I have the following printout in the laundry room. I haven't had any problems with shrinking or fading, etc.

https://www.ihateironing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/07...

cameronh90 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I find clothes labels are way too conservative. Half of my stuff says don't dry, hand wash only, or cold wash on delicate.

Unless it's a particularly expensive or dry clean only, I just wash at 40 degrees "daily" programme, except for underwear, towels and bedding which go in at 60.

Most stuff is fine. On the rare occasion something gets ruined, I don't get that brand again.

	▲	jorvi 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		They are too conservative but it really depends. Lots of formal pants are a mix of wool, rayon and cotton. They'll indicate to only steam clean, and whilst they can be washed on 30c + delicate, you have to make sure to wash inside out and to dry them hanging from the legs. Mostly due to the rayon, although the wool is also a sensitive fabric. In general it's just smart to wash and (air)dry things inside out. Keep the wear and tear on the inside. And if you have decent suit jackets, pants or dress shirts, please just steam or hand clean them.

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account42 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I take the opposite approach: wash everything on the default setting and whatever survives (almost everything) is now confirmed safe for that setting. Keeps things simpler and has the advantage that you can cut of those scratchy labels that are always attached in the most uncomfortable places possible.

	▲	lostlogin 3 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Darwinian washing. I like it.
	▲	lotsofpulp 6 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		If I have to choose anything but the default wash and dry setting, I'm not worthy of wearing it.

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stronglikedan 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I have a similar one, but all it says is wash anything and everything except sheets and towels on cold/permapress/delicate with half the recommended amount of detergent, and use your head when deciding what to put in the dryer on a setting that leaves just a little moisture. Sheets and towels get the hot water treatment with a full drying cycle.

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skerit 7 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

What the hell does "Do not dry" mean? You have to keep it moist forever?

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HWR_14 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

That seems to be a nonsensical generalization. A lot of symbols have the negative condition applied with an X. So if you applied it to "generic dry" it would mean do not dry. But it's reasonable when applied to a subset. For instance, do not tumble dry

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p00dles 7 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It probably means to air-dry (to not use a dryer)

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skerit 6 hours ago | parent [-]

You would think that, but there is an icon for not using a dryer. There is an icon for all forms of drying. On a clothes line, in the shade, "flat", ...

	▲	Jackim 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		The Do Not Dry symbol is only used in conjunction with a Do Not Wash symbol, i.e. don't get this wet, and don't heat it.

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6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

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