Recognize the main families
A wash tub relates to washing, a triangle to bleaching, a square to drying, and an iron to ironing. A circle commonly relates to professional cleaning. Marks inside or beneath these shapes add conditions, and a crossed-out symbol prohibits the pictured treatment. Do not guess the meaning of an unfamiliar dot, line, or letter from appearance alone. Consult an authoritative chart that matches the labeling system on the garment.
Read instructions together
A garment may permit washing but restrict tumble drying, or allow ironing only under stated conditions. Written warnings and separate trim instructions matter alongside the symbols. Photograph a hard-to-read label in good light, including every line, and save the image with a recognizable garment name. If the label is missing or contradictory, ask the maker or a qualified cleaner before treating a valued piece. A symbol guide helps interpret instructions; it does not override the specific limitations given for the finished garment.
Further reading
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