"... or give it to your mom.
She knows how to do it".
(Inscription on the label).
To make it easier for the consumer to choose the modes of care for clothing and other garments, they are provided with a fabric tag (label), which indicates specific recommendations for choosing all types of operations.
Compliance with the rules for processing the product is extremely important for the correct operation of the product, which, in turn, can significantly extend its life and avoid premature damage.
Care badges are printed on so-called "sewn-in fabric labels" that are attached to the seams of the product from the wrong side. Labels are made from materials that match the fabric used in the tailoring: cotton, nylon, polyester, etc.
Symbols for the care of clothing, underwear, hats and other textiles are divided into five groups:
The clothing care icon system is built around a few basic and additional symbols that are easy to remember.
Basic operation symbols
| Symbol image | Operation description |
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Washing clothes and other textiles |
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Drying textiles |
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Ironing |
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Bleaching of textiles |
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Professional clothes cleaning |
Additional restrictions icons
Wash.
Washing refers to the physical and chemical process of cleaning textiles (clothing, underwear and bed linen, stockings, socks, etc.) carried out in an aqueous medium with the addition of detergents. Distinguish between hand, machine and ultrasonic washing.The number on the sign regulates the maximum possible water temperature for this product, expressed in degrees Celsius.
The horizontal line under the washing symbol on the label means that the amount of laundry in the washing machine should not exceed 75% of its maximum possible load, and the rotation mode should be gentle. Machine spin should also be carried out at low speeds.
The two lines under the washing symbol regulate the loading of textiles into the washing machine at the level of 30-35 percent of the maximum volume. The drum speed of the machine should be as low as possible. Spinning should also be carried out at the minimum speed of rotation of the drum, or spinning should be completely abandoned.
| Clothes washing symbols | Symbol decoding |
| Normal wash at water temperature up to 95 °C. The possibility of this mode allows the boiling of laundry. |
|
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Normal wash at water temperature up to 60 °C. |
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Normal wash at water temperature up to 30 °C. |
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Delicate wash at water temperatures up to 30 °C. |
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Extra delicate wash at water temperatures up to 30 °C. |
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Hand wash at water temperature up to 40 °C. The product must not be rubbed. Press without twisting. |
 |
Whitening.
By bleaching (whitening) is understood the chemical treatment of fabric in order to remove unwanted dyes from it and give it the maximum white color.Bleaching restrictions are placed in the form of conventional icons on sewn-in labels with recommendations for product care.
| Whitening mode icon on the label | Acceptable bleaching modes |
 |
Whitening is allowed by any oxidizing bleaches |
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Whitening is allowed only with the use of oxygenated (non-chlorine) bleaches |
 |
Drying.
Drying or drying is a heat and mass transfer process of removing water from a fabric and transferring it to the surrounding air.There are two types of drying: natural drying and drying in a tumble dryer.
In turn, natural drying can be "normal" and drying in the shade, i.e. without direct sunlight on clothes and linen.
All of the above types of drying are regulated by symbols placed on fabric labels that are supplied with textile products.
| Conventional air dry | |
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Drying in a vertical position. |
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|
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Horizontal drying on a flat surface in a stretched state. |
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Horizontal drying without wringing on a flat surface in a stretched state. |
Natural drying.
| Drying in the shade | |
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Vertical drying in the shade without spinning. |
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Horizontal drying in a straightened state in the shade. |
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Horizontal drying in the shade in a straightened state without wringing. |
Machine drying in a tumble dryer.
| Symbol on fabric tag | Description of the drying mode |
 |
Normal tumble dry at 80°C |
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Delicate tumble dry at 60°C. This mode requires a reduced amount of laundry and drying time. |
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Mechanical tumble drying is prohibited. |
Ironing.
