Deciphering a laundry label does not seem like an easy task. These labels are based on pictograms that are sometimes difficult to understand for a person. To find your way through these washing instructions, follow the guide!
What are labels on laundry for?
The function of washing labels is simple: to inform the user of what can be done with the product in terms of maintenance. Possible risks are also mentioned via the symbols appearing there. Generally, a label will at least indicate to the user whether machine washing is permitted, and if so, at what temperature. The labeling also details instructions for drying, ironing and spinning. For a fragile textile or a specific fabric, other information may appear, such as the symbol of authorized bleaching or whether the use of professional cleaning is recommended.
How to properly understand the pictograms on the labels?
Concerning the washing of clothes or other pieces of textile such as fitted sheets or a duvet cover , the logo used is very recognizable: it is a tank (represented by a horizontal bar from which two oblique bars extend) containing water (a wavy pattern indicates its presence) . If this vat is crossed out by a cross: no “home” washing is permitted. Without a cross, with one hand in the water: you can wash, but only by hand. If numbers are found in the tank: machine wash allowed, without exceeding the indicated temperature. Often, prohibited washing will be supported by a logo in the shape of a circle: this means that dry cleaning must be carried out by a professional. Sometimes, a letter is inside the circle: this specifies what type of cleaner the dry cleaner can use (certain solvents or only water vapor). A professional will also pay attention to the triangle-shaped pictogram (which specifies whether chlorine is authorized or not).
The no spin symbol
It is absolutely necessary to pay close attention to this symbol. It is represented by a square containing three vertical bars inside. When you start your washing machine, the program used generally provides a spin cycle by default (like for cotton). This step can seriously damage a fabric that is too delicate. Before any machine washing, we therefore look for the possible presence of this logo in order to determine if we can let the spin cycle take place.
The symbol of the authorized tumble dryer
The dryer is a very practical machine, but it also presents a risk for certain fabrics (wool in particular). To check the compatibility of your bed linen with this device, look for a circle contained within a square on the label. This symbol alone indicates permitted drying . With a point inside, be careful: drying must be moderate. With two points, we recommend a normal temperature.
The tumble dryer and ironing prohibited symbol
If the symbol seen previously is crossed out: keep your sheet or duvet cover far away from the dryer! Some textiles cope very poorly with high temperatures. The same goes for ironing. The logos linked to this one are the most recognizable since they take the shape of an iron. A simple iron allows you to do whatever you want. A single-point iron is equivalent to authorized ironing , but at a low temperature. Two points authorize a hot iron, and three points a very hot iron (over 200°C). As usual, the presence of the cross on the symbol indicates a prohibition (going against this recommendation will be equivalent to a gigantic hole in the bed linen).
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