Care labels explained

Short answer: The tub shows temperature, the triangle bleaching, the square drying, the iron ironing and the circle dry cleaning. A line under a symbol means gentle treatment, and a cross over a symbol means the treatment should be avoided.

Tub and triangle

The number in the tub is the highest temperature the garment can take. A hand in the tub means hand wash, and a cross over the tub means it must not be washed in water. A crossed out triangle means no bleach. This applies to all bamboo sweatshirts for women, where you will find the symbols on the sewn in label.

The temperature is a ceiling

The number in the tub is a maximum, not a recommendation. You can always wash cooler, and many fabrics benefit from it. Lower temperatures are kinder to fibres, colours and elastane. If the garment is only lightly worn, 30 degrees is often enough. If it is very dirty, you can go up to the stated temperature, but never higher.

Square and iron

A circle in the square means tumble dryer, and the dots show the heat. One dot means low heat, two dots normal heat. The dots on the iron work the same way, from low to high. Lines inside the square show whether to line dry, drip dry or dry flat. See care tips for best sellers from Copenhagen Bamboo.

Lines under the symbols

One line under the tub means a gentle programme, two lines very gentle. The lines mean the machine should spin slower and move the laundry less. You often see this on fine qualities like bamboo tops for women, where the fabric is thin and smooth. Choose a delicates or wool programme if your machine has one.

The circle and dry cleaning

The circle on its own is about professional cleaning. The letters inside the circle tell the dry cleaner which solvents may be used. A cross over the circle means the garment must not be dry cleaned. For everyday bamboo clothing this is rarely relevant, but the symbol is there because the label has to cover every way of treating the garment.

A cross means no

Whatever the symbol, a cross over it means the treatment should be avoided. A cross over the square with a circle means no tumble dryer. A cross over the iron means no ironing. It is the simplest rule to remember, and it protects the clothing from the mistakes that most often wear it out early.

Caring for bamboo viscose

For bamboo viscose clothing the labels often look alike: wash at 40 degrees or lower, no bleach, no tumble dryer and low heat when ironing. Turn garments inside out, skip fabric softener and let them air dry flat or on a hanger. That way the fabric keeps its softness and shape for longer.

When in doubt

If you are unsure, choose the gentlest option. Wash cooler, spin slower and let the clothing air dry. It takes a little longer, but the risk of ruining something is much smaller. It is better to be careful than to end up with a favourite piece that has shrunk or lost its shape.

Frequently asked questions

What does a crossed out square mean

That the item cannot go in the tumble dryer. Air drying is the only option, either on a hanger, on a drying rack or flat on a towel.

Should you always follow the label

It is the safe route. If you wash warmer than the label states, you do so at your own risk, and the fabric may shrink, fade or lose its shape.

What if the label is gone

Follow the general advice for the material. For bamboo viscose that means 40 degrees, a gentle programme, no tumble dryer and air drying on a hanger or flat.