# Dry clean with hydrocarbon solvent (F) | Launderwise

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Professional cleaning

![Dry clean with hydrocarbon solvent (F)](/images/care-symbols/dry-clean-hydrocarbon-solvent.svg)

# Dry clean with hydrocarbon solvent (F)

An ISO 3758 circle containing the letter F, indicating professional dry cleaning with hydrocarbon solvents only.

## What it means

The letter F restricts cleaning to gentler hydrocarbon solvents and excludes the stronger perchloroethylene. It is specified for fabrics and trims that the harsher solvent would damage, so the cleaner must select the correct machine.

## What to do

Choose a dry cleaner that explicitly offers hydrocarbon (F) cleaning and tell them the symbol, because not every shop runs that solvent. A bar under the circle means they should also use a reduced, gentler cycle.

## How to use this term

Use this professional-cleaning symbol when the item may need a dry cleaner or wet-cleaning specialist instead of home washing.

- Read dry clean with hydrocarbon solvent (f) with the other symbols on the same care label; the strictest symbol wins.
- Match the instruction to the garment's most fragile part, including trims, lining, prints and finishes.
- If the label, fabric behaviour and stain method disagree, test a hidden area or choose the lower-risk route.

### Common mistake

Do not override a dry-clean or professional-cleaning instruction just because the fabric feels sturdy.

For the broader method, use the [Silk care guide ](/blog/wash-silk-without-ruining-it/index.md)and then return to this term when the label changes the safe option.

## Related terms

- [Dry clean](/glossary/dry-clean/index.md)
- [Dry clean with tetrachloroethylene (P)](/glossary/dry-clean-tetrachloroethylene-solvent/index.md)
- [Dry clean, any solvent](/glossary/dry-clean-any-solvent/index.md)

## Sources

- [ISO 3758:2012 Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols ](https://www.iso.org/standard/42918.html)— International Organization for Standardization

[ Back to the full glossary](/glossary/index.md)