![An illustration of washing, drying, and ironing symbols](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/dbb7c0c580fc4212a5e6215ba6e8fbfc.jpg)
Doing laundry shouldn't be difficult, but it's frustrating when the care tag on your new shirt or blanket gives you hieroglyphics rather than straightforward instructions. Fortunately, this handy guide can help you translate laundry symbols into plain English so that you can clean your clothes with confidence. These symbols aren't entirely universal, but learning the basics will get you pretty far.
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As clothing became more complicated to care for and washing machines became more widely available in the average home, laundry care instructions on clothing and other linens started to appear.
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"Prior to the 1960s, clothing and textiles were almost exclusively made from natural fibers like cotton and linen, so caring for clothes was more straightforward," Procter & Gamble textiles expert Liz Eggert tells Hunker. "As synthetic fibers became more widespread and new manufacturing techniques and washing machines were developed, garments and their care instructions became much more complex."
Then, in the 1990s, manufacturers began using symbols for care instructions rather than words since words naturally took up much more space on a tiny tag. Eggert notes that at the time, North American Free Trade Agreement regulations meant that all instructions had to be written in English, French, and Spanish in North America, so it was as if a full "instruction booklet" had to be sewn into clothes. Symbols were far more efficient.
Are Laundry Symbols Universal?
Unfortunately, no. There are dozens of symbols used on textile tags that explain how to care for an item, and there are some variations among the symbols. "Care symbols vary by region because different countries often have different regulations on what is required of manufacturers," says Eggert. But she adds, "Most use the same basic shapes for wash, bleach, dry, iron, and dry clean."
Washing Symbols
Washing your clothes is so much easier (and more effective) once you can decipher all of the most common washing symbols.
Machine Wash
![An illustration of the machine wash symbol, which has a wavy line](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/a9f4cc81233947198f7d2fc41c5a7a97.jpg)
If you see the washing tub symbol by itself, the fabric you're washing probably isn't too picky. Just toss it in the washing machine on your favorite cycle and you should be fine.
Machine Wash Cold
![An illustration of the machine wash cold laundry symbol, which has a wavy line and one dot below](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/56a636c16a794ed8a0c7a3a0570d486f.jpg)
When a garment needs to be washed in cold water, you may see the word "cold" printed under the washtub. You may also see the number 30, which indicates that you should wash the garment at a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower. Cold water is also sometimes indicated by placing a single dot inside the picture of the washtub.
Don't be tempted to use warm water when the tag specifies machine wash cold. You can adjust the recommended temperature down but not up as it may cause color bleed or fading.
Machine Wash Warm
![An illustration of the machine wash warm laundry symbol, which has a wavy line and two dots](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/46a0771bd98a4a33993c0a2e20d0f050.jpg)
Machine wash warm is represented by the washtub with either the number 40 or two dots inside. This means you should wash the item in water that is 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) or cooler.
Machine Wash Hot
![An illustration for the machine wash hot laundry symbol, which has a wavy line and three dots underneath](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/d5cd43250d7747bb92846172fc4e2cc5.jpg)
At this point you're probably noticing a pattern, and it continues here. A washtub with the number 50 or three dots in it indicates that it is safe to wash the fabric in hot water. In this case, hot water means a temperature of about 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).
Hand Wash
![An illustration of the hand wash laundry symbol, which has a hand over a wavy line](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/ab7add898b1443c8af683b7df455e96a.jpg)
Delicate fabrics sometimes require hand washing to keep them looking their best. If yours does, you'll see a washtub with a hand inside it on the care tag.
Permanent Press
![An illustration of the permanent press laundry symbol, which has a wavy line with a straight line underneath](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/d53aa0d99b434372a17b85773d5ba189.jpg)
Denoted by a washtub with a single horizontal line beneath it, the permanent press designation indicates that your garment was treated to withstand wrinkles and hold its shape. You can machine wash permanent press items, but you should never iron them.
Gentle
![An illustration for the gentle or delicate laundry symbol, which has a wavy line and two straight lines underneath it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/a8acff8442f048cf93780c2ccb755491.jpg)
Most modern washing machines have a gentle cycle. If you see a picture of a washtub with two horizontal lines beneath it, use that gentle cycle when washing your clothes.
