balls of yarn with a sun." This is the symbol used for the "Wool" program on Indesit washing machines, implying a more gentle cleaning.

The Wool program is most often referred to as balls or skeins.

Sometimes the listed designations are supplemented by numbers specifying the temperature regime. However, such "combinations" are rare; manufacturers typically limit themselves to balls or skeins. However, knowing the program isn't enough; it's also necessary to determine the specified parameters and cycle duration.

Bosch cars 5th generation

Most modern Bosch washing machines feature a dedicated wool program. Typically, the "Wool" mode is activated by rotating the knob through six positions toward the skein icon and offers an advanced algorithm. The cycle is set to the following parameters:

• duration – 40 minutes;
• spin intensity – up to 800 rpm;
• water heating – up to 40 degrees (the user is allowed to reduce the temperature to the “30” or “cold” marks).

The "Wool" program on Bosch washing machines involves gentle drum rotation with a spin speed of up to 800 rpm and water heating up to 40 degrees.

The key feature of this program is that the drum rotates extremely slowly and gently. After the drum fills, the clothes spin intermittently and then stop. For most of the cycle, the items remain stationary, allowing the detergent to gently clean the fibers. A minimal amount of water is introduced into the drum to ensure a gentle wash.

About halfway through the cycle, the first rinse begins, followed by draining and a slow transition to spinning. The wrung-out items are rinsed again, while rinse aid is drawn from the dispenser. Then the machine accelerates and dispenses the washed damp laundry.

LG direct drive washing machines

A similar program on LG washing machines also offers the most gentle cleaning using advanced technology. To activate the program, the selector dial rotates three positions to reveal a ball of wool. The automatic settings are similar to Bosch's: temperature - 40, 30 or 20 degrees, spin - 0, 400 or 800, and cycle duration - about an hour.

Modern washing machines offer wool programs with a new drum rotation algorithm.

Wool is washed on the LG delicate cycle. The standard "drum fill, wash, rinse, and spin" cycle is modified:

• the tank is filled during the cycle and in small portions;
• Most of the time the drum is stationary, but rotates slowly and intermittently;
• things are cleaned not by rotation, but by soaking in a soap solution;
• Rinsing is carried out several times, the final rinse involves collecting the conditioner from the dispensary.

The beauty of the new algorithm is that it offers a washing experience no different from hand washing. The drum rotation is extremely gentle, so fibers are not damaged. However, there is a downside: due to the portioned filling of the drum and the slow spinning, items may remain dry even after an hour-long cycle. In this case, you should select a different mode or add less laundry.

Samsung equipment

Samsung washing machines have a "Hand Wash Wool" cycle for knitted items. The program was developed specifically for woolen products, but the manufacturer immediately limits the weight to a maximum of 2 kg. To activate the cycle, simply turn the selector to the third position.

This mode assumes:

• duration – from 39 to 50 minutes;
• temperature – 30 or 40 degrees;
• spin – 0, 400 or 800 rpm.

Samsung wool washing machines use a small amount of water, and the drum rotates only half a revolution at most. For most of the cycle, items remain stationary in the soapy water, ensuring a thorough and gentle wash. Rinsing is performed twice, after which the washing machine switches to the spin cycle. Modern machines offer an advanced wool wash cycle, virtually identical to hand washing. This allows you to wash knitted items without shrinkage or damage.

   

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