Behind The Care Label

What’s in a care label? Here are the most common care label symbols you’ll find. We’re here to help educate you about garment care so you can maintain the integrity of your favorite pieces. See our Journal for more care label guides.

Water Temperature

1. Wash cold (80º)

2. Wash warm (105º)

3. Wash hot (120º)

Most washing machines only get up to about 120º F, but some care labels will have additional dots in these symbols. Four means 140º, five means 160º, and six means 200º. Check if your machine heats water that high, and if not, send the garment to a professional launderer.

Washing Instructions

1. Machine wash

2. Hand wash only

3. Do not wash

4. Dry clean only

5. Do not dry clean

These instructions signify the type of washing needed, and if it can go in a washing machine or not.

Wash Cycle Instructions

1. Normal cycle

2. Permanent press cycles

3. Delicate cycle

“Permanent press” is a bit of an archaic term – it came into use as synthetic fabrics became more popular in the mid-20th century. It refers, in part, to the chemical treatment of the clothing. It typically means a slower spin cycle in order to minimize wrinkles. It’s shorter and more gentle than a normal cycle and uses warm water. Some newer machines don’t say “permanent press,” though. Many might say “casual” or “wrinkle-control,” or even “colors.”

Drying Instructions

1. Tumble dry allowed

2. Do not tumble dry

3. Hang to dry

4. Lay flat to dry

5. Do not wring out

Dryer Heat Instructions

1. Dry any heat

2. Dry low heat

3. Dry medium heat/warm

4. Dry high heat/hot

5. No heat/air only

Dryer Cycle Instructions

1. Normal cycle

2. Permanent press

3. Delicate cycle

Like the “permanent press” cycle on the washing machine, the dryer permanent press cycle is warm/medium heat, and usually will be followed by a cool-down cycle with cooler air. Its purpose is to reduce wrinkles and preserve color.

Some dryers may not have these options, so think of normal as high heat, permanent press as medium heat, and delicate as low heat.

Bleaching Instructions

1. Non-chlorine bleach only

2. Any bleach

3. Do not bleach

Ironing Instructions

1. Iron low heat (~230º),

2. Iron medium heat (~300º)

3. Do not iron

4. Iron high heat (~390º)

5. Do not use steam

If you want more information on ironing, we have a quick guide to that, too.

Now that we’ve decoded the hieroglyphics of your garment tags, we hope you feel more at ease.

If you ever need help, you can contact us or schedule a pickup.