Care labels look like hieroglyphics, but every symbol follows a logical system. Once you know the five basic shapes, the rest falls into place. Save this page — you'll need it next time you buy something new.
The five master shapes
- Washtub = washing instructions
- Triangle = bleaching instructions
- Square = drying instructions
- Iron = ironing instructions
- Circle = professional dry cleaning
Washing symbols (the washtub)
- Number inside (30, 40, 60) = maximum water temperature in °C
- Dots inside (1 dot = 30°, 2 = 40°, 3 = 60°, 4 = 70°, 5 = 95°)
- One bar underneath = gentle cycle (synthetics)
- Two bars = very gentle cycle (wool, silk)
- Hand in the tub = hand wash only
- Crossed out = do not machine wash
Bleaching symbols (the triangle)
- Empty triangle = any bleach is fine
- Two diagonal lines inside = non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach only
- Crossed out = do not bleach
Drying symbols (the square)
- Square with a circle = tumble dry
- One dot inside the circle = low heat
- Two dots = medium heat
- Three dots = high heat
- Crossed-out circle = do not tumble dry
- Vertical lines in the square = drip dry
- Horizontal line = dry flat
- Curved line at the top = line dry
Ironing symbols (the iron)
- One dot = low (110°C — synthetics, silk)
- Two dots = medium (150°C — wool, polyester)
- Three dots = high (200°C — cotton, linen)
- Iron with steam crossed out = no steam
- Iron fully crossed out = do not iron
Dry cleaning symbols (the circle)
- Empty circle = dry cleanable, any solvent
- Letter P = use perchloroethylene (standard)
- Letter F = use hydrocarbon solvents only (gentler)
- Letter W = wet cleaning
- Crossed-out circle = do not dry clean
- Bar(s) underneath = increasingly gentle process required
When a label disagrees with what you'd guess (a 'looks washable' shirt marked dry-clean-only), always follow the label. Manufacturers test their garments — your guess is uninsured.
Published 2026-05-30 by MyLaundress. Book a collection online