Meaning of Laundry Symbols on Clothing Labels

We know that clothing labels can be a real headache—they itch, scrape, and cause all sorts of discomfort, making it tempting to cut them off as soon as you wear a new dress or shirt.

But believe us when we say that, as annoying as they are, those labels are something you should pay attention to if you want to extend the life of your clothes. Do you know how to identify the laundry symbols on them? If you're unsure, here’s a quick guide to help you understand them next time you do laundry.

Washing Symbols

We know all those symbols on clothing labels can be overwhelming, so let’s start with the easiest ones—the washing symbols. While they all share a tub icon as the base, here are the different variations you might find:

• Crossed-out tub: You cannot wet or wash the garment.

• Tub with a hand: It can be washed in water, but only by hand.

• Tub with water: The garment can be washed normally.

• Tub with a line underneath: It can be washed in the machine but on a delicate cycle. If there are two lines, use a very delicate cycle.

• Tub with a "30" or one dot: The maximum washing temperature is 30 degrees Celsius.

• Tub with a "40" or two dots: The maximum washing temperature is 40 degrees Celsius.

• Tub with a "50" or three dots: The maximum washing temperature is 50 degrees Celsius.

• Tub with a "60" or four dots: The maximum washing temperature is 60 degrees Celsius.

• Tub with a "70" or five dots: The garment can be washed at a maximum of 70 degrees Celsius.

• Tub with a "95" or six dots: The maximum washing temperature is 95 degrees Celsius.

Dry Cleaning Symbols

Certain garments, like some jackets made with delicate materials such as leather or suede, can only be dry-cleaned. But just like regular washing, there are different dry-cleaning symbols to look out for:

• Empty circle: The most common symbol, it indicates the garment can be dry-cleaned without special care.

• Circle with a letter: This is an indication for dry-cleaning professionals. For example, a circle with a "W" means distilled water must be used in cleaning.

• Circle with lines underneath: These lines indicate restrictions on cleaning, and the number of lines corresponds to the level of caution required.

Traditional Drying Symbols

Clothing labels also provide information about drying garments. When it comes to traditional drying methods, here are the key symbols:

• Square with a semicircle at the top: You can hang the garment on a line or clothesline.

• Square with vertical lines inside: You can air-dry it on a hanger.

• Square with a horizontal line: The garment should be dried flat.

• Square with diagonal lines: The garment should be dried in the shade.

Tumble Dryer Symbols

If you can't air-dry your clothes, especially in winter, it helps to know the tumble dryer symbols on labels. The next time you want to dry your pants to wear them the next day, pay attention to these:

• Square with a circle: The garment is suitable for tumble drying.

• Square with a circle and a cross: The garment is NOT suitable for tumble drying.

• Square with a circle and one dot: The garment can be tumble dried at a low temperature.

• Square with a circle and two dots: The garment can be tumble dried at a medium temperature.

• Square with a circle and three dots: The garment is suitable for tumble drying at a high temperature.

Ironing Symbols

Incorrectly ironing your clothes can greatly shorten their lifespan, so make sure you pay attention to these symbols:

• Crossed-out iron: The garment should not be ironed.

• Plain iron: It can be ironed at a normal temperature.

• Iron with one dot: Iron at a low temperature (up to 110 degrees Celsius) and without steam.

• Iron with two dots: Iron at a medium temperature (up to 150 degrees Celsius).

• Iron with three dots: Iron at a high temperature (up to 200 degrees Celsius).

• Iron with crossed-out steam lines: Dry ironing without steam.

Bleach or Whitening Symbols

The last laundry symbols you should know are those related to the use of bleach or whitening agents. These are:

• Empty triangle: Chlorine-based bleaches, like regular bleach, can be used.

• Crossed-out triangle: Chlorine-based bleaches should not be used.

• Triangle with lines: Oxygen-based bleaches can be used.