01 / HOW TO IDENTIFY IT
Match the shape, not just the words.
Look for a square with horizontal or vertical strokes. Their position shows how to support the wet garment; the small corner slash means shade.
A horizontal line inside a square calls for laying the garment on a flat surface to dry. It is particularly useful for pieces that might lengthen under the weight of trapped water.
02 / WHAT TO DO
The practical decision.
Support the entire garment on a dry, colourfast towel or drying rack and gently reshape it. Avoid direct heater contact and check whether the label also includes the shade diagonal.
Hanging a wet garment marked “dry flat” can stretch it out of shape.
03 / WHAT PEOPLE CONFUSE
One small detail changes the meaning.
A vertical line means hanging instead; the two methods can produce different results on heavy or loose knits.
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.