Lavarse or lava?

Question

This is a general question. Just an example, lavar.
Wash your hands. When do we say, lavarse vs. usted lava los manos? Lave sus manos?

How about I wash my hands.
Lavo mis manos or lavarse mis manos?

THanks.

Answer 1

Lavarse etc. means I did it to myself or h/s they did it to themselves

Me lavo las manos = I wash my hands, you don't use the possessive adj after reflexive verbs

se lava las manos = h/s washes h/h hands

lavo el coche = I wash the car, not reflexive

This will explain it much better

http://www.elearnspanishlanguage.com/grammar/verbs/reflexiveverbs.html