What Do the Washing Symbols on Clothes Mean? A guide from Vanish

They might look like ancient hieroglyphics, but the laundry symbols on care labels are actually there to help you clean and dry your garments in the most suitable way for each fabric. Follow the instructions those care label symbols provide and your clothing should wash and dry better, and last longer. Fortunately, you don’t need to learn another language to read clothes washing symbols — you just need a handy chart that translates them all into plain English for you. Let us help demystify these cryptic washing label symbols with our guide to each washing symbol’s meaning.

Washing symbols

Wash care symbols are shaped like a tub:

Machine washable symbol: Tub with wavy line
No machine wash symbol: Tub with cross over it
Hand wash symbol: Tub with hand
Maximum machine temperature: Number inside the tub (i.e. 30°, 40°)

Drying symbols

Clothing label symbols relating to tumble-drying and air-drying are shaped like a square:

Tumble drying allowed: Square with circle inside
No tumble dry symbol: As above, with a cross over it
Temperature: One/two/three dots inside circle indicate heat setting (more dots double the higher temperature)
Hang dry on line: Square with curved line inside
Drip dry on rack: Square with three vertical lines inside
Dry flat: Square with horizontal line inside

Dry cleaning symbols

The laundry care symbols that relate to dry cleaning are circles:

Dry cleaning allowed: Circle
Do not dry clean symbol: Circle with cross over it
Dry clean only symbol: There could be a letter within the circle (i.e. A, F, P), which tells the dry cleaner what solvent to use

Ironing symbols

Of all the clothing care symbols you’ll come across, the ones about ironing are probably the easiest to recognise. After all, the image actually looks like an iron!

Do not iron: Iron with a cross through it
Do not steam iron: As above, with lines pointing out of the bottom
Iron at any temperature: Empty iron
Heat setting: One/two/three dots in iron correspond to iron temperature (more dots double thes hotter setting)

Bleach symbols

The washing label instructions that provide information about bleach are shaped like triangles:

Do not bleach symbol: Triangle with a cross over it
Dilute bleach allowed: Triangle
Non-chlorine bleach allowed: Triangle with two diagonal lines inside

Will stains come out without chlorine bleach? Both Vanish Laundry Booster Gel for coloured clothes and Vanish Crystal White Gel for whites are chlorine bleach free. Plus, the super-boosted Oxi Action formula not only removes stains but it also brightens colours and eliminate odours too. They’re safe to use on everyday fabrics such as cotton and polyester, plus delicates like silk and wool. Simply follow the instructions on the bottle.

Now you know how to decipher clothing care labels you can look after your garments in the best possible way.

General advice

Please refer to the packaging for specific product usage and advice.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS. Store the product only in the original container and always fasten the lid.
Do not expose product to direct sunlight.
Before use check for colour fastness by testing a hidden area of the fabric, rug or carpet.
For best results it may be necessary to repeat parts of the process.

More clothing care tips

How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Clothes
Learn how to keep clothes looking nicer, for longer.
The Benefits of Washing Clothes in Cold Water
Read about the benefits of washing clothes on a cold water cycle.
Patching, Repairing and more – Re-wearing hacks for old clothes
Get the most out of old clothes with our guide to repairing.