CARE LABELLING GUIDE - Care labelling instructions for clothing

Oct 13, 2026

Upload by OmBimo

Care labelling guide for clothing explains how to apply mandatory care instructions in Australia, including permanent attachment, English wording, and article-appropriate guidance. It links requirements to the ACCC Care labelling for Clothing Guide and the AS/NZS 1957:1998 standard. The guide details meanings of washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, drycleaning, and professional wet-cleaning symbols, including temperature limits and when additional limitations apply.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Care labelling requirements

Washing

Bleaching

Drying

Ironing

Drycleaning

Professional wet cleaning

CARE LABELLING GUIDE This chart is for guidance only and should be read in conjunction with the ACCC Care labelling for Clothing Guide which specifies the mandatory standards for care labelling based on the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) 1957:1998, Textiles—Care labelling with variations and additions made by Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2010. In Australia, care instructions must be permanently attached to articles, be written in English, and be appropriate for the care of the article. Additional symbols may be used to clarify the instructions but symbols alone are not sufficient. As a minimum, laundering instructions include (in order) four symbols: washing, bleaching, drying, and ironing. Drycleaning instructions include one symbol. Professional Wet Cleaning symbols are included for information only as they are not currently recognised in Australia. Washing The washtub symbol tells you how the garment should be washed. The number inside the washtub is the maximum wash temperature. A bar underneath the washtub indicates that the garment should have mild treatment or washed using the Permanent Press setting. Two lines underneath the washtub indicate gentle or delicate treatment. Normal Permanent Press Delicate / Gentle Hand Wash 95°c 70°c 60°c 50°c 40°c 30°c Do Not Wring Do Not Wash Bleaching The triangle symbol gives information about whether it is safe to bleach the garment. Any Bleach (when needed) Only non-chlorine bleach (when needed) Do Not Bleach Drying Tumble Dry-Cycles Normal Permanent Press Delicate / Gentle Do not tumble dry © 2024, Drycleaning Institute of Australia Limited Tumble Dry-Settings Ironing The Iron symbol provides information on how the garment should be ironed. A system of dots indicates the acceptable temperature range for ironing. Drycleaning The letters within the circle are intended for professional textile cleaners. They give information on the solvents that can be used during the cleaning process. The bar below the circle indicates that certain limitations in the dry-cleaning process are required. These may concern mechanical action, addition of moisture, and/or drying temperature. | | |
Any Solvent |
Dry clean in accordance with F with strict limitation on amount of water, Reduced mechanical action, Low Drying Temp |
Dry clean in accordance with P with strict limitation on amount of water, Reduced mechanical action, Low Drying Temp | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Any Solvent Except Petroleum Solvent,
Trichloroethylene Liquid Silicone

Do Not Dryclean | | | | | | | | | | | Professional Wet Cleaning The symbol for wet cleaning is used for articles which may be treated in water by a professional wet-cleaning process. |
Normal Process Mild Process | Very Mild Process |
Do Not Professionally
Wet Clean | | --- | --- | --- | © 2024, Drycleaning Institute of Australia Limited

FAQs

What are the key legal requirements for care instructions in Australia?

Care instructions must be permanently attached to the article, written in English, and appropriate for the article’s care. The guide also references the mandatory standards in the ACCC Care labelling for Clothing Guide and AS/NZS 1957:1998.

How do the washing symbols indicate correct washing conditions?

The washtub symbol shows the maximum wash temperature, while a bar under it indicates mild treatment or Permanent Press. Two lines under the washtub mean gentle/delicate treatment, and the guide lists the allowed temperature ranges.

What do drycleaning and professional wet-cleaning symbols mean?

Drycleaning letters in a circle indicate solvents suitable for professional textile cleaners, and a bar below the circle shows limitations such as mechanical action, moisture addition, and drying temperature. Professional wet-cleaning symbols indicate whether the article can be treated via professional wet-cleaning processes and at what level of mildness.

Oct 13, 2026

Upload by OmBimo