When purchasing a new item of clothing and underwear, it is important to learn to read the label and know the symbols represented to avoid ruining or deteriorating it.
The label is a real identity card of the garment since we find various information written on it: the name or manufacturer of the brand, the composition of the fabric in percentage, the washing symbols, the dry cleaning symbols, the bleaching symbols, the drying symbols and the ironing symbols.
In this article we will give you the right indications to learn to recognize the symbols as a small guide to maintain and treat the garment in the best conditions.
Washing symbols
The washing symbols are represented by a basin full of water which symbolizes the possibility of washing the item in the washing machine.
There are three types of washing machine cycles :
- simple basin (Normal Cycle),
- basin with a line underneath (Medium Cycle) and
- basin with two lines underneath (Delicate Cycle).
This is usually accompanied by the insertion of the temperature or by one or more black dots indicating the washing temperature :
- a small ball (cold water 30°),
- two scoops (warm water 40°-50°) and
- three dots (hot water over 60°).
If the washing symbol represents a basin full of water crossed out with an X then it means that the item cannot be washed with water.
Dry cleaning symbols
Dry cleaning is a professional wash that must be done without the use of water and is indicated by the circle symbol .
If the item can be dry cleaned it will have this symbol, vice versa if this is prohibited there will be an X on the circle.
Inside the circle there may be letters that symbolize the solvents with which the garment or linen can be treated:
- The A symbolizes the possibility of using any solvent,
- The P symbolizes the use of any solvent except tetrachlorethylene,
- The F only symbolizes the use of petroleum solvents
- W dry clean only with water.
Bleaching symbols
The bleaching of a garment is indicated by the symbol of a triangle .
If there is a simple triangle then the item can be bleached with any substance while if there is an X on the symbol it means that bleaching is not possible .
If the triangle symbol is enriched with lines inside it, it means that bleaching can be done without the use of chlorine , while if inside the triangle symbol we find the letters CL it means that bleaching can be done using chlorine-based products .
The symbols of drying
Drying on the label is indicated by the symbol of a square with a circle inside.
This symbol can be enriched with dots indicating the permitted temperature:
- a dot (low temperature),
- two dots (medium temperature)
- three dots (high temperature).
On the garment label we can find instructions on how to dry the garment naturally:
- a square with a line inside (drying the garment on a flat surface),
- a square with three vertical lines (natural drying and not centrifuged)
- a square with three oblique lines (dry without exposing to sunlight or heat sources).
If on your label you find a symbol that represents a wrung out garment with an X over it, it means that the garment should not be wrung out.
Ironing symbols
Ironing is represented on the label with the iron symbol .
If there are one or more dots inside the Ironing Symbol , attention to the temperature is required:
- a dot (maximum temperature of 110°),
- two pellets (maximum temperature of 150°) and
- three dots (maximum temperature of 220°).
If there is an X under the ironing symbol with two lines then it means that the garment cannot be steam ironed .
If there is an X on the ironing symbol, it means that the item cannot be ironed .
