Wash symbols are those little icons on your clothes that show you the best way to wash your items. Still, hardly anyone looks at them, and that's a shame for the quality of your favorite sweater, for example. Knowing what your care labels say is important so you can avoid shrinking, fading, and misshaping. It would be a pity if your blouse melts under the iron or your sweater shrinks three sizes in the washing machine.
Not many people have time to memorize all the symbols, so we’ve put together a simple overview of all the laundry symbols and what they mean.
We can group the laundry symbols into 5 categories:
- Washing
- Temperature
- Drying
- Ironing
- Cleaning and whitening
Washing
These symbols show you the best way to wash your clothes. A little bucket with water is the universal sign for washing. The number of degrees in the bucket tells you the maximum temperature you can wash the item at. A hand in the bucket means hand wash, and a bucket with a cross through it warns that the item shouldn’t be washed. Symbols with one or two lines under the bucket indicate special wash programs like delicate or wool wash.
Temperature
The temperature symbols show exactly what the maximum temperature is for washing your clothes, which is super important for keeping fabrics and colors looking great. These symbols are key to understand, because washing too hot can ruin your clothes, while washing too cold might not get rid of dirt or bacteria effectively.
- Cold wash (30°C or lower): A symbol with a single dot or the number 30 inside a bucket means the garment should be washed at low temperatures. This is often perfect for delicate fabrics and items like lingerie and certain synthetic materials.
- Average warm wash (40°C): Two dots or the number 40 in the tub symbol suggest a moderate temperature. This is perfect for most everyday fabrics like cotton, linen, and some synthetics that aren’t too sensitive to heat.
- Hot wash (60°C): Three dots or the number 60 recommend a higher washing temperature. This setting is perfect for bedding, towels, and clothes that need a deep clean to remove bacteria and allergens.
- Very hot wash (90°C or higher): Four dots or the number 90 in the tub are meant for garments that require a very high temperature, like kitchen towels or work clothes that can get heavily soiled.
Following these temperature symbols correctly not only ensures effective cleaning, but also helps you save energy. Using a lower temperature whenever possible is better for the environment and your energy bill.
Drying
Drying symbols usually appear as a square with a circle inside or with other icons that indicate the right drying method. A single dot in the circle means low temperature, while multiple dots indicate a higher temperature. Special symbols, like a horizontal line in the square, mean that the garment should be dried flat to prevent it from losing its shape.
Ironing
The ironing symbol looks like an iron. The number of dots inside the iron shows the maximum temperature you can use for ironing. No dots means do not iron, one dot stands for low temperature (suitable for synthetic fabrics), two dots for medium temperature (suitable for wool and silk), and three dots for high temperature (suitable for cotton and linen).
Cleaning and whitening
Dry cleaning is indicated by a circle. Inside this circle, you might see letters like P, F, or A, which show the type of chemicals that should be used. A line under the circle means the garment needs to be treated with extra care.
Each of these categories plays a crucial role in keeping your clothes in top shape. By correctly interpreting and following these symbols, you can make sure your clothes look like new for longer and make sustainable choices for your wardrobe.
The symbol for bleaching is a triangle. An empty triangle means bleaching is allowed, while a triangle with a cross through it indicates that bleaching is not allowed. Specific instructions, such as using only oxygen bleach and not from chlorine, are often also indicated within the triangle.
Laundry symbols for a long-lasting wardrobe
Taking proper care of your clothes by paying attention to the laundry symbols is key to keeping them in great shape and reducing your impact on the environment. By following these symbols, you can avoid damage like shrinking or fading, save energy, and help make your lifestyle more sustainable. Every piece of clothing that lasts longer means you buy less and shop less often. In short, knowing your laundry symbols is not just good for your clothes, but also for your wallet!
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