Laundry Symbols Guide
Decode every symbol on your clothing care labels. Five shapes do all the work: a washtub for washing, a triangle for bleach, a square for drying, an iron for ironing, and a circle for professional cleaning.
Washing
10Washing symbols use a washtub shape. The number of dots inside the tub indicates the maximum water temperature. Bars underneath indicate a gentler cycle (one bar = permanent press, two bars = delicate).
Machine Wash, Normal
Garment can be machine washed using a normal cycle at any temperature. The empty washtub means no temperature limit is specified.
Machine Wash Cold
One dot inside the washtub means wash at a maximum of 30°C (86°F). Best for delicate colours and items that may shrink.
tips_and_updatesCold water saves energy and protects bright colours.
Machine Wash Warm
Two dots inside the washtub mean wash at a maximum of 40°C (104°F). The standard temperature for most everyday laundry.
Machine Wash Hot
Three dots inside the washtub mean wash at a maximum of 50–60°C (120–140°F). Good for towels, bedding, and heavily soiled cottons.
tips_and_updates60°C helps sanitise bedding and kill dust mites.
Machine Wash Very Hot
Four dots (in a 2×2 grid) mean wash at a maximum of 70–95°C (158–203°F). Effectively boiling — used for whites and heavily soiled items only.
Permanent Press Cycle
A single bar under the washtub means a gentler permanent press cycle with reduced agitation and slower spin.
tips_and_updatesGood for synthetic fabrics that wrinkle easily.
Delicate / Gentle Cycle
Two bars under the washtub mean a delicate cycle with minimal agitation. Used for fragile items.
Hand Wash Only
A hand reaching into the washtub means the garment must be washed by hand at no more than 40°C. Use gentle squeezing motions — never wring.
tips_and_updatesWool, silk, and other delicate fibres often need hand washing.
Do Not Wash
The washtub with an X through it means the garment cannot be washed in water and likely requires professional cleaning.
Do Not Wring
A twisted cloth with an X through it means do not twist or wring the garment to remove water. Press gently or roll in a towel instead.
Woolite Hand Wash
Best for Wool & Silk
Woolite Gentle Cycle
Best for Delicates
Arm & Hammer Deep Clean
Best for Odors
Bleaching
3Bleach symbols use a triangle. An empty triangle allows any bleach; diagonal lines mean non-chlorine bleach only; an X means no bleach at all.
Any Bleach Allowed
An empty triangle means any bleach — including chlorine bleach — may be used.
Non-Chlorine Bleach Only
Triangle with diagonal lines: use only oxygen-based (non-chlorine) bleach. Chlorine bleach will damage the fabric.
tips_and_updatesLook for 'oxygen bleach' or 'colour-safe bleach' on the label.
Do Not Bleach
Triangle with an X means no bleach at all. Any bleach will damage the fabric or alter its colour.
OUT White Brite Whitener
Best for Yellowing & Rust
Color Keeper Sheets
Amazon's Choice
Drying
13Drying symbols use a square. A circle inside means tumble dry; lines indicate natural drying. Dots inside the tumble circle indicate heat level. Diagonal lines in the corner mean dry in shade.
Tumble Dry, Normal
Garment can be tumble dried using a normal cycle at any heat.
Tumble Dry Low Heat
One dot inside the tumble circle: tumble dry at low heat (around 55°C / 130°F). Gentler on synthetic fabrics.
Tumble Dry Medium Heat
Two dots inside the tumble circle: tumble dry at medium heat (around 65°C / 150°F).
Tumble Dry High Heat
Three dots inside the tumble circle: tumble dry at high heat (around 75°C / 170°F). Good for towels and heavy cottons.
Tumble Dry, No Heat
Air-only tumble drying — no heat applied. Useful for delicate synthetics.
Tumble Dry, Permanent Press
A bar under the tumble dry square means a permanent press cycle with reduced heat and a cool-down phase to prevent wrinkles.
Tumble Dry, Delicate
Two bars under the tumble dry square mean a delicate cycle with minimal heat and gentle tumbling.
Do Not Tumble Dry
The tumble dry symbol with an X means tumble drying will damage the garment. Air dry instead.
Hang Dry / Line Dry
A square with a curved line at the top means hang the garment on a clothesline to dry. Good for items that may stretch when laid flat.
Drip Dry
A square with three vertical lines means hang the garment dripping wet without spinning. No wringing or spinning beforehand.
Dry Flat
A square with a single horizontal line means lay the garment flat on a clean surface to dry. Recommended for wool and knit items.
Dry in Shade
A square with two diagonal lines in the top-left corner means dry away from direct sunlight. Combine with hang/drip/flat drying symbols for the full instruction.
tips_and_updatesDark colours, silk, and some synthetics fade in sunlight.
Do Not Dry
A square with an X means do not dry the garment at all by mechanical means. Usually paired with 'Do Not Wash' for dry-clean-only items.
365 Lavender Fabric Softener
Plant-Based
Clorox Refreshables Dryer Towelettes
Amazon's Choice
Ironing
5Ironing symbols use an iron pictogram. Dots indicate maximum heat — more dots means higher heat. An X means no ironing.
Iron Low (110°C / 230°F)
One dot: low heat only. Use for silk, acetate, and some synthetics.
tips_and_updatesAlways test on a hidden area first.
Iron Medium (150°C / 300°F)
Two dots: medium heat. Suitable for wool and most polyester blends.
Iron High (200°C / 390°F)
Three dots: high heat. Suitable for cotton and linen.
Iron Without Steam
An iron with steam jets and an X means dry iron only. Steam may damage the fabric or leave water marks.
Do Not Iron
Iron with an X: ironing will damage the garment. Steam from a hanger may be safer if needed.
BLACK+DECKER Steam Iron
Overall Pick
OGHom Handheld Steamer
Amazon's Choice
Professional Cleaning
6Professional cleaning symbols use a circle. Letters inside tell the cleaner which solvents are safe. An X means do not professionally clean.
Dry Clean
Garment must be professionally dry-cleaned. The empty circle means any solvent is acceptable.
Dry Clean, Any Solvent
Circle with 'A': any solvent can be used by the professional cleaner.
Dry Clean with Perchloroethylene
Circle with 'P': clean using perchloroethylene (also called tetrachloroethylene) or petroleum-based solvents. The most common professional dry cleaning solvent.
Dry Clean with Petroleum Solvent
Circle with 'F': clean using petroleum (hydrocarbon) solvent only — no perchloroethylene. Used for more sensitive fabrics.
Professional Wet Clean
Circle with 'W': professional wet cleaning — a water-based process performed by professional cleaners.
Do Not Dry Clean
Circle with an X: garment cannot be dry-cleaned. Dry cleaning solvents will damage the fabric.
Symbol icons from the open-source laundry-symbols project (MIT-licensed). Product cards link to Amazon — StainScout earns a small commission when you buy. No extra cost to you.
New to care labels?
Read our step-by-step walkthrough: How to Read a Laundry Care Label.
Got the symbols decoded?
Now learn how to care for the fabric itself
Our material care guides cover cotton, wool, silk, leather, suede, and 20+ more — with step-by-step washing, drying, ironing, and storage tips.