Care label guide
Clothing care labels are crucial for maintaining the longevity and quality of your garments. These labels provide laundry symbols and care instructions that tell you how to wash, dry, iron, and clean your clothing. Properly interpreting these clothing care label symbols ensures you preserve your delicate fabrics, prevent color fading, and avoid shrinking. This guide […]
Clothing care labels are crucial for maintaining the longevity and quality of your garments. These labels provide laundry symbols and care instructions that tell you how to wash, dry, iron, and clean your clothing. Properly interpreting these clothing care label symbols ensures you preserve your delicate fabrics, prevent color fading, and avoid shrinking. This guide will explain each symbol and how to care for your clothes, whether you’re dealing with cotton clothing, delicate items, or synthetic blends.
Table of content
- What do the washing symbols mean on?
- What are the symbols for dryer?
- What do the ironing symbols mean?
- What are the symbols for bleaching?
- What are the symbols for cleaning?
- Tips and Tricks for Proper Clothing Care
What do the washing symbols mean on?
Washing symbols on clothing care labels guide you on how to clean garments in a washing machine or by hand washing. These symbols often include numbers representing the maximum temperature at which the item can be washed safely. Some garments can be machine washed, while others require hand washing, symbolized by a hand wash symbol. Understanding these washing symbols prevents damage like shrinking or stretching.
Do not wash
This symbol, depicted as a wash tub with a cross over it, indicates that the item should not be washed in water. It likely requires dry cleaning instead.
Machine wash permanent press
A wash tub with a single horizontal line underneath it indicates the permanent press cycle. This cycle reduces wrinkles and is suitable for fabrics needing gentle treatment, such as synthetics.
Machine Wash Gentle / Delicate Cycle
A wash tub with two horizontal lines underneath it shows the garment should be washed on a gentle or delicate cycle, which uses a slower spin speed and less agitation to protect delicate fabrics from damage.
Hand Wash
The hand wash symbol (a hand in a tub) means the garment is best hand washed, ideal for delicate items like silk or lace that may be harmed in a washing machine.
Wring Symbol
The wring symbol (a twisted garment) with a line through it means you should not wring out the item after washing, as this could distort or damage the fabric.
Temperature Settings
Each washing symbol may contain numbers inside the wash tub, indicating the maximum temperature:
- 30°C: Suitable for delicate fabrics like wool or silk. Recommended for items that need gentle care.
- 40°C: A general setting for everyday clothes, including cotton, polyester, and synthetic blends. Safe for most machine-washed laundry.
- 50°C: Ideal for durable fabrics, such as bed linens, towels, and heavily soiled items. Offers a deeper clean
- 60°C: Effective for killing bacteria and removing tough stains. Often used for cottons and towels.
- 70°C: Recommended for durable and heavily soiled fabrics like industrial clothing or workwear.
95°C: Reserved for white cotton items, such as bed sheets or towels, that can withstand the highest heat for stain removal and sanitization.
What are the symbols for dryer?
Drying symbols help you understand how to dry your garments properly. Some fabrics require air-drying or line drying, while others can be safely placed in a tumble dryer. Understanding these symbols will help you prevent shrinking, fading, or fabric damage.
Tumble dry symbol
A square with a circle inside indicates the garment can be tumble dried. The number of dots inside the circle represents the heat setting:
- One dot: Low heat
- Two dots: Medium heat
- Three dots: High heat
- A line beneath the circle indicates the use of a gentle cycle.
Do not tumble dry
A crossed-out circle inside a square means the garment should not be tumble dried, as the heat may shrink or damage the fabric.
Dry flat
One horizontal line inside the square means, that the garment needs to be layed flat on a surface to dry. This is especially important for fabrics that stretch easily, like wool or knits, to avoid misshaping.
Natural Dry / Line Dry
A square with three vertical lines signifies natural drying, meaning the item should be air-dried. A single vertical line indicates line drying, where the garment is hung on a clothesline.
Drip Dry
A square with a drooping line underneath shows that the item should be hung to drip dry, avoiding any wringing or squeezing.
What do the ironing symbols mean?
Ironing symbols inform you about whether and how to iron a garment. The number of dots inside the iron symbol shows the temperature setting needed for safe ironing.
Ironing dots
- One Dot: Low heat (up to 110°C) for delicate fabrics like silk.
- Two Dots: Medium heat (up to 150°C) for fabrics such as wool or polyester.
- Three Dots: High heat (up to 200°C) for sturdy materials like cotton or linen.
No steam
A crossed-out steam symbol beneath the iron indicates that steaming should not be used, as it could damage the fabric. Use a dry iron instead.
Do not iron
A crossed-out iron symbol indicates that the item should not be ironed, as heat could ruin the fabric or embellishments.
What are the symbols for bleaching?
Bleaching symbols help you determine whether bleach can be used on a garment or not and which type of bleach is appropriate. These symbols are especially important for preventing color damage or fabric wear.
Empty triangle
An empty triangle shows that any type of bleach, including chlorine bleach, can be used.
Non-Chlorine Bleach
A triangle with diagonal lines means that only non-chlorine bleach is allowed, which is gentler on fabrics and helps preserve colors.
Do Not Bleach
A crossed-out triangle means that bleach should not be used, as it could damage the fabric or cause color fading.
What are the symbols for cleaning?
Cleaning symbols provide important information about how to properly care for your garments beyond just washing. These symbols guide you on whether a garment can be washed with water, has to go under dry cleaning, if it needs special treatment or how to handle delicate fabrics. Understanding these symbols is crucial for preserving the integrity of your clothing and ensuring that it remains in great condition over time.
Dry Clean Any Solvent (Circle with “A”)
This symbol indicates that the garment can be dry cleaned with any solvent. It’s typically safe for sturdy fabrics like wool or formal wear.
Dry Clean with PCE (Circle with “P”)
A circle containing the letter “P” signifies that perchloroethylene (PCE) solvent is recommended for cleaning. This method is standard for many fabrics, ensuring effective cleaning while maintaining fabric integrity.
Dry Clean with Hydrocarbon Solvent Only (Circle with “F”)
The “F” symbol in a circle indicates that the garment should be cleaned with hydrocarbon solvents, which are gentler on delicate fabrics, making them suitable for items like silk.
Do Not Dry Clean
A crossed-out circle signifies that the garment should not be dry cleaned.
Do Not Wet Clean
Represented by a crossed-out “W,” this symbol indicates that wet cleaning should not be used.
Gentle Wet Clean
A “W” inside a circle signifies that gentle wet cleaning is permissible. This cleaning method uses a mild detergent and water, making it suitable for fabrics that require extra care.
Tips and Tricks for Proper Clothing Care
Now that you understand clothing care labels and their symbols, here are a few additional tips and tricks to ensure your garments last longer and stay in great condition:
Sort by Fabric and Color:
Always wash delicate fabrics separately from sturdier items and separate darks from lights to prevent color bleeding.
Turn Clothes Inside Out:
Protect colors and embellishments by washing garments inside out.
Avoid Overloading the Machine:
Overloading prevents proper cleaning and can lead to fabric damage.
Mesh Bags for Delicates:
Use mesh laundry bags for small or fragile items to avoid tangling or tearing.
Remove from Dryer Promptly:
Taking clothes out right after drying prevents wrinkles and helps maintain shape.
Cold Water for Stains:
Pre-treat stains with cold water, as hot water can set them in.
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