We often think of it as just an annoying little piece of fabric that scratches the skin, and we cut it off as soon as we buy a new garment. Yet the label is the identity card of what we wear.
To make clothes last longer, the first step is not only choosing quality materials, but also learning how to take care of them properly. In those few lines and small symbols that we often ignore, there is valuable information that can make the difference between a sweater that lasts ten years and one that gets ruined after the first wash.
Learning how to read a label means giving value to your purchase, considering the quality of the materials, the place where it was made, and the right care instructions for washing. Everything should help respect the resources used to produce the garment and avoid treating clothing as disposable.
How to Read Clothing Labels and Understand the Real Quality of a Garment
In this blog article you will find a practical guide to reading clothing labels, but also some useful tips to understand the quality of a garment by considering different aspects shown on the label, such as:
- Garment care instructions
- Materials and composition
- Origin and place of production
Guide to Laundry Symbols: How to Read Them Without Ruining Your Clothes
International laundry symbols (Ginetex) are a universal language. Understanding them helps avoid serious mistakes, such as shrinking wool or fading fabrics. Here are the main symbols to know:
Machine Washing: What Does the Wash Tub Symbol Mean?
The main symbol is the wash tub filled with water.
- No lines underneath: the garment can be washed normally in the washing machine.
- One line under the tub: delicate wash cycle (reduced spin cycle).
- Two lines under the tub: extra delicate wash for very fragile garments.
- Hand inside the tub: hand wash only (common for cashmere and fine wool).
- Crossed-out tub: washing with water is not allowed (usually dry cleaning is recommended, shown by a circle symbol).
What Temperature Should You Wash Clothes At?
Inside the wash tub symbol you will often find a number or dots showing the maximum washing temperature allowed:
- 30°, 40°, 60°: maximum temperature in Celsius. Washing at lower temperatures (for example 30° instead of 40°) is often better for both the environment and the fibers.
- Dots: less common today, but still used. One dot means 30°, two dots mean 40°, and so on.
Ironing Symbols: When and How to Iron Clothes
The iron symbol tells us if and how we can remove wrinkles:
- One dot: low temperature ironing (maximum 110°C), ideal for synthetic or delicate fibers.
- Two dots: medium temperature (150°C), suitable for wool and blends.
- Three dots: high temperature (200°C), suitable for cotton and linen.
- Crossed-out iron: do not iron.
How to Dry Clothes Without Damaging Them
Drying is just as delicate as washing. Too much heat can shrink fibers or damage their elasticity. Knitwear in particular often needs to be dried flat to avoid losing its shape.
The main symbol is the square:
- Circle inside the square: the garment can go in the tumble dryer. One dot means low heat, while two dots mean normal heat.
- Crossed-out circle inside the square: do not tumble dry. The garment should air dry.
- Lines inside the square: show how to dry the garment. A horizontal line means dry flat (very important for wool and cashmere knitwear), while vertical lines mean the garment can hang dry.
- Two diagonal lines in one corner: dry in the shade, away from direct sunlight that may fade colors.
To summarize, here is an image with all the symbols explained above:
What to Look for on Fabric Composition Labels to Understand What You Are Really Wearing
The composition label is the first thing to consider when evaluating the value of a garment. Natural and pure compositions usually indicate higher quality, while polyester and petroleum-based synthetic fibers lower both the value and recyclability of the garment.
It is important to know that the label is legally required to declare the fibers used in the main body of the garment. However, not everything you wear follows the same rule:
- Excluded parts: Elements such as buttons, zippers, labels, embroidery, and decorations are not included in the composition percentages. Linings are also generally excluded unless they are an important structural part or the brand chooses to specify them separately for transparency, which is common in high-quality garments.
- The 5% rule: If a material represents less than 5% of the composition, it can simply be listed as “other fibers”, unless it has an important technical function or is a premium material the brand wants to highlight.
- Non-textile parts of animal origin: By law, brands must declare materials such as leather, bone, or mother-of-pearl (often used for buttons or inserts) with the sentence: "Contains non-textile parts of animal origin". This information is especially important for people following a vegan lifestyle or those interested in the ethical impact of their purchase.
In short, a truly detailed label goes beyond the legal minimum and also explains the materials used for linings and inserts, helping you understand whether the garment is really “pure” or hides synthetic fibers inside.
Origin: Is There a Way to Be Sure Where a Garment Comes From?
The short answer is: unfortunately, current laws make things complicated. Today, to legally use the label "Made in...", it is enough for the final substantial transformation of the garment to happen in that country. This means a sweater could be spun, dyed, and woven on the other side of the world under unclear conditions, then simply finished or assembled in Italy and legally sold as "Made in Italy".
So how can consumers protect themselves? The first step is becoming more informed and curious: go beyond the physical label and check the brand’s website for clear information about the supply chain and, if available, read the Sustainability Report to learn more about suppliers and production.
However, the real long-term solution is the Digital Product Passport (DPP). This is a digital identity card accessible through a QR code printed on the garment label. It tracks the entire life cycle of the product: where the raw material comes from, where it was spun, and every production step along the way.
This tool, which will gradually become mandatory in the European Union starting from 2027, will transform the fashion industry by pushing brands toward full transparency and finally giving customers reliable proof of ethical and local production.
At Rifò, we started adding Digital Product Passports to our garments in 2023 thanks to our collaboration with BCome. We began with a group of 100 products and then gradually extended it to our entire production.
How to Evaluate the Quality of a Garment Through Its Label
In conclusion, it is important to remember that not all labels are the same. Some parts are standardized and legally required, but other details depend on the transparency, care, and ethical choices of each brand.
A label that only includes the minimum legal information simply fulfills a legal obligation. A label that also includes a digital passport and detailed explanations — such as how to care for fibers, preserve softness over time, or dispose of the garment responsibly at the end of its life — is a clear sign of a brand that truly cares about the longevity of its products.
The more information you find, the more care has gone into ensuring that the garment is not just a temporary purchase, but something designed to last.
Choosing brands that communicate transparently, even in small details, means giving more value to your wardrobe.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Laundry Symbols and Fabric Composition Labels
How do you correctly read clothing labels?
To correctly read a clothing label and evaluate the real quality of a garment, you should focus on three main elements, in this order: materials and composition, origin and place of production, and garment care instructions such as washing symbols.
What are the most important laundry symbols to know?
The main international symbols to know are the wash tub (machine washing, hand washing, and temperature), the iron symbol (ironing instructions), and the square symbol (drying instructions and tumble dryer use). Always pay close attention to crossed-out symbols: they mean that action is strictly forbidden.
What should I look for on fabric composition labels to evaluate quality?
The first thing to look for is natural and pure fiber compositions. Polyester and petroleum-based synthetic fibers usually lower the quality and recyclability of a garment. A truly transparent label also explains the materials used for linings and inserts and clearly indicates the presence of leather or mother-of-pearl with the wording "Contains non-textile parts of animal origin".
What is the Digital Product Passport (DPP) found on clothing labels?
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital identity card accessible through a QR code printed on the label. It tracks the entire life cycle of the product, from raw materials to every production step, offering transparency and proof of ethical and local sourcing. It will become mandatory in the European Union starting in 2027, but at Rifò we started introducing it in 2023.
How can I know if a “Made in Italy” garment was really made in Italy?
Unfortunately, current laws allow a garment to be labeled "Made in Italy" even if only the final production step took place in Italy, while spinning and weaving may have happened elsewhere. To understand the real origin of a garment, go beyond the physical label: check the brand’s website for supply chain information, read the Sustainability Report, or rely on transparency tools such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP).
