How do you wash it?
'Lava' — LA-va. Short 'a' sounds.
Ask before buying any clothing to check care requirements. This affects both the decision to buy and how you will care for the item. Delicate items requiring dry cleaning add ongoing cost.
'Come si lava?' — 'how is it washed / how does one wash it?' — uses the impersonal 'si'. This is one of the most frequent uses of the impersonal in everyday Italian. The same structure: 'come si porta?' (how does one wear it?), 'come si dice?' (how do you say it?).
Si può lavare in lavatrice?
Can it be washed in the machine?
Checks machine-washability.
Va in lavanderia a secco?
Does it need dry cleaning?
Checks if dry-clean only.
A che temperatura?
At what temperature?
Follow-up for machine washing.
Italian clothing labels follow EU textile labelling regulations — symbols for washing, drying, ironing, and bleaching are standardised. 'Il cartellino' (the label) is your guide. Washing at too high a temperature is the most common cause of shrinkage in Italian cotton garments.