Buying a new item for your wardrobe is always a little joy. This is then followed by the first wash. It may raise a number of questions regarding the instructions for caring for the purchased item of clothing, its storage and the conditions under which the fabric is cleaned from dirt and stains. This data is placed on labels attached to the item.
Most people come across icons on labels, but not everyone understands the processes they mark, recommendations for washing, ironing and cleaning, or prohibitions on certain actions.
Different manufacturers sometimes use similar but non-identical markings. There are also universal meanings, understandable and unchanging.
Other icons on clothing tags
Similar universal markings are used, which are identical in all countries and on all continents. They are understandable and can be explained without words, you just need to know the symbol system.
The washing process on things will be shown by a drawing of a bowl of water with temperature conditions and washing methods, drying is indicated by a square, dry cleaning by a circle with different letters inside it, and ironing by a schematic image of an iron.
Wash
The schematically depicted trough with water is symbolic of the washing process.
Inside it, the labels may contain the following numbers and pictures:
- 95 - wash and boil. Suitable for cotton, linen and light-colored items.
- 60 or three dots - washing with hot water for fabrics that should not be boiled.
- 40 or two points - washing is possible in warm water and neutral stain removers for bright cotton and synthetic lightweight items.
- 30 or one point - washing is carried out only with cold water on a gentle cycle for wool clothes.
- Hand dipped in water - wash the item only by hand.
- A bowl with liquid without markings is washable.
- A crossed out trough means washing is prohibited. Only dry cleaning is possible.
- One line under the bowl - gentle washing; it is not recommended to subject it to powerful mechanical treatment.
- Two horizontal lines under a bowl of water - gentle mode, cleaning delicate items. You need to use a lot of water, a minimum of mechanical processing and a quick rinse.
Drying and spinning
The drying pattern is a square figure.
If only a square is drawn, dry things without fear.
If a crossed out square is shown, drying is not recommended or prohibited.
A square figure with a circle in the middle indicates that it can be wrung out and dried in a washing machine or dryer.
If the circle in the square is crossed out, drying and spinning is prohibited.
Crossed out rope - spinning is not recommended or prohibited; it is better to wash without spinning.
There is a circle with two dots in the square - drying is possible if you use medium temperature conditions.
If there are three vertical lines in the square, dry without squeezing.
If a square has one line in the horizontal dimension, this fabric can only dry horizontally.
The dots inside the circle placed in the square will tell you at what temperature settings you should dry the item: three dots - choose a high setting, two - medium and one - very low.
Dry cleaning
The symbol for dry cleaning on clothing tags is a circle.
If an empty mug is shown, dry chemical cleaning of the item is possible.
If the circle is crossed out with two lines, dry cleaning is prohibited; this may damage the fabric.
If there is a large letter “A” in the circle, use all kinds of chemical solvents for cleaning.
The letter “P” in a circle means cleaning is possible with hydrocarbons, chlorethylene or monofluorotrichloromethane.
Ironing
For accessibility and clarity, a schematic picture in the form of an iron is used to indicate ironing. The ironing temperature and its possibility for this type of fabric depend on what is placed in the picture in the iron itself or whether it is a crossed-out iron on the tab.
If there is only one iron on the tag, iron without fear.
If there is a picture of a crossed out iron with intersecting lines, ironing the clothes is prohibited.
Iron in a mug - iron woolen items up to 140°C.
An iron with dots will show the safe level of heat at which you can iron things:
- Three dots on the iron - iron the product at fairly high heat - up to 200°C.
- Iron with two points - you can iron using a medium temperature - up to 150°C.
- On the one hand, ironing is recommended at low temperatures, up to 110°C. Used for synthetic clothing.
If you see an iron symbol with a crossed out design indicating steam, it is strictly forbidden to steam the item.
After deciphering all the symbols, be it a crossed out triangle on clothing or a square with a circle inside, follow the instructions for caring for your purchase, so you will maintain its original appearance for a long time without spoiling the fabric. Try to throw only clothes in one wash that are suitable for one cycle.
You also need to select the detergent recommended on the label.
Ironing
This group of symbols displays ironing methods, the main one being the iron pattern. Additions may be as follows:
- Iron on label - this item can be ironed.
- An iron with one, two or three points shows at what temperature you can iron: one point - at 110 degrees, two points - at 150 degrees, three points - at 200 degrees.
