Dry and wet cleaning
Professional wet cleaning (W) symbol
W in a circle – professional cleaning in water with special equipment and products (not home washing).
- What to do
- Many cleaners offer 'wet cleaning' – a greener alternative to solvents.
- Avoid
- W does not mean 'washable at home'.
- Where you see it
- Tailoring, coats, wool
What to set on the machine
- Cleaner
- Professional wet cleaning (W)
Other cleaning symbols
Dry cleanJackets, coats (US labels)USDry clean (P)Tailoring, suits, coats, woolDry 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 printsWet 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 w in a circle laundry symbol mean?
W in a circle – professional cleaning in water with special equipment and products (not home washing).
02What should I do with the garment?
Many cleaners offer 'wet cleaning' – a greener alternative to solvents.
03What is the most common mistake?
W does not mean 'washable at home'.
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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