To read washing labels in clothes?

[DaztardlyAriel]

Debate with friends: not one of them reads, follows or even knows the meaning of washing care labels in clothes! They claim to have washed everything on 30 regular spin for the past 40 years and never had an issue. I ALWAYS read, learn and follow the labels. I also know the French and Japanese versions JUST IN CASE. Am I alone? Am I mad? NC in case friends are right and this makes me an object of hilarity.

Maybe they live in jeans, T-shirt and fleece? Things that are pretty bombproof in the washing machine.

Reading washing labels is like RTMFS. I have clothes that will shrink if I don't wash them correctly. But then I also separate by colours and even do ironing - plenty of other people don't.

I don’t know the labels either and don’t pay attention to any of it unless I buy something particularly expensive or fabric I’ve not worn before. Everything else goes on 30 and regular spin, sometimes 2 spins.

It depends what clothes they buy. If they prefer fast fashion and wall to wall polyester, then yes, they can put everything on 30 and forget about it.

If you buy linen, wool or wool mix or silk, then washing needs greater care. Some clothes are dry clean only. Some aren't colour fast and need a cold wash or even hand wash.

Let them get on with it but take care of your good quality garments.

That's so funny and something I've never thought about.

I read everything and I absolutely do not understand people that don't read things properly. Mumsnet threads, their receipts, important contracts... just why?

I often send contracts for work and the programme we use allows me to see when the client viewed the contract and when they signed it and it's usually seconds between the two - these are contracts worth thousands. It BAFFLES me why they wouldn't spend 5 minutes reading it.

But it never occurs to me to do something a simple as reading labels on clothes. I know exactly what all the symbols mean, and if I didn't, google is readily available to tell me, but it just doesn't occur to me. I do of course use common sense though.

I think it's actually really interesting how we treat our clothes compared to how our recent ancestors did. They are seen as much more temporary and disposable.

I check the washing label before I buy and don't buy anything with stupid instructions. Some cheaper no wash things I risk washing gently, like wool trousers. But I know what all my clothes are made of so don't need to check the labels every time.

I only look at the care label if it's an unusual fabric that I think won't do well in a standard wash eg silk, velvet. I know what all the symbols mean. But I'm experienced enough with fabric to know what will in all likelihood be fine in a standard 40° wash.

I've just spent some time doing laundry for my mum and she was telling me her cotton knickers and socks said 30° on the label so that was what I must wash them on. Sod that, her smalls weren't getting special treatment.

I check the labels before I buy. Life is too short for hand washing !

I usually check to see if something can go in the dryer, usually I can tell but not always. Most things I wash at 40 because that's one of the shortest cycles on my machine. I tried the 30 which is only half an hour and wasn't happy with the results. It's fine if something just wants refreshing.

If it is just a normal item of clothing, I don't bother unless it looks delicate or awkward to wash. However, if I am washing clothes for another person or guest I would always check as would feel bad if I ruined their clothing.

If it is just a normal item of clothing, I don't bother unless it looks delicate or awkward to wash. However, if I am washing clothes for another person or guest I would always check as would feel bad if I ruined their clothing.

I read labels especially when it comes to the price of the item, material, and the construction.

Part of my degree was learning about textiles though.

I always check care labels and sort my washing accordingly.
Bedding, white cottons and jeans go on 60' wash
Synthetics lights/brights/darks washed separately at 30'.
Silks and wools on delicate programme with specialist liquid at 30'.
Care labels are there for a reason and ensure our clothes etc last well.
I've had items for 20 years + because I take proper care of them.
Seems sensible to me.

I wash everything on 30 degrees 1200 spin for 30 minutes. I can read the instructions but that seems to cover most bases

I read the care labels, yes. And I know what most of the laundry symbols mean. I always check the fabric before I buy a garment too, some fabrics I won't wear and I can't be bothered with dry cleaning.

I do sometimes, depends on the clothes. Mostly it’s to see if I can tumble dry it ( in the winter time)

I also know the French and Japanese versions JUST IN CASE.

is funny 😄😄