To keep our clothes in the best condition possible, it is essential to understand the laundry care symbols. These symbols are usually found on clothing labels and give us instructions for
In this big interconnected world, regional variations vary slightly, but the symbols are quite similar, so you should be able to understand.
This mini-series will give you information on how to read and understand these symbols, and each week we will look at a section of this guide.
Let’s start with the basics.
There are 5 basic symbols that look for 5 areas.
Each symbol always indicates the maximum acceptable care. You can always use a more gentle care for more protection. All symbols are recommendations and not commands. If there is a bleach symbol, it does not mean that you have to use it. But if there is and you want to use it, it is best to do as the symbols say.
Washing instructions
These instructions are for home washing, from the maximum temperature to the required handling.
If you are from a country with a Celsius scale, you will find the temperature instructions with a number – so 30 is 30°C etc… If you are from a country with a Fahrenheit scale, your temperature will usually be expressed in dots – the higher the number of dots, the higher the temperature allowed.
How gentle your care needs to be is indicated by the underline under the tub. The more lines, the more careful you should be.
Permanent press – this is a phrase you will hear often. A permanent press is set for less durable clothing. These materials may or may not be chemically treated to hold their shape and resist wrinkles. These fabrics are not heavy and do not need a stronger spin to get the water out of the wash. For example – for heavy items like towels, jeans… the permanent press cycle is lengthy. Your clothes will come out of the machine wetter and will take longer to wash.
Do not wash – as already said, do not wash the item. Neither by hand nor by machine. This could be due to unstable dye, delicate material or some details that would be damaged by contact with water.
Hand wash – the water should be lukewarm (max 30°C). For best results, dilute the detergent solution in water before adding the garment. Be gentle with the fabric, do not rub or wring. Do not leave it soaked in water for a long time.
Gentle wash with lukewarm water (30°C) – use the appropriate delicates programme and use the appropriate solution or detergent. Fill the washing machine only 1/3 full, do not spin dry. Regular fabric: wool.
Permanent press cold (30°C) – use the permanent press cycle, do not fill the machine completely. If your washing machine does not have a permanent press cycle, select a low spin speed with a shorter run (or do not spin dry). Regular fabric: rayon, thin cotton, acrylic, partly polyester and polyamide.
Gentle wash cold (30°C) – select the appropriate delicates programme with the appropriate detergent. Fill the washing machine 1/3 full. If your washing machine does not have this cycle, use your temperature and do not spin. Regular fabric: wool.
Wash lukewarm (40°C) – use the normal cycle. Regular fabric: cotton, polyester, blends.
Permanent press lukewarm (40°C) – select the permanent press cycle. Do not fill the machine completely. If your washing machine does not have this program, select the temperature and select a low spin with a shorter run or do not spin. Regular fabrics: rayon, fine cotton, acrylic, sometimes polyamide and polyester.
Wash at temperature (60°C) – use a higher temperature cycle. Common items: bed linen, towels, light items made from natural materials.
Permanent press hot (60°C) – select the permanent press cycle on your washing machine. Fill it to 2/3 capacity. If your washing machine does not have this program, select the temperature and do not spin dry or use a low spin with a short run.
Hot wash (75°C) – used for higher temperature and lower energy consumption. Not every machine will have this temperature setting. Regular fabrics: linen and cotton.
Extra hot wash (95°C) – the washing machine can be filled to full capacity and the spin cycle set to max.
