Treatment and materials
What do the symbols on the care label mean?
The care label shows the maximum permitted treatment. We explain the five main areas, and why we always assess the whole textile and not just a single symbol.
Published
Many people call them washing symbols or washing labels. The professional term we use is the symbols on the care label — and they tell you the maximum treatment the textile may be exposed to.
What does the care label tell you?
The label states the maximum permitted treatment. You may therefore choose a gentler treatment or a lower temperature than the one stated — but not a harsher one. The label should take into account more than the outer fabric alone: colour, lining, buttons, zips, trimmings and other parts are all part of the textile.
The five main areas
Washing concerns treatment with water: temperature, mechanical action and any gentle treatment. Bleaching tells you whether bleaching agents may be used, and if so which type. Drying states whether the textile may be tumble dried, and which other drying is recommended. Ironing shows the permitted temperature and the care the material requires. Professional textile care covers whether the textile can be professionally dry cleaned or wet cleaned, and which limitations apply to the treatment.
The symbols themselves
The symbol system belongs to GINETEX and is protected, so we do not reproduce the symbols graphically here. If you would like to see the official overview of what they look like, you will find it at GINETEX — the link is in the sources block at the bottom. If you are unsure what the label in your own clothes says, you are always welcome to bring the textile in to us.
Why we assess more than the symbol
We never choose a machine based on a single symbol. We look at fibre and material, the construction of the textile, lining and trimmings, colour fastness, age and wear, the type and age of the stains, and whether the textile has been treated before. We also assess whether the label seems credible and matches the textile we have in hand. The whole textile determines the method — in our own production in Roskilde we have dry cleaning, washing and professional wet cleaning, so the choice can be made professionally.
If the care label is missing
If the label is missing, we can in many cases treat the textile after a professional assessment. The assessment is based on fibre and construction, and we choose a gentler treatment. If we assess that a textile should not be treated, we say so before we begin.
If the label seems wrong
The label is the manufacturer's responsibility. If we find that it does not match the textile, we say so and recommend a gentler method.
Bring the textile in
If you are unsure about a care label, bring the textile in. We go through the label, the material and the construction before we recommend a treatment.