If reading a label feels like mission impossible, here are some ideas to help understand what they mean and how to interpret them.
Washing Symbol
To know how to wash, we must look for the bucket symbol. Inside it, the maximum temperature will be indicated, as in the image: wash at 30ºC. We may also find a hand instead of a number inside the bucket, indicating hand washing is required, or a snowflake, which means "cold wash."
Similarly, some buckets may have a line underneath, indicating a short spin cycle.
If the bucket only contains water, with no additional symbols, it means it can be washed by hand or in a machine.
On the other hand, if the symbol is a circle, it means we should dry clean:
These circles may also contain additional information inside, such as:
- Letter “A” inside = any solvent can be used.
- Letter “F” inside = can be cleaned with hydrocarbon and R113 solvent.
- Letter “P” inside = can be cleaned with perchloroethylene, hydrocarbon, and solvents R113 and R11.
- Letter “W” inside = can be cleaned with wet cleaning techniques.
Bleach Symbol
To know if we can use bleach, we must look for its triangle symbol. If this triangle is crossed out with an “X,” it means bleach cannot be used.
This symbol may also include letters “CL” inside, referring to chlorine, or diagonal stripes, indicating the garment can be treated with oxygen-based bleach.
Drying Symbol
Identified as a circle inside a square. Inside it, additional information about drying temperature can be found:
- One dot = low temperature.
- Two dots = high temperature.
Among drying symbols, we may also find square symbols with horizontal or vertical lines inside.
Horizontal lines indicate laying flat to dry. Vertical lines mean normal drying. If these lines include a diagonal stripe in one corner, it means drying in the shade without wringing.
Ironing Symbol
To know what temperature to iron at, look at the drawing inside the iron:
- One dot = low temperature.
- Two dots = medium temperature.
- Three dots = high temperature.
If this symbol is upside down, it means the garment should be ironed inside out. Similarly, if it includes an “M,” it means printing on marble is required. If the symbol is crossed out with an “X,” it means it cannot be ironed.
Symbol with a Cross
If any of the aforementioned symbols appears with an “X,” it means prohibition of that action. For example:
- Cross over triangle = no bleach.
- Cross over iron = do not iron.
- Cross over circle = do not dry clean.
