Dry clean with tetrachloroethylene (P)
An ISO 3758 circle containing the letter P, indicating professional dry cleaning with tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) and all solvents coded F.
What it means
The letter P limits cleaning to the perchloroethylene solvent system (and the milder hydrocarbon solvents). Any bar beneath the circle calls for a gentler, lower-moisture or lower-temperature process to protect a more sensitive item.
What to do
Use a professional cleaner equipped for perchloroethylene or hydrocarbon cleaning — this is the most common high-street setup, so it is rarely a problem. Mention any bar under the symbol so they choose the gentler programme.
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 tetrachloroethylene (p) 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 and then return to this term when the label changes the safe option.
Related terms
Sources
- ISO 3758:2012 Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols — International Organization for Standardization