Laundry Symbols: What do they Mean?

How to read laundry symbols

Laundry symbols can be confusing and when you have no idea what they mean, it seems easier to just toss your clothes in the machine and hope for the best. But did you know that if you followed the washing instructions, it could extend the longevity of your shirt, keep your prints bright, and your whites white?
Here's a quick guide on what laundry symbols mean.

Washing Symbols

Ever throw a shirt in the wash only for it to come out destroyed by the washer? It might have been because it was a hand wash only shirt or maybe even do not wash. Knowing what the wash symbols mean is the first step in making sure you prevent washing damage to your favourite shirt.

Washing Cycle Symbols

Machine Wash Hand Wash Do Not Wash Dry Clean Only Do No Dry Clean

Your impulsive shirts are machine washable

Washing Temperature Symbols

Wash Cold (30 C or 86 F) Wash Warm (40 C or 104 F) Wash Hot (50 C or 122 F)
This symbol can also be depicted as a wash bucket with a single dot inside This symbol can also be depicted as a wash bucket with two dots inside This symbol can also be depicted as a wash bucket with three dots inside

For our impulsive shirts, wash them on cold at 30 C or 86 F

Washing machine symbols
 

Normal Cycle Permanent Press Cycle

For your impulsive shirt, wash it on the normal cycle or gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent and no fabric softeners.

NOTE: Be sure to check your washing symbol as the first step to make sure your clothes are machine washable! (You can put your impulsive shirts in the washing machine with no problem though 😉)

Drying Symbols

Okay, now that you've washed your shirt, you're halfway through the battle. It's time to dry your shirt now. We've all heard horror stories of shirts that have gone into the dryer only for them to come out doll sized. By reading the drying symbols we can make sure to keep our clothes people sized instead of doll sized.

General Drying Symbols

Tumble Dry Allowed Do Not Tumble Dry Hang To Dry Dry Flat

For your impulsive shirt, feel free to tumble dry or hang to dry

Drying Temperature Symbols

Tumble Dry Low Heat Medium Heat  High Heat No heat/air

If you choose to tumble dry your shirt, use the low setting

Tumble Dry Symbols

Normal Cycle Permanent Press Delicate/Gentle Cycle

Your impulsive shirt should be tumbled dried on the normal cycle

Bleaching Symbols

You've washed it, you've dried it, but now your white shirt looks a little bit dingy. You reach for the bleach, but wait! Let's make sure that this shirt can take bleach before it ruins your shirt.

Bleaching Allowed  Do Not Bleach Use Non-Chlorine Bleach

Use non-chlorine bleach on your shirts, and only when necessary!

Ironing Symbols

Your shirt has come out clean, soft, and with that gentle waft of fresh laundry detergent. Life is good. Except, your clothes are wrinkly. If you choose to iron your clothes, make sure to recognize your symbols so you don't burn a giant hole in your clothes and ruin all your washing efforts.

Iron Low Heat Iron Medium Heat Iron High Heat

For your impulsive shirt, iron inside out if necessary but please don't iron the print area.  

Now that you know how to take care of your impulsive shirts, let's check out some of the best sellers and maybe some hoodies too.

Impulsive T Shirts

Impulsive Hoodies

Icon by Dryicons

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