Ironing or ironing is the process of giving a fabric a smooth surface by pressing it with a heated plate (such as the soleplate of an iron).As with washing, the main limitation when ironing is the maximum possible temperature exposure to the fabric. However, unlike the washing symbols, the ironing symbols on the fabric labels do not contain numerical temperature values, but symbols in the form of dots, corresponding to similar symbols on the iron's thermostat.
| Symbol on sewn-in fabric label | Characteristics of the ironing mode |
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Ironing at soleplate temperature up to 200 °C (three points on the thermostat of the iron). |
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Ironing at soleplate temperature up to 150 °C (two points on the thermostat of the iron). |
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Ironing at soleplate temperature up to 110 °C (one point on the thermostat of the iron). Steaming is prohibited in this mode. |
 |
Professional cleaning.
Professional cleaning of clothes is carried out only in the conditions of specialized consumer services enterprises.Currently, two cleaning technologies are used: dry (dry cleaning) and wet (aqua cleaning).
The letters used in the symbols placed on fabric labels have the following meanings:
- "P" - perchlorethylene, tetrachlorethylene ( English Perchloroethylene).
- "F" - flammable ( English Flammable).
- "A" - any ( English Any). This symbol is no longer used at this time.
- "W" - wet ( English Wet).
| Dry cleaning | |
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Normal dry cleaning using perchlorethylene and tetrachlorethylene. |
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Gentle* dry cleaning with perchlorethylene and tetrachlorethylene. |
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Conventional dry cleaning using hydrocarbons whose boiling point is is 150-210 °C, and the ignition temperature is 38-60 °C. |
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Gentle* dry cleaning with hydrocarbons, temperature the boiling point of which is 150-210 °C, and the ignition temperature is 38-60 °C. |
 |
|
| Wet cleaning | |
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|
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Delicate* wet cleaning. |
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Extra gentle** wet cleaning. |
 |
|
Notes.
* Delicate cleaning conditions mean the use of cleaning modes with limited humidity, temperature and/or mechanical influences.
** Particularly delicate cleaning conditions mean the use of cleaning modes with significant limited humidity, temperature and / or mechanical influences.
List of used sources.
- ISO 3758:2012 Textiles. Care labeling with symbols.
- GOST ISO 3758-2010 Textile products. Care symbol marking.
We all want to look good and when we buy new clothes we want them to always look fresh and clean. Therefore, such care for clothes as washing is an integral procedure. But the fabrics of different wardrobe items are also different and therefore require different washing programs. But clothing manufacturers know how to wash their product and shared this information with us.
On each item there are designations for washing in the form of icons. Surely each of us has seen them, but not everyone knows what they mean. And by the way, following these recommendations ensures that the clothes will last as long as possible. That is why we decided to write this article where we will look at the badges on clothes and learn how to wash things in accordance with them.
If you neglect the icons on clothes and, for example, wash a woolen thing in hot water, then it will certainly sit down in size. What to do in case of a decrease in the size of clothes after washing, how to return a woolen item to its original size, read the article located at the link above.
Where are the laundry icons on clothes
In order to find the designations for washing things, you need to know what the label on which they are located looks like. It is a small fabric tag on which the designations are located. However, on the label you will also find the size of the item, its composition and manufacturer.
The label is usually located on the inner seams of clothing. On jackets, they can be found inside the side (often on the left side) around the waist, or in the inside pocket. On jeans and trousers, most often it is located either on the side or at the back on the seam. On light clothing: T-shirts, shirts, sweaters, etc., the laundry label is located at the back under the collar, or in the same way as in outerwear on the seam on the side.
Designations of icons on clothes for washing
If we have found a label with icons and do not know what they are, then it's time to look at the table below, where we have listed all the standard icon designations and described machine wash recommendations for them.
