Most people overlook the small symbols on clothing labels, yet these icons carry crucial care instructions. Among them, the triangle symbol is the most misunderstood and relates directly to bleach usage. Ignoring these symbols can damage garments and shorten their lifespan.
What the Triangle Symbol Means
The triangle appears in four variations on clothing labels. An empty triangle means you can use bleach on the item. A triangle with a cross through it means do not bleach. A triangle with two diagonal lines inside or a triangle containing CL with a cross through both indicate that only non-chlorine bleach is permitted.
Salah Sun, Head of Product Marketing at Beko Plc UK and Ireland, explained: "Throwing a pile of laundry in your washing machine isn't uncommon; we've all done a quick drum dash without looking to see what we're putting inside but this can damage your clothes. Everything you need to know about your clothes is on their labels. Knowing your symbols and clothing inside out can help you avoid laundry mishaps and keep your favourite clothes lasting longer."
Washing Symbol
The washing symbol, typically the first on the label, looks like a bucket of water. Numbers inside indicate the maximum washing temperature in degrees Celsius. Dots also indicate temperature: one dot equals 30°C, six dots equal 95°C. A hand symbol means hand-wash only; a cross through means not machine washable. A single line under the symbol means permanent press, while two lines indicate a delicate cycle.
Salah advises: "Washing your clothes at the right temperature is important for the long-lasting quality of your favourite items. Following the care label instructions can keep your outfit looking new and lasting longer, getting you more wear for your money."
Ironing Symbol
The ironing symbol resembles an iron. An iron without marks means you can iron the item. A cross through means do not iron. A cross below the iron means no steam, but ironing without steam is fine. Dots indicate heat: one dot for low, two for medium, three for high.
Salah notes: "When it comes to chores, ironing isn't everyone's favourite. But you could be ironing items you don't even need to. Check your clothing labels first to ensure you're not adding unnecessary items to your chore list or damaging your clothing with a too-hot iron."
Drying Symbol
The drying symbol is a square. An empty square means tumble dry on any heat. A square with a cross through means do not dry. A square with a circle inside (resembling a tumble dryer) crossed out means do not tumble dry. A filled black circle inside means tumble dry with no heat. One line under the square means permanent press; two lines mean delicate cycle. A flat dash inside means dry flat; two diagonal lines in the top left corner mean dry in shade; a semi-circle at the top means hang dry; three vertical lines mean drip dry.
Salah adds: "There's a handful of drying symbols you'll want to know to keep your clothes looking their best. If it isn't simply an empty square, knowing the right method of drying for your specific clothing is important for the longevity of your clothes. Wool, for example, should typically be air-dried flat to prevent it from shrinking, or on a gentle dry cycle."
Professional Cleaning Symbol
The professional cleaning symbol is a circle. An empty circle means the item can be professionally cleaned. A circle with a cross through means do not professionally clean. Other variations exist for specific cleaning methods, but these are best left to dry cleaners.
Salah concludes: "There are 10 professional cleaning labels that you might come across, but most won't apply to your home laundry. The most important two for non-professional cleaners are quite self-explanatory and the rest your local dry cleaners will be able to decipher." Understanding these symbols helps keep clothes in top condition, preventing mishaps like misshapen wool jumpers or faded colours.