- An iron with a steam symbol crossed out below indicates that the item cannot be steamed.
Important! A crossed out iron is a sign that ironing is prohibited at all.
Decoding the icons on clothes: machine washable or not
Depending on the manufacturer, clothing care labels may vary. But their meaning is always the same: they inform the user about proper care so that the item does not wear out longer. The labels are sewn onto the seams from the wrong side.
How to figure out what the symbols on your clothes mean? The table below provides a detailed breakdown.
Wash
Typically, the sign indicating the washing mode is indicated first. Having deciphered it, you will understand how to wash the item correctly: in a machine or by hand to avoid premature wear. You can see such washing mode icons on children's and adult clothing.
Handwash. Products made from fabrics that require careful care are washed on low temperature cycles, no higher than 40 degrees. Washing by hand should be done carefully, without strong impact and wringing.
Whitening icons
The second symbol on the tag after washing explains how to bleach. To avoid spoiling things, do not ignore these symbols.
| Icon (symbol) | Meaning |
| The triangle symbol indicates that bleaching is acceptable if necessary. | |
| "Do not bleach" sign. A crossed out triangle means it is prohibited to bleach, especially with chlorine-containing substances. | |
| Clothes can be bleached. In this case, the process should not occur at high temperatures; complete dissolution of the powder is mandatory. | |
| Black triangle with parallel stripes – bleaching is allowed without chlorine. |
Icons showing how to dry things
Next in order is an icon indicating how to properly dry the product: in a vertical position, spread on the surface or in the drum of the machine (if such a function is available).
| Symbol | What does it mean |
| The square on the tag allows you to dry clothes using any of the known methods. | |
| If you find such a designation on the label of your clothes, refuse to dry them at all. | |
| The vertical stripe in the square schematically explains that it is best to ensure vertical drying. | |
| In this case, it is also recommended to dry things vertically, but avoid squeezing - the water should drain freely. | |
| A horizontal stripe in a square means that things are recommended to be flattened on a surface: a table or ironing board (this way they will retain their size and shape). | |
| Similar to the vertical drying sign. With this symbol, it is forbidden to wring things out and it is recommended to dry them spread out on a horizontal surface. | |
| A square with a vertical stripe and a line in the corner does not prohibit vertical drying. You just need to protect things from exposure to direct sunlight (the ideal place is in the fresh air or on the balcony, in the shade). | |
| Drying takes place without spinning in a vertical position. Requires protection from sunlight. | |
| A square with a horizontal line and a stripe in the corner indicates horizontal drying of the item. In addition, it is worth protecting clothes from sun exposure. | |
| One of the most demanding symbols, prohibiting spinning, hanging (dry only in a horizontal plane) and exposure to direct sunlight. | |
| Today this symbol is almost never used. Indicates vertical drying of laundry. | |
| The product cannot be dried in the washing machine. | |
| Over-drying the laundry is not allowed, so the maximum drying temperature is 60 degrees. | |
| Dry safely at temperatures up to 80 degrees. | |
| This icon does not recommend squeezing or wringing water out of items to preserve their aesthetics and shape. | |
| Another symbol for hang drying. |
Ironing icons
In order to know what the permissible ironing temperature is for different fabrics, an icon with the ironing temperature is indicated on the label.
| Legend | Meaning |
| The maximum temperature mark is 140 degrees. | |
| The sign quite logically informs that the product cannot be ironed. | |
| You will find it on products made of nylon, nylon, polyester, and synthetics. Ironing at 110 degrees through a lining (gauze, thin fabric) is recommended. | |
| For delicate natural fabrics - silk, viscose, cotton, etc. Expert opinion Zakharov Igor Vyacheslavovich Consultant at a furniture store. 5 years of experience. – suitable for 150-degree ironing mode. | |
| Ironing at temperatures up to 200°C. Suitable for linen and cotton items. |
Dry cleaning
When a product needs dry cleaning, be sure to look at the label to see if it can be cleaned and under what circumstances.
Spin and dry
The next group of signs is dedicated to spinning and describes its features; the main sign is a circle inscribed in a square:
- A circle in a square without any additions - the item can be safely wrung out without fear that it will lose its appearance.
