Dry and wet cleaning
Dry clean (F) symbol
F in a circle – hydrocarbon solvents only; no perchloroethylene.
- What to do
- Ask the cleaner whether they have a hydrocarbon (HC) process.
- Avoid
- PCE can dissolve coatings, glues or prints.
- Where you see it
- Coated fabrics, bonded details, leather
What to set on the machine
- Cleaner
- Dry clean (F)
Other cleaning symbols
Dry cleanJackets, coats (US labels)USDry clean (P)Tailoring, suits, coats, woolDry clean (P), mildEmbellished, embroidered or bonded piecesDry 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 f in a circle laundry symbol mean?
F in a circle – hydrocarbon solvents only; no perchloroethylene.
02What should I do with the garment?
Ask the cleaner whether they have a hydrocarbon (HC) process.
03What is the most common mistake?
PCE can dissolve coatings, glues or prints.
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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