Fabric Care Guide
Learn how to care for different fabric types with the right laundry symbols. Get fabric-specific care tips, recommended symbols, and what to avoid for each material type.
Understanding Fabric-Specific Care
Different fabrics require different care methods. While laundry symbols provide general guidance, understanding your fabric type helps you make better care decisions and choose the right symbols when creating care labels.
This guide covers the most common fabric types and their recommended care symbols, along with specific tips and what to avoid.
Fabric Care by Type
Cotton
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Wash inside out to preserve color
- •Can handle high heat
- •Pre-shrink by washing before first use
What to Avoid
- ✗Over-drying which causes shrinkage
- ✗Leaving in wet pile
Recommended Symbols
Linen
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Wash in cool water
- •Iron while damp for crisp finish
- •Gets softer with each wash
What to Avoid
- ✗Tumble drying on high
- ✗Wringing which causes creases
Recommended Symbols
Wool
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Wash cold or hand wash
- •Lay flat to dry to prevent stretching
- •Use wool-specific detergent
What to Avoid
- ✗Hot water causes felting
- ✗Tumble drying
- ✗Hanging when wet
Recommended Symbols
Silk
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Hand wash in cool water
- •Use silk-specific or gentle detergent
- •Iron on low while slightly damp
What to Avoid
- ✗Chlorine bleach
- ✗Wringing
- ✗Direct sunlight
- ✗High heat
Recommended Symbols
Cashmere
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Hand wash in cold water
- •Use baby shampoo or cashmere wash
- •Store folded, never hang
What to Avoid
- ✗Machine washing
- ✗Tumble drying
- ✗Hanging
- ✗Moths
Recommended Symbols
Polyester
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Machine wash warm
- •Dries quickly
- •Resistant to wrinkles
What to Avoid
- ✗High heat ironing
- ✗Fabric softener on performance wear
Recommended Symbols
Nylon
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Machine wash cold
- •Low heat tumble dry
- •Dries quickly
What to Avoid
- ✗High heat which melts fabric
- ✗Bleach
- ✗Prolonged sun exposure
Recommended Symbols
Rayon
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Check label - some are machine washable
- •Lay flat or hang to dry
- •Iron on medium-low
What to Avoid
- ✗Wringing
- ✗Tumble drying often
Denim
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Wash inside out in cold water
- •Wash less frequently to preserve color
- •Hang dry when possible
What to Avoid
- ✗Hot water which fades color
- ✗Over-washing
Recommended Symbols
Leather
Fabric care guide
Care Tips
- •Wipe with damp cloth
- •Use leather conditioner
- •Store in breathable bag
What to Avoid
- ✗Water immersion
- ✗Direct heat
- ✗Plastic storage
More fabric guides
Stretch and delicate fabrics need extra care. We have dedicated guides for spandex/elastane and for delicate fabrics (lace, rayon, viscose, chiffon, modal).
General Fabric Care Principles
Natural Fibers
Natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk generally require more gentle care:
- • Lower washing temperatures
- • Gentle or hand washing
- • Air drying preferred
- • Lower iron temperatures
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon are more durable:
- • Can handle warmer temperatures
- • Machine washable
- • Quick drying
- • Lower iron heat (can melt)
Find Symbols for Your Fabric
Use our interactive decoder to find the right care symbols for any fabric type.