How to Read Chinese Clothing Labels? I'll Teach You in Three Minutes

Have you ever purchased clothes from China? The labels on Chinese clothing are quite useful, so be sure not to cut them off.

Understanding the washing instructions on clothing labels is essential for truly learning how to wash your clothes.

Let's take a look at some knowledge about Chinese clothing labels!

Did you know that clothes are also categorized by safety grades?

According to the "National Basic Safety Technical Specifications for Textile Products," clothing labels indicate three categories: A, B, and C.

Category A refers to infant and toddler products, mainly including textiles used by infants and toddlers under 24 months, such as diapers, underwear, bibs, pajamas, gloves, socks, outerwear, hats, bedding, etc.

Category B includes products directly in contact with the skin, such as chest and abdomen bands, vests, shorts, cotton sweaters, shirts, (summer) skirts, (summer) pants, socks, bed sheets, etc.

Category C includes products not directly in contact with the skin, such as sweaters, outerwear, skirts, pants, curtains, bedspreads, wallpaper, fillings, and linings.

Clothing Materials

Do you understand the advantages and disadvantages of the materials listed on clothing labels? What about the special considerations for washing?

1. Cotton
Advantages: 100% pure cotton, durable, breathable, warm, soft and close-fitting, easy to clean, and not prone to pilling.
Disadvantages: Wrinkles easily, prone to shrinkage and deformation.
Washing method: Cotton fabric has strong alkali resistance and can be washed with various soaps and laundry detergents.
Note: Clothing with 35% cotton + 65% polyester fiber is wearable and easy to clean. Avoid purchasing hoodies with 67.8% polyester fiber + 32.2% cotton, as they are prone to pilling.

2. Polyester Fiber
Advantages: A synthetic fiber that is strong, abrasion-resistant, does not shrink or deform, has excellent color fastness, and does not fade easily.
Disadvantages: Poor moisture absorption, poor heat resistance, susceptible to dust accumulation, poor breathability.
Washing method: Because this fabric is prone to static electricity, adding a proper amount of fabric softener to the wash water can make the clothing softer.
Note: Clothing with 80% polyester fiber + 20% polyamide fiber feels good to touch but is not comfortable to wear.

Washing Symbols

Here's the key information!

In order for consumers to better wash their clothes, international fabric washing symbols have established standard pictorial explanations for the fabric washing industry. Let's take a closer look at the illustrations:

1. Washing Symbols

This symbol indicates that the garment can be machine-washed or hand-washed.

The number represents the maximum water temperature, and the number of lines below indicates the need for gentle 

washing—the more lines, the gentler the wash.

If a hand symbol appears inside the tub, it means the garment should only be hand-washed.

If a cross appears inside the tub, it means the garment cannot be washed with water.

2. Dry Cleaning Symbols

This symbol indicates that the garment can be dry-cleaned.

The letters inside the circle represent the type of dry cleaning agent—"F" stands for professional dry cleaning using hydrocarbon solvents, and "P" stands for professional dry cleaning using perchloroethylene solvents.

If a cross appears inside the circle, it means the garment cannot be dry-cleaned.

3. Drying Symbols

This symbol indicates that the garment can be hung out to dry.

An additional slanting line indicates that the garment should be dried in a shaded area.

If this symbol appears, it means the garment should be laid flat to dry to prevent deformation.

Have you ever observed the washing symbols on underwear? Generally, hand washing, no bleaching, no ironing, no dry cleaning, and hanging to dry are required. However, the washing standards for each type of underwear may vary. It's important to use special underwear detergent when washing underwear, such as Zhendongjia's Herbal Antibacterial Underwear Detergent, which is gentle on stains and effectively prevents bacteria and fungi from adhering to clothing.