When you buy quality clothes, like those we offer at Harold in Paris, it is essential to know how to take care of them to extend their lifespan.

The care label on your clothes contains all the essential information, but the pictograms can sometimes be confusing. The Harold team has decided to help you decipher it all, for better understanding… here is a clear and practical guide so that these symbols hold no secrets for you!

Washing: Understanding basin pictograms

Taking care of your clothes starts with a good understanding of care symbols. The washing pictograms allow you to tailor cleaning to the specific needs of each fabric.

• Crossed-out basin : Do not wash this garment with water. It must be dry cleaned only.
  
  
• Basin with a hand : This pictogram means the garment should be hand washed only, with cold or lukewarm water (usually below 40 °C).
  
  
• Basin with a number : This symbol indicates the maximum machine wash temperature. For example, if it says "30", it means the garment should be washed at 30 °C.
  
  
• Basins with a dot: The symbol with dots in a basin also indicates the maximum machine wash temperature, but in levels. For example:
  
  
  • 1 dot: wash at a maximum of 30 °C.
  • 2 dots: wash at a maximum of 40 °C.
  • 3 dots: wash at a maximum of 60 °C.
  • 4 dots: wash at a maximum of 95 °C.

Tip: Adding a little white vinegar to the washing machine can help preserve the colors of clothes and eliminate bad odors. It acts as a natural softener and can even help break down detergent residues that accumulate in the drum.

Bleaching: The triangle and its variants

Bleaching is sometimes a necessary step to brighten whites or remove certain stubborn stains. However, not all fabrics can withstand the use of bleaching agents, and improper handling can weaken the fibers. Let's decode the bleaching symbols to avoid mistakes.

• Simple triangle: This indicates the garment can be bleached with any type of product, including bleach.
  
  
• Crossed-out triangle: This means bleaching products must never be used, under penalty of damaging the fabric.
  
  
• A black triangle: This pictogram means a strict prohibition on bleaching.
  
  
• A triangle with the letters "CL": This means the garment can be bleached with chlorine-based agents.
  
  
• A crossed-out triangle with the letters "CL": This symbol indicates that chlorine is forbidden, but non-chlorine bleaching agents may be used.
  
  
• A triangle with two diagonal lines: This means that only non-chlorine products (such as those based on hydrogen peroxide) are allowed.

Drying: The drum pictograms

When it comes to caring for our clothes, washing is only one step. Drying plays a crucial role in preserving the quality of fabrics and avoiding unpleasant surprises, like a shrunken sweater or a misshapen t-shirt. Let’s decode together the drying symbols found on labels and their meanings.

Natural drying: A gentle alternative

Some fabrics, especially the most delicate, require air drying. Several pictograms can guide this step:

• Natural drying: A simple square indicates the garment should dry in open air, without a tumble dryer.
  
  
• Do not dry: A cross over the square prohibits any direct drying after washing. These garments require special care, sometimes dry cleaning only.
  
  
• Line drying: Represented by a half circle at the top of the square, this symbol means the garment should be hung up to dry.
  
  
• Flat drying: A horizontal line inside the square indicates that the garment should be laid flat to dry, to avoid any deformation.
  
  
• Drip drying: Three vertical lines indicate the garment should be allowed to drip dry naturally, without wringing.

Machine drying: Properly setting your dryer

The dryer can be a valuable ally, but if used improperly, it can also damage fabrics. Here is how to decode its symbols:

• Machine drying (normal): A circle inside a square indicates the garment can be machine dried without special precautions.
  
  
• Low temperature drying: A dot inside the circle means the dryer temperature must be reduced. 
  
  
• Medium temperature drying: Two dots indicate an intermediate temperature.
  
  
• High temperature drying: Three dots allow for fast drying at high temperature, generally reserved for durable fabrics like cotton.
  
  
• Cold machine drying: A black circle means the garment must be dried without heat, only by air tumbling.
   
• Gentle and very gentle drying: A line under the square means a delicate cycle, while two lines indicate a very gentle cycle, designed for fragile fabrics.
  
  
• Tumble drying not recommended: A cross over the dryer symbol means that using the machine is not recommended, or even prohibited, at the risk of damaging the fabric.

Tip: Adding a dry towel in the dryer helps to reduce drying time.

Ironing: The iron pictogram

Ironing is an essential step to keep clothes impeccable. However, if used improperly, the iron can damage certain fabrics. Let's decode together the ironing symbols found on your clothing labels.

• Iron: A simple iron symbol means the garment can be ironed without any particular restriction.
  
  
• Do not iron: A cross over the iron indicates that ironing is prohibited, under penalty of damaging the fabric.
  
  
• Low-temperature ironing: One dot inside the iron means the garment should be ironed at low heat (up to 110°C), ideal for delicate fabrics like silk or polyester.
  
  
• Medium-temperature ironing: Two dots indicate an intermediate temperature (up to 150°C), suitable for blended cotton or wool.
  
  
• High-temperature ironing: Three dots mean the garment can be ironed at high heat (up to 200°C), perfect for linen or thick cotton.
  
  
• Steam use allowed: Small drops under the iron indicate that steam can be used to help remove wrinkles.
  
  
• Do not use steam: A cross over the steam symbol means you should iron dry, without steam, to avoid damaging the fabric.

Tip: For optimal ironing, place a sheet of aluminum foil under the ironing board cover: it reflects heat and allows you to iron more quickly on both sides.

At Harold, take care of elegance

By following these tips, you will extend the lifespan of your clothes and preserve their original brightness. At Harold, we carefully select quality materials that deserve your full attention. And because a well-maintained wardrobe also depends on choosing the right pieces, discover how to accessorize your outfits with Winter fashion accessories: our essentials for men or preserve the softness of your knits thanks to Caring for your sweaters: Harold’s tips!.

If you have any questions about the care of a specific item purchased in our store in Paris or on our site Harold-Paris.com, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to advise you!