Laundry symbols explained
What every care label symbol means, grouped by the five basic shapes. Click any symbol to download it free as SVG or PNG.
Washing symbols
The tub shows how to wash. Dots or a number give the maximum temperature, and bars underneath mean a gentler cycle.
- Machine wash, normal cycleThe item can be machine washed on a normal cycle. With no temperature shown, any normal wash temperature is fine.
- Machine wash, permanent press cycleUse a mild cycle such as permanent press or synthetics, with reduced agitation and a gentle spin. This helps prevent creases and shrinking.
- Machine wash, gentle or delicate cycleUse a very mild cycle, such as delicates or wool, with minimal agitation and a short, gentle spin.
- Machine wash at 30°CMachine wash with water no hotter than 30°C (86°F). This is a cool wash, good for darks, bright colors and delicate fabrics.
- Machine wash at 30°C (one dot)One dot in the tub mean a maximum wash temperature of 30°C (86°F). This is a cool wash, good for darks, bright colors and delicate fabrics.
- Machine wash at 40°CMachine wash with water no hotter than 40°C (104°F). This is a warm wash, suitable for most everyday cottons, synthetics and colors.
- Machine wash at 40°C (two dots)Two dots in the tub mean a maximum wash temperature of 40°C (104°F). This is a warm wash, suitable for most everyday cottons, synthetics and colors.
- Machine wash at 50°CMachine wash with water no hotter than 50°C (122°F). This is a hot wash for colorfast cottons and blends.
- Machine wash at 50°C (three dots)Three dots in the tub mean a maximum wash temperature of 50°C (122°F). This is a hot wash for colorfast cottons and blends.
- Machine wash at 60°CMachine wash with water no hotter than 60°C (140°F). This is a hot wash for towels, bedding and colorfast cottons.
- Machine wash at 60°C (four dots)Four dots in the tub mean a maximum wash temperature of 60°C (140°F). This is a hot wash for towels, bedding and colorfast cottons.
- Machine wash at 70°CMachine wash with water no hotter than 70°C (158°F). This is a very hot wash for durable white cottons and linens.
- Machine wash at 70°C (five dots)Five dots in the tub mean a maximum wash temperature of 70°C (158°F). This is a very hot wash for durable white cottons and linens.
- Machine wash at 95°CMachine wash with water no hotter than 95°C (203°F). This is a near-boiling wash for durable whites, such as cotton or linen bedding and diapers.
- Machine wash at 95°C (six dots)Six dots in the tub mean a maximum wash temperature of 95°C (203°F). This is a near-boiling wash for durable whites, such as cotton or linen bedding and diapers.
- Machine wash at 30°C, gentle cycleUse a very mild, delicate or wool cycle with water no hotter than 30°C (86°F). Typical for wool, silk and fine knits.
- Machine wash at 40°C, permanent press cycleUse a mild synthetics or permanent press cycle with water no hotter than 40°C (104°F), and a reduced spin.
- Hand wash onlyWash by hand in water no hotter than 40°C (104°F). Do not machine wash; squeeze gently instead of rubbing or wringing.
- Do not washDo not wash the item in water at home, by machine or by hand. It usually needs professional cleaning.
- Do not wringDo not twist or wring the item to remove water. Press the water out gently or roll the item in a towel instead.
Bleaching symbols
The triangle is about bleach. An empty triangle allows any bleach, two lines mean non-chlorine bleach only.
- Any bleach allowedAny bleach, chlorine or oxygen based (non-chlorine), may be used when needed.
- Non-chlorine bleach onlyOnly oxygen based (non-chlorine) bleach may be used. Chlorine bleach can damage or discolor the fabric.
- Do not bleachDo not use any bleach, including oxygen based stain removers and whiteners.
Drying symbols
The square is about drying. A circle inside means tumble dryer, with dots for heat. Lines inside mean air drying.
- Tumble dry, normalThe item can be dried in a tumble dryer. With no dots shown, any normal heat setting is fine.
- Tumble dry, low heatTumble dry on a low heat setting (one dot). ISO labels set a maximum exhaust temperature of 60°C.
- Tumble dry, medium heatTumble dry on a medium or normal heat setting (two dots). ISO labels set a maximum exhaust temperature of 80°C.
- Tumble dry, high heatTumble dry on a high heat setting (three dots). Used on US style labels for durable fabrics such as cotton towels.