Wash symbols
| Icon | Description |
| The sign indicating a basin of water tells us that the thing can be safely washed under normal conditions. | |
| Owners of things with such a designation need to come to terms with the fact that it is strictly forbidden to wash clothes. | |
| For such clothes, the washing machine is prohibited, it is impossible to wash in it. | |
| If you have clothes with this designation, then you should use a more gentle washing and spinning mode in the washing machine. Select the delicate wash cycle and reduce the spin speed. | |
| When washing such things, you need to adhere to a temperature of 30 ° C, while you need to use a delicate wash cycle and reduce the spin speed. | |
| Use the delicate wash cycle with the lowest spin speed. It is advisable to wash in plenty of water. | |
| Washing things with this designation is possible only by hand. It is strictly forbidden to wash such clothes in a washing machine. The washing temperature must not exceed 40°C. Most washing machines have a special "Hand Wash" program. | |
| If this sign is located on your clothes, it means that you can wash it at high temperatures, and, if necessary, boil it. | |
| Clothing with this sign is able to withstand temperatures not exceeding 60 ° C, usually such a designation is located on colored linen. | |
| Clothing with this sign is able to withstand temperatures not exceeding 50 ° C, usually such a designation is located on colored linen. | |
| Linen can only be washed in warm water with non-aggressive detergents at 40°C | |
| Cold wash at a temperature not exceeding 30°C | |
| As you can guess from the picture, underwear with this designation is strictly forbidden to twist and wring both in a typewriter and manually. |
Drying symbols
| Icon | Description |
| Things with this designation can be safely dried at very high temperatures and machine dried. | |
| Dry at high temperatures - this designation lets you know that clothes can be dried at high temperatures. These temperatures are used in conventional tumble drying. | |
| This is a sign of gentle drying at low temperatures - if you have an option in your washing machine or dryer to lower the drying temperature or turn on a gentle setting, then by all means use it. | |
| Items with this symbol must not be dried in a tumble dryer or washing machine, nor can they be wrung out in a washing machine. | |
| You can see this icon more often on any kind of clothing. It means that the thing can be safely dried and wrung out in a stylish machine. | |
| A designation of this kind is very often found on specific items that can only be dried vertically. It is also strictly forbidden to squeeze out such things, they must be hung wet, and the water will drain from them by itself. | |
| This symbol can be found on membrane clothing, and it will mean that the thing can be dried only in a horizontal position and nothing else. | |
| Remembering this symbolism is very simple, it means that clothes need to be dried on a clothesline. | |
| Clothes with this label can be safely dried either by hanging or in a typewriter. | |
| If you see this sign, then know that it is strictly forbidden to dry a thing in a dryer or washing machine. | |
| Clothes on which you saw such a square should be dried only in the shade and avoid exposure to sunlight. |
Cleaning and whitening
| Icon | Description |
| Things can be dry-cleaned and any solvents that are designed for this can be applied to them. | |
| During dry cleaning, only the following substances containing hydrocarbon, ethylene chloride, monofluorotrichloromethane should be used | |
| Such clothing can be cleaned with the well-known white spirit, other trifluorotrichloromethane and hydrocarbons are also acceptable. | |
| Such items require more gentle washing and should be cleaned using hydrocarbon, monoflotrichloromethane or ethylene chloride. | |
| An even more gentle wash, in which the use of hydrocarbons and triflotrichloromethane is possible. | |
| Dry cleaning - things with this sign can be cleaned without the use of liquid products. | |
| The sign tells us that dry cleaning of things with this designation is prohibited. | |
| Dry cleaning of such things is not prohibited, but requires special attention, because not all types of solvents are normally tolerated. Can be cleaned with approved white spirit. | |
| The designation says that the thing can be bleached with any bleach, even containing chlorine. | |
| Any bleaching is prohibited. Chlorine-containing substances should be especially avoided. | |
| You can bleach, but you need only in cold water and with complete dissolution of the powder. | |
| The item can be bleached, but only with chlorine-free bleaches. | |
| Similar to the previous sign - you can only bleach without chlorine. |
Ironing icons
| Icon | Description |
| You can iron - things on which you see this designation can be ironed without any fear for it. You can also use the machine ironing function for such things. | |
| Iron at temperatures up to 200°C - you will most often find such designations on linen and cotton products. Also, as with the upper designation, you can use machine ironing. | |
| Iron at a temperature not exceeding 140 ° - with this icon, you need to set the temperature of the iron to no more than 140 ° C, with a higher temperature you can easily ruin the thing. Who does not have a temperature designation on the iron, then set the temperature slider to the middle. | |
| Iron at a temperature not exceeding 130 ° C - this designation is very often found on things made of viscose, silk, wool, polyester, polyester. By and large, it differs from the previous one by only 10 ° C. | |
| Iron at a temperature not exceeding 120 ° C - this mode should be used for more delicate fabrics, for example: polyamide, nylon, viscose, polyacryl, nylon, acetate. You need to set the minimum temperature on the iron and iron very carefully. | |
| Do not iron - everything is simple here, it is strictly forbidden to iron things with this sign, because damage during ironing is inevitable. | |
| Do not steam - if your iron has a steam function, then when you see such a sign on your clothes, turn it off. Items with this designation cannot be steamed. |
When we buy clothes made of textiles, we certainly examine its inside out to make sure that the seams are processed and the fittings are fastened. We will definitely see a label with badges sewn into one of the seams. The symbols on it indicate the acceptable types of care for the item, taking into account the properties of the fabric from which it is sewn.
