Laundry Basics
Delicates
Wedding dress
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Let's start with the Basics

Symbol Guide

Sorting Laundry

Spot cleaning

Washing program

FAQ

Understanding Clothing Label Symbols: A Guide to Common Symbols

Clothing labels are adorned with various symbols that provide important information about how to care for your garments. These symbols serve as a guide to help you maintain the quality and longevity of your clothing. Here are some of the most common symbols you may encounter:

  1. Washing Symbols: These symbols indicate the appropriate washing method for your garment, such as machine wash, hand wash, or dry clean only.
  2. Bleaching Symbols: These symbols inform you whether it is safe to use chlorine bleach, non-chlorine bleach, or if bleaching should be avoided altogether.
  3. Drying Symbols: These symbols provide instructions for drying your clothes, including tumble drying, line drying, or laying flat to dry.
  4. Ironing Symbols: These symbols indicate the recommended ironing temperature and whether steam should be used. Some garments may have a "do not iron" symbol, which means ironing should be avoided.
  5. Dry Cleaning Symbols: These symbols indicate whether a garment should be dry cleaned and which chemicals or solvents can be used in the process.
  6. Special Care Symbols: These symbols represent additional care instructions specific to the garment, such as warnings against wringing, twisting, or exposing it to direct sunlight.

By understanding these common clothing label symbols, you can ensure that you care for your garments properly, extending their lifespan and preserving their appearance. Remember to always refer to the specific instructions provided on the garment label for the best care practices.

Prepartion:

How to sort your Laundry

Most people know that sorting laundry begins by separating white clothes from dark ones. However, some experts think that you should go even further and organize clothes by shades. Start by putting together a pile of clothes:

Whites – no patterns or embroidery.

Lights – Whites with prints or embroidery, pale yellow shades and other similar pale tones.

Brights – Any bright colors like red, green, light blue, orange and bright yellow.

‍Darks – You may consider separating purples, blues and other dark colors from brown or black fabric. This may help keep brown or black dye from darkening other colors. Want more pointers on how to keep your dark clothing dark?

Pre-treatment:

Spot cleaning

It is very important to be able to pre-treat the spots before you put it into the washing machine as this could make the difference between a clean shirt and not.

Choose your cycle:

Washing Machine Program

The most common washing cycle options include:

  • COTTONS. This is suitable for cotton garments or clothes that require a high agitation wash, like bed sheets and towels. This usually comes with a high-speed spin setting, which makes it a little harsher on clothes and is why it’s not recommended for more delicate fabrics.
  • SYNTHETICS. This offers a medium agitation wash often coupled with a low-speed spin that’s best for synthetic fabrics, such as your favourite acrylic blended jumper or polyester sportswear.
  • DELICATES. This is ideal for wool, lingerie, or blouses that can be washed in the machine. This is a low agitation wash with a lower speed spin, that’s suitable for lacy knickers or that silk blouse.
  • QUICK WASH. This is ideal if you need your washing done in under half an hour, but it’s usually only recommended for lightly soiled clothes. This cycle has a shortened wash cycle and a high-speed spin cycle, to also speed up the drying time as well. This is not recommended for delicate items, like silks, lingerie, or anything with beading.
  • HAND WASH. You may have a hand wash cycle on your washing machine, which can be used for clothes that have ‘hand wash only’ listed on the fabric care label. It’s suitable for very delicate garments like silk, soft cottons, delicate linens, wool garments made from thin wools like angora, or garments with sequins or beads. The low speeds of agitation and low speed spins help prevent stretching and ripping of the fabric.

Some washing machines also give you a temperature range for each setting. For example, cotton can range from 30°C to 90°C, and delicates can go from 30°C to 40°C. Finding the right temperature setting is also extremely important when it comes to doing the laundry.

More information:

Please refer to our video page..

We have our own dedicated page on how to do this and much more all by yourself! This is not only to show you but also to help you save money in these trying times. Ofcourse if you do not want to do your own dirty laundry, we are always here to help.

Frequently asked questions

These are the most frequently asked questions

What do the symbols on clothing labels mean?

Clothing label symbols provide essential information on how to care for your garments. They indicate the appropriate washing method, bleaching instructions, drying techniques, ironing recommendations, whether the garment should be dry cleaned, and any special care instructions specific to the item.

How should I sort my laundry before washing?

Start by separating white clothes from dark ones. For better organization, consider further sorting by shades. Create separate piles for whites (without patterns or embroidery), lights (whites with prints or embroidery, pale yellow shades, and similar pale tones), brights (any bright colours), and darks (separate dark colours like purples and blues from brown or black fabric).

Is pre-treating stains necessary before washing?

Yes, pre-treating stains is essential as it can make a significant difference in getting your clothes clean. Treat stains with appropriate stain removers or methods before putting the garment into the washing machine.

What are the common washing cycle options on a washing machine?

The common washing cycle options include Cottons (for cotton garments and high agitation wash), Synthetics (for synthetic fabrics with medium agitation wash), Delicates (for delicate fabrics like wool and lingerie with low agitation wash), Quick Wash (for lightly soiled clothes with a shortened wash cycle), and Hand Wash (for delicate garments requiring gentle treatment).

How important is selecting the correct temperature for laundry?

