Have you ever looked closely at the care labels on your clothes and wondered what all those symbols actually meant?
Garment labels often feature a set of symbols that provide important care instructions to maintain the quality
of the garment and ensure its longevity. By knowing these symbols, you can ensure that your favorite items of clothing
remain in pristine condition after wash.
Here’s a breakdown of some common symbols on clothing labels and their meanings:
Washing symbols:
Bucket of water:
This symbol indicates the recommended washing method. The number inside the tub indicates the maximum water temperature
that can be used.
Hand in tub:
This symbol indicates that clothing should be hand washed rather than machine washed.
Do not wash:
A crossed out indicates that the clothes cannot be washed and need to be dry cleaned.
Bleach symbol:
Triangle:
This symbol indicates whether the garment can be bleached.
Triangle is filled with lines 
It means you should use non-chlorine bleach.
Do not bleach:
A crossed triangle means the garment should not be bleached.
Drying symbols:
Square:
This symbol is associated with drying clothes.
A circle within a square
Indicates that the garment can be tumble dried,
Horizontal line within the square 
indicates that the garment should be dried flat.
A square with a cross
indicates that the garment is not suitable for tumble drying.
Ironing symbols:
Iron: 
This symbol indicates the maximum temperature for ironing clothes.
Do not iron:
A crossed out iron symbol indicates that the garment cannot be ironed.
Dry cleaning symbols:
Circle:
This symbol is used to communicate dry cleaning instructions. Certain letters within the circles represent different chemicals
or processes used by dry cleaners.
Additional symbols:
Circle with the letter P:
This symbol indicates that perchlorethylene can be used in the dry cleaning process.
Circle with letter F:
This symbol indicates that only white spirit may be used for dry cleaning.
Circle with letter W:
This symbol indicates that water or mild detergent can be used during dry cleaning.
Understanding these symbols is crucial to properly caring for your clothing. Following the care instructions provided will help
you prevent damage, shrinkage and fading, ultimately extending the life of your garment. All in all, the next time you encounter
a clothing label with a bunch of symbols on it, you’ll have a better understanding of what they mean. Taking the time to decipher
these symbols will allow you to care for your clothes more effectively, ensuring they stay in tip-top shape long into the future.
Post time: Jan-10-2024