Reading labels is important
The label is a precious tool, especially when you have to wash a delicate item. Knowing how to read the labels of the garments is essential to learn how to
The label contains all the useful information about: the composition of the garment, the country of manufacture, the washing instructions and temperature, whether the garment can be bleached, spun and ironed, the most suitable drying method
The categories of washing symbols
Fabric washing symbols are divided into several categories. There are specific instructions for washing (in water and dry cleaning), for drying, for ironing and for bleaching.
The signs of each category are:
- Tub: hand wash or machine wash
- Circle: dry cleaning that is done professionally in a classic laundry (not self-service);
- Square: if there is a circle inside it refers to drying in the dryer, if there are lines instead it refers to air drying
- Iron: instructions for ironing
- Triangle: instructions for bleaching
Washing Instructions
The first symbol found on clothing labels always refers to the washing phase. It usually shows instructions for washing in the washing machine, or by hand, if washing in the washing machine is not possible, and the temperature to select. The latter is expressed in degrees centigrade and is represented by a number written inside a basin of water.
If the basin is crossed out, the garment cannot be washed at home, but must be taken to a traditional laundry and treated with professional procedures.
If there is a line or two lines under the basin of water, you will have to select the delicate cycle for washing, which is not possible at our laundry.
Drying Instructions
To understand how to proceed with drying a freshly washed garment, you need to refer to the symbol in the square and it indicates whether a garment can be put in the dryer or must dry naturally.
A circle inside in the square is the dryer symbol, and this indicates that the garment can be put in the dryer without any problem. If the symbol is crossed out, the garment must be dried naturally, in the air.
If there are no other limitations on the label, we recommend that you hang your garment or hang it on a hanger and let it air dry. If, however, the symbol indicates that the garment must be dried when it is still completely wet, remember not to activate the spin cycle.
Important: Before drying, pay attention to the temperature you select. It may happen that, at high temperatures, the fiber shrinks and that at the end of drying the garment is smaller than it was after washing. You must pay attention to the number of dots shown inside the circle.