Laundry care label symbols explained

We’ve all been guilty of snipping out an itchy care label without reading it first. Unfortunately, those tiny icons contain the instructions your clothes need to stay looking their best.

From choosing the right wash cycle to knowing whether something can go in the tumble dryer, understanding washing symbols can help prevent shrinking, fading, stretching and other avoidable mishaps.

The five main laundry symbols

Almost every care label includes some combination of these five categories:

Wash – A tub icon that tells you how to wash the garment.
Dry – A square symbol that explains how to dry it.
Bleach – A triangle that lets you know whether bleach is safe.
Iron – An iron icon with heat and steam instructions.
Dry clean – A circle that indicates professional cleaning requirements.

Wash symbols

The wash basin is usually the first symbol you’ll notice on a care label.

Empty wash basin – Machine wash using a normal cycle.
Wash basin with one line underneath – Use the permanent press cycle.
Wash basin with two lines underneath – Select the delicate or gentle cycle.
Wash basin with an X – Do not wash.
Hand inside the basin – Hand wash only.
One dot inside the basin – Wash in cold water.
Two dots – Wash in warm water.
Three (or more) dots – Wash in hot water.
Twisted garment with an X – Do not wring the item out.

Drying symbols

Not everything belongs in the tumble dryer, and these symbols will tell you exactly what to do.

Square with a curved line at the top – Hang on a washing line.
Square with three vertical lines – Drip dry.
Square with one horizontal line – Dry flat.
Square with diagonal lines in the corner – Dry in the shade.
Square with a circle – Tumble drying is allowed.
Square with a circle and an X – Do not tumble dry.
Square with circle and one line underneath – Tumble dry on permanent press.
Square with circle and two lines underneath – Tumble dry on a delicate cycle.
Square with a filled-in circle – Tumble dry without heat.
Circle with one dot – Low heat.
Circle with two dots – Medium heat.
Circle with three dots – High heat.

Bleach symbols

Bleach can be great for whites, but it’s not suitable for every fabric.

Empty triangle – Bleach is safe to use.
Triangle with an X – Do not bleach.
Triangle with “CL” – Chlorine bleach is allowed.
Triangle with two diagonal lines – Use non-chlorine bleach only.
Triangle with “CL” crossed out – Avoid chlorine bleach and use non-chlorine alternatives if needed.

Iron symbols

These symbols help prevent scorch marks and shiny patches.

Plain iron – Iron at any temperature.
Iron with an X – Do not iron.
Iron with steam lines underneath – Steam ironing is allowed.
Steam lines crossed out – Iron without steam.
Iron with one dot – Low heat.
Iron with two dots – Medium heat.
Iron with three dots – High heat.

Dry cleaning symbols

Some fabrics really are better left to the professionals.

Plain circle – Dry clean.
Circle with an X – Do not dry clean.
Circle with an A – Any solvent may be used.
Circle with an F – Petroleum solvent only.
Circle with an F and one line underneath – Petroleum solvent on a gentle cycle.
Circle with an F and two lines underneath – Petroleum solvent on a very delicate cycle.
Circle with a P – PCE solvent only.
Circle with a P and one line underneath – PCE on a delicate cycle.
Circle with a P and two lines underneath – PCE on a very delicate cycle.
Circle with a line on the bottom left – Short dry-cleaning cycle.
Circle with a line on the top left – Reduced moisture.
Circle with a line on the bottom right – Low heat.
Circle with a line on the top right – No steam finishing.

A little label can save a favourite outfit

It only takes a few seconds to check a care label before doing the laundry, but it can make all the difference. Following the correct laundry care symbols helps keep clothes looking newer for longer, prevents accidental shrinking or fading, and can even reduce unnecessary energy use by helping you choose the right wash and drying settings.

The next time you spot what looks like laundry hieroglyphics on a clothing tag, you’ll know exactly what it’s trying to tell you.

ALSO SEE: Limited closet space? These clothing and shoe storage hacks will help