What does the “dry cleaning prohibited” icon (crossed out circle) mean: explanation and care recommendations

The marking on the clothing tag exists to make it clear to the buyer how to care for this or that item. The "Do Not Dry Clean" sign means that the product cannot be dry cleaned using chemicals. The symbol looks like a circle crossed by two crossed lines.

Recommendations for caring for clothing

Tags are sewn onto clothes so that the consumer knows exactly how to properly care for the product. Suitable care extends the life of the purchased item, maintaining its shape and appearance. As a rule, the tag is made of a material that correlates with the type of fabric from which the product itself is made.

The label on clothing can be made of cotton, polyester, nylon. It is placed on the inside, secured in the side seam. Each icon that allows or prohibits a particular operation is made in the form of a pictogram that is intuitively understandable to any person.

However, for people who are far from sewing production, the meaning of the symbols indicated on the label is not always clear. All icons are divided into five main groups relating to washing, drying, ironing, bleaching and professional cleaning. The symbols have an international standard, so their meaning will be the same in any country in the world.

What does the icon look like?

Few people would risk dry cleaning their clothes at home. Typically, this procedure is trusted to professionals using special tools. A circle crossed out on a clothing label means dry cleaning is prohibited. Usually such a symbol can be found on things made of synthetic fibers.

Synthetics react negatively to treatment with chemicals. For example, dry cleaning is strictly prohibited for items made from the following fabrics:

• lycra;
• spandex;
• silks;
• atlas.

A similar label can often be found on a down jacket, the top of which is made of artificial fabric. In this situation, it is important to understand how to care for the item and how not to.

Olga

Question to the expert

What not to do

If there is a “do not dry clean” symbol on the tag, then you need to choose a different care option for the item. A crossed out circle prohibits cleaning synthetic products, since professionals use perchlorethylene-based compounds in the process of removing contaminants.

This substance acts as a solvent and can damage synthetic fibers. You should not try to remove dirt from such clothes at home using various chemicals and stain removers. Otherwise, the item may also be damaged.

What can you do

For some things you cannot dry clean, but it is acceptable to use so-called water cleaning. This new procedure is carried out in a gentle way, reducing the aggressive effects of chemicals on fabric fibers. The method is suitable for the most delicate and delicate materials, for which dry cleaning and regular washing are contraindicated. Water cleaning is used to care for the following products:

• evening dresses;


• home textiles;


• leather items;


• suede clothing;


• down jackets

During the water cleaning process, items are carefully cleaned of dirt while maintaining their color and shape. True, this method is not suitable for removing old stains - in this case, only chemicals will help. Spandex, Lycra, satin and silk items can be washed in a regular washing machine using the delicate cycle or hand washed using warm water and gel.

Before you begin removing dirt from clothing, you should carefully study the label with symbols that permit or prohibit this or that type of care. If there is a circle with a cross on the label, it means that dry cleaning with chemicals is prohibited for the product. In this case, water cleaning or delicate washing at home using a mild detergent is allowed.