Symbols for drying clothes


Your Guide to Laundry Symbols (Plus a Handy Washing Symbols Chart!)

You know those hieroglyphic-like laundry symbols on clothing labels? They relay important cleaning information. Here's what they mean and how to use them.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but sometimes it’s more confusing than text. That goes double when it’s one of the many laundry symbols found on the care label of your clothes. What are all those circles, squares, and triangles—and why should you care about them?

Clothing manufacturers use washing symbols to help you extend the life of your clothes. Sure, you may think you know how to wash clothes, how to use a washing machine, how to separate laundry, and how to put liquid fabric softener in the fabric softener dispenser. You might even use the best laundry detergent and take the time to set the washing machine temperature just right. But that doesn’t guarantee your clothing will stay in the same condition, color, or size.

“You risk destroying your clothes by not following the laundry care instructions,” says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of Aspen Clean. “What might happen if you put a dry-clean-only garment in a washing machine? The garment could shrink—not just a little, but significantly. Garments made of wool can shrink two to three sizes or more, and drapes can shrink to half their size.” Instead of making it a guessing game—no, that’s not an envelope, suggesting you send the item to your mom to clean; it’s the sign for “hang to dry”—we asked the experts to decipher the most common washing instruction symbols. Here’s your comprehensive laundry symbols guide, complete with laundry symbols charts.

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What are international laundry care symbols?

Because people do laundry all around the world, the industry has created a standard of five basic symbols that form a kind of universal language. To make it even easier, laundry symbols are always featured in the same order on a label. From left to right, they are:

“As you go through the five basic international symbols, you’ll start to see a pattern,” said Annette Grant and Sarah Karakaian, full-time short-term rental managers and hosts of the “Thanks for Visiting” podcast. “It’s like its own language where, for example, two lines under an icon or three dots inside an icon always mean the same thing. Once you learn these, you’ll be fluent in care tags in no time.”

According to fashion stylist Leena Alsulaiman, one of the most important symbols to pay attention to is a large X. “When a symbol is crossed out,” she warns, “that’s your sign not to do that thing.”

Laundry symbols for how to machine wash clothes

The washtub symbol indicates instructions for every step of the washing process, whether you’re using a traditional or HE washer. If the garment is machine washable, you’ll see either dots or numbers inside it, representing the recommended maximum water temperature.

Lines under the washtub signify that the garment needs to be washed on a special cycle.

“Just remember, the more lines under the washtub, the more careful you should be,” says Alsulaiman. And finally, if your washtub has an X through it, back away from the washing machine. This means “do not wash.”

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Laundry symbols for how to hand-wash clothes

If you see a hand reaching into the washtub, that means your garment should be hand-washed only. Do not put it in the washing machine. There’s another washing symbol that indicates how to hand-wash clothes: If you see an icon that looks like a wrapped, hard candy with an X through it, don’t wring or twist the garment. Gently squeeze the water out after hand-washing it.

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Laundry symbols for how to bleach clothes

The triangle tells you everything you need to know about bleaching an item. Here’s how to decipher the symbols:

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Laundry symbols for how to dry clothes

Everything you need to know about how to dry an item can be found in the square on the care label. Be sure to check this before tossing your clothing in the wash to avoid shrinkage—unless, of course, you’re trying to shrink clothes. First, look for a circle in the square, which tells you it’s okay to dry the item in the dryer. If your square has both a circle in its center and an X through it, do not put the item in the dryer.

Just like with the washtub, the number of dots signifies the maximum temperature to be used:

You may also notice lines beneath the square. As with the washtub icon, these indicate the proper dryer settings to use.

All of that explains how to machine dry an item (and if you should). But if your square doesn’t have a circle at all, it should air-dry. Here’s how to interpret the various air-dry laundry symbols:

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Laundry symbols for how to iron clothes

With the abundance of wrinkle-free garments options, you might not spend much time wondering how to get wrinkles out of clothes. But there comes a time when your clothes really need to be ironed. The iron is the most self-explanatory of all the clothes-washing symbols. Once again, the number of dots signifies the maximum temperature that can be used.

And, of course, an X means don’t iron it at all. When it comes to wrinkles, the steamer vs. iron debate comes down to fabric—and therefore the laundry symbols you see on your clothing tag. The following symbols relate to whether or not you should use steam on a garment. (P.S.—here’s how to clean an iron so your clothes don’t get damaged.)

