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Laundry symbols explained

Care labels use five basic shapes: a tub for washing, a triangle for bleach, a square for drying, an iron for ironing and a circle for dry cleaning. Dots mean temperature, and an X means don't. Here's every common symbol.

  • Wash
  • Bleach
  • Dry
  • Iron
  • Dry clean

Washing

The tub. Dots show the maximum water temperature; lines underneath mean a gentler cycle.

  • Machine wash coldUp to about 85°F (30°C).
  • Machine wash warmUp to about 105°F (40°C).
  • Machine wash hotUp to about 120°F (50°C).
  • Permanent press cycleMedium agitation, cool rinse to limit wrinkles.
  • Gentle or delicate cycleLow agitation and a short spin.
  • Hand washCool or lukewarm water, gentle squeezing, no wringing.
  • Do not washUsually dry clean only. Check the rest of the label.

Bleaching

The triangle.

  • Bleach when neededAny bleach, including chlorine, following the bleach label.
  • Non-chlorine bleach onlyUse oxygen or color-safe bleach.
  • Do not bleachNo bleach of any kind.

Drying

The square. A circle inside means tumble dry; dots show the heat.

  • Tumble dry, normalAny heat setting.
  • Tumble dry, low heatGood for most knits and synthetics.
  • Tumble dry, medium heatEveryday cottons.
  • Tumble dry, high heatTowels and sturdy cottons.
  • Tumble dry, no heatAir-only setting.
  • Do not tumble dryLine dry or dry flat instead.
  • Line dryHang on a line or rack.
  • Drip dryHang while wet, without spinning or wringing.
  • Dry flatLay flat on a towel or rack to keep the shape.

Ironing

The iron. Dots show the maximum temperature.

  • Iron, low heatUp to about 230°F (110°C). Synthetics and silk.
  • Iron, medium heatUp to about 300°F (150°C). Wool and polyester blends.
  • Iron, high heatUp to about 390°F (200°C). Cotton and linen.
  • Do not ironSteam or hang to release wrinkles instead, if the label allows.

Dry cleaning

The circle on its own. Letters inside are instructions for the cleaner.

  • Dry cleanTake it to a professional cleaner.
  • P
    Dry clean, PTells the cleaner which solvents to use.
  • Do not dry cleanWash as the rest of the label says.

Symbols follow the common US (ASTM) care label system; labels from other countries may differ slightly. Temperatures are maximums. When in doubt, use the gentler option. Read read care labels, prevent shrinking and ironing and wrinkles.