Permanent press
A fabric finish, and the matching wash and dry cycle, designed to keep clothes smooth and resist wrinkles with little or no ironing.
What it means
Permanent-press (or easy-care) fabrics are chemically treated or constructed from synthetics so they hold their shape. The matching machine cycle uses reduced agitation, a medium wash and a cool-down rinse or tumble to set the fabric flat instead of creasing it.
What to do
Select the permanent-press or easy-care setting for shirts and synthetic blends, and remove them from the washer or dryer immediately so they do not crease while sitting. Hang them straight away to keep the finish working.
How to use this term
Use this process term when a guide tells you to pretreat, soak, brighten, rinse or adapt a stain method.
- Read permanent press 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 escalate a process before checking the care label and testing a hidden area first.
For the broader method, use the Stain-removal guides 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