Say goodbye to laundry mishaps: iPhone's new feature deciphers cryptic clothing labels

It's common knowledge that clothes should be washed according to the manufacturer's instructions indicated on the labels. Sadly, not everyone can correctly understand those perplexing symbols. A single mistake could ruin a garment. But now, iPhone users have a solution. Their devices can suggest the most suitable program to ensure their clothes aren't damaged.

Each time we purchase new clothes, before the first wash, many of us glance at the label to refer to the manufacturer's recommendations. Regrettably, a lot of these symbols remain incomprehensible for most of us. Some of us end up choosing a random washing machine setting. The more diligent individuals may resort to an online search to decipher these symbols. However, iPhone users have it easy — their phones come equipped with the tools to simplify these tasks.

Wondering how this is possible? In the most recent software update, a feature was introduced that enables users to interpret symbols used by clothing manufacturers. Simply set your system language to English (unfortunately, this feature does not support Polish as of now), take a photo of the label with the symbols, and go to your Photos app. At the bottom of this label photo, you'll spot a washing machine symbol. Clicking it will display a pop-up box giving explanations for all the symbols in the picture.

This feature is available on iPhones with the iOS system(iOS 17). This functionality benefits users for laundry purposes and identifying dogs, cats, plants, artworks, and books in photos.

As we've mentioned, accurately interpreting laundry symbols is vital for maintaining the longevity of your clothes. Delicate fabrics may deteriorate after a single wash if the conditions aren't right. High-temperature washes or powerful spin cycles can both inflict damage on clothing.

The list of potential harm is extensive. Clothing can shrink or stretch out of shape, fibers can fray, or pill and colors can fade. For down jackets, incorrect washing may lead to the stuffing clumping together. In almost all of these incidents, the clothing may become unfit for use and require disposal.