01 / HOW TO IDENTIFY IT
Match the shape, not just the words.
Look for a circle containing a letter such as P or F, sometimes with a short underline. These marks speak to a professional cleaner rather than a home washing-machine setting.
A crossed circle means professional solvent dry cleaning is prohibited. It does not automatically forbid a permissible household wash or a separately marked professional wet clean.
02 / WHAT TO DO
The practical decision.
Avoid solvent-based stain removers when the label prohibits dry cleaning, as they may create a related risk. Read the other symbols and any manufacturer notes.
Solvent-based cleaning or stain removers may damage this item.
03 / WHAT PEOPLE CONFUSE
One small detail changes the meaning.
A crossed tub and crossed dry-cleaning circle are separate prohibitions: one concerns domestic washing and the other professional solvent cleaning.
04 / AFTER YOU IDENTIFY IT
Check the rest of the tag.
The washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional-care instructions work together. This page interprets one symbol only; a blank or unreadable mark does not grant permission for any other treatment.
Never replace the maker’s written instructions with a guess based only on material composition or appearance. Read the complete care-label method.