The Complete Guide to What Laundry Symbols Mean

Taking good care of your clothes is more than just finding ones that fit well. It's crucial to wash, bleach, dry, iron, and clean them right to make them last longer. Your clothes are a valuable investment in both time and money, and giving them proper care can make them last much longer. While many focus on buying quality items or finding the perfect style, forgetting about proper care can lead to colors fading, fabrics shrinking, and clothes wearing out too soon.

Following the instructions on your clothes' labels is key to keeping them in top shape. How you wash, bleach, dry, iron, and dry-clean your clothes can all affect how long they last and how good they look over time. Understanding and sticking to these care instructions ensures your clothes get the treatment they need to stay looking great.

Taking good care of your clothes not only helps them last longer but also makes your wardrobe more valuable. When you invest in quality pieces, you want to enjoy them for as long as possible. By looking after your clothes properly, you can avoid having to buy replacements often, saving you money in the long run.

Properly caring for your clothes isn't just good for your wallet; it's good for the planet too. By making your clothes last longer through proper care, you reduce the amount of clothing thrown away each year. This helps create a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to how we consume fashion.

When it comes to caring for your garments, the key lies in understanding their care labels. These labels feature five symbols that guide you on how to launder your clothing correctly.

I. Washing Instructions

Recognizable by the basin and water symbols, washing instructions provide crucial guidance on how to launder your garments effectively.

Machine Cycles

A strikethrough over the basin indicates that the garment should not be washed using typical household methods. Dry cleaning is typically recommended instead.

Placing a hand in the basin symbolizes that the garment should be exclusively hand-washed using warm water (not exceeding 40°C) and detergent or soap.

When you see the symbol of a basin and water without any temperature signs or dots, it means you can wash the garment with the hottest water available. Also, if there are no bars underneath the symbol, it suggests using the maximum agitation setting, like the cotton wash cycle, because hot water usually cleans better than cold water.

A single bar under the basin means the garment should be washed on the "permanent press" cycle. This usually includes a cold rinse followed by a gentle spin. It's best for items that are wrinkle-resistant.

A double bar under the basin means handle with care. Only use the gentle cycle, which has a slow spin and gentle movement. It's best for delicate fabrics like silk or wool. The number of bars also shows how fast the spin should be, with more bars meaning slower spin.

Water Temperatures

When you see "30" or one dot (USA), it means the highest recommended washing temperature for the garment is 30°C (85°F).

When you see "40" or two dots (USA), it means the highest recommended washing temperature for the garment is 40°C (105°F).

   If you see "50" or three dots (USA), wash the garment at a maximum temperature of 50°C (120°F); "60" or four dots (USA) means wash at a maximum temperature of 60°C (140°F); "70" or five dots (USA) means wash at a maximum temperature of 70°C (160°F); and "95" or six dots (USA) indicates a maximum wash temperature of 95°C (200°F).

II. Bleaching Instructions

Bleaching symbols, typically triangular, offer guidance on bleach usage.

 A triangle on the label means you can use any type of bleach, whether chlorine or non-chlorine, when necessary.

 If you see a crossed triangle, it means the garment can't handle bleach and should not be bleached.

 When there's a "CL" inside the triangle, you can bleach the garment with chlorine. Just be careful to follow the recommended strength, usually 1 part bleach to 100 parts water.

 If there are two diagonal lines in the triangle or a crossed-out triangle with "CL" inside, it's a no-go for chlorine bleach. Only non-chlorine, color-safe bleach should be used if needed.

III. Drying Instructions

Drying symbols, often square, provide instructions for natural and tumble drying.

Natural Drying

 If there's a crossed-out garment symbol, it means you shouldn't wring the garment to dry it.

 When you see a semi-circle inside a square, it indicates that the garment should be hung to dry.

 A horizontal bar inside the square suggests laying the garment out flat to dry.

 Three vertical bars inside the square mean you should hang the garment to dry without shaping or smoothing it.

 Two diagonal lines mean the garment should be dried away from direct sunlight. This symbol might also be paired with "Line" or "Drip Dry."

Tumble Drying

 A circle inside a square indicates that the garment can be tumble dried at the highest available setting.

 If the circle and square are crossed out, it means the garment should not be tumble dried. Usually, alternative natural drying symbols will be provided as well.

 A single bar below the square and circle means the garment can be tumble dried, but only on the "permanent press" setting.

 Two bars below the square and circle signal that the garment can be tumble dried, but only on the "gentle" or "delicate" setting.

 One dot inside the circle means the garment can only be tumble dried on a low heat.

 Two dots inside the circle indicate the garment can be tumble dried on a medium heat.

   Three dots inside the circle mean the garment can be tumble dried on a high heat setting.

IV. Ironing Instructions

Iron symbols offer guidance on ironing temperatures and methods.

  An iron symbol indicates the garment can be ironed at any temperature, using steam or dry.

 If the iron symbol is crossed out, it means the garment should not be ironed.

 One dot inside the iron suggests ironing at the low setting, typically 110°C (230°F). This is best for fabrics like acrylics, nylons, and acetates.

 Two dots inside the iron mean ironing at the medium setting, usually around 150°C (300°F). This is suitable for wool and polyester blends.

 Three dots indicate the maximum iron temperature, which is 200°C (390°F). Iron at the high setting for fabrics like cotton and linen.

 Three vertical bars below the iron mean you can iron with steam.

 A crossed-out iron with two or three vertical bars beneath suggests ironing dry only, as steam may harm the garment.

V. Professional Cleaning Instructions

Dry Cleaning instructions are indicated by the circular symbol.

Dry Cleaning

 A circle indicates the garment can be dry cleaned using any solvent, cycle, moisture, and heat.

 If the circle is crossed out, it means the garment should not be dry cleaned.

 When you see an "A," the garment can be dry cleaned using any solvent. This may be paired with other symbols limiting the cycle, moisture, or heat.

 An "F" means the garment can only be dry cleaned using a petroleum-based solvent. This is gentler, suitable for delicate or embellished garments.

 A bar under "F" suggests gentle dry cleaning with a petroleum-based solvent.

 When "P" is shown, the garment can be dry cleaned using trichloroethylene (PCE).

 A bar under "P" suggests gentle dry cleaning using trichloroethylene (PCE).

Dry Clean with Specific Conditions: Bars on different sides of the circle indicate specific dry cleaning conditions:

 Left, lower side: Short cycle.

 Left, upper side: Reduced moisture.
Right, lower side: Low heat setting.

 Right, upper side: No steam.

Wet Cleaning

Wet Clean Allowed (W): An "W" inside a circle indicates that the garment may be professionally wet cleaned.
Gentle Wet Cleaning (W) with One Bar: A bar under the "W" means the garment may be gently wet cleaned.
Very Gentle Wet Cleaning (W) with Two Bars: Two bars under the "W" signify that the garment may be very gently wet cleaned.
Avoid Wet Cleaning: If the circle is crossed out diagonally, it means the garment may not be wet cleaned.

Taking care of your clothes is an important step in ensuring they last longer and stay looking good. Remember to follow the instructions on the labels, whether you're washing, ironing, or dry cleaning. Don't forget to treat stains quickly and gently, and avoid using too much heat or harsh chemicals. By giving your clothes the right care, you can keep them in great shape, save money in the long run, and even help out the environment by reducing waste. So, take the time to care for your clothes, and they'll thank you by looking fabulous for longer!

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