Introduction

Have you ever been confused by those mysterious symbols on your clothing tags? You’re not alone. Many people are unsure what they mean, leading to improper garment care and decreased longevity of their favorite clothes. In this article, we will explore the laundry symbols found on clothing tags and provide a comprehensive guide to understanding these essential instructions.

Temperature Matters: Washing Symbols

1. Basin with Water: This universal symbol represents general washing instructions. It means that the garment can be washed by hand or in a machine.

2. Basin with a Hand: This indicates that the clothing item should be hand-washed only.

3. Basin with Number: The number inside the basin represents the maximum temperature (in Celsius) at which the garment should be washed.

4. Basin with two lines underneath: This represents a gentle or delicate wash cycle that uses less agitation.

5. A Crossed-Out Basin: This symbol means that the item is not suitable for washing and may need professional cleaning.

Decoding Drying Symbols

1. Circle in a Square: This symbol indicates that the garment is suitable for tumble drying, but make sure to check for additional instructions before proceeding.

2. Circle in a Square with two dots: Tumble dry at a medium temperature setting for this particular garment.

3. Circle in a Square with one dot: A low-temperature setting is recommended for tumble drying this item.

4. A Square with three vertical lines inside: This symbol suggests line drying the garment outside, ensuring it doesn’t get exposed to direct sunlight which may cause discoloration.

Dealing with Bleach and Ironing Symbols

1. Triangle Symbol: Bleaching is possible if this sign appears on your clothing label.

2. Triangle with Diagonal Lines: You are advised to use non-chlorine bleach only for this garment type.

3. Crossed-Out Triangle: Refrain from using bleach on this fabric to prevent any unfavorable effects.

4. Iron Symbol: Ironing is allowed when you see this icon.

5. Iron with one or two dots inside: The number of dots specifies the appropriate ironing temperature, with one dot for low, two for medium, and three for high temperature.

6. Crossed-Out Iron: Avoid ironing this garment as it might get damaged.

Conclusion

Understanding and following laundry symbols can be a great way to maximize the life of your garments by treating them in the correct way during laundering. Use this guide to decipher the symbols on your clothing tags, and most importantly, always remember to check labels before washing or ironing any new garment.