1. 1
Washing symbols and signs
What do the washing symbols and signs mean?
Washing symbols explained: How to read your laundry labels
General washing symbols
Do not wash
Hand wash
Do not wring
Gentle wash, delicates and spin cycles
Permanent press cycle
Gentle cycle or delicates
Gentle cycle with temperature
Home Appliances
Laundry labels contain loads of information. But once you understand the basic logic, they are
easy to decipher. Washing label symbols are divided into five basic categories: washing,
bleaching, ironing, dry cleaning and drying.
Different variations of the symbols provide detailed care instructions for each phase – always
read them before switching on your washing machine.
The tub is the most important washing symbol on the care label. It explains how your clothes
should be washed, with which programme and at which temperatures. If your laundry needs gentle
care, you will see one or more lines below the tub. In Europe, the proper washing temperature is
shown directly inside the tub icon. In the US, however, recommended washing temperatures are
indicated by dots inside the tub. The more dots, the higher the temperature.
Be careful whenever you see this symbol on your garments. Clothes with this washing symbol
on the label are not machine-washable. Never place them in the washing machine – and do not
wash them by hand. They most likely need dry cleaning (see below).
This washing symbol means that your garment may only be washed by hand. But don't worry,
because many washing machines have hand-washing programmes that are just as gentle on your
clothes.
The washing symbol with a line or a dash under the tub means that the laundry can be washed
with a shorter washing cycle (like a synthetic programme) and a short or low-speed spin cycle.
A tub with no line means that your clothes are machine washable. You'll find this on more robust
fabrics like denim. The correct washing temperature will usually appear inside the symbol
(see below).
A washing symbol with two lines under the tub means your clothes need an extra-gentle wash.
They should only be washed with a gentle programme (e.g. wool) and a suitable detergent.
Avoid the spin cycle if possible.
A tub with one or more lines underneath and a temperature simply means that your garment
should be washed gently at the prescribed temperature. Avoid the spin cycle if possible.
If you see this symbol, you should resist the urge to twist and turn fabrics to remove excess water,
because wringing could damage the fibres.
The tub explains everything about washing
The triangle explains everything about bleaching
The iron shows you how to iron your textiles
The circle informs you about dry cleaning
The square tells you everything about drying

2. In the US, the tub symbol with a dot inside means that your laundry can only be washed at
30 degrees Celsius or below.
If you're seeing an extra line below the tub symbol with a dot inside that means your clothing
should be washed using a gentle cycle.
The washing symbol with two dots in the tub stands for laundry that can be washed at 40
degrees Celsius.
The tub symbol with three dots indicates laundry that can be washed at hot temperatures of
up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Care symbols with four dots indicate that items can be washed at a washing temperature of up
to 60 degrees Celsius.
Laundry that can be washed at up to 70 degrees is indicated in the United States by a tub
symbol with five dots.
Washing symbols with dots also apply to laundry that can be washed at 80 degrees (6 dots)
or 90 degrees (7 dots).
2
Home Appliances
Washing temperatures
Wash at 30°C
Wash at 40°C or below
Wash at 50°C or below
Wash at 60°C or below
Wash at 70°C or below
Wash at 80°C or below
Wash at 90°C or below
Washing at 95°C or below
American washing symbols
Wash at 30°C or below
Gentle wash at 30°C or below
Wash at 40°C or below
Wash at 50°C or below
Wash at 60°C or below
Wash at 70°C or below
This laundry symbol means that your clothing may be machine-washed, but only at low
temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius.
Your garment can withstand washing temperatures of up to 40°C.
If you see this washing symbol, washing can be done at temperatures of up to 50°C.
With this laundry symbol, your garment may be washed at temperatures up to 60°C.
This washing symbol indicates that the laundry can be washed at up to 70°C.
This washing symbol allows the washing of textiles at hot temperatures up to a maximum of
80°C.
Your fabric or clothing piece can withstand extra-hot washing at up to 90°C.
Your item can be machine-washed at the highest temperature: 95°C.

