Reading Clothes Washing Labels: A Practical Guide

This is the kind of tragedy that happens to all of us. A cashmere sweater that comes out of the machine in a crop top version for an 8-year-old child. However, it was well written and should not be cleaned at 40°. Where? On the washing label, of course. It is still necessary to understand the signs and symbols that appear there…

How to read washing labels on clothes?

Placed in the lining or inside of all European textiles, wash labels aren’t there to tickle your ribs and itch when they’re cut wrong. They are a practical mini-washing guide that is very useful for maintaining and preserving your clothes without damaging them or breaking the bank when going to the dry cleaners. Moreover, it is best to read the washing label carefully when buying a garment to avoid unpleasant surprises at home. So you can prepare yourself psychologically in advance for the hand washing of this pretty silk dress. While you’re still in the store, look at the washing temperature. This is the information you can’t miss, the one that helps avoid shrinking clothes, boiled wool sweaters, and red dresses that bleed on gray T-shirts.

What do the washing symbols on the garment labels mean?

The order of symbols on clothing labels is always the same: washing, bleaching, ironing, dry cleaning, and drying. It is, therefore, a question of being attentive to these different indications to take care of your favorite clothes so that they last a long time. It was deciphering the signs and instructions that appear on clothing labels.

The washing logo (= a small basin filled with water)

It indicates the recommended temperature (95° for white sheets, 60° for towels, 40° for colored textiles, and 30° for the most fragile). Some materials do not tolerate machine washing: the symbol of the machine is then crossed out with a cross. You are then advised to wash them by hand ( the washing icon with one hand ).

The pressing symbol (= a circle with the letter P, F, or W)

It specifies whether the cleaning must be done dry (P and F) or wet (W) by a professional.

The dryer symbol (= a circle with two dots)

It states whether or not you can tumble dry your garment. If the symbol is crossed out with a cross, it is because using the dryer is prohibited. The indicated points represent the intensity of the program for drying the laundry. They can be 1, 2, or 3 in number.

The ironing icon (= an iron)

Very readable, it indicates, like the symbol of the machine, the recommended ironing temperatures. The heat can be characterized by a number or by dots (like that of the dryer, one drop = 110°, 2 = 150°, 3= 200°).

The whitening symbol (= a triangle)

It specifies whether or not you can bleach your laundry. Typically, this action is reserved for white-colored parts.

The circle logo

It specifies the need to use chemical methods. It, therefore, only concerns cleaning professionals.