A care label on a textile product gives the consumer useful information about product maintenance. Good labels provide details on:
All manufacturers use similar symbols to tell the consumer how to look after the product; the care of textile products depends on the fibre content and fabric finishes used.
Symbol | Instructions | Symbol | Instructions |
Wash at 95 degrees, whites only | Wash at 40 degrees, dark colours only | ||
Wash at 60 degrees, colours | Wash at 40 degrees, viscose | ||
Wash at 60 degrees, modal | Wash at 30 degrees | ||
Wash at 50 degrees | Wash by hand only | ||
Wash at 40 degrees | Do not wash |
Washing instructions are shown as a washing bowl. Similar symbols are found on washing machines to show different cycles. The number in the washing bowl shows the maximum temperature, and the line underneath the bowl tells you to use a special wash for synthetic fabrics. A hand in the bowl means you can only hand wash the product.
Symbol | Instructions | Symbol | Instructions |
Bleach | Do not bleach |
Bleaching instructions are shown as a triangle. A cross over the triangle means do not wash with bleach.
Symbol | Instructions | Symbol | Instructions |
Iron: high tempreature | Iron: low temperature | ||
Iron: normal temperature | Iron: cold, do not use steam |
Ironing instructions are shown by a picture of an iron. The dots on the iron show the maximum temperature at which it is safe to iron the product: three dots is very hot; one dot is cool. A cross over the iron means do not iron.
Symbol | Instructions | Symbol | Instructions |
Dry clean: all methods | Dry clean with perc (dry-cleaning fluid, tetrachloroethylene) only |
Dry cleaning instructions: a circle symbol means that it’s safe to dry clean the product. The letter inside tells the dry cleaners what method should be used. A cross over the circle means do not dry clean.
Symbol | Instructions | Symbol | Instructions |
Tumble dry: high temperature | Do not tumble dry: viscose | ||
Tumble dry: low temperature | Do not tumble dry | ||
Tumble dry: low temperature, modal |
Tumble drying instructions are shown by a square with a circle inside. The dots show the temperature at which it is safe to dry the product. A cross over the symbol means do not tumble dry.