What do the letters P, F, A, W mean in dry clean symbols?

Letters inside the dry clean circle specify the cleaning process: P = perchloroethylene or hydrocarbon solvents (most common); F = hydrocarbon/petroleum solvents only; A = any solvent is safe; W = professional wet cleaning (water-based). Show the care label to your dry cleaner so they use the correct process.

Can I wash something that says dry clean only?

It is not recommended. Dry clean only items are labelled that way because water-based cleaning causes damage specific to that garment's construction or fibre content. For structured garments (suits, jackets), never attempt home washing. For simple knits or some silk items, an experienced user may carefully hand wash at cold temperature, but this is done at their own risk.

What does a line under the dry clean circle mean?

A single line under the dry clean circle means use a gentle or reduced process; two lines mean very gentle. Tell your dry cleaner about the bar requirement so they adjust the solvent concentration, tumbling action, and process duration accordingly.

What is professional wet cleaning (W)?

Professional wet cleaning (W) uses controlled water-based processes with specialist equipment, detergents, and blocking tools — not home washing. It is an eco-friendly alternative to solvent dry cleaning for some garments and is available from specialist "green" dry cleaning services.

What does Dry Clean F Gentle mean?

Dry Cleanlow risk

Quick Answer

Dry clean with petroleum solvent (F) - gentle process

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 F Gentle symbol:

1
Professional dry cleaning with petroleum solvent
2
Gentle process required
3
Reduced mechanical action
4
For items sensitive to standard cleaning

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

Delicate itemsItems requiring petroleum solvent

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

Dry Clean - Gentle/Petroleum

Dry clean with petroleum solvent only - gentle process

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

Often used together

Build the full care sequence:

Washing symbols →Bleaching symbols →

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