No matter how professional you are when it comes to washing and handling clothes, you certainly do not know what all the symbols that can be found in your care labels mean. We will provide you with the full guide regarding understanding the symbols on care labels so as to proceed with washing, drying and ironing your clothes properly.

The classic example is the following: you just bought a new piece of clothing and before wearing it you cut the care labels out and threw it away without reading the instructions carefully. Next time, be more careful. Care labels contain very important symbols pertaining to the manufacturer and instructions regarding how to wash, dry and iron fabrics and clothes.

Let’s start with the basics: the label

The proper way to wash a fabric is the first basic secret towards preserving your clothes more and not to disintegrate after the first wash. Each label contains a series of symbols notifying you on how to wash them and on how to take care of it. If the cloth is composed of different material, it will be wise and proper to follow the instructions regarding the more sensitive fabric. 

Basic symbols

Care labels are there stating and differentiating methods and washing cycles by giving each a different labels. The most common symbol is the one with the basin. That signifies that the cloth can go into the washing machine and the numbers inside the basin signify the temperature degrees in which the cloth can be washed.

One small advice: If you wash a cloth not in the washing machine but otherwise, cloths can wear off. Always follow the instructions in the care labels before dying anything.

The square shape symbol concerns drying the cloth. If inside the square there is a circle, this is an indication that you can place this cloth in the drying machine. If there is no circle, do not place the clothes in the drying machine.

There are also symbols for ironing in many care labels. This is the easier symbol to recognize and to follow. Just stick to the recommended temperatures in the label and the symbol and everything will be okay.

Special cleaning symbols

If in the care clothing labels you see a circle with any letter inside, do not even bother to wash it yourself. Just take it to the nearest dry-cleaning store. They certainly know better which cleaning and drying method to use. On the other hand, if you see a triangle, this has to do with the use or no of certain commercial bleachers.

Additionally, if you see underneath any of the symbols a straight, black line, that means that you have to handle it carefully in a program for synthetic material. Any care labels can be also customized depending on the manufacturers and the sellers needs and specifications. Some care labels can include something funny or advertising and/or marketing material that makes any clothing and product stand out while containing useful information.