G E T T I N G S TA R T E D
Garment labels contain important washing and drying instructions, often using small symbols. This table will help you interpret these
symbols for better wash results and machine performance.
Machine Wash Cycle
Water Temperature
Tumble Dry
Special Instructions
Bleach Symbols
STAIN
Adhesive tape, chewing gum, rubber
cement
Beverages (coffee, tea, soda)
Blood
Collar or cuff soil, cosmetics
Dye transfer on white fabric
Ink
Mildew, scorch
Mud
Paint, varnish
Perspiration
Rust, brown or yellow or discoloration
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CUSTOMER CARE CENTER 800.898.1879 www.askousa.com
UNDERSTANDING FABRIC CARE LABELS
Normal/Cotton
Permanent Press/
Heavy Duty
wrinkle resistant
• • •
Hot (50 o C/120 o F)
Warm (40 o C/105 o F)
Normal/Cotton
Dry
Heavy Duty
Line dry/ hang to dry
Drip dry
Any bleach
Only non-chlorine bleach
(when needed)
Apply Ice. Scrape off excess. Place stain face down on paper towels. Saturate
with prewash stain remover or nonflammable dry cleaning fluid.
Pretreat stain, Wash using cold water.
Rinse w/cold water. Rub or pretreat or soak with product containing enzymes.
Pretreat with prewash stain remover or rub with bar of soap.
Use packaged color remover.
Some inks may be impossible to remove. Washing may set some inks. Use
prewash stain remover, denatured alcohol.
May be impossible. Soak in oxygen bleach and hot water before washing.
Brush off dry mud. Pretreat or soak with product containing enzymes.
WATER BASED: Rinse fabric in cool water while stain is wet. Wash. Once paint
is dry, it cannot be removed. OIL BASED AND VARNISH: Stain should never be
washed in your machine.
Use pre-wash stain remover or rub with bar soap. Rinse. Wash in hottest water
safe for fabric.
SPOTS: use rust remover safe for fabric. DISCOLORATION OF ENTIRE LOAD:
use phosphate detergent.
Hand wash only
Delicate/Gentle
• •
•
Cold/Cool (30 o C/85 o F)
Permit Press/
Delicate/
Do not
wrinkle resistant
Gentle
tumble dry
In the shade
Dry flat
Do not bleach
TREATMENT
Do not wash
Do not wring.
Hang dry, drip dry or dry flat
Do not
dry