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CHECK THE TAG / THE GARMENT CARE FIELD GUIDEEDITION 05 · REFERENCE SNAPSHOT 2026-11-01
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REFERENCE SYSTEMS EXPLAINED

ISO vs ASTM care symbols: what actually differs?.

ISO 3758:2023 is the international standard. The U.S. has its own longstanding ASTM-based symbol convention; the public FTC-hosted chart reflects a historical edition, not the full 2025 ASTM standard.

PRACTICAL, NOT MIRACLE CLAIMSSOURCES BELOW
Interpret a garment label

01 / FIELD NOTE

Temperature inside the wash tub

International ISO tubs usually show a temperature number such as 30 or 40. The U.S. reference includes dot-based wash-temperature symbols. Never convert them by guesswork.

02 / FIELD NOTE

Ironing temperatures have changed

Current public ISO 2023 guides describe low, medium and high limits of 120°C, 160°C and 210°C. Older U.S. references commonly use 110°C, 150°C and 200°C. The decoder keeps these editions separate.

03 / FIELD NOTE

Current standard versus historical public chart

ASTM lists D5489-25 as active. Its licensed full content is not bundled here; we do not claim a historical FTC chart represents that entire new guide.

04 / FIELD NOTE

How to choose in the decoder

Use ISO for a number-in-tub international tag and the U.S. historical guide for a U.S. dot-based tag when it matches. When uncertain, compare against the original manufacturer’s instructions.

EXPLORE THE INDEX

Symbols relevant to this guide

FIELD NOTE 1 dot · max 120°C symbolIron with soleplate temperature no higher than 120°C; steam may damage some items.FIELD NOTE 30°C · normal cycle symbolMachine wash at no more than 30°C on a normal cycle.
REFERENCE CHECK / 01 NOV 2026

Source notes and publication editions

Care marks describe permitted treatments for the finished article, not a guarantee of results. Some standards require purchase and the illustrations here are independent teaching representations. Read the evidence and licensing limits.