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Here are a few tips as to how you should care for your knitted garments to ensure
that they last a long time.
We also explain the meaning of the different European symbols on the washing label.
General washing instructions
- Colored garments last longer if they are washed inside out.
- Knitted garments retain their shape better if they are dried flat.
- Never allow colored garments to dry outdoors in sunlight. They can
become discolored and "sun-bleached".
Washing in water
The bowl symbol, indicates that the garment can be washed in water in
a washing machine or by hand. Within the bowl, there is a figure indicating
the temperature, in number of degrees Celsius, that should be used to
wash the garment. The line under the bowl indicates any limitations to
the normal washing process.
Wash in a filled machine at the indicated water temperature. Normal
spin. |
Wash in a machine at the indicated water temperature. The machine
should only be half filled. Spin for one minute only. In a separate
spin dryer, half a minute only. The line under the bowl indicates
that extra care should be taken. |
Hand washing
Always make sure that the washing powder is completely dissolved in the
water before putting the garment into it. Never sprinkle or pour washing
powder directly onto the garment or allow colored garments to soak. This
can result in discoloration. Avoid leaving garments to soak!
Hand wash only. Max 40. Do not rub, do not ring out. |
Do not wash in water. |
Washing of wool and silk
Garments of untreated wool or silk, for example, with washing instructions
"hand wash, max 40C", demand special care. Use a washing powder
that is specifically intended for 40C washing in water. Do not soak. Wash
directly in water of the correct temperature with the washing powder well
dissolved in the water. Gently squeeze the garment in the washing water,
do not rub or ring out. Rinse thoroughly. A short spin removes excess
water best. Shake out the garment once it is half dry, to give it a "fuller"
feel. Dry heavy knitted garments flat.
Ironing
The iron symbol means that the garment can be normally ironed or a rotary
iron used. Within the symbol there is/are one or more dots to indicate
the ironing temperature.
High temperature,
max. 200C
For example, cotton, linen. |
Medium temperature
max. 150C
For example, wool, natural silk |
Low temperature,
max. 110C
For example, polyamide, acrylic |
Do not iron or rotary iron |
Chlorine bleaching
The triangle indicates that the garment can be bleached using chlorine.
The letters CL, the chemical symbol for chlorine can be seen inside the
triangle
Can be bleached with chlorine |
Must not be bleached |
Dry Cleaning
The circle indicates that the garment can be dry cleaned. The letter
inside the circle indicates the type of dry cleaning fluid to be used.
Will not stand a stronger dry cleaning fluid than perchloroethane.
Perchloroethane is the most common dry cleaning fluid used.. |
Dry cleaning fluid such as P. The limitation refers to the water added,
the mechanical process used and/or the drying temperature. |
Will not stand a stronger dry cleaning fluid than naphtha. |
Do not dry clean. |
In addition, there is a new washing instruction called Wet Clean. This
indicates a professional wash with a mixture of water and synthetic tensides.
Drying
The rectangle is a symbol for drying. Water must removed from the textile
before drying. Virtually all textiles can be given a short spin, for a
maximum of one minute. Many garments can also be tumble dried. Garments
with a Gore-Tex membrane should, for example, be tumble dried for best
results. On the other hand, avoid tumble drying garments that you particularly
cherish, as tumble drying wears the garment. The most important thing
is to follow the symbol that indicates whether or not the garment should
be tumble dried.
Tumble drying |
Low |
Normal |
High heat in the tumble drier |
Do not tumble dry |
The following drying symbols occur for "air drying".
Hang dry |
Flat dry |
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