What Do The Symbols On Clothing Labels Mean?

Decoding Fabric Care Symbols: A Guide to Understanding Laundry Labels

If you’ve ever stood in front of your washing machine, staring at a clothing tag covered in mysterious symbols, you’re not alone. Symbols on clothing labels and other fabrics are designed to provide essential instructions for cleaning and maintaining your garments, but they can feel like a foreign language. This guide breaks down what these symbols mean, so you can give your clothes the care they deserve.

1. Washing Symbols: Getting the Water Right

Washing symbols indicate how to properly wash your garment. They are often represented by a tub of water.

• Basic Washing Tub: A simple tub icon means the item is machine washable. If it has a hand inside, it should be hand-washed.

• Temperature Dots: Dots inside the washing tub indicate the temperature:

  • One dot = Cold water (30°C or 85°F).

  • Two dots = Warm water (40°C or 105°F).

  • Three dots = Hot water (50°C or 120°F or higher).

  • Four dots = Hot water (60°C or 140°F or higher).

  • Five dots = Hot water (70°C or 160°F or higher).

  • Six dots = Hot water (95°C or 200°F or higher).

• Temperature Numbers: Numbers inside the washing tub are another way to indicate the maximum temperature. These numbers are often in degrees Celsius, so if you are used to temperatures in Fahrenheit, be sure to adapt them to your situation.

• Lines Under the Tub: These lines signify the machine’s agitation level:

  • No line = Normal cycle.

  • One line = Gentle cycle.

  • Two lines = Very gentle cycle, like for delicates.

• Tub crossed out: Do not wash the item.

• Crossed-Out Hand or Machine Symbols: Do not wash; dry clean only.

• Hand Icon: Hand wash only.

2. Bleaching Symbols: Handle with Care

Bleaching symbols guide you on whether bleach is safe for your fabric.

• Empty Triangle: Bleach is allowed.

• Triangle with Two Lines: Non-chlorine bleach only.

• Crossed-Out Triangle: Do not bleach.

Using the wrong bleach can damage fabric fibers or discolor your clothing, so pay close attention to these symbols.

3. Drying Symbols: Avoid Shrinkage and Damage

Drying instructions ensure your clothes keep their shape and size.

• Square with a Circle Inside: Tumble dry is allowed.

• Dots Inside the Circle: Similar to washing, dots indicate temperature:

  • One dot = Low heat.

  • Two dots = Medium heat.

  • Three dots = High heat.

• Lines Inside the Square: Indicate alternative drying methods:

  • Vertical line(s) = Hang to dry or drip dry.

  • Horizontal line = Dry flat to maintain shape.

• Crossed-Out Circle: Do not tumble dry.

4. Ironing Symbols: Press Without Stress

Ironing symbols tell you how to handle wrinkles without damaging the fabric.

• Iron Icon: An iron symbol means the item can be ironed.

• Dots on the Iron:

  • One dot = Low heat (for synthetics like polyester).

  • Two dots = Medium heat (for wool or blends).

  • Three dots = High heat (for cotton or linen).

• Crossed-Out Iron: Do not iron.

• Iron with an ‘X’ or Steam Lines: Avoid using steam.

5. Dry Cleaning and Special Symbols: Leave It to the Professionals

Dry cleaning symbols are represented by a circle.

• Circle Only: The item can be dry cleaned.

• Crossed-Out Circle: Do not dry clean.

• Letters Inside the Circle: Indicate which solvent should be used (P or F for specific chemicals).

• Circle with a “W”: Professional wet cleaning is recommended.

Why Fabric Care Symbols Matter

Properly interpreting fabric care symbols isn’t just about avoiding mistakes – it’s about extending the life of your clothing. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to shrinking, fading, or ruining the garment’s integrity.

Final Tips

• Keep a reference chart near your laundry area for quick checks.

• When in doubt, opt for gentler settings to minimize wear and tear.

• If a garment has multiple conflicting symbols, follow the most restrictive one.

Mastering fabric care symbols takes the guesswork out of laundry, helping you keep your clothes looking fresh and fabulous. Next time you do laundry, take a moment to decode those tags – you might just save your favorite shirt!