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Laundry symbols for dry cleaning clothes

You can try your hand at dry cleaning at home, but chances are you’ll want to leave it to the pros, so pay attention to the clothing label. The symbol for dry cleaning is a circle, and if it doesn’t have an X through it, it means you can take it to the dry cleaner. If the label specifies “dry clean only,” you should definitely take it to the dry cleaner. An item with this label is one of the things that should never end up in your washing machine.

Sometimes there are letters inside the circle, but don’t worry about those. They indicate the kinds of chemicals that can be used on a garment and are meant for professionals. Your dry cleaner will understand.

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Sources:

care knowhow for clothes and linens |

(Image credit: Alamy)

Laundry symbols are the key to the appropriate care of clothes, bed, bath and table linens and more around the home. But to avoid problems like shrinkage and color runs, it’s vital to be aware of what each of them means.

The symbols don’t just apply to washing items in a home appliance. They also apply to bleaching, if you need to carry this out, along with drying, and ironing, so every stage of the laundry process can be carried out with optimum fabric care in mind. 

Great laundry room ideas will give you a stylish as well as functional space, and to be sure of looking after garments and linens correctly use our guide, along with the advice of the experts.

Laundry symbols: a guide

It’s always worth checking the manufacturer’s label for instructions when washing items (as well as regularly cleaning a washing machine) to give them the longest possible lifespan, as individual pieces may need care that differs from what you might assume. Understanding laundry symbols will also help you wash towels the right way, and keep towels fluffy, plus answer the question can you wash couch cushion covers.

‘Typically, the biggest risk to garments when the care label isn’t followed is to that garment and potentially others in the same load,’ says Jonathon Reckles, VP at CD One Price Cleaners . ‘Common results would include distortion, shrinkage, and color loss. Color loss can cause bleeding on to other garments, such as the classic white load and red sock causing everything to be pink.’ The answer to the question of whether to wash whites in hot or cold water is also influenced by the care label.

Here’s what the laundry symbols indicate.

Washing symbols

(Image credit: Alamy)

The laundry symbols for washing cover whether an item can be washed in a machine; the temperature; and the cycle. Look out for them on clothes, but they’ll also give you the answer to questions such as can you wash pillows in a washing machine, and whether you can wash an electric blanket, or wash a down comforter.

Washing symbols 

A tub icon with a wavy line means an item can be machine washed.

A tub icon with a hand indicates an item should be hand washed.

A tub icon with cross through it means do not wash.

A circle indicates dry clean only.

A circle with a cross through it means do not dry clean.

Washing temperature symbols

The machine wash temperature symbols are identified by dots:

A single dot inside, this indicates an item should be washed cold at 85ºF (30ºC).

Two dots indicate a warm wash temperature of 105ºF (40ºC).

Three dots show a warm/hot wash of 120ºF (50ºC).

Four dots mean a hot 140ºF (60ºC) wash.

Five dots indicate a sanitizing 160ºF (70ºC) wash.

Washing machine cycles

If the label shows just the tub icon with the wavy line, use a normal cycle for the item in question.

If the tub icon has a horizontal line below, use the permanent press cycle.

Two horizontal lines below the tub with a wavy line icon? Use a delicate or gentle cycle.

Drying symbols

(Image credit: Alamy)

Even a small laundry room can provide space to dry as well as wash, but if you’re intending to put washing into the dryer rather than on the line, you need to know what the laundry symbols mean, including that for the delicate setting on a dryer.

Drying symbols

A square with a circle within it shows an item can be tumble dried.

If there’s a single line under this symbol, this indicates permanent press

Two lines below means delicate or gentle.

A square with a circle within it with a cross over it means do not tumble dry.

A square with a curved line within it at the top which goes from one side to the other indicates an item should be line dried or hung to dry.

A square with three vertical lines inside shows you should drip dry.

A square with a single horizontal line inside indicates dry flat.

Drying temperature symbols

A tumble dry symbol with the circle filled in shows no heat should be used.

If the tumble dry symbol has one dot in the center, this indicates a low heat setting (explained in the tumble dryer temperature guide) should be used.

Two dots mean medium heat.

Three dots and you can use a high temperature.

Bleaching symbols

(Image credit: Alamy)

If you want to use bleach in laundry, check for the bleach laundry symbols beforehand.

Bleaching symbols

A triangle shows you can use bleach.

A triangle with two angled lines inside indicates non-chlorine bleach should be used.

A cross over the triangle? Do not bleach

Ironing symbols

(Image credit: Alamy)

It’s vital to get the heat right when it comes to ironing as well as for washing and drying. Look out for these laundry symbols.

