What does Dry Clean - Gentle/Petroleum mean?
Quick Answer
The dry clean F symbol (a circle with an F inside) means dry clean using petroleum or hydrocarbon solvents only with a gentle process — reduced mechanical action, moisture, and heat. Show the care label to your dry cleaner so they understand the specific requirements. This symbol typically appears on delicate silks and heavily embellished garments that would be damaged by standard solvent strength or agitation.
Also known as: F in circle, circle with F, F dry clean symbol, petroleum gentle dry clean, fluorocarbon dry clean
Important Warning
Regular dry cleaning may be too harsh
Detailed explanation
The dry clean F symbol (a circle with an F inside) indicates dry cleaning with petroleum or hydrocarbon solvents only — not perchloroethylene (PERC). Hydrocarbon solvents are an eco-friendlier alternative to PERC, with lower toxicity and a gentler action on certain fibres. Not all dry cleaners offer hydrocarbon solvent cleaning; it is increasingly common in "green" or eco-friendly dry cleaning services. Show the care label to the cleaner and ask specifically about their solvent options.
How to follow the Dry Clean - Gentle/Petroleum symbol:
- 1
Requires gentle dry cleaning process
- 2
Petroleum or hydrocarbon solvents only
- 3
Reduced moisture and heat
- 4
Show this symbol to dry cleaner
Tips and Best Practices
- Search for "hydrocarbon dry cleaning" or "eco dry cleaning" in your area — these cleaners specifically use the solvent this symbol requires
- Show the care label directly to the cleaner — the F symbol communicates the requirement clearly to any professional
- For items with additional bars (gentle or very gentle), specify the process requirement alongside the solvent type
What happens if this symbol is ignored
Using PERC or other incompatible solvents on an F-symbol garment may cause colour damage, fibre treatment breakdown, or surface damage to embellishments.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Taking the garment to a standard PERC dry cleaner without checking — PERC is not the correct solvent for this symbol
- Not specifying the solvent requirement to the cleaner — show the label and confirm they use hydrocarbon solvent
Common Materials
Not sure which symbol you have?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Related Dry Clean Symbols
Dry Clean - Any Solvent
Dry clean using any solvent
Dry Clean - Petroleum Solvent
Dry clean with petroleum solvent only
Do Not Dry Clean
Do not dry clean - solvents will damage the fabric
Professional Wet Clean
Professional wet cleaning recommended
Dry Clean - Any Solvent (A)
Dry clean with any solvent - standard process
Dry Clean - Gentle (A with bar)
Dry clean with any solvent - gentle process
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