Each item has a designation on the labels. These symbols allow the wearer to understand how to care for clothes. On the labels of things you will find not only signs of washing modes, but also recommendations for caring for clothes - ironing temperature and so on. Looking at the tag, you can find out the composition of the fabric, the manufacturer's company. But in order to correctly follow the recommendations, you need to understand what these symbols mean.
Decoding of icons on clothes: machine washable or not
Depending on the manufacturer, the clothing care signs may vary. But their decoding is always the same: they inform the user about the proper care, so that the thing does not wear out longer. Labels are sewn on the seams from the wrong side.
How to make out what symbols on your clothes mean? The table below provides a detailed explanation.
Washing
Typically, the sign indicating the washing mode is indicated first. Having decrypted it, you will understand how to wash a thing: in a typewriter or with your hands to avoid premature wear. You can notice such washing mode icons on children's and adult clothes.
Icon (symbol) | Value |
If you saw such a sign on the label, then you can safely send the thing to the washing machine drum or wash it manually. Usually characteristic of synthetic things. | |
Handwash. Products from demanding care fabrics are washed on low-temperature cycles, not higher than 40 degrees. Hand washing should take place carefully, without strong impact and spin. A rectangle with a bar at the top also means that machine wash is prohibited (see photo above, Fig. 3) | |
Dry cleaning. Traditional and handwashing are prohibited - consult a specialist to ensure that the fabric is not damaged. Most often, such a symbol can be found on the tag of coats, suits, dresses. | |
The symbol means that clothes are washed at minimum temperatures - no higher than 30 degrees. Spin requirement: minimum rpm. | |
Spin and intensive washing are contraindicated. The temperature barrier of water is a maximum of 30 degrees. | |
Machine wash is not prohibited, but the maximum temperature is 40 degrees. | |
Also wash at 40 degrees, with a reduced spin speed. | |
Wash exclusively at 40 °. In this case, you can use washing powders with a neutral composition. | |
A temperature of 95 degrees means that clothes can be boiled. Feel free to choose the maximum temperature regime if it is necessary to remove heavy contaminants or disinfection. | |
No machine wash. |
Whitening icons
The second symbol on the tag after washing explains how to bleach. In order not to spoil things, do not ignore these notations.
Icon (symbol) | Value |
The triangle symbol indicates that whitening is acceptable if necessary. | |
Sign "Do not bleach!". Crossed-out triangle - it is forbidden to bleach, especially chlorine-containing substances. | |
Clothes are allowed to bleach. In this case, the process should not occur at high temperatures, the complete dissolution of the powder is mandatory. | |
Black triangle with parallel stripes - bleaching is allowed without chlorine. |
Icons how to dry things
Next in priority is an icon indicating how to dry the product correctly: in an upright position, spreading it on the surface or in the drum of the machine (if there is such a function).
Symbol | What does it mean |
The square on the tag allows you to dry clothes in any of the known ways. | |
Having found such a designation on the label of your clothes, refuse drying altogether. | |
The vertical strip in the square schematically explains that it is best to provide vertical drying. | |
In this case, it is also advised to dry things vertically, but at the same time it is worth avoiding push-ups - water should drain arbitrarily. | |
The horizontal strip in the square means that things are recommended to level on the surface: a table or an ironing board (so they will retain their size and shape). | |
Similar to the sign of vertical drying. With such a symbol, it is forbidden to squeeze things out and it is shown to dry them in a flattened form on a horizontal surface. | |
A square with a vertical strip and a line in the corner does not prohibit vertical drying. One has only to protect things from direct sunlight (the ideal place is in the fresh air or on the balcony, in the shade). | |
Drying takes place without spin in an upright position. Sunlight protection required. | |
A square with a horizontal line and a strip in the corner prescribes horizontal drying of the substance. In addition, it is worth protecting clothing from sun exposure. | |
One of the most demanding symbols, prohibiting spinning, hanging (drying only in a horizontal plane) and exposure to direct sunlight. | |
Today, this symbol is almost never used. Means the vertical drying of the laundry. | |
The product must not be dried in the washer. | |
Drying is not permissible, therefore, the maximum drying temperature is 60 degrees. | |
Dry boldly at temperatures up to 80 degrees. | |
This icon does not recommend spinning or twisting water from things to preserve their aesthetics and shape. | |
Another symbol for hanging suspended. |
Ironing Icons
In order to know what is the permissible ironing temperature for different fabrics, an icon with the temperature for ironing is indicated on the label.
Legend | Value |
The maximum temperature mark is 140 degrees. | |
The sign logically informs that the product is not ironed. | |
You will find it on products made of nylon, nylon, polyester, synthetics. Ironing at 110 degrees through the lining (gauze, thin cloth) is recommended. | |
For delicate natural fabrics - silk, viscose, cotton, etc. - fit the 150-degree ironing mode. | |
Ironing at temperatures up to 200 ° C. Suitable for linen and cotton items. |
Dry cleaning
When the product needs dry cleaning, be sure to take a look at the label - is it possible to bring it and under what circumstances.
Legend | Value |
A mug on the tag indicates that dry cleaning is recommended. | |
Dry cleaning is prohibited. | |
Today, the symbol is rarely used. Means that cleaning can be carried out by any means. | |
The “P” icon in the circle - exceptionally dry cleaning is recommended. You can use tools with tetrachlorethylene and other substances for the symbol "P". | |
Dry cleaning with hydrocarbons with a boiling point of 150-210 degrees. The ignition temperature is 38-60 degrees. | |
Sign "P" and "F" in a circle - for cleaning products with chlorine ethylene, hydrocarbon, perchlorethylene are used. You need to clean it gently with a little water. | |
The letter "W" is a professional aquatic artist (wet). | |
Only delicate wet cleaning. If there are two stripes under the sign, it means that a very delicate cleaning is provided. | |
The crossed-out sign will tell you that wet cleaning is not allowed. |
Clothing Care Tips
Each fabric needs individual care. For things to be beautiful longer and look like new, you need to know how to properly wash and care for them. Therefore, follow the rules and recommendations.
Cotton fabric. It can be washed in water up to 95 degrees in machine or manual mode. Use of any detergents is allowed.
Silk and Wool.Delicate wash (hand or SM). The temperature should not exceed 30 ° C. Only special products for these types of fabrics are used. Spin 200-400 rpm or missing. Items made of natural wool are dried on a horizontal surface in a straightened form.
Synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics. For modal, viscose, it is recommended to hand wash at low temperatures no more than 40 degrees. Mild detergents are used. Shrinkage of 4-6% is possible. For polyester, elastane, polyamide, lycra, the machine wash temperature is 40 degrees. When ironing, the iron should not be too hot.
You may have noticed that a piece of cloth is attached to some products. What is it for?
- Color. You can check how well the thing is painted and whether it can be washed with other things. To do this, dip a shred in a soap solution for 10 minutes. Then rub well and leave in cold water. If the water has not changed color, then the thing does not fade.
- Shrinkage. Measure the shred. Dip in warm water for 30 minutes. After drying, measure and calculate the difference again.
- Test. If the manufacturer has provided a small flap, then at the same time check the compatibility of the fabric with your detergent.
Understanding the notation on the tag, you can properly care for things, while maintaining their original appearance.