- A circle in a square with a horizontal line at the bottom - only manual or delicate processing during spinning is permissible.
- A circle in a square with two horizontal lines at the bottom indicates gentle hand spinning only.
- A circle in a square with one dot in the center allows machine drying at low temperatures.
- A circle in a square with two dots in the center allows you to sew this item at medium temperature, that is, in normal drying mode.
Important! A crossed out circle in a square means that this item cannot be dried or squeezed.
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Recommendations for caring for clothing
Each fabric needs individual care. To keep things beautiful and looking like new longer, you need to know how to properly wash and care for them. Therefore, follow the rules and recommendations.
Cotton fabric. Can be washed in water up to 95 degrees by machine or hand. Any detergents can be used.
Synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics. For modal and viscose, hand washing is recommended at low temperatures of no more than 40 degrees. Mild detergents are used. Shrinkage of 4-6% is possible. For polyester, elastane, polyamide, lycra, machine wash temperature is 40 degrees. When ironing, the iron should not be too hot.
You may have noticed that some items come with a piece of fabric. What is it for?
- Color. You can check how well the item is painted and whether it can be washed with other items. To do this, dip the scrap in the soapy solution for 10 minutes. Then rub well and leave in cold water. If the water has not changed color, it means the item is not fading.
- Shrinkage. Measure the scrap. Immerse in warm water for 30 minutes. Once dry, measure again and calculate the difference.
- Test. If the manufacturer has provided a small flap, then at the same time check the compatibility of the fabric with your detergent.
By understanding the symbols on the tag, you can properly care for your items while maintaining their original appearance.
Information about the symbols on clothing tags, their meaning and features. Triangle on the label of things, different types of triangle, their purpose when caring for different types of textiles.
The symbols on clothing tags are helpers in caring for things. With their help, the desired washing mode is determined, which determines the cleanliness and safety of the fabric. Below we will tell you what the triangle and other icons on the tags mean.
Letter marking
In addition to the icons, the label contains short warning and prohibition notices in English. I present the most common of them.
- Machine wash – machine washable.
- Hand wash only – hand wash only.
- Wash separately - process separately from other materials due to the possibility of coloring.
- No wash / Do not wash – do not wash, use dry cleaning only.
- Do not dry clean - dry cleaning is prohibited.
- Do not bleach - do not bleach.
- Do not tumble dry - do not tumble dry.
- Do not wring or twist - do not squeeze or twist.
- Dry in shade – hang only in the shade.
- Do not iron - do not iron.
For more information about decoding the icons, watch the video.
Designations on clothing tags
On the label of each branded item, the manufacturer lists icons that will help you properly care for the fabric. They are divided into 4 large groups:
- Washing (basin with water) - following the washing rules will help maintain the brightness of things and color saturation, prevent fading and deformation;
- Drying (square and its variations) - indicates the possibility of using a dryer or natural drying;
- Ironing (iron) – helps to choose the optimal temperature for smoothing things, protects against burning;
- Triangle (bleaching) – determines the possibility and method of using bleaching products.
Each icon corresponds to special conditions for processing things. For example, a crossed out basin symbol means that washing in any form is prohibited - it will ruin the fabric.
Important! To keep your clothes clean and not damaged during care, use the information on the badges comprehensively - take into account everything listed on the tag.
Whitening
A short instruction will help you figure out whether you can use the whitening mode or should you refrain from the procedure.
| Symbol | Meaning |
| White/black triangle crossed out with two lines – prohibition of bleaching | |
| Empty triangle – bleaching permissibility | |
| The letters “Cl” imply the possibility of using products that contain chlorine | |
| A triangle icon with three parallel lines indicates bleaching with products that do not contain chlorine. |
What to do if you find a “Machine wash prohibited” icon; hand washing is not recommended? Read on!
Attention! Find out what and how to clean your iron in our new review by following the link.
What does the triangle on the label mean?
As stated earlier, the triangle stands for everything related to bleaching clothes. Bleaching is a chemical treatment of things, so it must be handled with care. There are several variations of the triangle for different operating conditions.
Crossed out
If you see a triangle on the label that is crossed out diagonally by a line, pay special attention to it. It indicates that bleaching of any kind is prohibited. Most often this symbol is used on clothing made of colored fabrics.
