Following information helps to understand the symbols on your workwear label.

Wash

The “wash” symbol is a stylised washing tub. The number in the washing tub indicates the maximum washing temperature (in degrees Celsius). The symbol indicates that both hand and machine washing are permissible. If there is no instruction indicating anything to the contrary, the product can be washed in a normal cycle. A bar under the washing tub (underline) indicates that the product should be washed in a cycle for delicates (half-full load, increased water level, delicate spin). A double bar under the washing tub indicates that the product should be washed extremely carefully in a cycle for delicates (one third-full load, increased water level, limited movement, wool spin or no spin). A hand in the washing tub indicates that the product should only be washed with only (careful) hand washing (not over 40C). A diagonal line through the washing tub indicates that the textile must not be washed under normal conditions.

Ironing

An iron symbol accompanied by up to three dots indicates that the product may be ironed. The dots indicate the temperature. The following temperatures are indicated by the number of dots accompanying the pictogram: One dot corresponds to 110 C, two dots to 150 C and three dots to 200 C. An iron with a diagonal line through it indicates that the product should not be ironed. If there is only one dot, you should be careful with steam and steam irons.

Machine dry

A circle in a square indicates that the product may be dried in a clothes dryer. If there is a dot, this indicates that the product should be dried at a lower temperature. Two dots indicate that it may be dried at a normal temperature. A diagonal line through the symbol indicates that the product must not be machine dried. The drying instructions only apply to household drying conditions, not for professional textile washing/drying services. In the USA and Japan, there are other pictograms regarding natural drying.

Chemical cleaning

The letters P or F in a circle stand for different solvents which may be used during professional chemical cleaning. A “P” indicates that the product may be washed using perchlorethylene or petroleum naptha, while an“ F” allows hydrocarbon-based solvents, especially petroleum naptha/cleaning fluids.

Bleaching

A blank triangle (which used to bear the letters “Cl”) indicates that the material may be bleached with chlorine oxygen. Two diagonal lines in the triangle indicate that only oxygen should be used as bleach. A triangle which has been crossed out diagonally indicates that the material should not be bleached at all; it should not even be washed with any laundry powders or liquids which contain bleach.