Before washing a garment, checking the label helps you understand the care instructions it requires. Among the various instructions present, the washing symbols They show how the clothes can be washed and which conditions must be respected, from the temperature to the intensity of the cycle.
Knowing how to interpret them helps to avoid different fabrics being subjected, by habit, to the same temperature or the same program. A poorly chosen choice may not cause visible changes right from the first wash, but over time it can contribute to the wear of the fibers or affect the color, shape, and texture of the garment.
In this article, Blue Lavandarias explains the main Symbols and indications related to washing and how to interpret them to better care for each piece.
Conservation symbols follow an international labeling system based on graphic symbols, defined in ISO 3758:2023, To transmit information about the proper care of textile articles. In Portugal, the ANIVEC/APIV, exclusive representative of GINETEX, It is responsible for promoting the use of these symbols and provides information about them. Conservation labeling.
To facilitate reading, the conservation symbols are grouped into five main families:
The shape of the symbol indicates the type of care to consider. Additional elements, such as numbers, lines, or other signs, add information about the applicable conditions and limitations.
Among these indications, those related to washing They are among the first to check before putting a garment in the machine or washing it by hand.
In this article, we will look more closely at the symbol of washing – represented by the basin – and for the indications that may accompany it, such as hand washing, the maximum temperature and the intensity of the cycle.
Within the family of washing, Small changes in the symbol change the indication given by the label. These are the elements that define the washing conditions, so they must always be read in conjunction with the symbol.
The basic symbol of washing is represented by a basin with water. This symbol indicates that the garment It can be washed in a domestic context, Whether by hand or on a machine.
When a hand appears inside the washing symbol, the item must be washed by hand. In this case, the main concern is to reduce the mechanical action on the tissue, with smooth and non-rubbing movements, pulling or twisting the piece.
The shaded area indicates that the piece it should not be washed. This symbol is used when the item is not suitable for household washing or may be sensitive to water treatment.
After confirming that the garment can be washed with water, there are two elements that help define the temperature and intensity of the cycle.
The number inside the washing symbol indicates the Maximum water temperature, in degrees Celsius, that should not be exceeded. Among the most common values on labels are 30 °C, 40 °C and 60 °C.
This indication represents a limit and not a mandatory temperature. An item marked with 30 °C can be washed at a lower temperature, provided that this option is suitable for the level of soiling, but it should not be subjected to a temperature higher than indicated.
Temperature is also one of the factors that can influence the size of the garment after washing. To better understand this topic, please consult our article on why clothes shrink and what precautions help to prevent it.
The horizontal lines indicate the intensity of the mechanical action allowed during washing. The larger the number of lines, the smoother the treatment of the part should be:
In practice, the lines help distinguish between a normal cycle and softer programs, with less mechanical action. Depending on the machine, these programs can also use a reduced centrifugation speed.
If you want to understand how the rotation speed affects the condition of the parts, see our article about what is the spin cycle and what impact does it have on your clothes.
💡 Blue TipIf the label indicates a gentle or very gentle cycle, reduce the amount of clothes in the drum. A lighter load helps to reduce the mechanical action on the parts and to respect the level of care indicated on the label.
Within the family of washing, Small changes in the symbol change the indication given by the label. These are the elements that define the washing conditions, so they must always be read in conjunction with the symbol.
The basic symbol of washing is represented by a basin with water. This symbol indicates that the garment It can be washed in a domestic context, Whether by hand or on a machine.
When a hand appears inside the washing symbol, the item must be washed by hand. In this case, the main concern is to reduce the mechanical action on the tissue, with smooth and non-rubbing movements, pulling or twisting the piece.
The shaded area indicates that the piece it should not be washed. This symbol is used when the item is not suitable for household washing or may be sensitive to water treatment.
After confirming that the garment can be washed with water, there are two elements that help define the temperature and intensity of the cycle.
The number inside the washing symbol indicates the Maximum water temperature, in degrees Celsius, that should not be exceeded. Among the most common values on labels are 30 °C, 40 °C and 60 °C.
This indication represents a limit and not a mandatory temperature. An item marked with 30 °C can be washed at a lower temperature, provided that this option is suitable for the level of soiling, but it should not be subjected to a temperature higher than indicated.
Temperature is also one of the factors that can influence the size of the garment after washing. To better understand this topic, please consult our article on why clothes shrink and what precautions help to prevent it.
The horizontal lines indicate the intensity of the mechanical action allowed during washing. The larger the number of lines, the smoother the treatment of the part should be:
In practice, the lines help distinguish between a normal cycle and softer programs, with less mechanical action. Depending on the machine, these programs can also use a reduced centrifugation speed.
If you want to understand how the rotation speed affects the condition of the parts, see our article about what is the spin cycle and what impact does it have on your clothes.
💡 Blue TipIf the label indicates a gentle or very gentle cycle, reduce the amount of clothes in the drum. A lighter load helps to reduce the mechanical action on the parts and to respect the level of care indicated on the label.
If the symbols are erased or the label has been cut off, Avoid choosing the wash based solely on the appearance or the composition of the fabric. Parts with similar materials may have different constructions, finishes, or components and require different care.
Whenever possible, consult the information provided by the brand or manufacturer. If you often remove the labels because they are inconvenient, to photograph them firstly, it is a simple way to store the conservation instructions.
A ISO 3758:2023 It establishes an international system of conservation symbols, which includes the GINETEX symbols used in Portugal and in many other countries. However, there may be regional differences. In the United States, for example, the system is also used. ASTM, whose symbols are not entirely identical to those of GINETEX.
Therefore, in a piece purchased outside Europe, some elements of the label may have a representation different from that that is more common in Portugal.
Not directly. The symbols indicate the care conditions that the garment tolerates, such as the maximum temperature and the level of softness, but not the name of the program to select.
To choose, consult the manual of your machine and opt for a program that respects the instructions on the label.
Not necessarily. The shaded area indicates that the garment should not be washed, but does not by itself determine which alternative treatment is appropriate.
To do this, it is necessary to consult the other symbols on the label, namely those related to professional treatment.
The washing symbols serve as a practical reference for Adapt the care to each piece and reduce the risk of using inappropriate temperatures or cycles.
If you have a delicate piece, have any questions about the label instructions or about the most appropriate care, you can rely on the Professional laundry services from Blue Lavandarias, in Faro.
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