Do Not Wash
![An illustration for the do not wash laundry symbol, which has a wavy line with an X over it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/0e56fa32eacf47a1b141b9f1eeaaf9d1.jpg)
Are you looking at a washtub with a diagonal line through it? This means that you should not wash the fabric. This symbol often appears on fabrics that should not get wet and is frequently accompanied by a dry clean only symbol.
Dry Clean Only
![An illustration for the dry clean only symbol, which is an open circle](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/7df4efb248104d479eba9254e6988419.jpg)
Garments and fabrics that require dry cleaning will bear a circle. Do not ignore this symbol. Many a cute sweater has been ruined by someone who tried to get away with a gentle cycle using cold water in the washing machine rather than visiting the dry cleaner.
Do Not Dry Clean
![An illustration of the do not dry clean laundry symbol, which is an open circle with an X through it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/5afc68036a274540bc130ca3844f7e9a.jpg)
While some items should visit the dry cleaner, others should not. Don't dry clean your garment if you see a circle on the tag with an X or line through it.
Bleaching Allowed
![An illustration of the bleaching allowed laundry symbol, which is an open triangle](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/b5132944a12e4ef28f825f48c60219fc.jpg)
From time to time, you may wish to tackle a tough stain or brighten dingy whites with a little bleach. If the care tag features a triangle, it's safe to proceed with chlorine or oxygen bleach.
Do Not Bleach
![An illustration of the do not bleach laundry symbol, which is an open triangle with an X over it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/e9ec975d6e634f069e20871c0f55a546.jpg)
Some care tags feature a triangle with an X through it. This indicates that you should absolutely not bleach the item with bleach of any kind.
Nonchlorine Bleach
![An illustration of the nonchlorine bleach laundry symbol, which is an open triangle with two diagonal lines inside of it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/82019db0d64f415b94e5151c5cceb358.jpg)
If the triangle on your tag has two diagonal lines inside it, you can bleach the item but only if you use nonchlorine bleach.
Drying Symbols
Never again guess whether or not you should dry that sweater or delicate item on low, high, or whether you should hang it up outside after understanding what these drying symbols mean.
Tumble Dry
![An illustration of the tumble dry laundry symbol, which is a square with a circle inside of it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/1b1e3ff51f8e4bbcbd912efd434ccdf1.jpg)
A square with a circle inside it lets you know it's safe to toss a garment in the dryer and tumble dry it. If you want to lower your energy bill by running your dryer less, run your clothes through an extra spin cycle in your washer before moving your clothes to the dryer.
Do Not Dry
![An illustration of the do not dry laundry symbol, which is a square with a circle inside of it with an X over it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/de350c8969ed43c9a13748db93498bf9.jpg)
A square with an X over it means you shouldn't put your item in the dryer. Though it may be tempting to just toss it in anyway, your clothes could shrink or even burn.
Low Heat
![An illustration of the low heat laundry symbol, which is a square that has a circle in it and one dot](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/a614d7da26134599acabf112e08d29de.jpg)
A square with a circle containing a single dot inside tells you that you can use the dryer but do so on the low heat setting.
Medium Heat
![An illustration of the medium heat laundry symbol, which has a square with a circle inside of it with two dots](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/ded1645d6a5343138cbac71f15237e35.jpg)
You guessed it! If the circle inside the square contains two dots, it means you should tumble dry the item on medium heat.
High Heat
![An illustration of the high heat laundry symbol, which has a square with a circle inside of it and three dots](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/21cc93f9d8d846e383e013713b92d43d.jpg)
A tumble dry symbol with three dots inside the circle is safe to dry on high heat.
No Heat
![An illustration of the no heat laundry symbol, which is a square with a solid circle inside of it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/c2cc64deef01473a8084c3a8a68b1e33.jpg)
A square containing a solid circle means you can use your dryer but only on the no-heat setting. You'll see this laundry symbol frequently on bath mats and other rubber-backed items.
Permanent Press
![An illustration of the permanent press laundry symbol for the dyer, which has a square with a circle inside of it and a line below](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/96c734a51f1544c2962b5dc6053dec94.jpg)
Dryers today feature a permanent press cycle, and this is what you should use if you see the tumble dry symbol with a single horizontal line beneath it.