What do the symbols mean
The main symbolism for informing consumers about the rules for caring for a particular product was developed by international organizations and fixed in the standards of the international ISO system. Designations in the form of pictograms are applied to labels that are securely attached to clothing.
The label in the form of pictograms contains complex instructions for the care of clothing. By understanding the meanings of the symbols, you will do everything right.
The symbols are placed in a strictly established order, while it is possible to use more than one sign for the process, if you need to clarify the conditions for caring for the product. In addition to symbols, there may be inscriptions that explain and clarify the subtleties of cleaning.
There are five basic symbols for the main ways to care for items from your wardrobe:
- this picture is used to inform the owner about the acceptable washing parameters of the product. If a number is put inside this sign, this is the temperature of the water at which the thing should be washed.
– this symbol indicates the drying (and spinning) process. In this square, additional symbolic designations establish how the product can be squeezed and dried.
- the meaning of this symbol is easy to guess. Additional dots and strokes on this "iron" set the temperature regime of ironing.
- this icon informs consumers about whether it is permissible to use bleaching, and additions to it specify the conditions of the procedure.
– Shows whether professional dry cleaning is allowed. And the letters and additional strokes in the picture are addressed to its employees. They indicate whether dry or wet cleaning is recommended and which chemicals are acceptable.
Icons are also used in the system of basic symbols:
- horizontal underline the symbol indicates that it is recommended to soften the processing mode;
- double underscore– processing should be delicate, sparing;
- symbol , slashed crosswise, means the prohibition of such care of the product.
All additions to the above pictures are shown in a table with options for the meanings of symbols and their decoding.
Clothing manufacturers from different countries supplement them with their pictograms. This is done in the interests of caring housewives who want to strictly follow the recommendations for caring for clothes.
Deciphering the designations on clothing labels
To make it easier to use the information below, the generally accepted notation for temperature (t °) is used, the temperature is indicated everywhere in Celsius. Some icons are used in national marking systems (USA, China).
Wash
Some characteristics of different washing modes.
The normal mode depends on the heating of the water.
The purpose of the gentle (or gentle) mode is to reduce the chance of damage to things, rinse them gently and wring them out in a centrifuge machine.
With a very soft mode, a lot of water is used, things are handled gently. The spin is even weaker than with soft processing, or things are not wrung out at all. You can't squeeze with your hands.
Allowed hand and machine wash (all stages, including soaking).
Washing in gentle (soft) mode.
Delicate wash (very soft mode).
Washing is prohibited.
Machine washable. Degrees must be indicated inside the icon - they set the mode.
Max t°= 95°, normal mode. Boiling is allowed. (Cotton, linen, boil-resistant white or colored items.)
Max t°= 95°, soft mode.
Max, t°= 70°, normal mode. (Cotton, linen, whites or non-fading colours.)
