Cleaning Symbols Explained
It can be very important to follow the recommendations on your clothing tags. Here is a guide to help you interpret the apparel and textile care symbols (from the Canadian General Standards Board).
Cleaning Symbols
Washing Symbols
Wash in commercial machine in water not exceeding 95°C, at normal setting.
Wash in commercial machine in water not exceeding 95°C, at permanent press setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 70°C, at normal setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 60°C, at normal setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 60°C, at permanent press setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 50°C, at normal setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 50°C, at permanent press setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 50°C, at delicate/gentle setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 40°C, at normal setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 40°C, at permanent press setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 40°C, at delicate/gentle setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 30°C, at normal setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 30°C, at permanent press setting.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 30°C, at delicate/gentle setting.
Wash gently by hand in water not exceeding 40°C.
Wash gently by hand in water not exceeding 30°C.
Wash in domestic or commercial machine at any temperature, at normal setting.
Do not wash.
Bleaching Symbols
Use any bleach when needed.
Do not bleach.
Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed.
Drying Symbols
Tumble dry at high heat (not exceeding 75°C) at normal setting.
Tumble dry at medium heat (not exceeding 65°C) at normal setting.
Tumble dry at medium heat (not exceeding 65°C) at permanent press setting.
Tumble dry at low heat (not exceeding 55°C) at permanent press setting.
Tumble dry at a low heat (not exceeding 55°C) at delicate cycle.
Tumble dry any heat.
Tumble dry no heat/air dry.
Do not tumble dry.
After extraction of excess water, line dry/hang to dry.
Hang up the soaking wet article to “drip” dry.
After extraction of excess water, dry the article on a suitable flat surface.
Dry in the shade (symbol added to line dry, drip dry, or dry flat).
Do not dry. (To be used with “Do not wash” symbol).
Ironing/Pressing Symbols
Iron with or without steam by hand, or press on commercial equipment, at a high temperature (not exceeding 200°C). Recommended temperature for cotton and linen textiles.
Iron with or without steam by hand, or press on commercial equipment, at a medium temperature (not exceeding 150°C). Recommended temperature for polyester, rayon, silk, triacetate and wool textiles.
Iron with or without steam by hand, or press on commercial equipment, at a low temperature (not exceeding 110°C). Recommended temperature for acetate, acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polypropylene and spandex textiles.
Do not steam.
Do not iron or press.
Professional Care Symbols
Dry-clean, normal cycle. Any solvent except trichloroethylene.
Dry-clean, normal cycle. Petroleum solvent only.
Do not dry-clean.