Value Village ／ Clothing
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
Iron temperature settings prompt the same question everywhere: what do the dots on the label mean? Japan's care labels were aligned with the international standard in 2016, so the number of dots shows the maximum temperature, just as it does in Europe. Irons sold in Japan, however, may still carry the old "low / medium / high" (低・中・高) wording on the dial.
| Symbol | Maximum soleplate temperature | Typical fabrics |
|---|---|---|
| Iron with one dot | 110°C | Acrylic, nylon, polyurethane |
| Iron with two dots | 150°C | Polyester, wool, silk |
| Iron with three dots | 200°C | Cotton, linen |
| Iron crossed out | Do not iron | — |
Under the old symbols (JIS L0217), the setting was shown in words as "low / medium / high" (低・中・高), and the maximum temperatures differ slightly from the current ones. For garments made from December 2016 onwards, read the dots.
[Verify] Check the temperature classes in the table on the Consumer Affairs Agency's "Care labelling" page.
Silk and rayon can be left with water marks. Even if the label does not say "no steam", test on a hidden spot first.
Shine on black or navy wool and polyester is flattened fibres reflecting light. If it is mild, holding the iron above the fabric with steam and then brushing the fibres upright can make it less noticeable. Severe shine will not come back.
Creases in cotton and linen come out more easily when the fabric is damp. Ironing while still slightly damp, or using a spray bottle, is the method widely shared among people living in Japan.
Heat-transfer prints melt. Iron from the reverse side, or use a pressing cloth (当て布, atenuno).
Most burns and fires from irons involve an iron left unattended while still hot. The National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) warns of accidents in the period when the soleplate is still hot after the power is switched off. Let it cool before storing.
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https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/guide/wash_02.html
https://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/chuikanki/
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/useful/article/201611/1.html
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Follow the care label and the maker's instructions for any garment, shoe or bag. For expensive or sentimental items, ask a specialist cleaner or repairer.
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