People are only just realising what the triangle symbols on laundry labels are for
Some are still struggling to decipher what all the shapes on care labels mean, despite doing their own laundry for years, as they've never taken the time to investigate them.
And for those who thought they were in the know, they may be shocked to learn about the true meanings of the triangle symbols on the labels - which can literally make or break your favourite garment.
The laundry care symbols - which typically include images of a tub filled with water, a circle inside a square, and an iron - provide instructions and guidelines on everything from washing temperature to ironing and drying.
It also includes a triangle, though its meaning and correlating care instructions have left some people stumped.
One person took to US forum Reddit to say they were equally baffled by the list of laundry care symbols, and asked fellow users for help.
There, one person was astounded by the information, and admitted they thought the triangle 'had something to do with the clothes hanger'.
Experts say understanding this sign is crucial for keeping your whites sparkling, as well as ensuring the longevity of your garments.
This is because the triangle and its two variations are bleaching symbols, notifying the washer how and when to bleach the product.
Bleach can help to whiten your clothes and its also known to be very tough on stains, helping to remove marks that standard detergent may not.
You'll often find three isometric triangles on an item's care label: a plain, hollow one, one with two diagonal lines within its interior, and the last with a large X through it.
The basic triangle denotes that bleaching of any kind (dependent on additional care instructions) is permitted for the garment as it can withstand the chemical during washes.
The triangle with two lines instructs owners to launder the item using a non-chlorine type of bleach only.
Meanwhile the triangle that contains an X means you should take care not use bleach when washing the cloth, and this refers to any washing detergents or additions that contain bleach.
People are only just realising what all of this means, and have shared their disbelief on the net.
'I didn't know about the triangle!' wrote one person. 'I thought it had something to do with the clothes hanger'.
One person was shocked to learn about the triangle's meaning, and admitted they thought it 'had something to do with the clothes hanger'
Confused by the symbols, another asked: 'So it's okay to wash it in washing machine?'
Meanwhile another person referred to the triangle as a 'food pyramid'.
This is all well and good if you actually check the symbols, however a study conducted in 2018 found that a third of Brits admitted they never check instruction labels.
Ignorance about how clothes should be cleaned can cost families thousands of pounds, according to a sample test of householders by school uniform supplier Trutex.
Matthew Easter, managing director at Trutex said: 'The research shows a huge lack of knowledge when it comes to knowing what care labels mean and an ignorance of their importance.
'The labels are there so the best care can be taken of fabrics and show how they should be treated.
'This helpful information can save time and money and ensure clothes last longer'.
According to The Cleaning Institute, bleach is used during wash cycles as it converts dirt into soluble particles, making them easier to remove by washing detergents.
Various types of bleach do different things; sodium hypochlorite bleach (also known as chlorine bleach) is amongst the most powerful of laundry bleaches, as it disinfects, cleans and make your whites dazzling.
Meanwhile oxygen bleach is gentler, and works more safely on washable fabrics. This bleach can maintain your cloth's whiteness, but unlike chlorine, it is unable to restore it.
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