Laundry symbols, often a blend of figures, lines, and dots on your clothing labels, are essentially a care code that, when deciphered, can help extend the life and maintain the appearance of your garments. These symbols guide you on how to wash, dry, iron, and care for your fabric properly. Understanding these symbols can seem daunting at first, but with this guide, you’ll be fluent in no time, ensuring your clothes look their best for as long as possible.
1. Washing Symbols
The washing symbol looks like a basin filled with water. This symbol tells you how to wash the garment, from machine wash to hand wash, or even if it needs to be dry cleaned.
- Regular wash: A simple basin symbol means the garment can be washed normally.
- Temperature: Numbers inside the basin indicate the maximum water temperature in degrees Celsius.
- Hand wash: A hand in the basin signifies that the item should only be washed by hand.
- Do not wash: A cross through the basin means that the item cannot be washed with water and may need dry cleaning.
2. Bleaching Symbols
A triangle symbol provides guidance on whether you can use bleach.
- Bleach allowed: An empty triangle allows for bleaching.
- Non-chlorine bleach only: A triangle with two slanted lines means only non-chlorine bleach should be used.
- Do not bleach: A crossed-out triangle indicates that no bleach should be used.
3. Drying Symbols
Drying symbols can be a little trickier and are represented by a square.
- Tumble drying: A circle within the square means the garment can be tumble dried. Dots within the circle indicate temperature settings.
- Natural drying: A horizontal line in the square means the item should drip dry, while a vertical line suggests the item should dry without wringing.
- Do not tumble dry: A crossed-out square or circle means tumble drying is not recommended.
4. Ironing Symbols
An iron symbol helps you figure out how to safely press the fabric.
- Ironable: An iron symbol means it’s safe to iron. Dots within the iron indicate temperature levels: one for low, two for medium, and three for high.
- Do not iron: A crossed-out iron means that the fabric will be damaged by ironing.
5. Dry Cleaning Symbols
A circle indicates that the item is suitable for dry cleaning.
- Regular dry cleaning: A plain circle means the item can be dry cleaned.
- Special instructions: Letters inside the circle tell the dry cleaner about specific chemicals needed or procedures to follow.
- Do not dry clean: A crossed-out circle means that the item should not be dry cleaned.
Tips for Maintaining Fabric Quality
- Always check the label before laundering new clothes to ensure you’re using the correct settings.
- Test stain removers on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to check for any adverse reaction.
- Sort your laundry not just by color, but also by care symbols, especially when dealing with delicate items.
Armed with this knowledge, you’re well on your way to becoming an expert in garment care. Remember, proper maintenance following these guidelines not only keeps your clothes looking great but also extends their life, making it good for both your wardrobe and wallet.
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