5 clothing symbols and what they mean

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Ever looked at the tiny symbols on your clothing label and thought, “What is this even trying to say?” You’re not alone.

We’ve all done the quick glance, tossed something in the wash and hoped for the best. Only to pull it out shrunk, stretched, or just sad.

Apparently, those “weird little clothing symbols” aren’t just for show. They’re your clothes’ way of telling you how to keep them fresh, fly, and wearable for longer.

With help from top launderers, here’s your ultimate guide to clothing symbols, what they mean, what to avoid, and how to treat your favourite pieces right.

1. Dry cleaning symbols

The circle symbol tells you whether an item should be dry cleaned and how.

Pro tip: Leave these items to professionals. Home washing them might damage the fabric or shape permanently.

2. Ironing symbols

The iron symbol tells you whether and how hot you can go with your iron.

Pro tip: Use a pressing cloth for delicate fabrics even if ironing is allowed.

3. Drying symbols

This circle-within-a-square symbol shows how to tumble dry your garment.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, air-drying is always safer for delicate or structured items.

4. Hand wash symbols

The “tub with a hand” icon means go gentle. Think of clothes made of silk, cashmere, and lace material.

Pro tip: Hand wash with cold water and a mild detergent. Skip soaking for more than 15 minutes.

5. Washing machine symbols

The “tub” icon tells you if it’s washing machine-safe and how intense a spin it can take.

Pro tip: Turn garments inside out and use laundry bags for added protection in the machine.

In closing

Understanding clothing symbols is the key to saving your favourite pieces from damage, fading, shrinking, or warping. Manufacturers add these icons for a reason, and the better you understand them, the longer your clothes will last.

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