Washing guides

A guide to wash care symbols

Look inside your clothes and you’ll find a small label sewn inside. This is called a care label, and it contains instructions and UK and EU-regulated symbols for washing, drying and caring for your clothes. You should always check the care label before washing your clothes – this will help to keep them in good condition for as long as possible. Don’t worry if you don’t know what the symbols mean – OB’s technical experts have collated a list of common wash care symbols to help.

Hand wash

Machine washable - wash as cotton

Machine washable - wash as synthetic

Machine washable - wash as wool

Do not wash

Do not bleach

Dry clean

Cool iron

Warm iron

Hot iron

Do not iron

Line dry

Drip dry

Dry flat

Tumble dry

Tumble dry low heat

Tumble dry medium heat

Tumble dry high heat

Do not tumble dry

How to hand-wash your clothes

Some of your clothes might need to be washed by hand because of the fibres or the fabric they’re made from. Although this will take a bit more time than machine washing, the extra care and attention will keep your favourite garments in good condition – and your wardrobe – for longer. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you.

Before hand washing

1. Turn your clothes inside out.

2. Make sure the water temperature is 30°C or cold to the touch.

3. Use a non-bio detergent and make sure it's evenly distributed in the water.

4. Soak your clothes for up to two hours to ensure they're properly saturated. Don't let water from the tap pour directly onto the clothes – this can damage some fibres such as wool.

During hand washing

5. Gently move your clothes in the water.

6. Rinse the clothes at least three times in warm water, or until the water runs clear.

7. Between each rinse, and again at the end of the wash, gently squeeze out any excess water. Never wring or twist the clothes – this will warp their shape.

After hand washing

8. Dry your clothes flat. Don’t hang them over an airer or washing line – this will stretch them out of shape.

9. Dry your clothes away from direct heat such as a radiator or an open fire.

10. Don’t use a tumble drier – this can cause some fibres to shrink.

Machine washing guide

For viscose, linen, cotton and polyester blends, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ and TENCEL ™ Lyocell

1. To avoid colour transfer, separate dark/coloured cotton and linens from white or lighter colours in the wash.

2. Use a mild detergent and cool-wash at 30 degrees on a low-speed short spin.

3. Remove promptly from the washing machine, place on a hanger and reshape while damp.

4. Line-dry or air-dry. Do not tumble dry as it can result in shrinkage of up to 10% and will shorten the lifespan of your item.

5. Once your item is almost dry, use a hot iron on reverse if needed, using steam to remove any heavy creases and define features such as the collar and cuffs.

6. Avoid using bleach on stains as this weakens the fibres and it may affect the colour of your item. Read our guide for How to remove stains from clothes.