What do the symbols on your clothes labels mean?
May 29, 2020
At some point you must have asked yourself what the symbols on your clothes labels mean. We don’t pay much attention to labels and often cut them off to avoid skin irritation, but they are more important than you’d think.
They show you how to care for the item so that it lasts and doesn’t shrink or discolor, etc.
What the clothes label symbol means?: how your clothes communicate!
Let’s see what each symbol means.
This one is easy, a bucket of water.
- A full bucket of water = you can soak and wash the item in water
- A bucket marked with an “X” = you can’t soak or wash the item in water
- Numbers (degree Celsius) inside the bucket = the maximum temperature at which to wash the item
- A full bucket of water with a line underneath = you can wash the item in water but on a delicate cycle
- A full bucket of water with two lines underneath = you can wash the item in water but on an extra delicate cycle
The lines under the bucket will mainly refer to the amount of clothes you must put in the washing machine and what spin speed you should use. More lines means less clothes and less spinning.
The lines under the bucket are independent of the washing temperature of each item.
Clothes label symbols
Washing temperature according to labels
Points and degrees
Just as you regulate the temperature of the shower, you should also regulate the temperature of the water you wash your clothes in.
Each label has a symbol that tells you the temperature to use so that your clothes don’t get damaged. It’s a bucket of water and a point or degree sign.
This part is easy. One point represents 30º, which is the MAXIMUM water temperature you should use to wash the item. Each additional point will represent 10º more, i.e:
1 point = 30º
2 points = 40º
3 points = 50º
SIX points inside the bucket means that the item has no temperature restriction. The maximum washing temperature is 100º, meaning the item can be boiled without getting damaged.
Clothes label symbols
Use of chlorine or bleach
Triangles refer to the use of these products.
- An empty triangle or one that has the letters CL = you can use any type of bleach
- A crossed out triangle = you CANNOT use any type of bleach
- A triangle with parallel lines = this is relatively new and means you can use any oxygen based bleach that don’t damage colors
Clothes label symbols
Drying clothes according to the label
Squares and circles.
The squares tell us how to dry them and the circle inside the box refers to an automatic dryer.
- A square with a white circle = you can use the dryer at a normal temperature
- A circle with ONE point = use the dryer at a low temperature
- A circle with TWO points = use the dryer at a medium temperature
- A circle with THREE points = use the dryer at a high temperature
- Completely BLACK circle or a square with a crossed out circle = you CANNOT use the dryer
- Square with a white circle and a line underneath = use a dryer program for delicate clothes. This is normally the program for synthetic fibers.
- Square with a white circle and two lines underneath = use a dryer program for very delicate clothes at a low or cold temperature. Exclusively for very delicate fiber such as nylon and silk.
- Square with a curved line inside = air dry, hang up
- Crossed out square = Don’t spin or use the dryer
- Square with horizontal lines in the center = air dry horizontally
- Square with 3 vertical lines = air dry on hangers and smoothen with your hand every once in a while
- Square with diagonal lines in one corner = air dry in the shade
What clothes label symbols meas for ironing
With clothes comes ironing. You’ve realized by now that not all clothes are ironed in the same way or at the same temperature. So how do you know? By respecting the labels!
- White iron = you can iron the item at a normal temperature
- Iron with ONE point = you can iron the item at a low temperature
- Iron with TWO points = you can iron the item at a medium temperature
- Iron with TWO points = you can iron the item at maximum temperature
- Crossed out iron = the item cannot be ironed
- Iron with crossed out ‘steam lines’ = you can iron the item without steam
Clothes label symbols
We read all these clothes label symbols at Mr Jeff.
We need to know what your clothes need. If you come across SOLO circles, it means that your clothes need dry or professional cleaning. Know that you have us to give your clothes the best service.
Last but not least, some not-so-known symbols
Some symbols are less known. Here are some, in case you run into them.
A crossed-out circle means it cannot be dry cleaned, it can be washed as normal in a washing machine.
The do not wring out symbol looks like a crossed-out braid and means the item should drip-dry, not wrung out, to prevent it from getting damaged or breaking the fibers.
As you can see, it’s practically a language! Now you know a little more about what your clothes labels mean.
You also could be interested:
