How to read a textile label
Short answer: A textile label tells you three things: what the garment is made of, how it should be washed and where it was produced. The fibre content must be given in percent under fixed rules, so you can compare garments across brands.
Fibre content
The fibres usually come first on the label, listed in descending order by weight. A garment with 95 percent viscose and 5 percent elastane therefore lists viscose first. The largest fibre sets the character, while a small share of elastane mainly adds stretch and recovery.
Why it says viscose
Bamboo is processed into viscose, so in the EU the fibre has to be stated as viscose. It can seem confusing when the garment is sold as bamboo clothing, but the label describes the fibre and not the raw material. To learn more, read are viscose and bamboo the same.
Elastane and other small shares
Many garments contain a small share of elastane, polyamide or polyester. They come last because they weigh the least, but they can matter a lot for fit. Elastane gives stretch to underwear and T-shirts, while polyamide is often used in socks to strengthen heel and toe.
The washing symbols
The symbols follow a fixed system. The tub shows the washing temperature, the triangle covers bleaching, the square is about drying and the iron is about heat. A cross over a symbol means you should not do it. Dots show the level, so more dots mean more heat. See washing symbols.
Lines under the tub
One or two lines under the tub mean the garment should be washed on a gentle programme. One line means a gentle wash, and two lines mean extra gentle treatment, usually a wool or delicates programme. It is about less movement and a lower spin speed, not only temperature.
Country of production
The country on the label shows where the garment was sewn, not necessarily where the fibre or fabric comes from. A garment can have its raw material from one place, be spun in another and sewn in a third. For the full journey, look for information from the brand itself.
Certificates
Marks such as OEKO-TEX often appear on a separate label or in the product description rather than on the care label. A certification shows the garment was tested to a specific standard, and it usually has a number you can look up. Read more in what does OEKO-TEX Standard 100 mean.
Printed labels
Some garments have the label printed on the inside instead of a sewn label, because a stiff label can scratch the skin. The print can fade after many washes, so it is a good idea to note the care instructions early. See more about underwear without labels and seams.
Cut the label off with care
If a sewn label scratches, you can cut it off, but cut close to the seam without cutting the fabric itself. Take a photo of the label first, so you still have the care instructions and fibre content when you are unsure later.
See also
The label gives you the basics, but there is more to know about keeping bamboo clothing nice for longer. Skip fabric softener and the tumble dryer and let the clothes air dry. All the details are gathered in the washing guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it say viscose and not bamboo?
Because after processing the fibre is a viscose fibre, and that is the name the rules require. Bamboo is the raw material, so some brands mention it next to the fibre name.
What do the dots in the iron mean?
The dots show the heat level. One dot means low heat, two dots medium and three dots high heat. If the iron is crossed out, the garment should not be ironed at all.
Can I cut the label off?
Yes, but cut close to the seam and take a photo of the label first. Then you still have the care instructions and fibre content if you are unsure later on.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
