How to Decipher Laundry Care Symbols

Sometimes I honestly have no idea what those little symbols on my clothing labels mean.  Some of them are obvious – like the X on a clothing iron.  That means "Don’t Iron", of course.  But what are the triangle with 2 stripes and the square with a circle in it with 2 dots and a line underneath supposed to be?? 

Luckily, this extensive chart lists descriptions of these cryptic laundry care symbols.  Skim the chart and you’ll see there is indeed a method to the madness: the more dots in the symbol, the higher the heat you should wash or dry your clothing at.  One line on the bottom always refers to permanent press, while two lines means gentle cycle.  Hopefully now I won’t be losing any more sweaters to laundry mishaps!

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