Are you baffled by the laundry symbols on your clothing labels? Do you find yourself guessing what those care label symbols actually mean, often leading to laundry mishaps? You’re not alone! Many people quickly glance at the label and hope for the best, tossing their favorite clothes into a standard wash, only to sometimes regret it.
If this sounds familiar, this Laundry Icon Guide is here to help!
Every laundry symbol carries a specific instruction from the manufacturer on how to best care for your garment. To simplify this often-confusing aspect of laundry, we’ve partnered with leading London Dry Cleaners (iHateIroning) to bring you a comprehensive guide. We even have a downloadable essential guide available so you can easily decode these symbols and extend the life of your clothes.
Understanding Dry Cleaning Symbols
- A circle symbol on the care label signifies that the item requires dry cleaning.
- Letters inside the circle provide instructions for the dry cleaner, indicating specific chemicals to be used for cleaning.
- Bars underneath the circle denote the level of caution needed during the dry cleaning process. More bars mean a gentler approach is required.
- A crossed-out circle means you should not dry clean the garment.
For expert dry cleaning services, consider letting iHateIroning professionals handle it. You can easily book a collection and trust your garments are in experienced hands. Learn more about the meticulous dry cleaning process and why it’s essential for certain fabrics.
Decoding Ironing Symbols
- An iron symbol without dots means the garment can be ironed at any temperature.
- Dots within the iron symbol indicate the recommended ironing temperature:
- One dot: Use low heat, suitable for delicate fabrics like silk and wool.
- Two dots: Medium heat, ideal for synthetics.
- Three dots: High heat, appropriate for linen and cotton.
- A crossed-out iron symbol means the item should not be ironed.
Ironing can be time-consuming. If you dislike ironing, iHateIroning offers a professional pressing service. Let experts take care of it, freeing up your time for activities you enjoy. For those who prefer to iron themselves, our ultimate guide to ironing a shirt provides step-by-step instructions for a perfectly crisp finish.
Tumble Drying Symbols Explained
- A square symbol with a circle inside indicates that the item can be tumble dried.
- Similar to ironing symbols, dots inside the circle specify the tumble drying temperature:
- One dot: Low heat setting.
- Two dots: Medium heat setting.
- Three dots: High heat setting.
- A crossed-out tumble dry symbol means you should avoid tumble drying the item.
Understanding Hand Wash Symbols
- A tub symbol with a hand inside means the item should be hand washed. It can also be washed on a delicate machine cycle at 40°C/104°F or lower.
- Hand washing is especially recommended for delicate materials like cashmere and silk, as it’s a gentler method that prevents shrinking or damage.
- A twisted fabric symbol indicates the item can be wrung.
- A crossed-out twisted fabric symbol means you should not wring the item.
Washing Machine Symbols: Synthetic and Delicate Washes
- A tub symbol alone signifies that the garment is machine washable.
- The number inside the tub indicates the maximum washing temperature in degrees Celsius.
- Bars underneath the tub symbol provide guidance on spin speed and rinsing:
- No bar: Normal spin and rinse cycles are suitable.
- One bar: Reduce spin speed to a gentler cycle.
- Two bars: Mild wash cycle recommended, but normal spin and rinse are acceptable.
- A crossed-out tub symbol means the item is not suitable for machine washing.
If deciphering these laundry symbols feels like a chore, iHateIroning’s on-demand laundry service is ready to assist. We offer convenient collection, professional cleaning, and delivery of your laundry, ensuring your clothes are fresh and well-cared for.
For your convenience, download our complete care label guide and keep it handy for quick reference.
Download Care Label Guide
Reclaim your free time. iHateIroning provides fast, reliable laundry services with 24-hour pickup and delivery. Try us today and get 10% off with CLEAN10
Further Laundry Resources
Explore our helpful guides for more insights into laundry, garment care, and dry cleaning.
How to Iron a Shirt in 5 Simple Steps
iHateIroning connects you with professional dry cleaners offering top-notch dry cleaning and laundry services, complete with convenient collection and delivery at times that suit your schedule. We operate in London, New York, Brighton, Edinburgh, Oxford, and more locations.
