To wash or not to wash………….

Most of us have had some form or ‘laundry disaster’ during our lives and avoiding these is easier once you understand the care label. Care labels may initially seem a little daunting, but familiarising yourself with these 3 key concepts will simplify things:

1. The Basic Symbols

There are 5 key symbols you need to recognise:

Wash Tub relates to either hand or machine washing   Triangle relates to chlorine bleaching   Iron relates to ironing   Circle relates to dry cleaning   Circle in Square relates to tumble drying after washing

2. The Detail.

Washing

	Cotton Wash (No Bar)	A wash tub without a bar indicates that normal (maximum) washing conditions may be used at the appropriate temperature.
	Synthetics Wash (Single Bar)	A single bar beneath the was tub indicates reduced (medium) washing conditions at the appropriate temperature.
	Wool Wash (Double Underline)	A double underline beneath the wash tub indicates much reduced (minimum) washing conditions, and is designed specifically for machine washable wool products.
	Hand Wash Only	Wash by hand

Bleaching

	Any bleach allowed.
	Only oxygen bleach/non-chlorine bleach allowed.
	Do not bleach.

Ironing

	Hot Iron
	Warm Iron
	Cool Iron

Dry Cleaning

	Must be professionally dry cleaned. The letters contained within the circle and/or a bar beneath the circle will indicate the solvent and the process to be used by the dry cleaner.
	Must be professionally dry cleaned. The letters contained within the circle and/or a bar beneath the circle will indicate the solvent and the process to be used by the dry cleaner.
	Professional wet clean only.
	Do not dry clean.

Tumble Drying

	May be tumble dried:
	with high heat setting
	with low heat setting
	Do not tumble dry

3. The DO NOT!

The St. Andrews cross through them, the fabric is not suitable for that treatment.

If you have something with no care label, you may want to ask for professional advice prior to washing it.