What do the washing icons on clothes mean and how to decipher them

Many housewives choose to ignore the labels and stickers on their clothes. But in vain. They were placed there for a reason. Such designations are intended to tell the buyer exactly how to care for the purchased items. Compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations is a guarantee that your favorite underwear, dress or jeans will serve you faithfully for a long time.

So it's time to carefully examine the labels. Some designations may not be very clear at first glance, while others do not need any explanation at all. What do the pictures located on the labels mean, how to understand their meaning and not be mistaken?

Types of Designations

It is worth considering that the images located on the labels of things from different brands may not match. But most often they are associated with washing modes, t ˚C water, bleaching methods. All characters, depending on what they mean, can be divided into such groups:

• washing;
• drying and spinning;
• ironing;
• whitening;
• cleaning.

Let's carefully consider the signs for washing clothes and decipher the signs located on things.

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General rules

The tags located on the tags are generally easy to understand. Washing modes are indicated by a "basin", which is an inverted trapezoid. Ironing looks like an iron, drying modes are indicated by a square, and cleaning by a triangle. If any icon is crossed out crosswise, it means that the action is prohibited. The icons underlined by one line indicate that you should use the gentle mode, and two - especially delicate.

See also - Why does the laundry smell unpleasant after washing in the washing machine?

Washing

As already mentioned, a “basin” is used to indicate the washing process, and the temperature regime is indicated by numbers or dots. Not every thing can be turned in the washing machine at maximum power. For example, washing a down jacket is far from easy. If you do not carefully study the marking, you can permanently ruin the thing.

Designation	Decoding
	Washing is allowed or prohibited respectively.
	You can wash only in a delicate or especially delicate mode, at minimum speed. Sometimes the temperature is additionally inscribed in the "basin", which is strictly not recommended to be exceeded.
	The use of any type of washing machine is prohibited.
	The product assumes only hand wash, at t ˚C no higher than 40˚C, machine wash is prohibited.
	Laundry can be washed at t˚ = 95˚С, and even boiled if necessary. Which mode to choose is up to you.
	The thing can be washed at t˚ = 60˚, 50˚, 40˚, 30˚C, respectively.
	Washing can be done either by hand or in a typewriter at temperatures of 30˚C, 40˚C and over 60˚C, respectively.
	It is not necessary to apply a temperature of more than 40 ° C, while using neutral detergents.
	It is strictly forbidden to wring out linen with such a designation on the label, or, more precisely, to twist it both manually and using a washing machine.

Drying and spinning

There are also special designations for these processes. Drying, for example, a down jacket is fundamentally different from drying a terry towel. In order not to spoil the fabric, you should first study the label.

Designation	Decryption
	This icon indicates the possibility or impossibility of drying in principle.
	Such symbols determine the temperature regime of permitted drying. The more dots, the higher t ˚C can be applied.
	You can / cannot dry and wring the fabric in a drum-type washing machine.
	It is recommended to dry the item by spreading it on a flat surface.
	It is impossible to squeeze out such a fabric, but it is imperative to dry it in an upright state.
	Such a thing can be dried by hanging it on a rope.
	The fabric should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Drying in the shade is provided. The laundry must be turned inside out before drying.
	Such badges instruct you to dry the product vertically or horizontally without preliminary spinning.

Ironing

If many products are normally tolerated by machine washing, then not every fabric is able to withstand the effects of high temperatures. If when ironing, for example, a down jacket, you do not follow the instructions, you can overdo it with the temperature and just burn a rather expensive thing. Therefore, the following designations are extremely important for every housewife.

Designation	Decoding
	Symbols of this kind indicate the possibility of using the iron. The second, as you understand, means "Ironing is prohibited."
	Icons with dots mean that the product can be ironed, only you need to observe the temperature regime. More dots mean higher temperatures. In this case, these are 200 ° C, 130 ° C and 110 ° C, respectively.
	You can iron the product, but the temperature of the iron should not exceed 140˚С.
	Having seen such a designation on the label of your clothes, turn off the steaming function. Excessive moisture and hot steam can damage the item.

Whitening

There are not many conventional signs related to whitening in comparison with others.

Designation	Decryption
	A similar icon allows or prohibits bleaching of things.
	These symbols allow / prohibit the use of various chlorine-containing bleaches.
	The use of bleaches containing chlorine is not permitted. Whitening with other substances is allowed.

Cleaning

Unfortunately, not all contamination can be removed with a conventional washing machine. Sometimes you have to resort to dry cleaning services. Here, too, have their own rules. The table below will save you from rash decisions.

Designation	Decryption
	This symbol, located on things, signals that they can be cleaned using any known solvents.
	These icons refer to dry cleaning the product. The first one permits it, the second one prohibits it.
	These symbols refer to the use of substances such as monofluorochloromethane and perchlorethylene when cleaning. The first icon allows the use of these substances, and the second indicates the need to comply with the light regime: limited use of water and temperature control, the inadmissibility of mechanical stress.
	Such recommendations are dry cleaning with treatment with hydrocarbon and trifluorotrichloromethane. The second picture means all the same, only with the use of light mode. What is meant can be seen above.
	The product must be cleaned with care, not all solvents are resistant.
	The item must not be cleaned with any chemicals.
	These symbols refer to wet cleaning, permit or prohibit it.
	Such marking involves delicate or very delicate wet cleaning of the fabric. Special attention should be paid to humidity, t иC and machining.

Letters on labels

Some labels may contain not only pictures but also letters. They show what fabric the product is made from and how to properly care for it.

Designation	Russian name	Decoding
AC	Acetate fiber	Items from such a fabric can be washed and ironed at medium and high t ˚С.
AR	Acrylic	Able to withstand high t ˚С.
CO	Cotton	It is allowed to use high temperatures, and even to boil monophonic ones.
EL	Elastane	Only low t ˚C and sparing mode.
Li	Linen	Care at an average t ˚С.
MD	Modal	Processing is possible using medium and high temperature conditions.
PA	Polyamide (Nylon)	Things made from such fabric can be ironed and washed at medium temperature, do not boil.
PC	Polyacryl	Able to withstand high t ˚С.
PE	Polyester	Care at medium temperature.
SE	Silk	Extremely low t ˚C and minimal machining.
VI	Viscose	For such a fabric, the average temperature regime is used.
WO	Wool	Only low t ˚С, do not rub, do not twist.