Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Among laundry and dry cleaning symbols, the circle is the last sign on the label and indicates professional cleaning. A circle with the letter P means dry cleaning with tetrachloroethylene and hydrocarbon solvents; F means dry cleaning only with hydrocarbon solvents; W indicates professional wet cleaning. A line under the circle means a gentle process, while a crossed-out circle means that the corresponding cleaning is not allowed.
Why laundry and dry cleaning symbols form a separate group
The first four groups of symbols (washing, bleaching, drying and ironing) are intended for home users. The circle is addressed to dry cleaners. The letter inside tells the operator which solvent or process can be used, and the lines indicate how carefully the item should be treated. Therefore, consumers do not need to know the details; it is enough to take the garment to a professional cleaner.
Dry cleaning symbols with solvents
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Circle with P | Professional dry cleaning with tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) and all solvents allowed for symbol F; normal process |
| Circle with P and one line | Same solvents, gentle process |
| Circle with F | Professional dry cleaning only with hydrocarbon solvents; normal process |
| Circle with F and one line | Only hydrocarbon solvents, gentle process |
| Crossed-out circle | No dry cleaning allowed |
The letter A, which you may see on older labels, meant cleaning with any solvent. It has been removed from the current ISO 3758 standard and is no longer used on new labels.
Difference between P and F
Tetrachloroethylene is a stronger solvent and cleans greasy stains better but can damage some coatings, glues, plastic buttons and prints. Hydrocarbon solvents are milder. Therefore, an item with symbol F should not be cleaned with tetrachloroethylene, while an item with P can be cleaned with both types.
Professional wet cleaning – the W symbol
Professional wet cleaning is an alternative to dry cleaning that uses water, special detergents and controlled washing and drying machines. It is more environmentally friendly and increasingly common in dry cleaners.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Circle with W | Professional wet cleaning, normal process |
| Circle with W and one line | Gentle process |
| Circle with W and two lines | Very gentle process |
| Crossed-out circle with W | No professional wet cleaning allowed |
It is important to understand that the W symbol does not mean home washing is allowed. If the tub symbol is crossed out and there is a circle with W next to it, the garment must be professionally cleaned with controlled processes.
Which garments carry dry cleaning symbols
- Jackets, suits and coats – multilayer construction with linings, pads and shoulder pads that deform when washed with water.
- Wool items with woven structure – high risk of felting and shrinking when washed.
- Evening dresses – with sequins, beads, lace and delicate linings.
- Items with leather details – leather reacts differently from textiles and requires special care.
- Curtains and heavy home textiles – difficult to wash at home due to size.
How to choose a professional cleaning symbol as a manufacturer
The choice depends on all components of the garment. The fabric may tolerate tetrachloroethylene, but glued inserts, prints or plastic buttons may not. In this case, F is used instead of P. If the garment has leather or faux leather details, the cleaning method used by the brand is usually checked as well.
Some brands only use a professional cleaning symbol and a crossed-out tub to avoid claims from home washing. This is reasonable for complex garments but may deter buyers for simple clothes. A good label tells the truth about the garment – no more, no less.
Leather details and labels
If the garment has a leather or faux leather brand label, it must also withstand the chosen cleaning process. Natural leather can harden or change colour with some solvents. For dry-cleaned items, it is advisable to check the material of leather labels in advance. Textile regulations also require indication if the item contains non-textile parts of animal origin – for example, “Contains non-textile parts of animal origin”.
Placement of the circle on the composition label
The professional cleaning symbol is the fifth and last in the row. For garments that require dry cleaning only, the composition label often includes a short text like “Dry clean only” in the market language to avoid doubt. If the label is multilingual, the text repeats in each language, while the symbols appear once. For the main brand label, see the full labels category.
How dry cleaners read the label
Good dry cleaners examine the label before accepting the garment. If it is missing or illegible, the operator chooses the gentlest process or refuses the order. Therefore, for expensive garments it is advisable that the label is made of a material that remains legible after multiple cleanings and that the symbols are clearly printed and sufficiently large.
Professional cleaning labels from Polkom
Polkom is a manufacturer of labels and accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags for over 30 years. We print composition labels with laundry and dry cleaning symbols, fibre content and your logo on materials that withstand professional cleaning. Samples and delivery across the EU are available. Send your inquiry via the Contact page.
