Dry and wet cleaning
Dry clean (P) symbol
P in a circle – professional dry cleaning in perchloroethylene (PCE) or hydrocarbon solvents; normal process.
- What to do
- Take it to the dry cleaner – this is their standard process.
- Avoid
- It doesn't mean 'press' – the P stands for the solvent.
- Where you see it
- Tailoring, suits, coats, wool
On US labels a similar symbol: Dry clean
Decode the whole labelWhat to set on the machine
- Cleaner
- Dry clean (P)
Other cleaning symbols
Dry cleanJackets, coats (US labels)USDry clean (P), mildEmbellished, embroidered or bonded piecesDry clean (F)Coated fabrics, bonded details, leatherDry clean (F), mildDelicate coated fabricsDo not dry cleanSportswear, coated fabrics, some printsProfessional wet cleaning (W)Tailoring, coats, woolWet cleaning (W), mildDelicatesWet cleaning (W), very mildVery delicate garmentsDo not wet cleanTailoring, bonded detailsDry clean (A) – old symbolOlder garments
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Got the whole label?
Pick all its symbols and get the washer, dryer and iron settings in one place.
Decode the labelPrintable symbol chart →01What does the p in a circle laundry symbol mean?
P in a circle – professional dry cleaning in perchloroethylene (PCE) or hydrocarbon solvents; normal process.
02What should I do with the garment?
Take it to the dry cleaner – this is their standard process.
03What is the most common mistake?
It doesn't mean 'press' – the P stands for the solvent.
04Does the circle mean it must go to a cleaner?
No – it only says which professional cleaning the garment can take. If there's a washing symbol too, it can be washed at home.
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