Max t°= 60°, normal processing. (Cotton, polyester - thin linen, for example.)
Max t°= 60°, soft mode.
Max t°= 50°, normal processing.
Max t°= 50°, soft mode.
Max t°= 40°, normal treatment, neutral detergents, warm water. (Colored, colorful things made of cotton, viscose, synthetics.)
Max t°= 40°, soft mode.
Max t°= 40°, very soft mode.
Max t°= 30°, normal treatment, delicate detergent, cool water. (Wool, silk.)
Max t°= 30°, soft mode.
Max t°= 30°, very soft mode.
Wash only by hand, in lukewarm water, do not rub things and wring them out with force. Max t°= 30°-40°.
Whitening
- any oxidizing agent.
– only oxygen-containing/non-chlorine reagents.
Bleach is prohibited.
Drying (spinning)
Drying (squeezing) is prohibited. (The icon is only used in conjunction with the No Laundry icon.)
- drum drying
Soft drying mode, t ° average.
Max t°= 60° at the outlet.
Max t° at the outlet - 60°. Soft mode.
Max t° at the outlet - 60°. Very soft mode.
Drying and spinning at normal t°.
Do not use tumble dryer.
- natural drying
Washed and wrung out things - on a rope or coat hanger.
Washed NOT wrung out things - on a rope or coat hanger.
Washed and wrung out things - on the plane.
- natural drying in the shade
Washed and wrung out things - in the shade, on a rope or coat hanger.
Washed NOT wrung out things - in the shade, on a rope or coat hanger.
Laundered and wrung out things to dry in the shade, spreading out on a plane.
– twisting
The product can be squeezed out manually.
Do not twist: manual wringing (twisting) is prohibited.
Ironing and pressing
Max t° of the soleplate of the iron = 200° (the mark is the same as that of the iron thermostat). You can steam.
Max t° soleplate = 150°.
Max t° soleplate = 110°, no steam. Steaming can hopelessly ruin a thing.
Do not iron.
Do not steam.
Professional Care/Cleaning
– dry cleaning
Dry cleaning (dry cleaning).
The first thing every woman does when she comes home with a new thing is to put it on and look at herself in the mirror. Once again, you can’t forbid the fair sex to admire yourself, but the second thing to do is to study the icons on clothes for washing, the decoding of some is not always immediately clear. For example, a hand dipped into a basin of water means hand washing, and a bowl with a temperature indication indicates how hot the water can be.
These laundry icons are easy to interpret, but when it comes to others, fantasy sometimes refuses to even guess what they might mean. However, all laundry icons will have to be studied. Nobody wants the first wash to be the last for a thing, right? And if so, we look for labels on things and carefully read how to organize proper care for them.
Where is the label hiding?
At the time when the first industrial manufactories began to appear, labels were also born. Their goal was to convey the name of the manufacturer to clothing buyers. Then, caring merchants began to place signs of clothing care on them. This tradition has come down to our days. Therefore, it is not difficult to find a label with cleaning recommendations on any item of clothing.
The tag, on which the washing symbols are located, is located in different places for different things. For example, in jeans, it is located in the seam at the level of the thigh, in knitted sweatshirts and knitted cardigans - in the side seam, in T-shirts - in the back under the collar or in the side seam. Moreover, even underwear has labels: their location on panties is in the side seam, on bras - on the left, on the "back" strap. This once again proves that every thing needs specific care.
The label is made of a special material that does not interfere with wearing clothes: it does not rub or prick. And at the same time, this useful fabric insert will tell you at any time how to wash, iron and take other care of the thing. An exception is made only for vests and sliders for the smallest. You will not find labels on these clothes. Washing designations are indicated on special stickers that are removed during preparation before the first wear.
Tip: as a rule, labels can be made of two types of fabric - very soft and more rigid. If the label needs to be removed, remember: only those that are made of soft fabric are cut off (they sometimes even have a cut sign on them - open scissors). The rigid label pulls out of the seam with a gentle movement. If you cut it off, the rest will definitely rub.