Selecting the right temperature is crucial for effective laundry care. Different fabrics and garments have specific temperature requirements. It's vital to follow the temperature guidelines provided on clothing labels. For example, cotton garments may require temperatures ranging from 30°C to 90°C, while delicates may need temperatures of 30°C to 40°C.

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Delicates

It's always very nerve wrecking to wash delicate clothing but let us help!

Taking care of your delicate clothing is essential to ensure it retains its shape, color, and overall appearance. Hand-washing is the best method for cleaning your most fragile garments, such as lingerie and embroided clothing. It's important to always refer to the care label before washing an item. If the label instructs "dry clean only" it means the garment should be entrusted to a professional cleaner, as water or excessive agitation may cause damage.

Guide Content

What do you need?

Now, let's delve into the step-by-step process of washing delicate clothing and pillows with sequins, ensuring that your garments receive the utmost attention and care.

Materials You'll Need:

  • Sink, tub, or large bucket
  • Towels
  • Drying rack (optional)
  • Padded hangers (optional)
  • Mild liquid detergent
  • Cool water

Step 1: Prepare the Sink

Before you start hand-washing your clothes, ensure that the sink you're using is impeccably clean. Grease residue from kitchen sinks or skincare product remnants in bathroom sinks can transfer onto your clothes and potentially cause damage.

Step 2: Wash with Gentle Detergent

Add 1 teaspoon of mild liquid detergent to the water and stir well. Place the garment in the sink and gently swirl it around, making sure it is fully saturated. Let it soak for about five minutes.

Step 3: Rinse

Drain the soapy water and refill the sink with clean water. Swish the garment gently to rinse away any remaining detergent. Repeat this step until the water runs clear.

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Step 4: Dry with Care

Remove the garment from the sink and gently squeeze out excess water. For delicate items like lingerie, you can hang them to air-dry using padded hangers. For heavier items like sweaters, lay them flat on a clean towel and roll it up to absorb moisture. Then, lay the garment flat to dry on a suitable surface in a well-ventilated area.

Remember, if you're unsure about washing a particular item, it's always best to consult us for professional advice.

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Wedding Dress Cleaning

We know how difficult and expensive cleaning your wedding dress may be, especially because there is so much on the line and hold such sentimental value that you do not want to ruin it.

Do not worry as our guide below will help you do it for free!
Text GuideVideos

At Complete Clothes Care, we understand that cleaning wedding dresses can be a costly affair. We believe in empowering our customers with information to help you save money.

That's why we've put together this handy guide on washing wedding dresses at home.

Cleaning Your Wedding Dress At Home

Cleaning wedding dresses at home requires careful attention to detail and the use of appropriate cleaning methods. It is important to note that in-home cleaning is only suitable for fabrics and embellishments that are machine-washable or hand-washable.

Follow these steps to DIY clean your wedding dress:

Stain Removal:
  • Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the stain, as it may spread or push it further into the fabric.
  • Use a dry white cloth or a dull knife (or the edge of a credit card) to gently scrape away any solid residue.
  • For oily stains, use baby powder to absorb the oil quickly.
  • Spot-clean with an efficient stain remover if the dress is stained by food or drink. Perform a patch test in an unnoticeable area before applying the stain remover to the entire stain.
Makeup Stains:
  • Use lemon-scented dishwashing detergent, which contains limonene to effectively remove oils.
  • Apply a few drops of liquid detergent on a damp cloth and lightly blot the makeup stain.
  • Wet a clean section of the towel and dab the stain to wipe it clean.
  • Air dry or use a blow dryer on low heat.
Red Wine Stains:
  • Immediately use a white towel to absorb the wine.
  • Create a cleaning solution by mixing one part dish soap with three parts water.
  • Blot the outside edges of the stain first, then move inward.
  • Clean each layer of the dress individually.
  • Oil or Grease Stains:
Technique 1:

Pour a thick layer of baby powder or cornstarch on the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, then gently brush it away. Repeat if necessary.
  • Immediately use a white towel to absorb the wine.
  • Create a cleaning solution by mixing one part dish soap with three parts water.
  • Blot the outside edges of the stain first, then move inward.
  • Clean each layer of the dress individually.
  • Oil or Grease Stains:

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Technique 1: Pour a thick layer of baby powder or cornstarch on the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, then gently brush it away. Repeat if necessary.

  • After removing the grease, dab the outer edges of the stain with isopropyl alcohol using a cotton swab.
  • Air dry the fabric.

Technique 2: Place an absorbent cloth under the stain, dab a solution of one part dish soap and one part white vinegar on the area using a Q-tip.

  • Flush the area with lukewarm distilled water and air dry.

Pollen Stains:

  • Gently remove pollen grains with adhesive tape.
  • Cover any stains left behind with baking soda, baby powder, or cornstarch.
  • Dirt Stains:
  • Allow the dirt to dry before attempting to remove the stain.
  • Brush away any remaining dirt.
  • Use a stain removal wipe or pen to target the discolouration, moving from the edges inward.
  • Blot the area with a white towel to remove any soil.

Check out our Tutorials!

We have a Gallery full of videos that are hand-picked to provide you with every possible instruction that you need. This will help you with your Laundry problems and even teach you how to clean those very delicate clothing such as Leather, Suede, sheep wool and much more!

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