I don’t get those little washing care symbols they put on the other side of clothing tags. There’s too much for me already to remember, the last thing I need is to learn a completely different language just to wash a pair of underwear.

However, knowing how to take care of ones clothing is as important as knowing how (and where) to purchase the clothes. I still have nightmares of the time my dad destroyed my favorite (and only) pair of Girbaud jeans during a bleach induced washing frenzy. Unfortunately, there was no internet back then or I would have printed out this handy little Guide to Common Household and Drycleaning Symbolsand posted it in our laundry room. The guide gives a straight forward run down of common cleaning symbols and the meaning of each symbol.

You can view it online or download a pdf version of the guide (perfect to hang in your laundry room or to put in your laundry bag before heading out to the laundromat).