How To Read Washing Labels and Save Your Clothes from Damage

There’s a concern among people that their clothes are sustaining damage during the washing procedure instead of stain removal. Some try to change the detergent, while others change the washing cycle. However, the real reason for fabric damage is not reading the laundry symbols. So, you can contact a professional cleaner to learn how to read washing labels.
The guidance of an expert for reading care label symbols will help you prevent common mistakes, such as using incorrect water temperature and using dryers for delicate outfits.
So, whether you see a do not wash symbol or a bleaching sign, here are the instructions to remove common stains from clothes.

Why Understanding Care Label Symbols Matters
It’s essential for people to understand the laundry symbols on outfits to protect them during the washing procedure. The reason is that if the water temperature is not set, your clothes might fade or shrink.
So, what you can do is to check the laundry symbol on your clothes and opt for the right wash and dry settings. You’ll get benefits that’ll preserve the quality of your outfits, prevent damage, and save energy with sustainable techniques.
So, here are some factors you can look at and learn how to read washing labels effectively.
Protects Fabric Quality and Color
The instructions on laundry symbols not only offer you an effective washing technique, but also protect the fabric’s quality and color. With the correct water temperature and the use of bleach, you’ll get a solution on how to stop clothes from shrinking.
For instance, if you see circles on the label, these are dry cleaning symbols, which means you should use solvents instead of water. If you follow the required instructions, you can avoid shrinking, fading, and stretching of clothes.
Saves You Money in the Long Run
A proper washing technique helps people save money in the long run and protects their outfits from damage. It can be done when you understand the laundry symbol on your outfits. For example, if you see a hand wash laundry symbol, the washing machine won’t be needed.
This way, the washing technique won’t consume electricity and save you money in the long run. Moreover, you don’t need a monthly maintenance for your washer and replacement in case it’s not working.
Also Read – If you’re looking for advanced technology in laundry care, read our blog for details.
What Do the Symbols on Clothes Labels Mean for Sustainability?
How to read washing labels on clothes helps in promoting a sustainable washing technique for protecting the fabric and the environment. Symbols like dry cleaning indicate that you should use solvents and set your washer to a gentle cycle. This way, your washing machine will make less residue and heat, protecting the fabric and the atmosphere simultaneously.
The same is the case when you’ll see hand-washing symbols on your outfit. You don’t have to use the washing machine, and you can opt for a sustainable washing procedure.
Also Read – Confused whether to line dry or tumble dry outfits? Our blog on line dry vs. tumble dry will help you.
The Basics – How to Decode Laundry Symbols
There’s complete guidance you should understand on how to read washing labels before you start the procedure. Moreover, if you’re washing clothes for the first time, checking the laundry symbols would be necessary.
So, if you find tumble dry laundry symbols on your outfits, you’ll see the instructions as well. Similarly, here are more symbols you should look at and understand how to execute your washing procedure.
Washing Symbols – How to Wash Your Garment the Right Way
Washing symbols on outfits provide instructions on how to wash garments correctly and avoid damage. Let’s start with the water temperature. Its symbol is a wash tub, and the water temperature is written on it. So, you can choose the ideal temperature suitable for your outfit.
If your clothes need a hand wash, you’ll see a symbol of a hand inside a wash tub, and for machine wash, a plain wash tub symbol is shown. If there’s a single dot, it means cold wash. 2 and 3 dots represent warm and hot wash.
Drying Symbols – Choosing the Right Wash and Dry Settings
Drying symbols on outfits are of three types: tumble dry, air dry, and heat settings when using a dryer. The tumble drying symbol is a square with a circle inside, featuring dots. One dot represents low heat, two dots medium heat, and three dots high heat.
The air dry symbol is a curved line on the top of a square, and three lines on the top of the square show drip dry.
Bleaching Symbols – What You Need to Know
People usually get confused when using bleach for their outfits, as they might not be aware of the symbols. The bleaching symbol is represented by a triangle that confirms its use for it.
But remember that if you see the triangle symbol with two lines inside, use a non-chlorine bleach. If there’s an X inside the triangle, avoid using bleach to prevent damage.
Ironing Symbols – Avoiding Scorch Marks and Damage
Ironing symbols on garments are shown with a shape of an actual iron with dots in it to show the temperature. For instance, a single dot in an iron means to set the equipment on low heat. Two and three dots are for medium and high heat, and if there’s a cross in an iron, opt for a steaming technique instead.
Also Read – Want to use bleach for your clothes? Our blog on choosing the right bleach for colored clothes will help you.
When to Trust the Experts
You’ll find yourself in a situation where clothing maintenance at home might be difficult due to not understanding synthetic washing symbols. So, what you can do is to contact an expert cleaner like Love2Laundry for your clothes.
Our most reliable laundry service knows how to read washing labels and opt for a suitable washing method. We’ll even offer our customers convenience with an on-time pickup and delivery to avoid hurdles and delays.
Common Mistakes People Make with Washing Labels
There are some mistakes people often make with washing labels, such as not understanding their meaning. For instance, using bleach on outfits that show a symbol of avoiding them. So, here are some mistakes people usually make with laundry symbols.
- Getting confused about the washing temperature.
- Ignoring the ‘Do Not’ warnings.
- Mixing up the drying symbols.
- Forgetting the ironing temperatures.

FAQs – How to Read Washing Labels
How to read a washing label on an iPhone?
How to read washing labels on an iPhone is easier than you think. Just follow some steps and you’ll get what you want. Open your camera and scan the label on your outfits to get the details. If you want, you can download the mobile app on a laundry guide from the App Store regarding the laundry symbols.
What are the five basic care symbols?
The five basic care symbols you’ll find on your outfits are washing tubs, a triangle, bleaching guidelines, a square, and a circle. These symbols help people choose the right water temperature, bleach, and dry techniques for outfits.
Is a 30°C hot or cold wash?
A 30°C wash is considered a cool and cold wash, which means it’ll be safe for delicate outfits, save energy, and be suitable for lightly soiled fabrics. For a hot wash, temperatures of 60°C or above would be considered.
Wrap Up!
There you have it! A complete guide on how to read washing labels and opt for a suitable washing technique. The symbols for ironing, washing, and bleaching will help you maintain your outfits without causing damage.
Furthermore, the care label symbols will offer you tips for washing and drying winter clothes. So, check the laundry symbols on your outfits and wash them hassle-free.