Washing symbols

A laundry symbol, also called a care symbol, is a pictogram that represents a washing method. These symbols are written on labels attached to clothing to indicate how a particular item should be best cleaned. There are different rules for care labels in different countries around the world. In some countries the pictograms are also supplemented by written instructions.

 The treatment indicated by the wash symbols is "the maximum allowed treatment" that is necessary or recommended. GINETEX (the European organization that defined the standard) states that "more forms of treatment with temperatures lower than those indicated on the care label are always allowed."

For example, if a symbol indicates washing in hot water and tumble drying, washing in cold water and normal drying of a garment is considered acceptable. The Canadian system was previously the most colorful, because it used three colors: green for “Go ahead”, yellow for “be careful” and red for “stop”. This system was then abandoned with the decision to switch to a common international regime.

DESCRIPTION AND DEFINITION OF THE GRAPHIC SIGNS

Wet wash	chlorine wash	Ironing	Dry wash	Drying by means of a rotary drum

	Treatment not allowed the St. Andrew's cross placed on one of these graphic signs indicates that the treatment expressed by that particular graphic sign must not be performed.
	Moderate treatment the bar under the basin or the circle indicates that the treatment should be performed in a moderate way compared to the treatment corresponding to the same graphic sign without a bar.
	Very moderate treatment the interrupted bar under the tray indicates a very moderate washing treatment at 40 ° C.

WASHING OPERATION

	Temp. Max	Action mechanics	Flushing	centrifuge	Various
	95°	normal	normal	normal
	95°	reduced	at gradually decreasing temperature (by gradual introduction of cold water)	reduced
	70°	normal	normal	normal
	60°	normal	normal	normal
	60°	reduced	at gradually decreasing temperature (by gradual introduction of cold water)	reduced
	50°	reduced	at gradually decreasing temperature (by gradual introduction of cold water)	reduced
	40°	normal	normal	normal
	40°	reduced	at gradually decreasing temperature (by gradual introduction of cold water)	reduced
	40°	very small	normal	normal	do not twist
	30°	very small	normal	reduced
	40°		- hand wash only - do not machine wash - treat with care
			- do not wash in water. - in a wet state, handle with care

CHLORINE BLEACH

ammesso - only cold and in diluted solution	not allowed

IRONING

	- maximum temperature of the iron sole: 200° C
	- maximum temperature of the iron sole: 150° C
	- maximum temperature from the sole from the iron: 110° C - steam ironing can be risky
	- Do not iron - steam ironing and steam treatments are not allowed

DRY WASH

	- dry cleaning with all solvents normally used in dry cleaning, including the solvents indicated for the sign P as well as trichlorethylene and 1.1.1-trichloroethane.
	- dry cleaning with tetrachlorethylene, monofluoro-trichloromethane as well as all the solvents indicated for the F sign. - normal washing treatments, without restrictions.
	- dry cleaning with the solvents indicated in the previous point. - severe limitations to the addition of water and / or to the mechanical action and / or to the washing and / or drying temperature. - do not dry clean at automatic laundromats.
	- dry cleaning with trifluorotrichloroethane, hydrocarbons (boiling point between 150 ° C and 200 ° C, flash point between 38 ° C and 60 ° C). - normal washing treatments, without restrictions.
	- dry cleaning with the solvents indicated in the previous point. - severe limitations to the addition of water and / or to the mechanical action and / or to the washing and / or drying temperature - do not dry clean in automatic laundries.
	- Do not dry clean. - do not remove stains with solvents.

DRYING WITH A ROTARY DRUM TOWEL

	- drying by means of a tumble dryer with a rotary drum allowed - normal drying program.
	- batch drying of rotary drum tumble dryers allowed - reduced temperature drying program.
	- do not dry with a tumble dryer.