In plain English: Lay the garment flat on a surface to dry. Hanging it wet would stretch it out of shape.
What it looks like on the tagA square with a single horizontal line in the middle, representing a garment lying flat.
What to do
- Press out water with a towel first — never wring.
- Lay on a dry towel or mesh drying rack, gently reshaped to its normal outline.
- Flip once halfway through; swap the damp towel if needed.
What happens if you ignore it
Hang a wet sweater and the water's weight stretches it — longer torso, dangling sleeves, dented shoulders. Flat drying is what preserves a knit's shape.
Where you'll see it
Sweaters and knits of any fiber, especially wool, cashmere, and cotton knits.
Common questions
How long does flat drying take?
One to two days depending on thickness and airflow. A mesh rack (air on both sides) roughly halves it.
Can I speed it up with a hair dryer or radiator?
Use airflow, not heat: a room fan is safe. Direct heat sources can shrink or scorch exactly the fibers that need flat drying.
Related symbols
- Do Not Tumble Dry — no dryer, at any temperature
- Do Not Wring — don't twist or wring this garment to squeeze water out
- Hand Wash Only — too delicate for a washing machine
Or just scan the label
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