How to Understand Laundry Washing Symbols
Washing symbols, also known as care symbols, can seem like a secret language. But understanding these signs can significantly influence the lifespan and appearance of your clothes. In this guide, we’ll help you demystify the most common washing symbols, so you can keep your favorite pieces looking great for longer.
What Are Laundry Washing Symbols?
Washing symbols are icons printed on clothing tags. They are there to provide information on how to clean and care for the garment. Each symbol offers specific instructions regarding washing, drying, ironing, and bleaching. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to the garment fading, shrinking, or being otherwise damaged.
Decoding Washing Symbols
Interpreting these symbols can seem overwhelming at first glance, but once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier. Here’s a guide to some of the most common washing symbols.
Washing Symbols (Tub Icon)
These symbols provide instructions for the washing process. Here’s what the most common washing symbols mean:
Washing at Thirty Degrees
Washing symbols with the number 30 inside denote washing at a low temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. This method is ideal for delicate fabrics and light colors.
To preserve fabric color and texture, use the 30-degree wash cycle. Mild detergent is recommended, and bleach should be avoided.
Washing at Forty Degrees
Symbols with the number 40 inside indicate a medium-high temperature wash at 40 degrees Celsius. It is suitable for most clothing items.
The 40-degree program is excellent for cotton, linen, and synthetic fabrics. However, please consult the garment’s care label for specific instructions.
Washing at Sixty Degrees
A symbol with the number 60 inside symbolizes high-temperature washing, ideal for white laundry and bed linen, requiring disinfection. Suitable for sturdy fabrics like white cotton.
Washing at Seventy Degrees
The 70 inside the symbol indicates very high-temperature washing, primarily used for specific disinfection needs—ideal for medical textiles and kitchen cloths.
Washing at Ninety-Five Degrees
The symbol with 95 inside represents an extremely high-temperature wash reserved for robust materials, such as work uniforms and certain linens, aiding in disinfection and stain removal.
Do Not Wash
Symbols combining a prohibition sign and a tub indicate that the item should not be washed with water, typically due to material sensitivity or construction. Such items usually require professional dry cleaning.
Delicate Wash Program
Symbols with two lines underneath represent a very gentle or delicate wash program, suggesting low temperature, reduced spin, use of mild detergents, and less laundry per load to reduce the risk of damage.
These are often found on garments made of sensitive materials like silk and wool.
Gentle Wash Program
Symbols with one line underneath denote a gentle wash program, usually involving less aggressive washing cycles and milder detergents, often suitable for garments made of synthetic fibers or items with delicate details.
Low-Temperature Washing
Symbols with one dot inside represent washing at a low temperature, usually at 30 degrees Celsius, especially for very delicate fabrics like silk or wool, involving very gentle cycles, mild detergents, and avoidance of spinning if possible.
Medium-High Temperature Washing
Symbols with two dots inside signify washing at medium-high temperatures, usually between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius, suitable for less sensitive materials, allowing moderate agitation, standard detergents, and medium spin settings.
High-Temperature Washing
Symbols with three dots inside mean high-temperature washing, typically at 60 degrees Celsius or higher, suitable for robust materials like white cotton and work uniforms, allowing standard detergents and normal spin cycles.
Very High-Temperature Washing
Symbols with four dots inside generally suggest washing at very high temperatures, usually at 70 degrees Celsius or higher, ideal for very robust materials, allowing standard detergents, bleach, and standard spin cycles.
Always refer to the garment’s label for specific washing instructions and adhere strictly to them to avoid damaging the item. If a label advises against washing at home, seek professional cleaning services.
Bleaching Symbols (Triangle Icon)
Bleaching symbols serve as guidelines that specify the conditions under which bleaching agents can be used during the washing process.
Bleaching Allowed
This symbol is typically a simple, white or black triangle, with no color inside, indicating that bleaching is allowed, and any bleaching agent suitable for the fabric can be used.
The general rule here is that you can utilize bleaches based on chlorine or oxygen unless the label specifies otherwise.
These symbols facilitate the proper care of garments by preventing any adverse reactions that might occur due to the improper use of bleaching agents, ensuring the longevity and preservation of fabric quality.
Bleaching with Chlorine Only
This is indicated by a triangle with “Cl” inside, signifying that bleaching is permissible, but only with chlorine-based bleaches.
This symbol is crucial as it helps in maintaining the integrity of the fabric by ensuring that only suitable bleaching agents are used, thus avoiding any potential damage that might arise from the utilization of non-chlorine bleaches.
Do Not Bleach with Chlorine
A triangle with “Cl” crossed out or with a prohibition sign inside indicates that chlorine-based bleaches are not allowed. If bleaching is necessary, non-chlorine bleaches should be used.
This symbol is instrumental in avoiding deterioration of the fabric caused by the harshness of chlorine-based bleaches, allowing users to select an appropriate and safer alternative when bleaching is required.
Do Not Bleach
A crossed-out triangle or one with a prohibition sign inside denotes that no form of bleaching is allowed. Bleaches can damage the fabric, so it is best to avoid them.
Adhering to this symbol is crucial as it prohibits all types of bleaching agents, safeguarding the fabric from any form of damage or discoloration that might result from the bleaching process. It emphasizes the need to abstain from using any bleaching agents to preserve the color and texture of the fabric.
Drying Symbols (Square Icon)
Drying symbols communicate the suggested methods for drying garments, ensuring their longevity and maintenance of quality.
Air Drying
When you see an empty square on the clothing label, it implies that the textile can be air-dried.
This method is often recommended for delicate materials like wool or silk as air-drying can be gentler on the textile fibers. When drying clothes this way, it’s crucial to lay them flat to prevent deformation.
This symbol is instrumental in maintaining the structural integrity of the garments and is particularly beneficial for preserving the quality of sensitive fabrics.
Tumble Drying
Clothing marked with this symbol can be tumble dried. Adhering to the instructions for specific fabric types is vital to avoid damage.
For instance, wool and silk are heat-sensitive, and it’s preferable to use lower temperatures or air-dry them. This symbol serves as a general guide, ensuring safe drying practices to prevent shrinkage and damage due to high heat, particularly pertinent to delicate fabrics.
Tumble Drying at Low Temperature
This symbol denotes that clothes can be tumble dried but at a low temperature. It is especially useful for delicate fabrics that might be damaged by high temperatures, allowing preservation of texture and form.
This low-temperature drying method is instrumental in preventing heat-induced damage, maintaining the color vibrancy and fabric structure.
Tumble Drying at Very Low Temperature
A square underscored by two lines signifies drying at even lower temperatures and is often recommended for very sensitive fabrics like silk and wool.
This method is particularly useful for garments that might be damaged by high temperatures, such as clothing items with intricate details like pearls or other embellishments. This symbol serves as a specific guideline for very delicate items, preventing any adverse effects of heat on sensitive embellishments and fabrics.
Flat Drying
Some materials, like heavier woolen items, can deform if hung to dry, so it’s advised to dry them on a flat surface.
This method is also excellent for preserving the shapes and fibers of the material, allowing the garment to maintain its original form and preventing it from stretching or distorting due to the weight of the water.
Do Not Tumble Dry
Clothes with this symbol should not be dried in a tumble dryer. This symbol is usually found on labels of garments that are heat-sensitive, such as certain synthetic materials, silk, and wool.
It’s indicative of the need to avoid exposure to intense heat, typically prevalent in tumble dryers, especially for fabrics that are prone to heat damage, shrinkage, or texture alterations.