Ironing symbols

An iron icon shows an item can be ironed.

If there’s a single dot inside, use low heat.

Two dots mean medium heat.

Three dots and high heat is allowed.

If the iron icon has two sloped vertical lines below that are crossed through, avoid the use of steam.

An iron with a cross over it indicates do not iron.

What does a circle with a cross mean on clothes?

(Image credit: Alamy)

A circle with a cross on clothes shows that the item should not be dry cleaned

Conversely, if an item can be dry cleaned, there’s a circle icon

A circle – dry clean – symbol may have a letter of the alphabet within it. ‘Commonly misunderstood icons are typically relating to dry clean only garments,’ says Jonathon Reckles. ‘These tend to have information about which solvents are best for that garment, which can be slightly confusing because they’re letters versus laundry-looking icons.’

What is the no washing machine symbol?

(Image credit: Alamy)

The no washing machine symbol is actually the no wash symbol, in other words the tub with a wavy line with a cross over it. You might come across it if you’re planning to wash stuffed animals (but if you’ve got a young family, bear in mind that cleaning bath toys should be done in the dishwasher or by hand), as well as when you’re laundering clothes and linens.

‘If the garment or other piece can be hand washed but just not put in the machine, it will have the tub plus hand icon that shows hand washing is possible,’ explains Lucy Searle, editor in chief of Homes & Gardens.

Not sure what you should do with a particular item? ‘When in doubt a good professional cleaner can help you determine the best way to clean, including dry cleaning alternatives like wet cleaning for more difficult and less common fabrics,’ says Jonathon Reckles.

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

Badges on clothes for washing: interpretation

Clothing labels are used to label textiles. The applied symbols help to determine the rules for processing things, their operation by the buyer, preventing premature wear and damage. The label or tag looks like a small piece of fabric attached to the wrong side of the product. In production, it is sewn into the side or back seam; on the shirt, the label can be found on the collar.

Today, images printed on tags are established by the international standard “ISO 3758-2012. Textile products. Care labeling with symbols. There is also already outdated, but used on the territory of our country - GOST ISO 3758-2014 / Textile products. Care symbol marking. /ISO 3758-2014. Textiles - Care labeling code using symbols (IDT) ”, which replaced GOST ISO 3758-2012. nine0003

Since the beginning of 2021, “marking” has become double meaning for light industry. Each product must have a label with relevant information about the product, however, now some types of clothing items must also have mandatory labeling for tracking a unit of goods by the “Honest Sign” system (we wrote an article about this labeling earlier: “Textile labeling. Who needs it and why? ").

Wash signs: decoding

Let's immediately define what the washing marks mean - the basic designations in the marking, which look like a basin of water. In addition to the basin, the pattern includes a number (temperature), dots, and horizontal stripes. The meaning of signs for washing is easy to decipher.

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Basic symbols

Number

The number in the picture is the maximum water temperature in which the item can be washed. It is indicated in degrees Celsius, for example, 60 ° C.


One or two horizontal bars

nine0023

A single, double underline advises the user to select a shorter wash cycle, as well as to reduce the load of the washing machine and the intensity of the machine spin.

nine0021

Symbol

Conditions of the washing process

nine0020

- maximum washing temperature 95°C

- normal mode

- maximum washing temperature 95°C

- soft mode

nine0002 - maximum washing temperature 60°C

- normal mode

- maximum washing temperature 60°C

- soft process

- maximum washing temperature 50°C nine0003

- normal mode

- maximum washing temperature 50°C

- soft mode

- maximum washing temperature 40°C

- normal mode nine0003

- maximum washing temperature 40°C

- soft mode

- maximum washing temperature 40°C

- very soft mode

- maximum washing temperature 30°C

- normal mode

- maximum washing temperature 30°C

- soft mode

nine0002

- maximum washing temperature 30°C

- very soft mode

- handwash

- maximum temperature 40°C

nine0003

- washing is prohibited

It is strictly forbidden to increase the washing temperature recommended by the manufacturer. If the laundry is not very dirty, you can wash it in water at a lower temperature. In this way, you can not only extend the life of your clothes, but also save energy.

Whitening

Since this is an aggressive processing process, many products have a tag with a triangle designation. Often this symbol is crossed out - this means that the thing cannot be bleached. nine0003

What other symbols with a triangle mean, see the table below.

Symbol

Whitening process

- bleaching with any oxidizing agent is allowed

nine0003

- bleaching is allowed only with an oxygen-containing / non-chlorine agent

- do not bleach

Before bleaching an item (even if the label allows), use a spare piece of fabric. Test your bleach on this piece and see how the fabric performs.

