Modern Ratio
  • Start Here
    • Top Posts
    • For Men
    • For Women
    • For Everyone
  • Style
  • Appearance
  • Character
  • Home
  • Staff
    • Company Policies
    • Content and Style Guide
    • Writing Workflow
    • Affiliate Partners
    • Stock Images
Modern Ratio
99
109
Modern Ratio
  • Start Here
    • Top Posts
    • For Men
    • For Women
    • For Everyone
  • Style
  • Appearance
  • Character
  • Home
  • Staff
    • Company Policies
    • Content and Style Guide
    • Writing Workflow
    • Affiliate Partners
    • Stock Images
  • Home Living

How to Read Laundry Label Icons: Wash Your Clothes So They’ll Last

Total
2
Shares
0
2
0

I still cringe at the mistake I made six years ago.

I’d just bought a chunky knit sweater with an amazing cabled pattern from Gap, and unlike most things from Gap, it fit my perfectly. The color was beautiful, the material was comfortable. Let’s just say I’ve yet to score something as perfect as that chunky knit sweater was.

But six years ago, I was still an overall newbie to style, fashion, and taking care of myself. I didn’t know about the nuances of laundry and how different articles of clothing and different materials have different needs when they’re washed. So, I threw that chunky knit sweater in the washing machine with some hoodies. It shrank. I couldn’t salvage it. I tossed it.

People are bound to learn that lesson the hard way so I don’t beat myself up over it anymore, but if you can help it, learn from my mistake and avoid it for yourself. Learn to read the labels on your clothing, learn what the icons means, and treat your wardrobe right!

Laundry Label Icons for Dry Cleaning

Do not dry clean
Dry clean only

Laundry Label Icons for Washing

Do not wash
Hand wash only
Machine wash on cold
Machine wash on cold (permanent press)
Machine wash on cold (gentle)
Machine wash on warm
Machine wash on warm (permanent press)
Machine wash on warm (gentle)
Machine wash on hot
Machine wash on hot (permanent press)
Machine wash on hot (gentle)

Laundry Label Icons for Bleach

Do not bleach
Non-chlorine bleach acceptable
Bleach acceptable

Laundry Label Icons for Drying

Line dry only
Drip dry only
Flat dry only
Do not tumble dry
Tumble dry without heat
Tumble dry without heat (permanent press)
Tumble dry without heat (gentle)
Tumble dry on low heat
Tumble dry on low heat (permanent press)
Tumble dry on low heat (gentle)
Tumble dry on medium heat
Tumble dry on medium heat (permanent press)
Tumble dry on medium heat (gentle)
Tumble dry on high heat

Laundry Label Icons for Ironing

Do not iron
Do not iron with steam
Iron on low heat (steam acceptable)
Iron on medium heat (steam acceptable)
Iron on high heat (steam acceptable)

There are only five things you really need to remember:

  • Circle is for dry cleaning
  • Cup is for washing
  • Triangle is for bleaching
  • Square is for drying
  • Iron is for ironing

If you know those by heart, then everything else is pretty self-explanatory and you can figure it out from the context of each icon.

Now that you know how to read specific laundry label icons, it’s time to learn the general guidelines when it comes washing common clothing types. To save time when doing laundry, use these general guidelines except when dealing with expensive or favorite items.

Like 0
Pin 2
Share 0
Joel Lee

Joel is editor in chief at Modern Ratio. He contributes the occasional article and manages the overall vision of the site. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science and is based in Pennsylvania.

Similar and Trending
Posters Up Close
View Post
  • Home Living

3 Tips for Hanging Posters Like a Grown-Up

Moving Day Featured
View Post
  • Home Living

7 Ways to Make Moving Into Your First Apartment Go Smoothly

How Often Clean House 1
View Post
  • Home Living

How Often Should You Clean Your House?

View Post
  • Appearance
  • Home Living

6 Essential Tips for Organizing Your Makeup Vanity

View Post
  • Home Living

9 Signs It’s Time to Move Out of Your Parents’ House

View Post
  • Home Living

How to Organize Your Wardrobe and Maximize Space

View Post
  • Home Living

Wearing Cologne at Home? 4 Reasons to Start If You Don’t Already

View Post
  • Home Living

The Right Way to Wash and Dry Your Clothes Without Ruining Them

Modern Ratio
  • About
  • Masthead
  • Hiring
  • Privacy
© 2019-2020

Input your search keywords and press Enter.