Dry cleaning symbols: P, F, A, W explained
Professional cleaning requirements. Complete guide to all 20 dry clean care label symbols.
Understanding Professional Cleaning Symbols
Professional cleaning symbols cover both dry cleaning and professional wet cleaning. These symbols indicate when garments need specialized cleaning methods that should be done by professionals.
Circle symbols show which solvents are safe (P, F, A, W) and whether gentle or very gentle processes are required. Professional cleaning is essential for many delicate fabrics and structured garments.
All Dry Clean Symbols
Dry Clean - Any Solvent
Dry clean using any solvent
Dry Clean - Petroleum Solvent
Dry clean with petroleum solvent only
Dry Clean - Gentle/Petroleum
Dry clean with petroleum solvent only - gentle process
Do Not Dry Clean
Do not dry clean - solvents will damage the fabric
Professional Wet Clean
Professional wet cleaning recommended
Dry Clean - Any Solvent (A)
Dry clean with any solvent - standard process
Dry Clean - Gentle (A with bar)
Dry clean with any solvent - gentle process
Dry Clean - Very Gentle (A with double bar)
Dry clean with any solvent - very gentle process
Dry Clean - Tetrachloroethylene
Dry clean with tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) only
Dry Clean - Tetrachloroethylene Gentle
Dry clean with tetrachloroethylene - gentle process
Dry Clean - Hydrocarbon Solvent
Dry clean with hydrocarbon solvent only
Dry Clean - Hydrocarbon Gentle
Dry clean with hydrocarbon solvent - gentle process
Professional Wet Clean Gentle
Professional wet cleaning - gentle process
Professional Wet Clean Very Gentle
Professional wet cleaning - very gentle process
Do Not Wet Clean
Do not use professional wet cleaning - solvents will damage the fabric
Dry Clean P Very Gentle
Dry clean with tetrachloroethylene (P) - very gentle process
Dry Clean F Gentle
Dry clean with petroleum solvent (F) - gentle process
Dry Clean F Very Gentle
Dry clean with petroleum solvent (F) - very gentle process
Dry Clean Hydrocarbon Very Gentle
Dry clean with hydrocarbon solvent - very gentle process
Dry Clean A Delicate
Dry clean with any solvent - delicate process
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Cleaning symbols guide
Dry cleaning and wet cleaning symbols
How to Read Symbols
Complete guide to decoding care labels
Fabric Care Guide
Care tips by fabric type
Quick Cheat Sheet
Essential reference guide
Download Chart
Printable PDF and PNG
ISO 3758 Standard
Learn about the international standard
All Symbols
Browse complete symbol database