Laundry symbols are small icons on your clothing that indicate the best way to wash your items. Yet few people pay attention to them, which is a shame for the quality of, for example, your favourite jumper. Knowing what is on your care labels is important to avoid shrinking, fading, and deforming. It would be a pity if your blouse melts under the iron or your jumper shrinks three sizes in the washing machine.
Few people have time to memorise all the symbols, so we provide a simple overview of all laundry symbols and their meanings.
We can divide the laundry symbols into 5 categories:
- Washing
- Temperature
- Drying
- Ironing
- Cleaning and bleaching
Washing
These symbols indicate the best way to wash the garment. A bucket of water is the universal symbol for washing. The number of degrees inside the bucket shows the maximum temperature at which you can wash the garment. A hand in the bucket means hand wash, and a cross through the bucket warns that the garment must not be washed. Symbols with one or two lines under the bucket indicate special wash programmes such as delicate or wool wash.
Temperature
Temperature symbols specifically indicate the maximum temperature at which you can wash garments, which is essential for preserving fabrics and colours. These symbols are crucial to understand, as too high a temperature can damage your clothes, while too low a temperature may not effectively remove dirt or bacteria.
- Cold wash (30°C or lower): A symbol with a single dot or the number 30 inside a bucket indicates the garment should be washed at low temperatures. This is often suitable for delicate fabrics and items like lingerie and certain synthetic materials.
- Warm wash (40°C): Two dots or the number 40 in the bucket suggest a moderate temperature. This is suitable for most regular fabrics such as cotton, linen, and some plastics that are not too sensitive to heat.
- Hot wash (60°C): Three dots or the number 60 recommend a higher wash temperature. This setting is ideal for bedding, towels, and garments that need thorough cleaning to remove bacteria and allergens.
- Very hot wash (90°C or higher): Four dots or the number 90 in the bucket are intended for garments that require very high temperatures, such as kitchen towels or workwear that may be heavily soiled.
Following these temperature symbols correctly not only ensures effective cleaning but also helps save energy. Using a lower temperature when possible is better for the environment and your energy bill.
Drying
Drying symbols usually appear as a square with a circle inside or other marks indicating the suitable drying method. A single dot in the circle stands for low temperature, while multiple dots indicate a higher temperature. Special symbols such as a horizontal line inside the square mean the garment should be dried flat to prevent deformation.
Ironing
The ironing symbol looks like an iron. The number of dots inside the iron indicates the maximum temperature at which you can iron. No dots means do not iron, one dot means 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 bleaching
Dry cleaning is indicated by a circle. Inside this circle, letters such as P, F, or A may appear, indicating the type of chemicals to be used. A line under the circle means the garment should be treated with extra care.
Each of these categories plays a crucial role in preserving your clothes. By correctly interpreting and applying these symbols, you can ensure your clothes look 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 bleaching is prohibited. Specific instructions, such as using only oxygen bleach and not chlorine, are often also indicated within the triangle.
Laundry symbols for a long-lasting wardrobe
Proper care of your clothes by paying attention to laundry symbols is important for maintaining quality and reducing environmental impact. By paying attention to these symbols, you prevent clothing damage such as shrinking and fading, save energy, and contribute to more sustainable consumption. Every garment that lasts longer reduces clothing consumption and the number of times you need to shop. In short, good knowledge of laundry symbols is not only good for your clothes but also for your wallet.
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