Lexi Webster
Laundry symbols are like a universal language that helps you decipher the best way to care for your clothes. They guide you on how to wash, dry, and clean your garments to keep them looking newer for longer. While these symbols may seem like a foreign language, they are easy to understand and help you get the most wear out of your clothes. This is especially important for your favourite clothes, as using the incorrect dryer setting could result in shrinking or permanent damage. So, the next time you buy a new shirt, take a minute to read the tag and its symbols before you wash it for the first time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Washing | A bucket of water symbol means the garment can be machine-washed. A hand with a bucket of water means it should be hand-washed only. |
| Drying | A square with a circle in the centre means tumble drying is allowed. A square with a horizontal line means dry flat. A square with a curved line means hang to dry. |
| Ironing | An iron-shaped symbol indicates whether and how to iron the garment. |
| Temperature | Increasing number of dots inside a circle or a bucket of water symbol indicate the temperature. One dot means cool, two dots mean medium temperature, and three dots mean high temperature. |
| Cycle type | A tub with one or two lines underneath indicates the cycle type. One line means permanent press cycle, and two lines mean delicate or gentle cycle. |
| Dry cleaning | A circle means dry cleaning is allowed. A circle with an X through it means no dry cleaning. |
| Non-machine drying | A square symbol refers to non-machine drying requirements. |
| Bleach | A triangle means bleaching is allowed. A triangle with an X through it means no bleaching. A triangle with angled stripes means use non-chlorine bleach. |
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What You'll Learn
Washing instructions
Laundry symbols are there to guide you so your clothes get the care they deserve. They are part of a universal laundry care language that allows people all over the world to properly care for their garments.
The washtub or bucket 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. A washtub with numbers means the temperature is shown in degrees Celsius. A cold wash is around 30°C (85°F), warm is 40°C (105°F), warm/hot is 50°C (120°F) and hot is 60°C (140°F). These temperatures should be considered the maximum recommended for safely washing that garment. A washtub with dots means the same thing as a number: the water temperature. The more dots there are (there can be up to six), the hotter the temperature. So if you see a single dot, wash your garment in cold water. If you see three dots, wash the item in hot water.
Lines under the washtub signify that the garment needs to be washed on a special cycle. No lines mean that it’s a normal wash. One line means to use the permanent press cycle and two lines mean to use the delicate setting.
The hand wash symbol means you should not wash the garment in a machine and instead wash it by hand. Typically, this symbol applies to delicate garments made from fabrics like silk or linen. It may be safe to machine wash on a “hand wash” cycle setting if your machine has one, but care should be taken to protect the garment. You can also try putting the garment in a mesh bag or washing it alone to further protect it. If your garment is precious, vintage, or otherwise irreplaceable, take it to a professional cleaner.
The "do not wash" symbol means the garment should not be washed in a machine or tub but should be taken to a professional dry cleaner when it becomes dirty.
The "dry clean only" symbol means the garment must be taken to a dry cleaner for removal of dirt or other stains. A circle with an X through it means the garment should not be dry cleaned. This symbol is often found on items that may be damaged by dry cleaning solvents or processes.
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Drying instructions
Drying laundry is a tricky process, and using the incorrect dryer setting could result in shrinking or permanent damage to your clothes. Therefore, it is important to understand the drying symbols on your clothing labels.
A square with a circle in the centre indicates that tumble drying is allowed, and you can dry your clothing at any heat level. If you see a square with a solid circle, this means that the item should not be exposed to any heat, and you should not use a dryer. A square with a circle and an X means that the item cannot be tumble dried, so get your clothesline ready as a square with a curved line indicates that you should hang the item to line dry. Synthetic fabrics such as spandex and polyester last longer when left to air dry naturally. If you see a square with a line in the middle, dry the item flat. This is most often used for linens, wool, silk, cotton, or leather.
The dots inside the drying symbols indicate the type of heat to use. One dot means cool, two dots mean medium temperature, and three dots mean high temperature. If the circle is solid with an empty square around it, it means no heat on the dryer.
Additionally, horizontal lines indicate special settings. One line means to use the permanent press cycle, while two lines mean to use the delicate cycle on the dryer.
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Dry cleaning
When it comes to dry cleaning, there are a few different symbols you may encounter on Austrian laundry tags. The primary symbol to look out for is a circle, which indicates that an item must be dry cleaned. If there is a letter inside the circle, it is indicating to the dry cleaner what chemical to use. The more bars underneath the circle, the more precaution the dry cleaner must take. If there is an X through the circle, this means the item cannot be dry cleaned and should be washed using the gentlest setting on your washer.
In addition to the primary dry cleaning symbol, you may also encounter circles with lines on the outside. These indicate any additional instructions for the dry cleaner. For example, the number of dots inside a circle typically indicates the water temperature required. One dot means cold water, two dots mean warm water, and three dots mean hot water.
It's important to note that laundry symbols are not just about dry cleaning. They also provide information on washing, drying, and ironing. For example, a square with a circle in the centre refers to tumble drying, while a box with a solid circle means the item should not be exposed to any heat. A bucket of water by itself means the item can be machine washed, while a bucket of water with a hand means it should be hand-washed only.
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Bleaching
It is important to follow the instructions on the laundry tag to maintain the quality and longevity of your garments. Ignoring these instructions may lead to damage or shrinkage, affecting the appearance and lifespan of your clothing.
Laundry symbols are a universal language that provides specific care instructions that are understood universally. They are divided into four primary categories: washing, drying, ironing, and bleaching.
Washing symbols indicate machine wash, hand wash, temperature recommendations, and no washing. Drying symbols include tumble dry, drip dry, dry flat, and line dry instructions. Ironing symbols signify whether ironing is allowed and the recommended temperature settings.
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Ironing
If the iron symbol is crossed out, this means the item cannot be ironed. If there is an X over lines coming out of the bottom of the iron, this means the item cannot be steamed.
The number of dots inside the iron symbol indicates the temperature setting: one dot means a low temperature, two dots mean medium, and three dots mean high.
Some items can be ironed but should not be steamed. If the item can be ironed, but you see an X beneath the iron symbol, this means that you should not use steam.
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Frequently asked questions
A circle on the tag means the item can be dry cleaned. If the circle has an X through it, the item cannot be dry cleaned. If there is a letter inside the circle, it indicates to the dry cleaner which chemical to use. The more bars underneath the circle, the more precaution the dry cleaner must take.
A triangle on the tag means the item can be bleached. A triangle with an X through it means the item cannot be bleached. A triangle with several angled stripes within it means you should use non-chlorine bleach.
A square with a circle in the centre means tumble drying is allowed. A square with a horizontal line in the middle means the item should be dried flat. A square with a curved line means the item can be hung up to line dry.
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