What are Washing Symbols and Why You Must Know Them

Hey there, young Naija fashionistas! Have you ever felt that pain when your favorite shirt fades after washing it the first time or in a few months? Or when your jeans shrink and you can’t rock them anymore? We’ve all been there, and the frustration is so unbearable!

But what if I told you there’s a secret code on your clothes that can help you avoid these fashion disasters?
Yep, I’m talking about washing symbols! These little icons have been around since the 1960s, quietly chilling on your washing labels. They’re like a manual for your clothes, telling you exactly how to keep them looking fresh.

I remember the time I lost three of my favourite tees just because I did not understand the washing symbols and what to do when an outfit does not have washing symbol labels on it.

Destructuring the washing symbols: What are they?

Okay, don’t think too big when I tell you there are over 40 standard washing symbols! I can almost hear you say, “Ah ah! That’s too much now!” But relax, it’s not as scary as it sounds. These symbols are grouped into 5 main categories, plus a few extra important ones.

Here’s a quick rundown of the categories:

Washing
Bleaching
Drying
Ironing
Dry cleaning

Now, let’s dive into each category and see what’s what!

Washing Symbol Categories

Category 1: Washing

Bucket with water: This means you can machine wash the item.
Hand in water: Hand wash only, please!
Bucket with a cross: No washing allowed! Dry clean only.
Squeezed cloth with a cross: Do not wring (or twist to remove water)

When washing, know that some clothes don’t wash well in cold water or too hot water. Some are not good for washing machines too. Every good dry cleaner knows this.

Category 2: Bleaching

Triangle: You can use bleach.
Triangle with lines: Only non-chlorine bleach, o!
Triangle with a cross: No bleach at all!

A lot of us just love to wash clothes anyhow. Using bleach on clothes without knowing if that cloth can handle bleach can change your cloth from red to purple and even change all the clothes in the basin or washing machine to Adire clothing material. I know you don’t want that.

Category 3: Drying

Square with a circle: Tumble dry (drying machine) is okay.
Square with lines: Hang to dry.
Square with a curve: Dry flat.
Square with slant lines: hang under a shade.

Category 4: Ironing

Iron symbol: You can iron this.
Iron with dots: The dots show how hot you can go.
Iron with a cross: No ironing, please!
Iron with stand: You can sprinkle water and iron (Steam ironing)

There are dots on each iron controller if you check very well. You don’t need to memorise anything.

Category 5: Dry cleaning

Circle: This item needs dry cleaning. (general symbol. it is not on the image)
Circle with a cross: No dry cleaning allowed.

There are other symbols, but this category of symbols are mostly used by professional cleaners (dry cleaners).

Why Must You Know These Symbols?

Now, you might be thinking, “Abeg, why should I bother with all this?” Well, let me paint a picture for you:

Imagine spending your hard-earned money on a fresh outfit, only for it to shrink after one wash or even inside the washing water. Kai! All that money wasted!
Or think about that white shirt you love that suddenly turned pink because you washed it with your red shirt or blouse. Embarrassing, abi?
And what about when your favorite jeans fade so quickly, they look old before their time? That’s just not cool.

Knowing these symbols can save you from all these headaches. It’s like having a secret weapon to keep your wardrobe looking sharp!

Conclusion

So, there you have it! The world of washing symbols might seem tricky at first, but it’s not rocket science. Just remember the basics:

The bucket for washing
The triangle for bleaching
The square for drying
The iron for, well, ironing!

Master these, and you’re already ahead of the game.

Oh, and before I forget! If all this talk about fashion has got you itching for some new threads, check out Manjer’s new collection of t-shirts. We have some real bangers! And the best part is? You don’t have to stress about going out to shop or paying crazy delivery fees. Manjer brings quality fashion right to your doorstep and hostels. How cool is that?

So, next time you want to throw your clothes in the washing basin or machine, gently look for the washing labels and take a quick look at those little symbols.

Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you. See you soon. Stay fresh, Naija!