ISO 3758 establishes a system of graphic symbols. The system is intended for use in the marking of textile articles. It provides information on the most severe treatments that do not cause irreversible damage to the article during the textile care process and specifies the use of these symbols in care labelling.
The variety of textiles makes it difficult and often impossible to decide on the appropriate cleansing and care treatment simply by inspecting. This code of graphic symbols was established to help those who have to make such a decision (principally the consumer but also launderers and dry cleaners).
These domestic treatments are covered in ISO 3758:
— washing, bleaching, drying and ironing.
— Professional textile care treatments in dry and wet cleaning, excluding industrial laundering and professional carpet cleaning, are also covered.
However, it is recognized that information imparted by the domestic symbols will also assist professional cleaners and launderers. Symbols for industrial laundering can be found in ISO 30023.
ISO 3758 can be applied to all textile articles, except non-removable covers of upholstered furniture, and non-removable covers of mattresses, carpets and rugs which require professional carpet cleaning. These products are excluded due to specific cleaning processes not specified in this standard.
The text of ISO 3758:2023 has been approved in Europe as EN ISO 3758:2023 without any changes.
