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Textiles - Care labelling code using symbols
1. Scope
This International Standard:
- establishes a system of graphic symbols, intended for use i the permanent making of textile articles, providing information essential for their proper care;
- specifies the use f these symbols in care labelling.

The following treatments are covered: washing, chlorine-bleaching, ironing, drycleaning and tumble drying after washing.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of this International Standard, the following definitions apply.

2.1 Textile articles :
- Yarns, piece goods and made-up articles consisting mainly of textile materials.
2.2 Washing :
- A process designed to clean textile articles in an aqueous bath.
Washing includes all or some of the following operations in relevant combinations:
- soaking, pre-washing and proper washing - carried out usually with heating, mechanical action and in the presence of detergents or other products - and rinsing;
- water extraction, i.e. spinning or wringing performed during and/or at the end of the operations mentioned above.
These operations may be carried out by machine or by hand.
2.3 Chlorine-based bleaching :
- A process carried out in an aqueous medium before, during or after washing processes, requiring the use of a chlorine-based bleaching agent for the purpose of removing stains and/or improving whiteness.
2.4 Ironing and pressing :
- A process carried out on a textile article to restore its shape and appearance, by means of an appropriate appliance using heat and pressure.
2.5 Drycleaning
- A process for cleaning textile articles by means of organic solvents. This process consists of cleaning, rinsing, spinning and drying
2.6 Tumble drying :
- A process carried out on a textile article after washing, with the intention of removing residual water by treatment with hot air in a rotating drum.
3. Description and definitiaon of symbols
3.1 Basic symbols and additional symbols
- Five basic symbols and three additional symbols are provided.
3.1.1 Washing process - a washtub as shown.
3.1.2 Chlorine - based bleaching process - a triangle as shown.
3.1.3 Ironing process - a hand iron shape as shown.
3.1.4 Dry-cleaning process - a hand iron shape as shown.
3.1.5 Tumble drying - for drying in a tumbler after a washing process, a square with a circle inscribed as shown.
3.1.6 Treatment not permitted - in addition to the five symbols 3.1.1 to 3.1.5, the St. Andrew's cross superimposed on any of them means that the treatment represented by that symbol shall not be used.
3.1.7 Mild treatment - in addition to the five symbols 3.1.1 to 3.1.5, a bar under the washtub or circle means that the treatment should be milder than that indicated by the same symbol without a bar.
3.1.8 Very mild treatment - in addition to the five symbols 3.1.1 to 3.1.5, a broken bar under the washtub describes a very mild washing process at 40°C.
 
3.2 Washing
- The washtub symbolizes the domestic wasing treatment (by hand or machine). It is used to convey information regarding the maximum washing temperature and the maximum washing process severity.
Symbol Washing process

- maximum temperature 95°C
- mechanical action normal
- rinsing normal
- spinning normal

- maximum temperature 95°C
- mechanical action reduced
- rinsing at gradually decreasing temperature (cool down)
- spinning reduced

- maximum temperature 70°C
- mechanical action normal
- rinsing normal
- spinning normal

- maximum temperature 60°C
- mechanical action reduced
- rinsing normal
- spinning normal

- maximum temperature 60°C
- mechanical action reduced
- rinsing at gradually decreasing temperature (cool down)
- spinning reduced

- maximum temperature 50°C
- mechanical action reduced
- rinsing at gradually decreasing temperature (cool down)
- spinning reduced

- maximum temperature 40°C
- mechanical action normal
- rinsing normal
- spinning normal

- maximum temperature 40°C
- mechanical action reduced
- rinsing at gradually decreasing temperature (cool down)
- spinning reduced

- maximum temperature 40°C
- mechanical action much reduced
- rinsing normal
- spinning normal
- do not wring by hand

- maximum temperature 30°C
- mechanical action much reduced
- rinsing normal
- spinning reduced

- hand wash only
- do not machine wash
- maximum temperature 40°C
- handle with care

- do not wash
- be cautious when treating in wet stage

3.3 Chlorine-based bleaching
- The triangle symbolize the bleaching process (chlorine process).
Symbol Process

- chlorine-based bleaching allowed
- only cold and dilute solution

- do not use chlorine-based bleach

3.4 Ironing
The Iron symbolizes the domestic ironing process, maximum temperature levels being indicated by one, two or three dots placed within the symbol.
Symbol Process

- iron at a maximum sole-plate temperature of 200°C

- iron at a maximum sole-plate temperature of 150°C

- iron at a maximum sole-plate temperature of 110°C
- steam-ironing may be risky

- do not iron
- steaming and steam treatments are not allowed

3.5 Drycleaning
The circle symbolizes the drycleaning process for textile articles (excluding genuine leather and furs). It provides information relative to the different cleaning processes describled below.
Symbol Process
- drycleaning in all solvents normally used for drycleaning
- this includes all solvents listed for the symbol P, plus trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane

- drycleaning in tetrachloroethylene, monofluorotrichloromethane and all solvents listed for the symbol F
- normal cleansing procedures without restrictions

- drycleaning in the solvents listed in the prvious paragraph
- strict limitations on the addition of water and/or mechanical action and/or temperature during cleaning and/or drying
- no self-service cleaning allowed

- drycleaning in trifluorotrichloroethane, white spirit (distillation temperature between 150°C and 210°C, flash point 38°C to 60°C)
- normal cleansing procedures without restrictions

- drycleaning in the solvents listed in the previous paragraph
- strict limitations on the addition of water and/or mechanical action and/or temperature during cleaning and/or drying
- no self-service cleaning allowed

- do not dryclean
- no stain removal with solvents
3.6 Tumble drying
The circle in a square symbolizes tumble drying after a washing process, maximum severity levels being indicated by one or two dots placed within the symbol
Symbol Process

- tumble drying possible
- normal drying cycle

- tumble drying possible
- drying at lower temperature setting

- do not tumble dry

4. Application and use of symbols
4.1 Application of symbols
The symbols defined in clause 3 shall be placed either directly on the article or on a label which shall be affixed in a permanent manner. The symbols may be produced by weaving, printing or other processes, and they shall bear and retain in a readily legible manner the stipulated care information throughout the useful life of the article.

Labels shall be made of suitable material with resistance to the care treatment indicated on the label at least equal to that of the article on which they are placed.

It is very important that the labels and symbols are designed in such a way that they can easily be ready by the consumer. They shall be permanently affixed to the textile material in such a way that they can be easily located and read by the consumer and that no part of the symbols is hidden, e.g. the bar in a stitched seam.

Care symbols may also be placed for example on a label attached in a non -permanent manner to the article or its wrapping, provided that identical symbols are also permanently affixed to the article, except in the case of textile sold by length.

4.2 Use of symbols
For any given article, care information expressed by the symbols shall refer to all treatments in the order washing, chlorine-based bleaching, ironing, drycleaning and tumble drying.

The treatments represented by the symbols apply to the whole of the textile article.

 
 
 
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