- Tumble dry, no heatTumble dry using only unheated air, such as the air fluff setting. A filled circle means no heat.
- Do not tumble dryDo not put the item in a tumble dryer. Dry it naturally, as shown by any other drying symbol on the label.
- Line dryHang the item on a clothesline or hanger to dry naturally. One vertical line is the international symbol for line drying.
- Drip dryHang the item up while still wet, without wringing or spinning, and let the water drip off. This reduces creasing.
- Dry flatLay the item flat on a horizontal surface to dry so it keeps its shape. Common for knitwear and wool.
- Hang to dryHang the item on a line or hanger to dry. This curved line version is common on US style labels.
- Dry in the shadeDry the item away from direct sunlight to prevent fading or yellowing. It is usually combined with a natural drying symbol.
- Line dry in the shadeHang the item on a line or hanger to dry, away from direct sunlight.
- Do not dryDo not dry the item by any home method. It is usually paired with do not wash, meaning the item needs professional cleaning.
Ironing symbols
The iron shows the maximum temperature with dots: one is low, two is medium, three is high.
- Iron at any temperatureThe item can be ironed. With no dots shown, any iron temperature and steam may be used.
- Iron at low temperatureIron on a low setting, with a sole plate no hotter than 110°C (230°F). Steam may damage the fabric. Typical for acrylic, nylon and silk.
- Iron at medium temperatureIron on a medium setting, with a sole plate no hotter than 150°C (300°F). Typical for wool and polyester.
- Iron at high temperatureIron on a high setting, with a sole plate no hotter than 200°C (390°F). Typical for cotton and linen.
- Iron without steamThe item can be ironed, but do not use steam. Use a dry iron setting.
- Do not ironDo not iron or steam the item. Heat can melt, shine or damage the fabric or any print.
Professional care symbols
The circle is for professional dry cleaning or wet cleaning. Letters tell the cleaner which solvent to use.
- Dry cleanThe item can be professionally dry cleaned. With no letter shown, the cleaner chooses the solvent and process.
- Dry clean, any solventThe item can be professionally dry cleaned in any common solvent. The letter A appears on older labels and was replaced by P in later editions of the standard.
- Dry clean, P (perchloroethylene)Professional dry cleaning in tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) or any hydrocarbon solvent, using a normal process.
- Dry clean, F (hydrocarbon solvents only)Professional dry cleaning in hydrocarbon (petroleum) solvents only, using a normal process. Perchloroethylene must not be used.
- Professional wet cleanThe item can be professionally wet cleaned, using water with special detergents and controlled equipment. This is not the same as home washing.
- Dry clean P, mild processProfessional dry cleaning in perchloroethylene or hydrocarbon solvents, using a mild process. The bar asks for reduced moisture, temperature or mechanical action.
- Professional wet clean, mild processProfessional wet cleaning using a mild process, with reduced mechanical action and lower temperatures.
- Do not dry cleanDo not dry clean the item. Solvents used in dry cleaning can damage it.
- Dry clean, short or mild cycleProfessional dry cleaning with a shortened or mild cycle. A bar under the circle asks the cleaner to reduce the process.
- Dry clean, low heatProfessional dry cleaning with a low temperature drying stage. On US style labels this instruction is often written beside the circle.
- Dry clean, no steamProfessional dry cleaning is allowed, but no steam should be used during cleaning or finishing.
Questions
What do the dots on laundry symbols mean?
Dots show temperature. In a washtub, one dot is 30°C (86°F), two is 40°C (104°F), three is 50°C (122°F), four is 60°C (140°F), five is 70°C (158°F) and six is 95°C (203°F). On the tumble dry and iron symbols, one dot is low, two medium and three high heat.
What does a triangle mean on a clothing label?
It is about bleach. An empty triangle means any bleach is fine, a triangle with two diagonal lines means only non-chlorine bleach, and a crossed-out triangle means do not bleach.
What does the square with a circle mean?
It means the item can go in a tumble dryer. Dots inside the circle show the heat setting, and a filled circle means no heat.
What does an X through a symbol mean?
A cross through any laundry symbol means do not do that treatment, for example do not wash, do not bleach or do not iron.
Can I use these laundry icons on my own labels or website?
Yes. Every care symbol here is free to download as SVG or PNG and free for commercial use, including clothing labels, packaging and laundry service websites.
Need them as a set? See all laundry icons.