How to read labels?
There is nothing difficult in figuring out what this or that marking means. It is enough to carefully look at the conventional symbols as a whole and find a pattern. And as you know, what is clear is easy to remember. Therefore, after studying the icons, the manufacturer's recommendation regarding the care of clothing will be read "once or twice."
The symbols are of five types and can represent, respectively, five different actions to which clothing may be subjected:
- Its designation is a circle: empty, with a letter or crossed out.
- Its symbol is a square, on which a transcript is applied in the form of additional signs explaining its features.
- The sign of this operation is a triangle.
- Its symbols are irons, which indicate the temperature at which the item should be ironed. Also, this icon shows whether clothes can be steamed.
- Its icon is a basin of water and can provide the following information: is it possible to machine wash or only manual cleaning is provided for the product, what temperature the water should be, the features of spinning and mechanical processing.
In addition to describing the specifics of the regimes, there are symbols designed to prohibit or mitigate this or that action. For example, if you cross out a basin of water, this will mean that washing is prohibited, and if you put a cross on a circle, you will get a ban on dry cleaning. The stripes under the icons soften the action: one stripe - gentle mode, two stripes - delicate mode.
Tip: if you need urgent decoding, a table will help, which contains symbols and their descriptions.
If the washing machine is equipped with a drying function, then when choosing its mode, you should focus on the corresponding value (“square”) on the label. A square with a circle inscribed in it allows drying in a special drying chamber. The same sign, but crossed out, indicates that the dryer cannot be used. In this case, the points inside the circle in the resolution sign indicate the temperature during drying - the more there are, the higher the temperature value can be.
Also, under the “drying allowed” icon, there may be a line or even two. They indicate gentle and enhanced drying modes. This means that if drying is carried out in a washing machine, you should select a gentle drying program or lower the temperature to the minimum value. The icons describing the drying conditions of the product also regulate normal drying, without the use of a drying chamber. Some things can be dried vertically on a rope or on a special metal dryer (a square with a semi-oval on top).
A sign in the form of a square with a horizontal line in the middle indicates that after washing the item should be laid out on a flat horizontal surface. As a rule, this applies to knitted products made of wool and other natural materials. Three vertical stripes in a square warn that the thing after washing is not wrung out and dried in a straightened form. Such marking is found, for example, on children's "inflated" hats and mittens made of polyester, on down jackets.
A square with two slanted stripes in the upper left corner means that drying in the sun is prohibited for these items. This applies to wool, silk, synthetic knitwear. Also, in the bright sun, it is not recommended to dry bright colored things, as they fade from this.
These symbols are needed more for dry cleaners than for those who wear them. They regulate the possibility of cleaning with chemicals and specify some substances. The most important sign for consumers is that dry cleaning is prohibited. If it is on the label, then you will have to solve problems with stains on clothes yourself.
If a thing needs bleaching, be sure to look at the symbol in the form of a triangle. A clean triangle indicates that the fabric will endure any bleaching, a crossed out triangle - a complete ban on any bleaching agent. The triangle with the chemical symbol for chlorine (Cl) inside indicates the use of chlorine-containing products. And a triangle with two slashes close to the left side taboos chlorine bleaches, while other bleaches may well be used.
Before ironing clothes, pay attention to the "ironing" symbol on the label. Depending on the information on it, manual adjustment of the iron must be made. Namely, you should set the correct temperature and, if necessary, turn off the steam function (if the icon shows an iron with a crossed out jet of steam). The temperature of the soleplate of the iron is selected based on the type of fabric. The lowest temperature (100 ° C) is set for nylon, polyamide, acetate, acrylic, nylon and is indicated on the label with one dot inside the “ironing”. Two points - this is 150 ° C - for viscose, silk, wool. Three points - 200 ° C - for cotton and linen. If there is no designation in degrees on the iron, it is convenient to navigate precisely by the points.
