A
laundry symbol, also called a care symbol, is a pictogram which represents a
method of washing, for example drying, dry-cleaning and ironing clothing. Such
symbols are written on labels, known as care labels, attached to clothing to
indicate how a particular item should best be cleaned. There are different
standards for care labels for the different countries/regions of the world. In
some standards, pictograms coexist with or are complemented by written
instructions.
Treatment
indicated by the symbols is "the maximum permitted treatment" and is
not required or recommended. GINETEX states that "milder forms of
treatment and lower temperatures than those indicated on the label are always
permitted." For example, if a symbol indicates washing in hot water and
tumble drying, washing in cold water and drying on a clothes line are also
acceptable.
The
Canadian system was formerly the most colorful one, using three colours: green
for "go ahead", yellow for "be careful", and red for
"stop". This system has been abandoned with the decision to move to a
common North American scheme.[1]
GINETEX,
based in France, is the European association for textile care labelling, and
formed in 1963 after academic conferences in the late 1950s were formed to
define one standard of labelling.
Because
the symbols are trademarked in some European markets companies have to pay for
the right to use the symbols. The level of payment varies but in some cases is
based on the number of garments sold.
However,
members of UKFT are exempt from any charges that may be levied for the use of
the wash care symbols in any European country as UKFT is a member of GINETEX.
Countries that impose charges include Belgium, Finland and Switzerland.
The GINETEX care
labelling system is based on the following principles:
The
care symbols provide information on the maximum permitted type of treatment.
The
care symbols must always be used in full and in the prescribed sequence.
The
care labelling must be clear, readily understandable, easy to use and not
dependent on any particular language.
The
care symbols must not leave room for possible misinterpretation by the
consumer.
The
uniform care labelling system using symbols must take account of consumer
habits without using complex technical data.
The
appliances used for textile care purposes must ensure the best possible
implementation of the recommended care treatment.
Source..
Washing
A
stylized washtub is shown, and the number in the tub means the maximum wash
temperature (degrees Celsius). A bar under the tub signifies a gentler
treatment in the machine. A double bar signifies very gentle handling. A hand
in the tub signifies that only (gentle) hand washing (not above 40°C) is
allowed. A cross through washtub means that the textile may not be washed under
normal household conditions.
In
the European standard, the level of wash agitation recommended is indicated by
bars below the wash tub symbol. Absence of bar indicates a maximum agitation
(cotton wash), a single bar indicates medium agitation (synthetics cycle) and a
double bar indicates very minimal agitation (silk/wool cycle). The bar symbols
also indicate the level of spin recommended with more bars indicating lower
preferred spin speed
Bleaching
An
empty triangle (formerly lettered Cl) allows the bleaching with chlorine or non-chlorine
bleach. Two oblique lines in the triangle prohibit chlorine bleaching. A
crossed triangle prohibits any bleaching.
Drying
A
circle in the square symbolizes a dryer. One dot requires drying at reduced
temperature and two dots for normal temperature. The crossed symbol means that
the clothing does not tolerate machine drying. In the U.S. and Japan, there are
other icons for natural drying.
Natural drying
Ironing
The
iron with up to three dots allows for ironing (regular ironing with. The number
of dots are assigned temperatures: One point means 110°C/230 F, two points
means 150°C/300F and three points means 200°C/290 F. An iron with a cross
prohibits ironing.
Professional
cleaning/ Chemical cleaning
A
circle identifies the possibilities of professional cleaning. A bar under the
symbol means clean gently, and two bars means very gentle cleaning.
The
letters P and F in a circle are for the different solvents used by professional
dry cleaners.
Source
:- GINETEX, wiki and other web articles
