Martin Thoma A blog about Code, Politics, and my life

Washing

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This is an article I had for quite a while as a draft. As part of my yearly cleanup, I've published it without finishing it. It might not be finished or have other problems.

Yes. This blog post is about washing clothes. Nothing fancy, but something most people need to look up once in a while.

The following symbols are defined in EN ISO 3758:2005 "Textiles -- Care labelling code using symbols".

Wash with at most 30C.
Wash with at most 30°C - one underscore means "Pflegeleicht" (an option on your washing machine)
Wash with at most 40C.
Wash with at most 40°C
Wash with at most 50C.
Wash with at most 50°C
Wash with at most 95C.
Wash with at most 95°C
Do not put in dryer.
Do not put in dryer (German: Trockner)
Dry with low temperature.
Dry with low temperature
You can dry with high temperature.
Dry with normal temperature
Do not bleach.
Do not bleach (German: Bleichen)
Bleaching is OK.
Bleaching is OK
Iron with at most 110°C
Iron with at most 110°C
Iron with at most 150°C
Iron with at most 150°C
Iron with at most 200°C
Iron with at most 200°C
Iron at any temperature / steam
Iron at any temperature / steam
No chemicals
No chemicals
Professional cleaning
Professional cleaning
Dry clean, hydrocarbon solvent only (HCS)
Dry clean, hydrocarbon solvent only (HCS)
Dry clean, any solvent except trichloroethylene
Dry clean, any solvent except trichloroethylene

Waschmittel

The following is in German. I was too lazy to look the words up.
  • Vollwaschmittel: Hat Bleichmittel
  • Feinwaschmittel: Keine Aufheller oder Bleichmittel; für empfindliche Wäsche

Die Verwendung spezieller Feinwaschmittel für Schwarzes bzw. dunkle Kleidung brachte bei einem Test der Stiftung Warentest keinen Vorteil gegenüber einem herkömmlichen Fein- oder Buntwaschmittel.

Source: Wikipedia / Stiftung Warentest

Correlations

Ingredients Count Temperature Bleach Dryer Circle Ironing
95% cotton, 5% elastane 1 30° no no no 110°C
100% Polyester 1 60° no two no no
100% Polyester 1 40°C no one no 110°C
100% Cotton 1 40°C no one no 150°C
73% Cotton, 19% Polyester, 7% Nylon, 1% Elastane 1 40°C no no no no

Turning inside out

For trousers, T-shirts and pullovers, I recommend turning them inside-out while washing. This way, the side that people see is protected from getting scratches.

For anything with zippers, I recommend closing them. This way, the zipper itself cannot be damaged and other clothes cannot be damaged by the zipper.

See also