We’ve all been there, standing in front of the washing machine, staring at the tiny icons on a clothing tag, wondering what on earth they mean. From triangles and circles to crossed-out tubs, laundry care symbols can feel like a secret code. But once you learn how to read them, you’ll save time, avoid shrinkage, and keep your clothes looking newer for longer.
Let’s break down the most common laundry care symbols so you can wash (and dry) with confidence.
1. Washing Symbols (The Bucket Icon)
The little bucket icon represents washing instructions. Following these laundry care symbols helps prevent avoiding unnecessary damage to delicate fabrics:
- Number inside: The maximum water temperature your fabric can handle (e.g., 30°C or 40°C).
- Hand inside: Your item should be hand-washed only.
- Cross over it: Means “do not wash.”
- One line underneath: Use a gentle wash cycle (synthetic/permanent press).
- Two lines underneath: Use a very delicate wash cycle (wool/silk/lace).
2. Bleaching Symbols (The Triangle Icon)
A triangle tells you whether bleach is safe to use:
- A plain triangle: Safe for any bleach.
- A triangle with diagonal lines: Use non-chlorine bleach only.
- A crossed-out triangle: Skip the bleach entirely.
Knowing your bleaching symbols ensures your whites stay bright, without fading or ruining the fabric.
3. Drying Symbols (The Square Icon)
The square represents drying instructions. A circle inside the square means tumble dry is okay. Dots inside the circle show heat level:
- One dot: Low heat tumble dry.
- Two dots: Medium heat tumble dry.
- Three dots: High heat tumble dry.
- A crossed-out circle: Avoid tumble drying completely — air dry instead.
Properly following these laundry care symbols can keep your clothes from shrinking or losing shape.
4. Ironing Symbols (The Iron Icon)
The iron icon shows how hot you can go:
- One dot: Low heat ironing.
- Two dots: Medium heat ironing.
- Three dots: High heat ironing.
- A cross: Do not iron.
- Lines or steam underneath: Steam is safe to use.
5. Dry Cleaning Symbols (The Circle Icon)
The circle guides you on dry cleaning:
- A plain circle: Your item is safe for dry cleaning.
- Letters inside (like P or F): Tell the cleaner which solvent to use.
- A crossed-out circle: Avoid dry cleaning altogether.
Laundry made simple with Sweepsouth
If decoding laundry care symbols still feels like too much work, leave it to the pros. Sweepsouth’s Laundry & Ironing Service takes the guesswork out of garment care. We’ll wash, dry, and iron your clothes with care, so you can enjoy fresh, perfectly pressed outfits without the laundry-day stress. Book your laundry service today and let us handle the rest!
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