Understanding Garments Care Labels and Care Symbols

Care Label:
 Care label is a component or trimming of garment which contains some internationally
recognized symbols that indicate the care instructions of the garment. These symbols are called
care label codes. 

History: 
The care label was introduced in Europe about 1950. It’s a voluntary service so it was not
regulated by any authority. It originated in The Netherlands and then spread to France and the
other European countries as a voluntary service to the consumers offered by the textile and
apparel industry. The care labeling code was protected by an international trademark, to control
the correct application. The ownership of this international trademark belongs GINETEX, this
International Association for Textile Care Labeling, has developed symbolic care labeling
system in 1975.

   Care label of international brand ‘LEVI’S’

 Care label of Bangladeshi brand ‘CATS EYE’
International Standard
ISO 3758 1991 provides a code of reference for the use of these symbols. The GINETEX care
labeling system consists of five basic symbols for washing, bleaching, ironing, drying, dry
cleaning and an extra symbol for wring. The symbols and their descriptions are shown in the
following. 

Washing:
Symbol Care Instructions Meaning of Symbols
Garment can be washed using hot water,
Machine Wash detergent, agitation, and any machine
      (normal) designed for garments washing.
Maximum temperature 30°C or 85°F
Machine Wash Rinsing normal
(cold) Spinning reduced
Maximum temperature 40°C or 100°F
Machine Wash Rinsing normal
(warm) Spinning normal
Maximum temperature 50°C or 120°F
Machine Wash Rinsing normal
(hot) Spinning normal
Maximum temperature 60°C or 140°F
Machine Wash Rinsing normal
(hot) Spinning normal
Maximum temperature 70°C or 160°F
Machine Wash Rinsing normal
(hot) Spinning normal
Maximum temperature 95°C or 200°F
Machine Wash Rinsing normal
(hot) Spinning normal
 Garment is machine washed only on the
setting designed to preserve permanent
Machine Wash press with cold rinse prior to reduced
       (permanent press) spin.
Garment is machine washed only on the
Machine Wash setting designed for gentle agitation and
      (gentle or delicate) reduced time for delicate items.

Garment is washed through the use of

  Hand Wash water, detergent and hand manipulation.
Garment can’t be safely washed by any
Do not wash process. Dry cleaning is applied.
 
Bleaching: 
Symbol Care Instructions Meaning of Symbols
Any commercially
available bleaching agent can be
      Bleaching is allowed used.

Only chlorine Only chlorine bleaching agent can

      bleaching is allowed be used.
Only non-chlorine Only non-chlorine, color-
      bleaching is allowed safe bleaching agent can be used.
 Bleaching agent can’t be used.. The
garment is not colorfast or
Bleaching is not structurally able to withstand any
    allowed bleach.
 
Drying: 
Symbol Care Instructions Meaning of Symbols
Machine dryer is used at the hottest
       Tumble dry (normal) available temperature setting.
Tumble dry (normal , Machine dryer is used at a low heat
       low heat) setting.
Tumble dry (normal , Machine dryer is used at a medium
       medium heat) heat setting.
Tumble dry (normal , Machine dryer is used at a high heat
       high heat) setting.
Tumble dry (normal , Machine dryer is used at no heat or
       no heat) air only setting.
Tumble dry (permanent Machine dryer is used at the
      press) permanent press setting.
 Machine dryer is used at the gentle
      Tumble dry (gentle) setting.
Machine dryer is not used. Usually
accompanied by an alternate drying
    Do not tumble dry method symbol
Machine dryer is not used. Usually
accompanied by an alternate drying
    Do not dry method symbol
Hang wet garment from bar, in or
out doors. We use this in our
country, it means hanging our
      Line dry dresses in rooftop for drying.
Hang dripping wet garment from
bar, in or out doors, without hand
       Drip dry shaping or smoothing.

      Dry flat Lay out horizontally for drying.

      Dry in shade Can’t dry in direct sunlight.

 
Ironing: 
Symbol Care Instructions Meaning of Symbols
Ironing is required and can be
Iron in any temperature performed at any available
     (steam or dry) temperature with or without steam.
Regular ironing, steam or dry, is
performed at low setting (110°C,
     Iron (low) 230°F).
Regular ironing, steam or dry, is
performed at medium setting
     Iron (medium) (150°C, 300°F).
Regular ironing, steam or dry, is
performed at high setting (200°C,
     Iron (high) 390°F).
Steam ironing will harm garment,
but regular dry ironing at indicated
      Do not steam temperature setting is acceptable.
Ironing is not allowed. Garment
can’t be smoothed or finished with
     Do not iron an iron.
 
Dry Cleaning:
Symbol Care Instructions Meaning of Symbols
Dry cleaning in any solvent, any
       Dry clean cycle any moisture, any heat.
Dry cleaning in any solvent. Usually
used with other restrictions on
       Dry clean (any solvent) proper dry cleaning procedure.
Any dry cleaning solvent except
Dry clean (any solvent, trichloroethylene can be safely used.
except Usually para-chloro-ethylene, white
       trichloroethylene) spirit of solvent-113 is used.
Dry cleaning is done using only
petroleum solvent. Usually used
Dry clean (petroleum with other restrictions. White spirit
       solvent ) of solvent-113 is used.
Dry clean (reduced Can be used with A, P, F solvent
      moisture) restriction.
Can be used with A, P, F solvent
      Dry clean (short cycle) restriction.
Can be used with A, P, F solvent
       Dry clean (no steam) restriction.
Can be used with A, P, F solvent
       Dry clean (low heat) restriction.

     Do not dry clean Dry cleaning is not allowed.

Wring: 
Symbol Care Instructions Meaning of Symbols

    Do not wring Wring is not allowed.

 
Notes:
1. System of dots indicating that temperature range is same for all procedures.
2. If there is no bleaching symbol mentioned, it means any type of bleach is allowed.
3. GINETEX states that "milder forms of treatment and lower temperatures than those
indicated on the label are always permitted."
4. A cross on any of the symbol means that the treatment shall not be used and a bar under
the symbols indicates milder treatment is required.