Every item of clothing has a label sewn into it to explain how it should be laundered. We know what most symbols mean, or think we know, but sometimes there are symbols that make us scratch our heads. We explain what laundry symbols mean, so you’ll never have to be confused again.
We have compiled a list.
History First, a bit of history. In the late 1950s, a European association for textile care labeling was formed. That is why especially in Europe laundry symbols are similar or the same. With our worldwide market, the symbols have gone international, so in most countries you will see the same or similar symbols. However, there is still confusion about what they mean exactly. No worries, we’ll explain.
Washing Symbols
Depicted as a bucket filled with water, the Wash Symbol tells you-what temperature or machine setting you should use to wash the item of clothing.
Inside the ‘Normal Wash’ symbol, there will either be a temperature value or one to six dots signifying temperature ranges.
One Dot = 30ºC | Two Dots = 40ºC | Three Dots = 50ºC | Four Dots = 60ºC Five Dots = 70ºC | Six Dots = 95ºC
Permanent Press fabrics have been treated with chemicals to ensure they resist wrinkles and retain their original shape. If a piece of clothing is permanent press, it usually means that you shouldn’t iron it.
The gentle cycle is for delicate fibres like wool or silk, or for items of clothing that could be damaged by a vigorous washing (like sequined tops, tights, or Lycra).
For ‘Hand Wash’ clothing, do not use a washing machine. Instead wash garments in a sink or small tub, using your hands to ensure that the cleaning liquid is thoroughly rubbed into the material and subsequently rinsed out.
The Do Not Washsymbol is the standard wash symbol with a cross through it. If the label instructs you not to wash the item, it will have to be dry cleaned after it gets dirty – see the section on Dry Cleaning Symbols below.
Ironing Guidelines
To make life easy, the ironing symbol is shaped like an old-fashioned iron.
One dot means that it can be ironed on low.
Two dots mean that it can be ironed on medium.
Ironing symbols also employ the same dot system for heat levels, which should be adjustable on your iron: three dots mean that the item can be ironed on high.
Drying
The basic tumble dryer symbol is a square with a circle in the middle of it.
One dot means Tumble Dry Low.
As with the washing symbols, the number of dots inside the circle will tell you the heat setting you should put your tumble dryer on to, as well as any specific program settings required: Three dots mean Tumble Dry High.
When an item is marked as ‘Do Not Tumble Dry’ with a cross through the drying symbol, leave this garment to drip-dry on a drying rack, in an airing cupboard, or outside on your washing line rather than putting it in the dryer.
Again, a single line below the dryer symbol means that a Permanent Press setting should be used.
Double lines mean that the Delicate setting must be used.
Bleaching Guidelines
A triangle without anything in the middle means that any kind of bleach can be used on the clothing when needed.
A triangle filled with diagonal lines means that only non-chlorine bleaches should be used. Check the ingredients on your bleach to see if it contains chlorine.
A solid black triangle with crossed lines means ‘Do Not Bleach’. You should not attempt to use any kind of bleach on this garment.
Dry Cleaning Symbols
The Dry Cleaning symbol is a circle.
For clothes that are dry clean only, the circle has a letter ‘P’ inside it.
The clothes that should be dry-cleaned under normal conditions will have a letter ‘F’ inside the circle.
A crossed-out circle means that you should not dry-clean the item.
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