Clothing signposts
The washing symbols, which clothing manufacturers place next to the seam on the inside of the garment in question, fall into five categories: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and dry-cleaning symbols. Why is this important? Because proper care, i.e. according to the recommendations, not only prolongs the life and quality of your clothes, but also saves water, energy and CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Thanks to the information on the care label, you will not wash your clothes unnecessarily at too high temperature, iron materials that do not require it or tumble dry them when this is not recommended. Ready to care for your clothes in an eco-style? Let’s hit the road!
| Remember that you will find care instructions for your clothes on the label. This is why it is important not to cut it off. However, if you deem it necessary, take a photo or memorise the recommendations on it. |
Washing
The first pictogram on the label will tell you whether your blouse, dress, shirt or trousers can be washed in the washing machine and, if so, at what temperature you should do so. Usually the recommended temperature is given, but sometimes dots appear on the label. It is assumed that one dot next to the water bowl symbol means washing at 30˚C, two dots are 40˚C, while three and four dots suggest washable temperatures from 60˚C to even 90˚C.
If you see a bowl with a hand instead of a bowl of water, you should refrain from washing the item in the washing machine and wash it by hand. You may also see a sign showing a crossed-out water container, in which case you should dry-clean the garment without soaking it.
Whitening
The triangle-shaped signs refer to the bleaching of fabrics. The principle is simple. If the triangle is on the label, the garment in question may be bleached; if the triangle is crossed out, bleaching is not allowed. A triangle with two lines in the middle means that only oxygen-based, non-chlorine bleaching is allowed.
Drying
The next pictogram, or square, relates to drying. When washing clothes with appliqués (beads, studs, rivets), sheepskins or bikinis, it is common to see the symbol crossed out. This means that the garment should not be placed in the tumble dryer. A square with a circle in the middle, on the other hand, symbolises the possibility of automatic drying. If you find one dot in the middle of the circle, you can do it at low temperature and at low speed. If, on the other hand, there are two dots, then you should dry your clothes at normal temperature. Sometimes there are also vertical or horizontal lines in the middle of the square. These marks suggest drying on a hanger (vertically) or ‘flat’. You should also pay attention to whether the label shows a square with a diagonal line in the upper left corner. If so, do not dry the garment in full sunlight, as there is a risk of discolouring the fabric.
Ironing
Another icon is shaped like an iron. Its crossed-out symbol indicates that the garment in question should not be ironed. The iron symbol with dots in the middle, similarly to the other pictograms, indicates the permissible temperature at which clothes can be ironed. One dot suggests 110˚C, two dots 150˚C and three dots allow ironing at 200˚C.
Dry cleaning
The fifth and final sign is in the shape of a circle and informs about guidelines relating to dry cleaning. Cleaning with different detergents and washing substances is visualised by the pictogram of a circle with a letter.
You can find out about the details in our „crib”.
Seeing the crossed-out circle on the label, you can be sure that the item will not be accepted in the dry cleaners because the manufacturer advises against cleaning the material with chemicals.
Happy clothes, happy planet
If you say laundry is easy – you’re right! After all, anyone can fill the washing machine drum and hit the START button. The only difference is that not everyone will be happy with the results. Proper care of your clothes, according to the guidelines, tailored to the type of garment, colour and material, is good for the environment, for your household budget and for you. So stick to the labels and enjoy the quality of our clothes for years to come!
