Washing symbols: clean your laundry properly
The sense of washing symbols
When buying a piece of clothing, we rarely pay attention to the care information on the label. At home, we are usually overwhelmed because we don't know how to properly handle the textile.
How can it be washed? Can I tumble dry it? And at what level can it be ironed?
There are a total of five different basic symbols: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional cleaning. These are always printed in the same order.
Washing symbols: wash and spin
The first symbol stands for the washing area. You have to pay attention to these differences: If a hand is shown, it is hand washing. In this case, a washing tub is more suitable than our washing machines. A degree number can also be shown. This is the maximum washing temperature for your garment.
If one or even two bars (underline) are shown, you should use a delicate or easy-care program. A special wool washing program should be used here. Warning: laundry with two bars must not be spun. If the wash tub is crossed out, you must not wash the textile normally.
Laundry labeling: bleach
The symbol is available in four different variants:
- Empty triangle: The garment can be treated with both chlorine and oxygen bleach. Triangle with two oblique lines: The textile may only be bleached with oxygen. Triangle with the letters “CL”: Chlorine may be used as a bleach (however, the symbol is out of date). Crossed-out triangle: Treatment with bleach should be avoided.
Warning: heavy-duty detergents often contain oxygen bleach. If the symbol in the washing instructions is crossed out, you must not use it for washing. In this case, use color or mild detergents.
Care symbols: drying
The dryer symbol consists of a circle within a square. However, there are many restrictions depending on the design.
Most of the symbols shown here are more common in the United States. However, in the following list we limit ourselves to machine drying in a tumble dryer. The symbols are as follows:
- Square with an empty circle: The item of clothing is generally suitable for tumble drying. Circle with a dot: The textile can be put in the dryer. You should, however, select a gentle program with a low temperature. Circle with two dots: It is possible to dry the clothes in a standard program. Circle with three dots: With this symbol, high temperatures can also be used. Diagonally crossed symbol: Machine drying is not allowed.
Care label: ironing
The first symbol stands for the washing area. You have to pay attention to these differences: If a hand is shown, it is hand washing. In this case, a washing tub is more suitable than our washing machines. A degree number can also be shown. This is the maximum washing temperature for your garment.
If one or even two bars (underline) are shown, you should use a delicate or easy-care program. A special wool washing program should be used here. Warning: laundry with two bars must not be spun. If the wash tub is crossed out, you must not wash the textile normally.
Washing symbols: dry cleaning
The cleaning symbols for chemical cleaning are always shown with a circle. You cannot usually clean these clothes at home. Instead, you are a case for cleaning.
However, it is best to make sure that you can clean the clothing yourself when you buy it. If only chemical cleaning is possible, this is of course always associated with additional costs. Often suits, dresses or coats are affected.