What do the wash label symbols mean?
The tub symbol shows maximum wash temperature. Lines underneath mean reduced agitation is needed – one line means a synthetics cycle, two lines means delicates or hand wash. A square with a circle is the tumble dryer symbol – dots indicate heat level. A circle with a letter means dry clean only. Always read written instructions on the label too.
Wash symbols on clothing labels can be cryptic, but understanding them helps protect laundry from damage. Ignoring them is one of the most common causes of stretched, shrunk, or discoloured garments. This guide explains what the most common symbols mean.
Washing Temperature Symbols
A container of water (resembling a small tub) with a number inside indicates the maximum washing temperature. A container showing 30 means the garment should not be washed above 30°C. This is one of the more self-explanatory symbols – but the lines underneath it are often misunderstood.
What Do the Lines Under the Wash Symbol Mean?
Lines underneath the wash temperature symbol indicate how much agitation the fabric can tolerate:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tub with temperature, no line | Standard wash – cottons cycle is fine |
| Tub with temperature, one line underneath | Reduced agitation required – do not use a cottons cycle, even at the correct temperature. Use a synthetics or similar reduced-action cycle |
| Tub with temperature, two lines underneath | Very gentle wash required – use a delicates or hand wash cycle only |
| Tub with a hand inside | Hand wash only |
| Tub with a cross through it | Do not wash by hand or machine – likely dry clean only |
Most washing machines display these symbols on the control panel or programme selector, so the garment label can be matched directly to the correct cycle.
Bleaching, Tumble Drying, and Ironing Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Triangle with a cross through it | Do not bleach |
| Triangle with CL inside | Chlorine bleach can be used |
| Square with circle inside, no cross | Can tumble dry on any heat |
| Square with circle inside, one dot | Tumble dry on low heat only |
| Square with circle inside, two dots | Tumble dry on high heat |
| Square with circle inside, cross over it | Do not tumble dry |
| Iron symbol, one dot | Iron on low heat only |
| Iron symbol, two dots | Iron on medium heat |
| Iron symbol, three dots | Iron on high heat |
| Iron with a cross through it | Do not iron |
| Circle with a cross through it | Do not dry clean |
If a garment carries this symbol, the fabric cannot tolerate the heat and movement of a tumble dryer. Ignoring it will eventually damage or shrink the item.
Drying Method Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Square with one horizontal line inside | Dry flat – lay the item on a flat surface to dry |
| Square with three vertical lines inside | Drip dry only |
| Square with a curved line from top-left to top-right | Dry on a washing line or hang to dry |
Dry Cleaning Symbols
A circle with a letter inside indicates dry cleaning requirements. The letter refers to which chemicals can be used – these are primarily relevant to the dry cleaner rather than the owner. For practical purposes, any circle with a letter inside means the item should be taken to a dry cleaner.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Circle with A, F, or P inside | Dry clean only |
| Circle with a cross through it | Do not dry clean |
Written Instructions on Labels
Many garments include written instructions alongside the symbols – and these are easy to overlook when focusing on the icons. Instructions such as “wash inside out”, “reshape whilst damp”, or “iron inside out” are equally important for preserving the appearance and lifespan of the item.
Some modern clothing carries care instructions that are genuinely impractical for everyday laundry habits – “dry flat” being one common example. Always read the full label when buying something new. If the care requirements are not practical, the item may not hold up under normal washing conditions. See: why are my clothes getting stretched?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the line under the wash symbol mean?
A single line under the wash temperature symbol means reduced agitation is required – do not use a standard cottons cycle, even at the correct temperature. Use a synthetics or similar gentler cycle. Two lines mean even less agitation is tolerable – use a delicates or hand wash cycle. No line means a standard cotton cycle is fine at the indicated temperature.
What does a circle with a cross through it mean on a wash label?
A circle with a cross through it means do not dry clean. A circle with a letter inside (A, F, or P) means dry clean only – take the item to a dry cleaner.
What does a square with a circle inside mean?
This is the tumble dryer symbol. If there is no cross through it, the item can be tumble dried. One dot inside the circle means low heat only. Two dots mean high heat can be used. A cross over the symbol means do not tumble dry under any circumstances.
Can I wash something labelled “hand wash only” in the machine?
Not on a standard cycle. Some washing machines have a dedicated hand wash programme that replicates the gentle action of hand washing – if available, this can sometimes be used for hand wash items. However, using a cottons or synthetics cycle on a hand wash item risks stretching, shrinking, or otherwise damaging it. See: why are my clothes getting stretched?