When you pick up your favourite shirt or that comfy pair of jeans, do you ever wonder what those tiny symbols on the care label mean?
Understanding these laundry symbols is crucial to keeping your clothes in good condition and ensuring they last longer. Here’s a quick guide to help you decode the instructions on your clothing labels.
Washing Symbols
The washing symbol is typically a tub with water. If it’s just a tub, it means the garment can be washed normally in a machine. Numbers inside the tub indicate the maximum water temperature in degrees Celsius. For instance, a “40” means you should wash the item at 40°C. If there’s a hand in the tub, it indicates hand washing only. A tub with a cross through it means the item should not be washed.
Bleaching Symbols
A triangle symbol is used to denote bleaching instructions. An empty triangle means that any bleaching agent can be used. A triangle with diagonal lines signifies that only non-chlorine bleach should be used. A triangle with a cross through it means the item should not be bleached.
Drying Symbols
The drying symbol is a square, often with a circle inside it to represent tumble drying. Dots inside the circle indicate the heat setting: one dot for low heat, two dots for medium, and three dots for high heat. A square with a circle and a cross through it means the item should not be tumble dried. If the square contains a line, it signifies line drying, while a square with three vertical lines indicates drip drying.
Ironing Symbols
Ironing symbols are straightforward, depicted by an iron. Dots inside the iron indicate the temperature: one dot for low heat, two for medium, and three for high heat. An iron with a cross through it means do not iron, and an iron with steam lines crossed out signifies no steam ironing.
Dry Cleaning Symbols
A circle denotes dry cleaning. If the circle has a letter inside, it indicates the type of solvent to be used. A circle with a cross through it means do not dry clean. For instance, a “P” inside a circle means professional dry cleaning with perchloroethylene, while an “F” indicates a petroleum solvent.
Special Instructions
Some labels may have additional symbols for specific instructions, such as not wringing out the garment, avoiding direct sunlight while drying, or using a cloth when ironing.
Conclusion
Understanding these laundry symbols can seem daunting at first, but it’s essential for preserving the quality and longevity of your clothes. Next time you’re at our laundromat, keep this guide handy to ensure you’re giving your garments the care they deserve. Happy washing!