A care label contains five groups of symbols, always in the same order: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional cleaning. The system is international, so it also applies to clothes bought abroad. All the symbols with pictures, and how to read the fabric composition, are in the full glossary of symbols.
Washing: the tub
- The number is the maximum temperature in degrees.
- One line underneath: delicate programme; two lines: very delicate.
- A hand in the tub: hand wash only.
- Crossed-out tub: no washing with water at home.
Bleaching: the triangle
- Empty triangle: any bleach is allowed.
- Triangle with two diagonal lines: oxygen bleach only, no chlorine.
- Crossed-out triangle: no bleach.
Drying: the square
- Square with a circle: tumble dryer. The dots show the temperature: one dot is low, two are normal.
- Crossed-out square with a circle: no tumble dryer.
Ironing: the iron
The dots show the temperature: one dot is low (about 110 °C), two are medium (about 150 °C), three are high (about 200 °C). Crossed-out iron: no ironing.
Professional cleaning: the circle
These are instructions for the dry cleaner, but they are useful to know:
- P: dry cleaning with perchloroethylene or hydrocarbon solvents.
- F: dry cleaning with hydrocarbon solvents only (a gentler process).
- W: professional wet cleaning with water and special detergents.
- Line under the circle: a gentler process is needed.
- Crossed-out circle: no professional dry cleaning.
If the garment has a W, the dry cleaner can clean it with water, without solvents, for example with the Wet Cleaning service of The Clean Spot. When you are not sure, show the label at the dry cleaner: a good specialist will tell you what is possible right at the counter.
You can find dry cleaners in your city in the list of dry cleaners. trqbvami.com has an editorial partnership with The Clean Spot.