Professional cleaning (dry or wet)

Dry cleaning on the clothing label is indicated by variable symbols and their various combinations - square, circle, dots, horizontal lines. Let's figure out what exactly the label can contain.

Letters

The letter icon in a circle indicates that a certain type of solvent can be used.


One horizontal line

The underlined image is a delicate processing mode. nine0003


Two horizontal lines

A couple of lines under the circle - the most gentle cleaning.


Dry cleaning (professional dry cleaning)

If the product can be dry processed, a circle is applied to the label.

Symbol

Dry cleaning mode
- professional dry cleaning in tetrachlorethylene and in all solvents listed for symbol F
- normal mode
- professional dry cleaning in tetrachlorethylene and in all solvents listed for symbol F
- soft mode
- professional dry cleaning in hydrocarbons (distillation temperature from 150°C to 210°C, flash point from 38°C to 70°C)
- normal mode
- professional dry cleaning in hydrocarbons (distillation temperature from 150°C to 210°C, flash point from 38°C to 70°C)
- soft mode
- dry cleaning is prohibited

Aqua cleaning (wet professional cleaning)

Items that can be professionally wet cleaned are marked with a W surrounded by a circle. nine0003

nine0021
- professional wet cleaning

- normal mode

- professional wet cleaning

- soft mode

- professional wet cleaning

- very soft mode

- professional wet cleaning is prohibited

If you notice the dry cleaning symbol (circle) on the label, consider whether you are ready to regularly spend money to properly care for the item. These items cannot be washed by yourself.

Drying

Traditionally, information about spinning and drying clothes is placed in one icon. If a thing requires detailed care, the label has several designations. nine0003

Tumble dryer


A horizontal line inside a square - you can dry it on a horizontal surface, a vertical line - drying without wringing.

Symbol

Drum Drying Process


- drum drying possible
- normal temperature; maximum outlet temperature 80°C
- drum drying possible
- lower temperature; maximum outlet temperature 60°C
- do not tumble dry

Natural drying

A square without a circle - drying only in natural conditions. nine0003

Normal dry


Square without additional designations - there are no restrictions in natural drying.

Symbol

Natural drying conditions


- drying on a rope or a hanger after washing with a spin


- drying on a line or hanger after washing without spinning


- drying on the flat after washing with spin


nine0020

- drying on the flat after washing without spinning

Dry in the shade (no direct sunlight)

The restriction will be indicated by two oblique stripes in the corner of the square.

Symbol

Natural drying conditions

- drying on a line or a hanger in the shade after washing with a spin cycle


- drying on a line or a hanger in the shade after washing without spinning

nine0002 - dry flat in the shade after washing with spin


- dry flat in the shade after washing without spinning

Symbols no longer used

The table below lists the symbols in the topic "drying" that are no longer used.

If a label on a garment bothers you, you can carefully cut it off, but don't throw it away. Having saved the tag, you can at any time peep whether the product can be dried in a typewriter, whether it can be squeezed and twisted. nine0003

Ironing

Icons of this type contain an image of an iron, temperature indicators, which correspond to dots. See the table below for details.

Symbol Ironing process
- iron at a maximum temperature of 200°C
- iron at a maximum temperature of not more than 150 ° C nine0020
- iron at a maximum temperature of 110°C, without steam

- ironing with steam can cause irreversible damage


Lettering

Most often, manufacturers “tell” customers about the features of product care using icons. However, some tags on clothing and other textiles contain inscriptions in English, which have the following meaning: nine0003

It is rare to find a tag on clothes that says "Wash with similar colors", which means "only wash with things of similar colors. " Or, for example, "Keep away from fire" - "keep away from sources of fire." nine0003

Fabrics

The composition of the fabric on the labels determines the duration of the service life of the product, its appearance. Since things can be made from one material or several, the manufacturer needs to indicate the percentage of components on the badges on T-shirts, dresses, jackets, hats, etc. Such clothes have sewn-in tags or tags.

Among the most popular fibers:

Specific symbols for clothing care in other countries

Above, we talked about international designations on clothes, uniform marking icons, the design and meaning of which do not depend on the country. However, in the standards of different states, features and differences previously existed or still exist, about which it is worth saying a few words. nine0003

Australia

Product labels of Austrian manufacturers contain the same "pictograms", "squares" and "circles". Warning signs are highlighted in red. Others are blue. The order of designations is similar to the international one.