This is the most understandable sign, it is most often paid attention to. A bowl of water shows at what temperature this or that thing should be washed. Sometimes the temperature is indicated not by numbers, but by dots: 1 dot corresponds to 30°С, 2 dots - 40°С, 3 dots - 60°С. If the basin is crossed out, the product cannot be washed. If the tag shows a basin with a hand lowered into it, the manual wash mode is preferable for clothes. The crossed-out twisted laundry on the label warns that this item is not recommended to be twisted and wrung out. That is, when washing in a washing machine in the mode selected, depending on the other characteristics, a washing cycle and rinsing must be present, and the spin cycle must be turned off.
As mentioned above, under the regular icons there may be one or two horizontal lines, which indicate that the softening mode is applied. Most often, these additions are present on the icons that regulate washing. If it is carried out using a washing machine, the standard program settings should be adjusted. Namely, reduce the speed by 200-300 (one line - gentle washing) or select the delicate washing mode and set the speed to the minimum value (two lines - delicate washing).
The iconic method of describing the conditions for caring for clothes is convenient and rational. A small label allows you to know exactly how to wash, dry and remove stains from clothes in any situation. Having meaningfully read the signs and their decoding, you can be sure that your favorite clothes are under competent protection.
When buying a new item, be sure to read the information on the label. This is necessary so that in the process of washing, drying or ironing, a dress or trousers. Each icon has its own meaning. From our article you will find out what is hidden under triangles, squares, circles and other symbols.
Washing refers to the process of cleaning clothes from various kinds of contaminants, as well as disinfecting and restoring the original properties of linen. To properly hold the event and not harm the fabric, you must follow the manufacturer's recommendations. As a rule, information about is placed on small pieces of fabric called labels. Since the verbal description takes up a lot of space, it is customary to use icons and notation.
- Basin with a wave - can be washed and soaked.
- A basin with a wave and a number in the middle (30, 40, 60, 95) - the number indicates the maximum water temperature that can be used to wash this product.
- One line under the basin with a wave - means gentle washing. Such products should not be subjected to strong mechanical processing and strong wringing.
- Two lines under the basin with a wave - the thing is exposed. A sufficient amount of water is used, a minimum of mechanical processing without pressing.
- Hand in basin - hand wash only. Things do not rub and are lightly wrung out by hand. The water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. In this way, guipure, satin and silk items are cleaned.
- Silhouette of a washing machine in a circle - machine washing is prohibited. Such an icon is placed on blouses with rhinestones, beads and.
- Crossed out basin - washing at home is prohibited. Basically, such a symbol is depicted on the labels of outerwear. In this case, it is necessary to take it to dry cleaning.
- A basin with a wave and one dot in the middle is a very gentle wash. The water temperature is not more than 30 degrees.
- A basin with a wave and two dots in the middle means the use of neutral detergents and water no more than 40 degrees.
- A basin with a wave and three dots in the middle indicates that the colored item was dyed with permanent dyes and can be washed in water at 60 degrees.
Whitening
In case, be sure to read the conventions regarding this process.
- Empty triangle - the fabric is resistant to bleaching.
- Crossed out triangle - bleaching is prohibited.
- The triangle says "Cl" - you can use chlorine-containing products for bleaching. "Cl" is the designation of a chemical element from the periodic table called chlorine.
- Triangle with two stripes on the inner left side - it is allowed to use bleaches that do not contain chlorine.
Spin
To prevent the fabric from deforming during the spin cycle, you must follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label regarding this procedure.
- A circle in a square - spinning is allowed. You can wring out things in the washing machine at full power or dry in a special centrifuge.
- The circle in the square is crossed out - you can not wring out in the washing machine. If you will squeeze by hand, do it very carefully.
- A circle in a square with one line at the bottom - let's say a gentle mode.
- A circle in a square with two parallel lines below the bottom is a delicate spin with gentle turns.
- Twisted clothes are crossed out - it is impossible to wring out and twist.
Drying
Laundry can be dried in the drum of the washing machine or by hanging. The first option is used by most housewives, because it is fast, but there are things for which mechanical drying will be fatal. To avoid unpleasant situations, carefully read the images on the label.
