You know that laundry label on the side of your sweater that you usually cut off or even abruptly rip off because it tickles you a little? Well, those laundry labels, while annoying at times, should not be cut off and thrown away.

Clothes usually have different labels, namely one with information about the brand or manufacturer and one(s) with information about the item itself. This last one ends up being an identity card of the product, because it is through this laundry label that the product speaks to us. 

What does this mean in practice? It means that any questions you have about the product, the answer will be there. It is possible to know the material of the product, the care to be taken in washing, drying and other valuable information.

What information can we find on laundry labels? 

You have certainly noticed that the laundry labels have a series of symbols, right? All these symbols refer to 5 different areas and give information on how to properly care for the item in question.

Each fabric has its own particularities and specific care, so every time you have doubts about what temperature to wash or whether to tumble dry, you should consult the laundry label.

The 5 symbols mentioned above are related to 5 different areas, and they are:

• washing: you can find information on the temperature the item should be washed, the spinning and also if it should be hand washed;
• drying: indication if it can be tumble dried or not;
• bleaching: indication if this type of product can be used;
• ironing: indication if the item can be ironed or not and at what temperature;
• professional care: information whether it is recommended that you take the item to a professional laundry.

In the picture below you can find the respective symbols of these different areas:

Other important information

On the laundry labels you can also find other additional information that is also very important. 

Did you know that it is possible to find some certifications on the labels? For example, if you want to know how sustainable your clothing is, just look for one of the following certifications on the laundry label:

• Ecolabel: EU certification for products with exceptional environmental characteristics, which comply with the criteria required in EU Ecolabel regulations;
• Global Organic Textile Standard - GOTS : certification that guarantees that at least 70% of the materials used are made from organic fibers, through environmentally and socially respectable manufacturing;
• Fairtrade: certification that guarantees that workers involved in the production process are paid fairly, and that the product is produced and marketed following strict international standards;
• Peta Approved/Vegan: certification that guarantees that the products are made without any animal exploitation;

Besides the certifications, it is possible to find relevant information, such as the materials used in the product.

Importance of not cutting the laundry labels

Undoubtedly it is very important to be able to read the laundry labels to get more information about the item and how to take care of it in the best way. However, it is also important that the labels are not taken off the product.  

In case you didn't know, the information on the laundry labels is essential when the product reaches the end of its life, since it is this information that will dictate its recycling cycle. When a piece does not have any information about its composition, the recycling process is compromised.

In this sense we recommend that in the future you do not remove the laundry labels from your clothes and if they really bother you, we have some solutions for you:

• Fold and sew the label next to the seam;
• Cut out only unnecessary information;
• Cut off the corners in a rounded shape.

To recap, we emphasize the importance of learning and paying attention to the indications on the laundry labels, because this way you will ensure that you take good care of your clothes. Good care allows clothes to last longer, thus contributing to sustainability and reducing consumerism. In addition, you can also find important information such as the origin of the product and its certificates, allowing you to know how sustainable the item in question is. Last but not least, we encourage you not to cut off the laundry labels, so that when the product reaches the end of its life it can be recycled in the correct way.