How to Read Clothing Care Labels (And Why It Matters)

Most people cut out or ignore care labels, but those small symbols are the fastest way to avoid ruining a garment. Once you learn the shorthand, it takes about two seconds to read.

Care labels use five icons: a tub (washing), a triangle (bleaching), a square (drying), an iron (ironing), and a circle (dry cleaning). A line under a symbol means gentle cycle. An X through any symbol means don't do that.

Most everyday clothing only uses the tub and square: machine wash and tumble dry. The rest come into play for delicates, wool, and structured garments.

Dots inside the tub or iron symbol indicate heat level: one dot is low, two is medium, three is high. A tub with no dots means any temperature is fine, but cold is always the safer default.

Hot water shrinks wool and cotton. High dryer heat breaks down elastic and causes pilling. Tumble drying a 'lay flat to dry' garment can permanently stretch or distort it.

The label exists because the manufacturer tested the garment. Following it once costs nothing. Ignoring it once can cost you the piece.

If a label is faded or missing, wash cold on gentle and air dry. That combination almost never damages anything and gives you time to look up the garment's material before the next wash.

When you visit Midvale Express Laundromat, our staff can point you toward the right machine and cycle for tricky fabrics. Just ask.