What does P mean in a circle on clothes: explanation and care recommendations

The P icon in a circle on clothing is intended for dry cleaning workers. It contains an encrypted message about what kind of drug can be used for dry cleaning - perchlorethylene. The circle with the letter can be underlined. Underlining means that cleaning should be gentle.

Explanation:

• Conventional dry cleaning using perchlorethylene
• Dry cleaning
• Delicate dry cleaning (if the circle with the letter P is underlined)

Recommendations

The tag (label) on clothing contains valuable information about the product: fabric composition and care recommendations from the manufacturer. Most of the symbols are addressed to ordinary users. By deciphering the signs, the housewife can learn how to properly wash, dry and iron things so that they last as long as possible.

It is important to save tags from clothes, especially if they are expensive and made of fancy materials: velvet, wool, silk, cashmere, membrane fabric, etc.

Some fabrics cannot be washed and can only be dry cleaned. This is where the saved label comes in handy.It will tell dry cleaning workers which cleaner can be used to effectively remove dirt without damaging the product.

Advice. If a label on clothing creates inconvenience when worn, you should cut it off, label it, and store it in a desk drawer or a separate box.

What does it look like?

The circle on the clothing label is a dry cleaning sign. It can be empty, crossed out, underlined, or contain the Latin letters A, F, W (aqua-cleaning) or P. The Latin letter indicates a chemical substance or a method by which an item can be cleaned.

The P icon in a circle is one of the most common. It looks like this:

P – from perchloroethylene (perchlorethylene, perchlor, hydrocarbon chloride). The chemical compound has been used in professional dry cleaning of clothing since the 1930s. This is the most common solvent.

Perchlor is non-flammable, non-explosive, non-self-igniting, and has a strong cleaning effect. Various types of perchlorethylene are also used for degreasing metals in the textile industry. Its disadvantages are its toxic effect on the central nervous system with prolonged contact, as well as aggressiveness towards some delicate materials.

Olga

Question to the expert

What not to do?

The P sign in a circle is not a prohibition sign. Its presence on the tag does not in itself mean that the item cannot be cleaned in another way. Often the manufacturer allows not only dry cleaning, but also washing in cool water 30-40 degrees. You need to decipher all the other symbols to understand whether clothes can be washed, ironed, tumble dried, and at what temperature.

Examples when the P sign in a circle on a clothing tag does not negate the possibility of washing (see.decoding of the symbols “basin 40 degrees” and “basin with hand”):

What can you do?

In the case when all other methods of care are impossible (the symbols are crossed out), the best thing that can be done is to use dry cleaning services. An example of labels on clothing that indicate that the item cannot be washed, but can only be dry cleaned:

Also on the tag there may be an inscription instead of a dry cleaning icon - Dry cleaning recommended. Translated from English, it means “dry cleaning recommended.”

Dry dry cleaning with perchlorethylene-based products is considered standard. In addition to the specified substance, more gentle ones can be used. The specialist selects the drug taking into account the resistance of the stain and the full characteristics of the fabric. The client may be offered several options.

Questions and answers

Is it possible to clean an item with perchlorethylene at home?

No. This is an industrial cleaner intended for use by professionals. The substance may have a toxic effect on humans. In addition, in dry cleaners, clothes are cleaned in special machines. They are filled with a liquid solvent, which should not only effectively remove stains, but also be removed from the fabric fibers without leaving any residue. Many people do not know, but any dry cleaning is carried out with a liquid, and it is called “dry” because water is not used during the procedure.

What is the alternative to professional dry cleaning?

Some things, such as fur coats, coats, “fluffy” cardigans, are often cleaned at home with folk remedies (flour, baking soda, etc.). The methods cannot be called delicate and effective.Special cleaning foams and sprays, stain removers (spot application), kits for home dry cleaning in a household machine DRYEL, Dry Cleaner Kit are much better suited for dry cleaning at home. Hagerty.

What clothes and fabrics are not recommended to be cleaned with perchlor?

It is not recommended to use perchlorethylene to clean raincoat fabrics with a polymer film coating, fabrics with polyvinyl chloride fibers, duplicated materials, products made from artificial suede and astrakhan fur, and soft toys. Also, dry cleaning with perchlor is undesirable for stage costumes made of fabrics with unstable colors, wedding and evening dresses with details that are not resistant to solvents, and clothes with leatherette trim.

We all hope to keep our favorite clothes in pristine condition. The most effective way to achieve what you want is to take the time to study the manufacturer's care recommendations. Each symbol and letter on a clothing label has a specific meaning. “P in a circle” belongs to the “dry cleaning” category. Together with the crossed out bowl of water, it means that the item cannot be washed, but can only be cleaned dry using perchlorethylene or more gentle solvents. It is better to entrust such clothes to specialists for cleaning them from dirt. As a rule, it is branded, expensive, and requires special delicacy and professionalism when cleansing.