The Basics: Five Core Symbols
Before diving into the variations, it helps to know the five main symbols you'll encounter. These form the foundation of fabric care instructions. A tub shape refers to washing, a triangle to bleaching, a square to drying, an iron to ironing, and a circle
indicates professional dry cleaning. Each symbol can have additions—like dots, lines, or crosses—that provide more specific instructions. These symbols are part of an international system designed to overcome language barriers, ensuring your clothes get the right care no matter where they were made.
Washing: The Washtub
The washtub symbol tells you how to wash your garment. A plain tub means it's machine washable. If you see a hand in the tub, it signifies that the item is delicate and should be washed by hand only. A number inside the tub indicates the maximum water temperature in Celsius—for example, 30 means a cold wash, while 40 suggests a warm wash. Dots are also used for temperature: one dot for cold, two for warm, and three for hot. A line underneath the tub symbol means you should use a gentler cycle, like permanent press, while two lines indicate a very delicate cycle. A large 'X' through the washtub means 'Do Not Wash'.
Bleaching: The Triangle
The triangle symbol is all about bleaching. An empty, plain triangle means that any type of bleach is safe to use when needed. If the triangle has two diagonal lines inside it, you should only use a non-chlorine or oxygen-based bleach to avoid damaging the fabric. A solid black triangle with an 'X' over it, or simply an empty triangle with an 'X', is a clear warning: Do Not Bleach. Ignoring this symbol can lead to irreversible colour loss or fabric damage, especially on delicate or dark-coloured clothing.
Drying: The Square
The square symbol governs all drying instructions. A square with a circle inside it means the garment can be tumble-dried. Just like with washing, dots inside the circle indicate the heat setting: one dot for low heat, two for medium, and three for high. An 'X' through this symbol means you should not tumble dry the item. Other lines inside the square refer to air drying. A single horizontal line means to dry the garment flat to prevent stretching. Three vertical lines mean it should be drip-dried, and a curved line at the top of the square indicates it should be hung on a line to dry.
Ironing and Dry Cleaning
The iron symbol is straightforward, with dots again representing temperature. One dot is for low heat, suitable for delicate fabrics like silk and wool. Two dots indicate medium heat for synthetics, and three dots signify high heat for robust fabrics like cotton and linen. An 'X' through the iron means the garment should not be ironed at all. Finally, a simple circle means the item is suitable for dry cleaning. Letters inside the circle (like P, F, or W) are instructions for the professional cleaner about which solvents to use. A circle with an 'X' through it means the item should not be dry-cleaned.
