The wash symbol with two lines under the tub

Short answer: Two lines under the wash tub mean a very gentle wash with a light load, a slow drum and a low spin. It is the most careful machine programme there is. The symbol matters most for fine knits and new clothes that are still settling.

What two lines mean

Two lines under the wash tub mean the fabric tolerates only minimal movement in the water. The machine should work quietly, with a light load, a slow drum and long pauses, so the fibres are not pulled or worn. The symbol usually appears on fine knits and on clothes with elastic parts, such as bamboo sweat for men and women.

The difference from one line

One line means a gentle wash, and two lines are one step milder. Hand washing is still the softest method, but the gap to two lines is small. If a piece carries two lines, choose the most careful programme on your machine, not just the second mildest. Check every item, because two pieces in one wash can have different labels.

Setting up the machine

Choose the programme with the least movement, often called wool or delicate. The drum should turn slowly with long pauses, and the water needs time to soak into the fabric. Use a mild dose of detergent so no residue stays in the cloth. The same care suits most popular items for women while they are new.

Load size and space in the drum

Fill no more than a third of the drum so the fabric can float freely in the water. An overfull machine presses the laundry together, and a gentle programme then helps very little. Put fine pieces in a wash bag so they do not rub against zips and buttons on other clothes. Less in the machine means cleaner clothes and less wear.

Spinning at four hundred or less

Set the spin to four hundred revolutions or below. At higher speeds the fabric is wrung and pulled at seams and elastic, and you notice it after only a few washes. Take the clothes out as soon as the programme ends, shake them lightly and shape them by hand while damp. They will then lie smooth once dry.

When the symbol matters most

The symbol matters most during the first ten washes, while the fabric is still settling. In that period both shape and elastic are most vulnerable, and a careful start pays off later. New pieces you want to last deserve the mildest treatment from day one. It takes only a little extra thought at each wash.

When a gentle wash is enough

After the first washes you can often move to an ordinary gentle wash, also for most popular items from Copenhagen Bamboo. This only applies if the label allows it. If two lines are still printed there, stay with the two-line programme. When in doubt, choose the mildest one, because it never harms and only costs a little time.

What happens if you ignore it

If you ignore the symbol, the fabric pills sooner and the elastic loses its grip earlier. The changes are small at first, but they show on waistbands, cuffs and anywhere the fabric must hold its shape. A harsh programme does not necessarily give cleaner clothes, and the damage cannot be repaired afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

Is two lines the same as hand washing

Almost. Hand washing is still milder, but the difference is small. Two lines mean the machine may be used if the programme is the very gentlest and the drum moves only slowly.

How full can the machine be

No more than a third, so the fabric can float freely in the water. That means less rubbing between garments, and the gentle programme is then genuinely gentle on knits and elastic.

What happens if you ignore it

The fabric pills sooner and the elastic loses its grip earlier. It shows first on waistbands and cuffs, and once the damage has happened it cannot be repaired.