noun
hand washing; water for washing hands
Refers to the act of washing one's hands, or the water/basin used for it. Common in daily life and hygiene contexts.
食事の前には必ず手洗いをしてください。
Please be sure to wash your hands before meals.
手洗い用の水を用意しておき
I'll prepare water for washing hands.
noun
Polite euphemism for toilet/restroom, often used in public places or formal settings. The prefix お is frequently added (お手洗い).
See also: お手洗い
すみません、手洗いはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
お手洗いをお借りしてもよろしいですか。
May I use your restroom?
noun
hand-washing (laundry)
Specifically refers to washing clothes or fabric items by hand, as opposed to machine washing.
このセーターは手洗いしてください。
Please hand-wash this sweater.
手洗い表示のある服は洗濯機で洗わないでください。
Please do not machine-wash clothes with a hand-wash label.