Decode Any Clothing Care Label
Stop ruining your favorite clothes. Our guide explains every laundry symbol so you can wash with confidence — or let our experts handle it.
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Quick Reference: Heat Dots
Low / Cold
Medium / Warm
High / Hot
A line underneath any symbol means use a gentler/reduced setting. A cross (X) through a symbol means do not perform that action.
Washing
Controls water temperature and machine cycle. Always check this first.
Machine Wash Cold
Machine wash in cold water (up to 30°C / 86°F).
Best for bright colors, dark fabrics, and delicates. Saves energy.
Machine Wash Warm
Machine wash in warm water (up to 40°C / 104°F).
Good for everyday cotton, linen, and synthetic blends.
Machine Wash Hot
Machine wash in hot water (up to 60°C / 140°F).
Use for heavily soiled items, towels, and whites. Can cause shrinkage on some fabrics.
Gentle / Delicate Cycle
Machine wash on a gentle or delicate cycle with reduced agitation.
Required for silk, wool, lace, and embellished garments.
Hand Wash Only
Wash by hand in cool or lukewarm water only. No machine.
Gently squeeze suds through — never wring or twist.
Do Not Wash
Do not wash this item in water by any method.
Dry cleaning is required — bring it to a professional cleaner.
This item needs professional care
Barr Cleaners offers free pickup & delivery in DC.
Bleaching
Controls whether and how bleach can be used on the fabric.
Any Bleach Allowed
Chlorine or non-chlorine bleach can be used.
Only use when the garment is white or heavily stained — bleach weakens fibers over time.
Non-Chlorine Bleach Only
Use only oxygen-based (color-safe) bleach. No chlorine bleach.
Look for 'color-safe bleach' or 'oxygen bleach' on the label.
Do Not Bleach
No bleach of any kind — chlorine or oxygen.
Common on bright colors, prints, silk, and wool. Bleach will permanently damage these fabrics.
Tumble Drying
Controls whether and how to use a clothes dryer.
Tumble Dry Low Heat
Use the dryer on a low heat setting.
Best for delicates, synthetics, and activewear to prevent shrinkage.
Tumble Dry Medium Heat
Use the dryer on a medium heat setting.
Suitable for most cottons, linens, and heavier fabrics.
Tumble Dry High Heat
Use the dryer on a high heat setting.
Used for towels, heavy-duty items, and whites. Never use on delicates or synthetics.
Do Not Tumble Dry
Never put this item in a dryer.
Air dry instead. High heat will shrink, warp, or damage this fabric.
This item needs professional care
Barr Cleaners offers free pickup & delivery in DC.
Natural Drying
How to air-dry when a machine dryer cannot be used.
Line Dry / Hang to Dry
Hang the garment on a line or hanger to dry naturally.
Use a padded hanger for knits to avoid shoulder bumps.
Drip Dry
Hang the garment while wet and allow it to drip dry without wringing.
Hang over a bathtub or sink to catch drips. Do not squeeze or wring.
Dry Flat
Lay the garment flat on a clean towel or drying rack to dry.
Essential for knitwear and wool — hanging causes stretching.
Dry in Shade
Dry away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading.
Turn garment inside-out for extra protection against UV fading.
Ironing
Controls the temperature and method for ironing or pressing garments.
Iron Low (110°C / 230°F)
Iron on a low temperature setting. Suitable for silk, wool, and synthetics.
Use a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric for extra protection.
Iron Medium (150°C / 300°F)
Iron on a medium temperature. Good for cotton, linen blends, and polyester.
Dampen slightly before ironing for better results.
Iron High (200°C / 390°F)
Iron on a high temperature. For heavy cotton and linen.
Iron while slightly damp or use a steam iron for best results.
Do Not Steam
Iron only — no steam. Steam can damage or shrink this fabric.
Common for beaded, sequined, and velvet garments.
Do Not Iron
Never apply heat from an iron. Heat will ruin this garment.
Hang-dry and gently pull into shape while still damp instead.
This item needs professional care
Barr Cleaners offers free pickup & delivery in DC.
Dry Cleaning
Professional solvent-based cleaning — bring these items to Barr Cleaners.
Dry Clean (Any Solvent)
Must be professionally dry cleaned. Any solvent may be used.
Common on suits, formal wear, and structured garments. Bring to Barr Cleaners.
Dry Clean — Petroleum Solvent Only
Dry clean using only petroleum-based solvent.
A gentler process — suitable for more delicate structured pieces.
Gentle Dry Cleaning
Dry clean on a gentle cycle with reduced agitation and heat.
Required for beaded, embellished, or very delicate garments.
Do Not Dry Clean
Do not use dry cleaning solvents on this garment.
These items must be washed only. Check washing symbols instead.
This item needs professional care
Barr Cleaners offers free pickup & delivery in DC.
Common Fabrics — Quick Cheat Sheet
Quick care rules by fabric type — helpful even when there's no label.
Cotton
- Wash: Machine wash warm
- Dry: Tumble dry medium
- Iron: Medium–high heat
Can shrink on first wash — size up if in doubt.
Wool
- Wash: Hand wash cold or dry clean
- Dry: Dry flat only
- Iron: Low heat with press cloth
Felts and shrinks permanently in hot water.
Best results with professional dry cleaning → Book Barr Cleaners
Silk
- Wash: Hand wash cold or dry clean
- Dry: Line dry in shade
- Iron: Low heat, inside-out
Water spots easily — use distilled water.
Best results with professional dry cleaning → Book Barr Cleaners
Linen
- Wash: Machine wash cold–warm
- Dry: Tumble dry low or line dry
- Iron: High heat while damp
Wrinkling is normal; embrace it or iron damp.
Polyester
- Wash: Machine wash cold
- Dry: Tumble dry low
- Iron: Low heat only
Pilling is common — use a fabric shaver.
Cashmere
- Wash: Hand wash cold — dry clean preferred
- Dry: Dry flat
- Iron: Steam only, no direct contact
Always dry clean at Barr Cleaners for best results.
Best results with professional dry cleaning → Book Barr Cleaners
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"I ruined a cashmere sweater trying to wash it myself. Now I just bring everything to Barr Cleaners — they know exactly how to handle every fabric."— Sarah M., Dupont Circle
Common questions about clothing care labels
Everything you need to know about reading care symbols and keeping your garments in perfect condition. Still confused by a tag? Scan it with our free AI tool or call us at (202) 785-1155.
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