EN ISO 3758 Textile - Care Labelling Code Using Symbols

The standard "EN ISO 3758 Textile - Care labelling code using symbols", which has its basis in a European standard and was subsequently published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), establishes a system of graphic symbols designed to provide information about the most severe treatment that does not cause irreversible damage to the product during the marking of textile products and the textile care process, and explains the use of these symbols in care labelling.

This standard covers the following domestic processes: washing, bleaching, drying, and ironing. Professional textile care processes for dry and wet cleaning, but excluding industrial laundering, are also covered. However, it is accepted that the information provided using domestic symbols will also be helpful to professional cleaners and laundries. Industrial laundering symbols are included in the ISO 30023 standard. This international standard applies to all textile products in the form in which they are supplied to the end user.

For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:

• Textile products refer to yarns, piece goods and finished products containing at least 80 percent textile material by mass.
• Washing refers to the process designed to clean textiles in an aqueous bath. Washing includes all or some of the following processes in relevant combinations:
  • Soaking, prewashing and main washing, which are usually done with heating, mechanical action and in the presence of detergent or other products, and rinsing.
  • The extraction of water during or at the end of these processes, that is, squeezing or wringing.

These operations can be done by machine or by hand.

• Bleaching refers to the process that requires the use of an oxidizing agent containing chlorine or oxygen / non-chlorine products, carried out in an aqueous environment before, during or after washing, with the aim of improving dirt and stain removal or increasing whiteness.
• Chlorine bleach is a substance that releases hypochlorite ions in solution, for example sodium hypochlorite.
• Oxygen/non-chlorine bleach refers to a substance that releases a peroxygen species into solution. Oxygen bleach products encompass a wide variety of activated and non-activated bleach types with varying activity. A bleach activator is a substance that allows bleaching to occur at lower wash temperatures.
• Drying is the process of removing the remaining water (or moisture) in textile products after washing.
• Drum drying is the process of removing the remaining water in textile products after washing and hydro-extraction by treating them with hot air in a rotating drum.
• Natural drying is the process of removing the remaining water from textile products after washing by combining line drying, drip drying or flat drying and, if appropriate, drying in the shade.
• Line drying is the process of removing any remaining water from a textile product by hanging it on a line or hanger after washing and hydro-extraction.
• Flat drying is the process performed on a textile product after washing and hydro-extraction, by laying it horizontally to remove any remaining water.
• Drip line drying is the process carried out on a textile product after washing without extraction with water, aiming to remove any remaining water by hanging the wet products on a rope or hanger.
• Drip flat drying is the process of removing the remaining water from a textile product by laying the wet products horizontally after washing without extraction with water.
• Ironing and pressing is the process of restoring the shape and appearance of a textile product using heat, pressure and possibly steam with a suitable device.
• Professional textile care refers to professional dry cleaning and professional wet cleaning excluding industrial washing.
• Professional dry cleaning is the process of cleaning textiles by treating them with any solvent (excluding water) normally used by professionals for dry cleaning. This process consists of cleaning, rinsing, and spinning. This is followed by appropriate drying and restorative finishing procedures.
• Professional wet cleaning is the process of cleaning textiles in water, performed by professionals using specialized technology (cleaning, rinsing, and spinning), detergents, and additives to minimize adverse effects. Professional wet cleaning is followed by appropriate drying and restorative finishing procedures.

This standard provides five main symbols and some additional explanations:

• Washing
• Bleaching
• Drying
• Ironing and pressing
• Professional textile care

In short, the aim of the ISO 3758 standard is to provide a standard system for the care labeling of textile products using symbols. Specifically, it specifies graphic symbols that indicate how a textile product should be washed, bleached, dried, ironed, and professionally cleaned.

The main objectives of this standard are:

• Uniform communication: Creating a universal, language-independent method for communicating textile care instructions.
• Consumer guidance: Helping consumers properly care for garments to maintain quality and longevity.
• Industry consistency: Ensuring that manufacturers and retailers across countries use consistent labeling.
• Preventing damage: Reducing the risk of incorrect washing that can damage textiles.

This standard allows combinations of symbols to provide complete care instructions. Additional dashes or dots are used to indicate conditions (e.g., temperature, method). This standard ensures that products have clear, standardized care instructions regardless of language or region, especially in global trade.

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