Making sense of fabric care labels
They may appear confusing but care instructions are actually quite easy to understand. Each label should tell you what the fabric is made from, and include up to five symbols which let you know how to care for it. Here’s our quick guide to what the symbols mean.
Washing
Handwash only. Rinse normally and dry with care.
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Machine wash at the indicated maximum temperature in degrees Celsius. Remember, you can save energy by washing at lower temperatures when you use Ariel Excel Gel. The lines underneath the symbol indicate the type of programme to use:
No line Cotton programme (max agitation)
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The lines underneath the symbol indicate the type of programme to use:
One line Synthetic programme
(moderate agitation)
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The lines underneath the symbol indicate the type of programme to use:
Two lines Wool programme (minimal agitation)
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Do not wash.
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Can be tumble-dried. Dots in the middle indicate the maximum temperature:
No dot No temperature restriction
One dot Low-temperature dry (maximum 60°)
Two dots Normal dry
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Do not tumble-dry.
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Leave to air-dry and iron as soon as dry.
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Hang up to dry.
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Dry flat.
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Ironing
Iron at the following temperature:
One dot Cold iron (110°) for acrylic, nylon and acetate
Two dots Hot iron (150°) for polyester and wool
Three dots Very hot iron (200°) for cotton and linen
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Do not iron.
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Dry clean only. For specialist dry cleaning, a letter indicates the type of clean required. P is the most common, indicating that the usual solvents are needed. Your dry cleaner will be able to interpret any others that appear.
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Do not dry clean.
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