So yesterday I dug out my favorite Prada shirt – you know, the black one with the little triangle logo? Looked like a crumpled napkin after being stuffed in my closet forever. Figured it needed washing but man, designer stuff makes me nervous. Almost grabbed the detergent when I remembered:
The tag might actually say something useful
Flipped that collar inside out like I was defusing a bomb. Seriously, those tags are tiny – felt like reading hieroglyphics while squinting. Saw some numbers in a bucket symbol (turns out that’s max water temp) and this iron with dots…but no actual words anywhere. Classic.
My first dumb move:
Almost chucked it in with my jeans. Thank god I didn’t cuz later I found out…
- The bucket with 40 inside? That’s “don’t boil me alive” temp
- Iron with one dot? “Please don’t scorch my soul” setting
- Circle with X? “BLEACH WILL MURDER THIS FABRIC”
Googled “laundry symbols meaning” like my life depended on it. Felt proper stupid when everything popped up immediately – why don’t brands just PRINT THIS STUFF?
Washed it alone in cold water (gentle cycle cuz I ain’t risking it). Air-dried flat like the tag begged me to do. Took forever but hey – no weird puckering or color bleeds!
Epiphany moment though:
My coworker Larry washed his Prada polo same day. Saw it today – looks like a toddler shrunk it on purpose. Asked if he checked the tag. Guy just shrugged: “Nah, it’s just clothes right?” Nearly cried laughing at his shrunken sleeves.
Moral? Those annoying tags? Actually useful. Now if brands could make ’em readable without a magnifying glass…
