Every garment has a care label, and the small symbols on it tell you exactly how to wash, dry, iron and clean it. Here is what the common laundry care symbols mean, in plain English.
Washing symbols (the tub)
| Symbol | What it means |
|---|---|
| Tub | Machine wash |
| Tub with dots or a number | The highest water temperature to use. One dot is cold to about 86°F (30°C), two dots about 104°F (40°C), three about 122°F (50°C), four about 140°F (60°C). |
| Tub with a hand | Hand wash only |
| One line under the tub | Gentle or permanent-press cycle |
| Two lines under the tub | Delicate cycle, the gentlest setting |
| Tub with an X | Do not wash |
Bleaching symbols (the triangle)
| Symbol | What it means |
|---|---|
| Empty triangle | Bleach may be used |
| Triangle with two diagonal lines | Non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach only |
| Triangle with an X | Do not bleach |
Drying symbols (the square)
| Symbol | What it means |
|---|---|
| Square with a circle | Tumble dry. Dots inside the circle show the heat: one dot is low, two dots is medium. |
| Square with a circle and an X | Do not tumble dry |
| Square with a curved line on top | Line dry or hang to dry |
| Square with a horizontal line | Dry flat |
| Square with three vertical lines | Drip dry |
Ironing symbols (the iron)
| Symbol | What it means |
|---|---|
| Iron with one dot | Low heat, about 230°F (110°C) |
| Iron with two dots | Medium heat, about 300°F (150°C) |
| Iron with three dots | High heat, about 390°F (200°C) |
| Iron with an X | Do not iron |
Professional cleaning symbols (the circle)
| Symbol | What it means |
|---|---|
| Empty circle | Dry clean |
| Circle with a letter such as P or F | Dry clean, using the type of solvent the letter indicates. Your cleaner knows what it means. |
| Circle with a W | Professional wet cleaning |
| Circle with an X | Do not dry clean |
What if the label says "dry clean only"?
Take it at its word. Wool, silk, tailored jackets and structured garments can shrink, lose shape or fade in a home washer. Our dry cleaning service starts at $5.25 for a shirt and $5.99 for pants, and final prices are confirmed after inspection. See how dry cleaning works for what happens to your garment.
A few practical tips
- Labels differ by country. US, European and Asian labels use similar symbols, and some US labels add words such as "machine wash cold."
- When in doubt, go gentler. If a label is faded or missing, use cold water and a low-heat or air dry, or ask a professional.
- Check each item. A garment with trim or lining can have a more delicate requirement than its fabric alone suggests.
- Water temperature matters. Our cold vs hot wash guide explains how to choose.
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