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Laundry Label Symbols Explained
Navigating laundry symbols can feel like deciphering a secret code, but fear not – we've decoded them for you. From washing to drying, ironing, and bleaching, understanding these symbols is crucial for preserving your clothes. With our guide, you'll unravel the mystery behind laundry labels and keep your garments looking fresh and new.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Learn the meanings of laundry symbols to understand how to wash, dry, iron, and bleach your clothes properly, enhancing their longevity and appearance.
- Recognize common themes in laundry symbols, such as dots indicating heat levels, to simplify the interpretation process and avoid damaging your garments.
- Schedule annual professional maintenance for your washer and dryer to ensure optimal performance and preserve the freshness and quality of your clothes.
Laundry Label Explanations
Have you ever wondered what those laundry symbols on the tag inside your clothes actually mean? While they’re supposed to provide helpful tips about the best way to wash, dry, iron or bleach your clothes, they can be as difficult to decipher as hieroglyphics.
The symbol that looks like an envelope? It’s telling you to hang dry that item. And the one that seems like it’s saying, “no candy” or “bow ties not allowed” is actually warning you not to wring out that article of clothing.
Due to the confusion the symbols cause, many people ignore them entirely. After all, who has time to figure out what a circle inside of a square with two lines underneath means? (Gentle cycle, since you were wondering.)
But that’s not the smartest move. Just ask anyone who has ever shrunk a favorite sweater.
To help keep your clothes looking as good as the day you bought them, become fluent in laundry lingo. You don’t have to memorize each and every icon — that’s what our infographic is for — but knowing the basics will help immensely.
You’ll start to detect themes. One dot means cold or low heat. Two dots means medium heat. And three dots means high heat. Get the gist?
Here’s a primer on all of those laundry symbols you should start paying attention to ASAP.
Maintain Your Laundry Appliances To Keep Your Garments Fresh
Schedule annual professional maintenance for your washer and dryer to help keep your garments looking fresh.
Sears Home Services technicians know all the top washer and dryer brands. We can maintain your laundry appliances no matter where you bought them. We have local repair technicians across the US who are highly trained and skilled to maintain your washer and dryer. If a technician uncovers problems during washer and dryer maintenance, you can trust our appliance experts for repairs on top laundry appliance brands like Samsung, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, Maytag, LG and Kenmore.
Trust Sears Home Services to help you keep your laundry appliances in top shape. Our goal is to help you manage all aspects of your home so you can have the peace of mind that everything is covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do laundry symbols differ globally?
Most follow international standards but can vary slightly. Sears Home Services suggests checking your machine’s manual if uncertain about specific cycles.
Which symbols matter most for washers?
Temperature dots and agitation recommendations guide your machine settings. Sears Home Services can demonstrate how to match these to your washer’s features.
Why do some labels have multiple symbols?
They indicate combined restrictions—like gentle cycle plus low heat drying. Sears Home Services advises paying attention to all symbols to avoid fabric damage.
Can Sears Home Services help if my washer settings confuse me?
Yes, technicians are knowledgeable about cycle options. They can show you how to optimize settings for different fabrics.
Schedule laundry appliance maintenance now!
Regular laundry appliance maintenance can help prevent costly breakdowns, reduce energy costs and extend the life of your washer and dryer. We’ll perform a 31-point inspection on your washer and dryer.
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Glossary Terms
ENERGY STAR appliances are energy-efficient products that meet the strict energy efficiency specifications set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Department of Energy. These appliances are designed to use less energy and water, leading to cost savings and a reduced environmental impact.
Wattage is the measure of electrical power expressed in watts (W), indicating the rate at which a device consumes energy.
A washer screw is a fastening device that combines a screw and a washer, designed to distribute the load of a screwed fastening more evenly and to prevent the screw from loosening under vibration.
A voltage meter, commonly referred to as a voltmeter, is an instrument used for measuring the electrical potential difference, or voltage, between two points in an electrical or electronic circuit.
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