- Clean square - can be dried both in the washer and in the fresh air.
- Crossed out square - do not tumble dry.
- Horizontal line inside the square - you need to dry clothes on a horizontal surface, not hanging on a rope. This applies to knitwear and woolen products, as well as delicate and expensive items, for example,. Such drying will prevent stretching and objects will not lose their shape.
- Inside the square there are three vertical lines - drying without spinning is allowed. The product is hung on a rope to drain excess water.
- A square with two diagonal lines in the upper left corner - clothes should be dried out of direct sunlight, that is, in the shade.
- Inside the square at the top there is a curved line - to dry in an upright position.
- One point inside the circle circled in a square - dry in a typewriter at a low temperature (up to 60 degrees).
- Two dots inside the circle circled in a square - can be dried in the drum of the washing machine in the usual way (up to 80 degrees).
- Three dots inside a circle circled in a square - the thing needs to be dried at a high temperature.
Ironing
Equally important for giving the product an elegant look is ironing. To smooth wrinkles and not leave marks from the iron, consider the manufacturer's recommendations in detail.
- Image of an iron - you can iron.
- Crossed iron - do not iron. Such fabrics include terry, nylon, fleecy things.
- Iron with one point inside - ironing is allowed when the sole of the iron is heated to 100-110 degrees. Synthetic fabrics are ironed in this way.
- Iron with two points inside - iron at temperatures up to 150 degrees. This mode is used for silk, wool, polyester, viscose.
- Iron with three points inside - the thing needs to be ironed, heating the device to 200 degrees. Suitable for linen, cotton and wet textiles.
- Two lines crossed out at the bottom of the iron - do not steam. This mode does not apply to satin and silk.
Dry cleaning
There are times when a thing cannot be cleaned at home, then it needs to be handed over to professionals. But even dry cleaners, when receiving a product, study the manufacturer's recommendations regarding washing.
There are two types of dry cleaning clothes: dry and wet.
Dry cleaning icons
- Clean circle - subject to dry cleaning.
- Crossed out circle - do not dry clean.
- The letter "A" in a circle - the thing can be cleaned with any solvents.
- The letter "P" in a circle - it is allowed to use hydrocarbon, ethylene chloride, monoflotrichloromethane.
- Underlined circle with the letter "P" inside - you can use the same tools, but in a gentle mode.
- The letter "F" in a circle - hydrocarbon and trichloromethane can be used for dry cleaning.
- The underlined circle with the letter "F" inside - the same substances are used, but in a sparing mode.
Wet cleaning icons
- The letter "W" in a circle is the usual wet wash.
- The line under the circle with the letter "W" inside - the product is subject to delicate wet washing.
- Two lines under the circle with the letter "W" inside - delicate wet cleaning.
- Crossed out circle with a "W" inside - do not wet clean.
Text designation
Classic American brands on the labels of their products write recommendations with the words:
- "Machine wash" - the product can be washed in a typewriter.
- "Hand wash only" - the item is to be washed exclusively by hand.
- "Wash separately" - clothes are washed separately from the rest of the linen, as they can shed.
- "Hot wash" - the fabric needs to be washed hot.
- "Warm wash" - the temperature of the water for washing should not exceed 40 degrees.
- "Cold wash" - wash in water no more than 30 degrees.
- "No wash / Do not wash" - the item cannot be washed. Suitable for dry cleaning only.
Where to look for labels?
Labels are made of a special material that will not prick and rub the skin while wearing. Each product has them in a different location.
- Outerwear - on the inner left side in the waist area.
- Shirts, T-shirts, sweaters, blouses - on the side seam or behind the collar.
- Dresses - in the side seam near the hip on either side.
- Jeans - in the thigh area on the side, behind or in the pocket.
- Pants - in the side seam.
- Bras - on the left side of the fastener on the back.
If you decide to remove the label from your clothing, do not throw it away. The information in there can help save the item.