If brightly colored items are exposed to even a small amount of bleach, they will develop white or yellow stains. Today, almost any stain can be removed from textiles, but traces of whiteness remain forever. Chlorine, which is part of bleach, completely destroys the coloring pigment.
There are several methods for restoring fabric after exposure to bleach, but they will not completely return the original color.
Other types of triangles
In addition to the crossed-out triangle, other types of triangles are indicated on the labels. Each of them determines the features of bleaching things:
- Regular, without additional elements - whitening by any means is allowed. The composition of the bleach will not cause any harm to textiles. As a rule, this symbol is indicated on laundry labels - it is important for such things to remain white.
Note! Even if a regular triangle is indicated on the item’s tag, you should not get carried away with frequent bleaching. This process is still destructive to the fabric, and it deteriorates faster.
- Shaded or black - you can bleach only with products that do not contain chlorine. This is a rather caustic and aggressive component that destroys some types of fabrics (wool, silk, colored synthetics). It is also recommended to wash in cold water and carefully ensure that the powder is completely dissolved.
- The letters "Cl" are written inside - you can use chlorine bleach.
Reference! The “Cl” marking has not been placed on clothing since 2004. This is due to the fact that new bleaches contain less chlorine, and fabrics have become more durable and resistant to chemicals.
Getting to know the symbols for washing
Different manufacturers may use slightly different labels. But, knowing the basic symbols, every housewife can easily decipher similar icons and their meaning.
An inverted trapezoid with a horizontal wavy line inside the figure - this icon carries very useful information on how to properly wash an item and not spoil its presentation. This icon also looks very much like a bowl filled with water. It is taken as a basis and outlined with various figures that carry prohibitions or permissions during washing.
| Crossed out icon – cannot be erased. |
| The familiar inverted trapezoid with a hand inside - hand wash only. |
| A symbol without any additional figures - the item is subject to both hand and machine washing. |
| The symbol underlined by one line means use a gentle wash cycle and low spin. |
| Symbol underlined by a dotted or double line – use the delicate wash program. You can't squeeze with your hands |
| There are various numbers on the label - use a water temperature no higher than the specified one: 30, 40, 50, 60, 95. Sometimes temperature conditions are indicated by dots: 30° - one dot, 40° - two, and so on. |
| The icon indicates a temperature of 95° C - the clothes are subject to boiling, and when washing you do not need to be particularly careful. |
| A triangle on the label means the item can be bleached. |
| The crossed out triangle can most often be found on clothing made from colored fabrics. It means that the item cannot be bleached. |
The role of icons on clothing labels
The labels contain instructions on how to care for clothes and text in the manufacturer's language. It is not necessary to decipher hieroglyphs, but understanding special signs (basins, circles, crosses) is extremely important!
The signs on clothing labels are deciphered in order to protect the fabric from damage or wear. They inform the owner about the temperature and type of washing, spin modes and drying of items made from a particular fabric.
Decoding the symbols on clothing labels
Expert opinion
Zakharov Igor Vyacheslavovich
Consultant at a furniture store. 5 years of experience.
Washing symbols on clothes decoding is the main thing in fabric care. There are quite a lot of symbols for icons on clothes, so memorizing them needs to start with basic symbols.
Washing and its varieties
Washing clothes is the process of cleaning fabric from dirt using water and special bulk or liquid products. You can wash it by hand, in the washing machine, or simply take it to the dry cleaner.
If the label shows an ordinary basin, then washing such a product is allowed.
Machine
Machine washing is indicated in the same way as regular washing (a basin with a wavy horizontal line).
Manual
You can tell that an item can be hand washed by a drawn basin with your palm placed in it.
Regular (in HB)
You cannot wash anything in water up to 30°C if the label does not show a basin with one bold dot in the center.
Gentle (in HV)
The gentle wash mode is indicated in the form of a basin with one horizontal line underneath it. With this method of cleaning, you need to maintain the temperature regime and slowly squeeze it in a centrifuge.
Particularly delicate (in HV)
Delicate washing requires a large amount of water and minimal mechanical intervention in the process. This mode looks like a basin with two horizontal stripes underneath it.
Regular (in HB)
If we see markings on clothes for washing, the explanation of the basin shown on the label (with the 30°C sign in the center) indicates the resistance of the item to cold water up to 30°C.
