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:
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The Basic Symbols
There are 5 key symbols you need to recognise:
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The Detail.
Washing
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Cotton Wash (No Bar) | A wash tub without a bar indicates that normal (maximum) washing conditions may be used at the appropriate temperature. | |
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Synthetics Wash (Single Bar) | A single bar beneath the was tub indicates reduced (medium) washing conditions at the appropriate temperature. | |
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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. | |
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Hand Wash Only | Wash by hand |
Bleaching
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Any bleach allowed. |
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Only oxygen bleach/non-chlorine bleach allowed. |
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Do not bleach. |
Ironing
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Hot Iron | |
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Warm Iron | |
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Cool Iron |
Dry Cleaning
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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. |
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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. |
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Professional wet clean only. |
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Do not dry clean. |
Tumble Drying
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May be tumble dried: | |
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with high heat setting | |
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with low heat setting | |
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Do not tumble dry |
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The DO NOT!
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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.