Common Fabric Care Symbols Explained
The clothing industry has attempted to create and implement a set of uniform care symbols designed to transcend language restrictions in garment cleaning. Unfortunately for consumers and Dry Cleaning customers these pictorial symbols have actually exacerbated the confusion in many situations because consumers are uneducated as to what these symbols represent, and manufacturers do not provide a written guide to the symbols.
Here are some of the most common care symbols and what they represent for the care of your fine clothing:
Herein lies the universal symbol representing DRY CLEAN only for a garment in which the symbol appears on the label. This symbol indicates that any type of Dry Cleaning solvent may be used on any cycle of moisture and that there are no particular heat restrictions associated with this garment's care. For consumers and Dry Cleaners this is the most favorable symbol a garment can contain.
The universal Dry Cleaning symbol circling a capital letter A represents that although this garment may be Dry Cleaned using any type of Dry Cleaning solvent that there are other limitations to the cleaning process which must be adhered to. These limitations are found elsewhere on the care label, hopefully. The issue that is confusing here is that consumers, and even some Dry Cleaners, do not always understand the interplay of these instructions, which can lead to damaging results.
The universal Dry Cleaning Symbol circling a capital letter F represents that although this garment may be Dry Cleaned, the Dry Cleaner may only use Petroleum based solvents in the process. This label is highly confusing to consumers, as they may be unaware as to whether or not their Dry Cleaner uses Petroleum based solvents in the process. Petroleum was the industry standard for many years, until the 1930's. In the United States less than 10% of all Dry Cleaners actually still use Petroleum based solvents in the process. If a consumer has an article of clothing with this care symbol they must bring it to the attention of their Dry Cleaner.
This symbol denotes that the garment should be Dry Cleaned at a Dry Cleaning establishment using the most common United States standard in the industry, perchloroethylene, also known as "Perc". This is the solvent used in over 90% of the Dry Cleaning plants in the United States as of 2013. While there is a trend towards newer, more environmentally friendly alternatives to Perc, it is still the industry standard and is likely to remain so for years to come. These garments are considered the norm in the vast majority of stores and Dry Cleaning establishments throughout the United States. These garments require little additional attention.
This is the universal symbol for Do Not Dry Clean. Dry Cleaning any type of fabrics that contain this symbol is at the risk of the consumer. Even fabrics that are otherwise normally Dry Cleaned can not be Dry Cleaned if the care label contains this symbol. Sometimes issues such as finishing with certain beading or dyes may make, otherwise, standard Dry Cleanable fabrics impossible to manage in normal Dry Cleaning process.
These supplemental cautionary symbols must be read together with the standard Dry Clean Care Symbols. Garments that are able to be Dry Cleaned but have these symbols appearing on the care label indicate that the garments may not be ironed or steamed, respectively. This is an important caution for Dry Cleaners in the finishing of the garments, as most Dry Cleaned garments are finished by steaming or ironing. While garments may survive the Dry Cleaning process, a failure to observe these cautions may destroy the garments in the finishing.
Most consumers do not always consider the care, or Dry Cleaning, of garments when purchasing them. Similarly, they do not always recognize the importance of only using a professional Dry Cleaner that understands the importance of reading care labels and proceeding in accordance with each garment's specific care instructions. According to Jimmy, the owner of Demetri's Valet Cleaners, in Levittown, NY "Reviewing care labels on garments is a time consuming task, but it is so important to the process. We have many new customers who arrive, teary eyed with garments that were not properly cared for at other facilities. Sadly, it is usually too late at that point".
The cautionary message: READ THE LABEL!