3. The triangle or bleaching symbol usually comes after the tub symbol on a clothes label. It is
important to know that bleaching can be done in two ways: Either with the help of oxygen or with
chlorine. Each method has its own symbol. Here's an overview of all bleaching symbols:
The ironing symbol on the laundry label speaks for itself – after all, it looks just like an iron.
The symbol is often supplemented by dots that indicate the maximum ironing temperature.
Find them all below.
A crossed-out iron symbol means that it is not safe to press your item with an iron, since ironing
may permanently damage the fabric.
If only the steaming portion of the iron is crossed-out, your garment may be ironed as long as you
do not use the steam function.
An iron is the general laundry symbol for ironing and means that ironing is suitable for your fabric.
This iron symbol with a dot stands for extra-gentle ironing at a maximum of 110 degrees Celsius.
The iron symbol with two dots indicates that the item can be ironed at a maximum temperature
of 150°C.
If the iron symbol has three dots, you can use a higher temperature of up to 200°C.
The triangle symbol on a laundry label means that any type of bleach is permitted.
The crossed-out triangle washing symbol means that bleach is not allowed. If you find this symbol,
make sure to use a good colour detergent, or one that doesn't contain any optical brighteners that
will fade your clothes.
This is an outdated version of the "do not bleach" symbol that you may still find on older items.
3
Home Appliances
The triangle: Bleaching symbols
Bleach is allowed
Do not bleach
Do not bleach
Two diagonal lines inside the triangle mean that you may use bleach to brighten your clothes –
just make sure that it's a non-chlorine variety.
Non-chlorine bleach only
The letters CL in a triangle on the washing label stand for chlorine and mean that your garment
may only be whitened using chlorine bleach.
Chlorine bleach
The iron: Ironing symbols
Do not iron
Do not steam-iron
Ironing is allowed
Iron at 110°C
Iron at 150°C
Iron at 200°C

4. An empty circle is the general laundry symbol for dry cleaning. Variations of this washing symbol
provide information on how items of clothing can be professionally cleaned. Letters in the circle
stand for the type of cleaning (wet cleaning, cleaning with petroleum solvents or any solvents, etc.).
As with the other laundry symbols, the lines or bars underneath specify the need for gentle care.
A crossed-out circle indicates that the garment must not be dry-cleaned.
The square with a circle inside is the general dryer symbol. If this symbol appears on a laundry
label, the garment can be dried in a machine, unless the square is crossed out. Different variations
of this drying symbol provide information about the programmes and temperature settings at which
laundry can be dried.
A laundry care symbol in the form of a plain square without a circle stands for air drying. You
should dry this laundry by hanging it on a (rotary) clothesline or a drying rack.
The square: Drying symbols
Tumble dry
The square with a circle in the middle means that the item can go in your dryer.
Do not tumble dry
Clothing items that are not suitable for tumble drying are marked with an X symbol. Do not
place these items in your dryer.
Air drying
4
Home Appliances
The circle: Dry cleaning symbols
Dry clean
The circle is the general symbol for dry cleaning.
Do not dry clean
A crossed-out circle means that dry cleaning is not permitted for an item of clothing.
Dry clean, any solvent
An "A" inside the dry cleaning symbol indicates that dry cleaning is possible with all dry cleaning
solvents.
Dry clean, perchloroethylene (PCE)
The letter P inside the dry cleaning symbol means dry cleaning can be done with PCE or
petroleum-based solvents.
Dry clean, petroleum solvents only
The letter F inside the dry cleaning symbol means dry cleaning should only be done with petroleum
solvents.
Professional wet cleaning
The dry cleaning symbol with the letter W stands for professional wet cleaning only.
Cleaning method not allowed
If any cleaning method is shown with a crossed out circle, it should not be used.
Gentle professional wet cleaning
A circle with the letter W and a line below it means your item requires gentle professional wet
cleaning.
Extra-gentle professional wet cleaning
A circle with the letter W and two lines below it means that the laundry item requires extra-gentle
professional wet cleaning.

