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Laundry Signs on Clothes: A Complete Guide to Care Symbols

Ever stared at the cryptic symbols on your clothing tags and wondered what they meant? Those laundry signs on clothes, also known as care labels, hold the key to keeping your garments looking their best. Understanding these symbols can save you from accidental shrinkage, fading, or damage. This guide will demystify laundry symbols, empowering you to confidently care for your clothes.

Deciphering the Language of Laundry Symbols

Laundry symbols are standardized pictograms designed to communicate washing, drying, ironing, and dry cleaning instructions. They are typically found on a tag sewn into the garment, often near the neck or side seam.

Washing Symbols:

  • Tub with Water: Represents washing instructions. The number of dots inside the tub indicates the maximum water temperature.

  • Hand in Tub: Indicates hand washing is recommended.

Drying Symbols:

  • Square: Represents drying instructions.

  • Circle Inside Square: Indicates tumble drying. Dots inside the circle indicate temperature settings.

  • Horizontal Lines Inside Square: Represents line drying.

Ironing Symbols:

  • Iron: Represents ironing instructions. Dots inside the iron indicate the maximum ironing temperature.

Dry Cleaning Symbols:

  • Circle: Represents dry cleaning. Letters inside the circle indicate specific dry cleaning solvents.

Common Laundry Symbols and Their Meanings

Here's a breakdown of some of the most common laundry symbols you'll encounter:

  • Washing:

  • One dot in the tub: Wash in cold water (up to 30°C/86°F)

  • Two dots in the tub: Wash in warm water (up to 40°C/104°F)

  • Three dots in the tub: Wash in hot water (up to 60°C/140°F)

  • Hand in tub: Hand wash only

  • Drying:

  • Circle in a square with one dot: Tumble dry low heat

  • Circle in a square with two dots: Tumble dry medium heat

  • Circle in a square with three dots: Tumble dry high heat

  • Horizontal lines in a square: Line dry

  • Square with a diagonal line through it: Do not tumble dry

  • Ironing:

  • Iron with one dot: Iron on low heat

  • Iron with two dots: Iron on medium heat

  • Iron with three dots: Iron on high heat

  • Iron with an “X” through it: Do not iron

  • Dry Cleaning:

  • Circle with a letter inside: Indicates the type of dry cleaning solvent to use.

Tips for Using Laundry Symbols

  • Always check the care label: Before washing any garment, always check the care label for specific instructions.

  • When in doubt, err on the side of caution: If you're unsure about a symbol, it's best to choose a gentler washing method.

  • Separate clothes by care instructions: Sort your laundry based on the care labels to prevent damage.

  • Use the right detergent: Choose a detergent that is appropriate for the type of fabric and washing instructions.

  • Don't overload the washing machine: Overloading can prevent clothes from being properly cleaned and rinsed.

laundry signs on clothes

Frequently Asked Questions About Laundry Signs on Clothes

1. What does a crossed-out tub symbol mean?

A crossed-out tub symbol means “do not wash.”

2. What does a square with a circle inside mean?

A square with a circle inside means “tumble dry.”

3. How do I know what temperature to wash my clothes?

The number of dots inside the washing symbol indicates the maximum water temperature.

4. Can I iron clothes with a crossed-out iron symbol?

No, a crossed-out iron symbol means “do not iron.”

5. What does a circle with a letter inside mean?

A circle with a letter inside indicates the type of dry cleaning solvent to use.

6. Where can I find more information about laundry symbols?

You can find more detailed information about laundry symbols online or in laundry care guides.

Conclusion

Understanding laundry signs on clothes is essential for keeping your clothes looking their best. By learning the meaning of these symbols, you can confidently care for your garments and extend their lifespan. Remember to always check the care label before washing and drying any garment. With a little knowledge and attention to detail, you can keep your clothes looking great for years to come.

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