Have you ever looked at your clothes’ care labels and felt utterly confused about what those laundry symbols mean? Well, fret no more! We’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide to understanding and deciphering those cryptic symbols.
- Washing Symbols
Let’s start with washing symbols. The symbol that looks like a bucket of water indicates how to wash your garment. For example, one dot means you should wash it on a delicate cycle, while three dots mean it can withstand a regular machine wash. Pay attention to the temperature instructions as well – a symbol with a hand in it means hand wash only, whereas a symbol with a number inside indicates the maximum temperature for machine washing.
- Drying Symbols
Drying symbols tell us how to dry our garments properly. A square symbol means you can tumble dry the garment, while a square with a circle inside indicates low heat. On the other hand, a crossed-out square indicates you should avoid tumble-drying. If you see a horizontal line on the bottom of the symbol, it means you should dry the garment flat on a drying rack.
- Bleaching Symbols
If you’ve ever wondered about the bleach symbol, it typically appears as a triangle. A filled triangle means you can use chlorine bleach. On the other hand, a triangle without any fillings indicates non-chlorine bleach should be used. If you come across a crossed-out triangle, it means you should avoid bleaching the garment altogether.
- Ironing Symbols
The ironing symbols are pretty straightforward. A symbol that looks like an iron with one dot means you should iron at low heat, while two dots indicate medium heat. Similarly, three dots mean you can use high heat. If you see a crossed-out symbol, it means you should avoid ironing the garment.
- Dry Cleaning Symbols
Dry cleaning symbols determine whether a garment can be safely dry-cleaned or not. A circle symbol indicates the garment can be professionally dry cleaned. However, if you see a crossed-out circle, it means you should avoid dry cleaning. Some symbols may have additional letters inside them to provide specific instructions to the dry cleaner.
- Additional Symbols
Aside from the main laundry symbols, you may encounter additional symbols that provide further instructions. These can include symbols for no twisting, do not wring, and no fabric softener. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these symbols to ensure your garments are properly cared for.
In conclusion, understanding laundry symbols is essential for keeping your clothes in tip-top shape. By following these symbols, you can avoid accidental shrinking, fading, or damaging your favorite garments. So, the next time you’re unsure about how to care for a particular piece of clothing, refer back to this handy guide!