Gentle (in HV)
The gentle water cleaning mode requires neutral detergents, slow spinning and a careful washing process. Indicates gentle washing with a basin with 30° in the center and a horizontal stripe below it.
Especially delicate (in HV)
Particular care should be taken when handling things that require delicate handling (the icons on the clothing will help you become familiar with them; the table will help you to get acquainted with them). They cannot be squeezed out by hand, they require a large amount of water and do not need unnecessary manipulation.
You can understand that cleaning requires special delicacy by the basin drawn on the label with a mark of 30 degrees in the center and with two horizontal stripes below it.
Manual (in HB)
The designation on clothes of a basin with a bold dot on the bottom and with the palm lowered into it indicates careful care of the item.
Regular (in warm water)
You can understand that an item is being washed in warm water by two icons: a basin with two bold dots in the center and a basin marked 40°.
Gentle (on TV)
You need to carefully wash items that have a label on the label in the form of a basin with a temperature of 40 degrees and one line under it, or with a basin in the center of which there are two bold dots and one horizontal line under it.
Special delicate gentle treatment
In the special delicacy mode, the item must be handled carefully and under no circumstances should it be wrung out by hand. To understand that an item can be carefully washed in warm water at a temperature of no more than 40°, you need to find the symbol on the clothes for washing (a basin icon with two black dots inside and three lines below it).
You can also verify this by seeing a symbol of a basin with a temperature of 40 degrees and three horizontal stripes under the drawn container.
Manual (on TV)
Hand cleaning in warm water must be handled with great care. Do not exceed the temperature regime and do not perform unnecessary manipulations with the fabric. The corresponding icon is depicted in the form of a basin with two black dots on the bottom and a palm lowered into it.
Normal (in hot water)
Wash in hot water at temperatures up to 50°. You can wash it either in a machine or by hand. The symbol on grooming clothing looks like this: a basin with 50° inside it. Also, instead of temperature, three bold dots can be drawn.
Gentle (in GW)
It is important to know that you need to rinse things gently in water with a gradually decreasing temperature. The icon for this mode looks like a basin with a 50 degree sign and one line below it. The labels on clothes for washing include not only numbers, but also dots. In this case there will be three of them.
Whitening
Not every item of clothing can be bleached. Bleaching gives some fabrics a new look, while others make them look too worn.
You can bleach items that have a triangle icon on the label. It is important to remember that there are no more elements in the triangle.
Do not bleach fabrics that have a triangle with diagonal lines on them with chlorine or chlorine-containing bleaches.
T-shirts with a crossed out triangle on the label cannot be bleached completely.
Drying and its varieties
Expert opinion
Zakharov Igor Vyacheslavovich
Consultant at a furniture store. 5 years of experience.
It would seem that rinsing and spinning are over, but this is not all the stages of washing. It is very important to know how to dry things properly. The signs on the labels will just help you understand the conventions.
Drum
If the label shows a square with a circle inscribed in it, then you can safely tumble dry the items; no special care is needed. This procedure does not require any additional manipulations or caution.
Natural
Natural drying is traditionally done in a horizontal hanging position. This means that after spinning, the item is hung on the dryer. Conventional drying is designated as follows: a square with an arc under the top line.
Circle – dry cleaning
Circle (1) will tell you about the conditions of dry cleaning in specialized enterprises. There are pictures for regular “dry” cleaning.
- The crossed out circle (2) indicates that dry cleaning is prohibited.
- The letter A (3) indicates that treatment with any solvent is possible.
- The P icon in a circle (4) indicates that the procedure can be carried out with ethylene chloride, hydrocarbon, monofluorotrichloromethane.
- Underlined circle with the letter P (5) – the remedies from the previous version are valid, but the procedure itself is more gentle.
- Symbol F (6) allows the use of trifluorochloromethane and hydrocarbons.
- If the circle with F is underlined (7), then it is permissible to use the means described above, but in a delicate mode.
In addition to “dry” there is also “wet cleaning”. It has its own indicators, and the main one, which determines whether it is permissible to clean an object in this way, is a circle with the letter W (1):
- If the pictogram is crossed out (2), then water cleaning is impossible.
- When there is one horizontal line (3) under the symbol, you know that you need a delicate mode.
- A double underline (4) indicates the need for particularly careful procedure.