5. As of July 1,1997, care labels may come with a new feature — symbols or pictures. These symbols will quickly help you
determine how to clean your clothes. Through 1998, the care label must include written instructions with the option of
using symbols as well. After 1998, either written instructions or symbols must be provided, but not always both. Below
is a quick guide to help you learn the new symbols.
Agricultural Extension Service
The University of Tennessee
Wash
Bleach
Dry
Iron
Dryclean
A P F
Dryclean - Normal Cycle
Machine
Wash
Cycles
Normal Permanent
Press
Delicate/
Gentle
Water
Temperatures
(Maximum)
Symbol(s)
(200F) (160F) (140F) (120F) (105F) (65F-85F)
95C 70C 60C 50C 40C 30C
Any Bleach
When Needed
Only Non-Chlorine Bleach
When Needed
Tumble Dry
Cycles
Normal Permanent
Press
Delicate/
Gentle
Line Dry /
Hang to Dry
Drip Dry
Dry Flat
Tumble Dry
Settings
Any Heat High Medium Low No Heat/Air
Iron —
Dry or Steam
Maximum
Temperatures
200C
(390F)
High
150C
(300F)
Medium
110C
(230F)
Low
Any
Solvent
Any Solvent
Except
Trichloroethylene
Petroleum
Solvent
Only
Do Not
Dryclean
Dryclean — Additional Instructions
Short
Cycle
Reduced
Moisture
Low
Heat
No
Steam
Finishing
Hand Wash
Warning
Symbols
Do Not Wash
Do Not Bleach
Do Not Dry
(used with
Do Not Wash)
Do Not
Tumble Dry
Do Not Wring
In the shade
(added to line dry,
drip dry or dry flat)
Do Not Iron
No Steam
(added to iron)
Guide to Apparel/Textile Care Symbols
As a minimum, laundering instructions include, in order, four symbols: washing, bleaching, drying and ironing.
Drycleaning instructions include one symbol.
Care Label Symbols
Bridgett W. Smith, Associate Professor
Clothing, Housing & Environmental Stewardship
SP519

6. What is the Care Labeling Rule?
What is the Care Labeling Rule?
What is the Care Labeling Rule?
What is the Care Labeling Rule?
What is the Care Labeling Rule?
The Care Labeling Rule was issued by the Federal Trade Commission in 1971 to help consumers with clothing
care. The rule states that manufacturers must tag their clothing with at least one safe cleaning method. Beginning
July 1, 1997, manufacturers may use certain care symbols in place of words on labels. These symbols and their
meanings are explained on the reverse side of this publication. Symbols and their written meaning will be required
for eighteen months. After January 1998, only symbols can be used by the manufacturer.
What information is required on the care label?
What information is required on the care label?
What information is required on the care label?
What information is required on the care label?
What information is required on the care label?
Care labels for textile wearing apparel must provide either washing or dry cleaning instructions. Only one safe
method of care is required to be provided by the manufacturer. The label must also warn you against any
procedure that might harm the item during reasonable care. For example, the label must say whether any step of
the care method — washing, bleaching, drying, ironing or dry cleaning — could harm the garment or other
garments cleaned with it.
Are there any other symbols?
Are there any other symbols?
Are there any other symbols?
Are there any other symbols?
Are there any other symbols?
The symbols shown on the reverse side of this publication are approved for use throughout North America. There
is not an internationally recognized care label system at the present time. Clothing manufactured in countries
outside North America may use different symbols.
Does washable also mean my garment can be dry cleaned?
Does washable also mean my garment can be dry cleaned?
Does washable also mean my garment can be dry cleaned?
Does washable also mean my garment can be dry cleaned?
Does washable also mean my garment can be dry cleaned?
Not always. Only one safe method of care has to be listed on the label by the manufacturer. The label does not
have to warn about other cleaning methods which might prove unsafe. For example, clothing labeled “washable”
may not dry clean well.
What if the care instructions don’t work?
What if the care instructions don’t work?
What if the care instructions don’t work?
What if the care instructions don’t work?
What if the care instructions don’t work?
If you followed the care instructions on the label and problems result, return it to the store where you bought it.
Dyes that run after following the the manufacturer’s washing instructions and other problems which result are the
responsibility of the manufacturer. The safe cleaning method listed on the care label is, in effect, a care warranty.
Ask the store for an exchange or refund. If the store will not help you, ask for the manufacturer’s name and
address and write directly to the company, describing your problem.
You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission by writing to: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade
Commission, Washington, DC 20580. Although the FTC cannot resolve individual disputes, the information you
provide may indicate a pattern of law violations requiring action by the Commission.
Other publications by The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service:
PB 1301 Spot and Stain Removal
PB 1517 Machine Wash vs. Dry Clean Only
PB 1518 Understanding Care Labels
PB 1207 Care and Storage of Textile Heirlooms
To request a copy of any of the above publications, please contact your county Extension office.
Frequently Asked Questions
A State Partner in the Cooperative Extension System
The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, age, national origin, sex
or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and county governments cooperating in furtherance of
Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Agricultural Extension Service Billy G. Hicks, Dean
The chart on the reverse side of this publication illustrates care symbols accepted by the Federal Trade Commission as part of a
conditional exemption to the FTC Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR 423). This chart is referenced from ASTM D5489-96c, Fig.1,
Commercial and Home Laundering and Symbols.
SP519-10M-7/98 E12-2015-00-063-99