Garment Care
Care labels and symbols
Garment Care tests reading care labels and choosing washing, drying and ironing methods.
- Tub symbol: machine wash; number = maximum temperature; hand = hand wash.
- Triangle: bleach; crossed = do not bleach.
- Square: drying; circle in square = tumble dry.
- Iron: dots = temperature (one dot low, three high).
- Circle: dry clean.
Rules
- Sort by colour and fabric; test colourfastness.
- Turn garments inside out; close zippers; use a mesh bag for delicate items.
- Cotton: hot or warm wash, hot iron. Polyester: warm wash, low iron. Wool: cold hand wash, dry flat. Silk: mild detergent, no chlorine.
- Treat stains promptly; do not iron over stains.
Worked example
A cotton kameez with mirror work: turn inside out, hand wash in cold water with mild detergent, rinse, dry in shade, press on the reverse with a cloth. Hot water or a direct iron can loosen mirrors and fade dye.
Traps
Hot iron on polyester; chlorine bleach on silk or wool; wringing wool; storing damp clothes; ignoring 'dry clean only'; mixing dark colours with white. Read the label before purchase and follow the strictest symbol.