What to do
- Take it to a professional cleaner and point out the care label.
- Spot-clean small marks carefully with a barely damp cloth — test a hidden area first.
- Air it out between wears to keep it fresh longer.
What happens if you ignore it
Water can dissolve interfacing glues, warp structured pieces, ruin leather trims, and permanently spot some dyed fabrics. This is the one symbol where “it'll probably be fine” usually isn't.
Where you'll see it
Structured blazers and suits, leather and suede, some viscose/rayon pieces, and garments with glued construction.
Common questions
Does “do not wash” mean dry clean?
Usually — check the professional care symbol on the same label. If it shows a circle, dry cleaning is the intended route.
Can I steam it?
Light steaming to freshen is usually safer than water contact, but check the ironing symbol — “no steam” sometimes appears on the same labels.
Related symbols
- Dry Clean — professional dry cleaning is safe
- Hand Wash Only — too delicate for a washing machine
- Iron Without Steam — ironing is allowed (at the dot temperature shown), but without steam
Or just scan the label
CareLabl reads the entire care label in one photo — every symbol on it, decoded into plain English, plus the fabric composition. Works with international and US labels. Try Pro free for 3 days, no credit card needed.