Canada

Prior to updating the Canadian labeling system, it included only 5 classic symbols that were applied to the tags in red (prohibiting), green (permitting) and amber (warning) colors. In 2003 the system was updated and brought up to international standards. nine0003

Japan

The symbols on the Japanese manufacturer's tag can be black, dark blue, and the prohibition symbols can only be red on a white background. On the label of products that are not usually ironed, they may not draw an “iron” at all. The only exception is the "no ironing" icon.

China

The designations on the labels of Chinese textiles are practically no different from those described above. Some are monophonic, typical in appearance. However, they may have explanations in the form of hieroglyphs below the figure. nine0003

Europe

A branded clothing label from European countries can consist of four or five characters. Their sequence is strictly defined: Washing, Bleach, Ironing, Dry cleaning, Drying.

US

Until 1996, the labels that American manufacturers worked on could contain both icons and words that were instructions on how to care for the product. The modern system of the United States of America contains only symbols, no words, but they are placed on the tag in a familiar but strict order: Wash, Bleach, Dry, Iron, Warnings. nine0003

Ignoring the rules for caring for a thing is fraught with its premature damage. Obviously, you can buy a new down jacket or T-shirt, but it is much more profitable not only to know what the icons on clothes mean, but also to remember to peep at the label before washing, bleaching, drying or sending the item to dry cleaning.

Symbols for washing and drying on clothing labels and their interpretation (Table)

Any clothes that you wear and wear, and other things, have special labels with signs and symbols. These symbols tell you how to properly wash, dry, iron and clean items made from various fabrics so as not to spoil them in the future. What do these symbols mean and how to read and decipher them correctly will be shown in our table below. nine0003

Table for deciphering washing and drying symbols on clothing labels

nine0023

Hand and machine wash at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. The temperature on the symbols can be indicated in numbers or in the form of dots, depending on the manufacturer of the item.

nine0023

Delicate wash symbol. Large amount of water, minimal mechanical processing, fast rinsing.

nine0021 nine0023

Dry at low temperature symbol

nine0021 nine0023

Dry flat

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Symbol image

Symbol value

Laundry symbols and signs on clothing labels

These symbols tell you how to wash clothes properly, whether they can be soaked, rinsed and boiled. Which washing temperature to choose. Hand wash or machine wash allowed. nine0003

Prohibition of soaking and rinsing, washing and boiling. The thing must be cleaned in a dry way - use the services of dry cleaning.

The symbol permits washing and boiling, soaking and rinsing.

Hand and machine wash at a temperature not exceeding 40°C. Laundry should be washed in warm water, the so-called gentle wash cycle. Wash with neutral detergents and wash colored laundry at 40°C. nine0003

Symbol hand and machine wash at 50°C and above.

Gentle wash sign. Accurately maintain the temperature of the water, do not subject to strong mechanical processing, during the spin cycle - a slow centrifuge mode.

The symbol says that only hand washing is allowed at a maximum temperature of 30°C. Do not rub, do not squeeze.

This sign indicates that things must not be twisted during washing, after washing - do not wring out. nine0003

Drying and wringing symbols

These symbols and signs will tell you how to select the right spin and dry mode for this particular item in the washing machine, at what temperature. Is it possible to dry or wring out this thing at all.

The symbol says that spinning and drying in the washing machine is prohibited

May be tumble dried and tumble dried

Sign gentle spin and dry

Delicate spin and dry sign

Symbol dry at medium temperature

Symbol dry at high temperature

This symbol allows you to dry the item

Do not tumble dry (use in conjunction with the Do Not Wash symbol)

only vertical drying is allowed

Can only be dried without spinning

Shade drying allowed

Ironing symbols and signs

They say which clothes can or cannot be ironed and at what temperature, with or without steaming.

Symbol forbidding to iron a thing

Symbol for ironing the item

May be ironed at a maximum temperature of 100°C

Allowed to iron at a maximum temperature of 150°C

nine0002

Allowed to iron at a maximum temperature of 200°C

No steam sign

Dry cleaning symbols and signs on labels

These symbols tell us whether it is possible to dry clean certain things, if possible, with which active substance.

Do not dry clean

Only dry cleaning (dry cleaning) is allowed for this item

The symbol indicates that dry cleaning is permitted with any solvent

nine0002

The symbol indicates that dry cleaning is only permitted with hydrocarbon, ethylene chloride, monoflotrichloromethane

The symbol indicates that dry cleaning is allowed only with hydrocarbon, ethylene chloride, monoflotrichloromethane at limit.


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