Gentle Cycle
![An illustration of the gentle cycle laundry symbol for the dyer, which has a square with a circle inside and two lines below it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/f98f88ec5a0b4ab1bcfc4382c258e7ef.jpg)
Some fabrics just need a little TLC, and just like your washing machine, your dryer is prepared to give it. A dryer symbol with two horizontal lines below instructs you to use the gentle cycle on your dryer.
Do Not Wring
![An illustration for the do not wring laundry symbol, which is a twisted clothing item with an X over it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/032d6830bf2449bd9a4e31071c36e246.jpg)
Looking a bit like a wrung garment with an X over it, this symbol dictates that you shouldn't wring out your clothes to dry them. This symbol is often seen on items that require hand washing. Instead of wringing them, you'll need to press the item in absorbent towels to remove as much water as you can.
Wring
![An illustration of the wring laundry symbol, which looks like a twisted piece of clothing](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/8522538d77fb4412b1d5178ab5edc60c.jpg)
To wring is, of course, the antithesis of the do not wring symbol. If your label shows a wrung-out garment without an X over it, wring the garment tightly to get out as much water as you can and speed drying.
Dry Flat
![An illustration of the dry flat laundry symbol, which is a square with a horizontal line inside of it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/8cd700624ce640db8991025ca0d88c2b.jpg)
A square with a dash in it instructs you to lay a garment flat and then leave it to dry. This is a frequent laundry label on heavy items, like sweaters, that could lose their shape or stretch out in the dryer.
Hang to Dry
![An illustration of the hang to dry laundry symbol, which is a square with a semicircle at the top](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/72b89fe5399140acb46133fc09cf99d0.jpg)
Sometimes referred to as line drying, a square with a semicircle at the top means you should hang the item to dry it. Hang the garment after reshaping it as needed.
Drip Dry
![An illustration of the drip dry laundry symbol, which is a square with three vertical lines inside of it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/1d354952e1874a599414a6d92964afc6.jpg)
A square with three vertical lines inside indicates an item should drip dry. This is similar to line drying except that you need not reshape the item first. The weight of the water will reshape the fabric for you as the item dries.
Line Dry
![An illustration of the line dry symbol, which is a square with a vertical line inside of it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/ad697dbca5944fd8976ea17e16a3a5b0.jpg)
Line drying is simply another way to say "hang to dry."
Ironing Symbols
This might be a little obvious, but if you see an iron, then you can iron the item. As with the washing icon, the iron symbol might have dots inside that indicate the temperature or provide further instructions.
Cool Iron
![An illustration of the cool iron laundry symbol, which is an iron with one dot inside of it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/e5a5f6e6bd414b538e72a74786aa5fb1.jpg)
Like other laundry symbols, an iron with a single dot inside indicates that you should use a cool iron. Don't let this term throw you — a cool iron isn't a cold iron. A cool iron is one that is simply set to a low temperature. The iron can still reach temperatures of 230 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warm Iron
![An illustration of the warm iron laundry symbol, which is an iron with two dots inside of it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/39f53e5d862f4cd8a89ecacc07435282.jpg)
An iron with two dots inside? Use your iron on a medium setting, not letting the temperature exceed 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hot Iron
![An illustration of the hot iron laundry symbol, which is an iron with three dots inside of it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/8fa2908feff34049b0e7fcdd5be74a13.jpg)
Three dots? Go ahead and let your iron reach temperatures of 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do Not Iron
![An illustration of the do not iron laundry symbol, which is an iron with an X over it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/ea47b9382e4a46b48b91c3d18c401af1.jpg)
As usual, an iron covered by the letter X means that you should not iron the garment at all.
Do Not Steam
![An illustration of the do not steam laundry symbol, which is an iron with lines coming out of the bottom and an X over it](https://img.hunkercdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/3/22/54556e741db14334abdd880984330690.jpg)
Although steam can help release wrinkles, some fabrics simply don't respond well to it and can be damaged. If you see an iron with dots coming out of the bottom and the symbol is covered by the letter X, don't use steam when ironing.
What Can Happen if You Don't Follow the Laundry Symbols?
If you ignore laundry symbols on the care label, there is a good chance you could ruin your clothing. Clothes and other washed items may come out of the laundry distorted, stretched out, or shrunk. It's not just the garment itself you need to worry about, however.