Every Laundry Symbol Explained

Machine wash

A plain washtub means the item can be machine washed using a normal process. Check for a number or dots inside the tub before selecting the temperature.

Mild or permanent-press wash

A washtub with one line underneath calls for a milder process with reduced agitation. On some machines this may be labelled permanent press, easy care or synthetics.

Delicate or very gentle wash

Two lines underneath the washtub mean the item needs a very mild process. Use a delicate or gentle cycle and avoid overloading the machine.

Hand wash

A hand inside the washtub means hand wash. Under the Australian guide, this represents hand washing at a maximum of 40°C. Handle the item gently and avoid twisting it unless the label specifically permits wringing.

Do not wash

A crossed-out washtub means the item must not be washed in water. Check the rest of the label for professional-cleaning instructions.

Wring and do not wring

A twisted-fabric symbol indicates wringing. A cross through it means do not wring, as twisting may stretch, crease or damage the fibres. Press water out gently or follow the drying instructions instead.

What do the wash-temperature symbols mean?

The number inside the washtub is the maximum wash temperature, not a requirement to use that temperature every time.

Some labels use dots instead of numbers. In the most commonly encountered system, one dot indicates a cool wash, two dots a warmer wash and three dots a hot wash. Because labelling systems can vary, follow any written temperature instruction on the garment when one is provided.

A cooler setting may be suitable when the care label allows it, but stain type and hygiene needs also matter. Read our guides to cold-water washing and when to use hot water for laundry before choosing a temperature for a specialised load.

Tumble-drying symbols

Tumble dry

A square containing a circle means the item can be tumble dried. The dots inside the circle indicate the permitted heat.

Tumble dry on low heat

One dot means tumble dry at a low temperature. The Australian consumer guide defines this as a maximum exhaust temperature of 60°C.

Tumble dry at normal temperature

Two dots mean tumble drying is permitted at a normal temperature, with a maximum exhaust temperature of 80°C under the Australian guide.

Some garments, particularly those using other labelling systems, may also show three dots for high heat or a filled circle for no heat or air drying. Treat the marks as maximum settings and follow any accompanying words.

Gentle tumble dry

One line beneath the tumble-dry symbol means use a mild process. Two lines mean use a very gentle process.

Do not tumble dry

A cross through the square-and-circle symbol means the item must not go in a tumble dryer. Look for the natural-drying symbol elsewhere on the label.

Natural-drying symbols

Line dry

A square with a vertical line means hang the item to dry on a line.

Drip line dry

Multiple vertical lines mean hang the item while wet and allow it to drip dry. Avoid wringing it first.

Dry flat

A horizontal line inside the square means lay the item flat to dry. This helps garments such as knitwear retain their shape.

Drip dry flat

Multiple horizontal lines mean lay the item flat while still wet and allow it to drip dry.

Dry in the shade

Diagonal lines in the corner of a natural-drying symbol mean keep the item out of direct sunlight. They may be combined with the line-dry, drip-dry or flat-dry instruction.

Do not dry

A crossed-out square means do not use the represented drying process. This is different from the more specific crossed-out tumble-dryer symbol, so check the entire label and any written instructions.

If the item is tumble-dryer safe, choose the lowest setting that meets the label and your needs. Laundrlab’s washer and dryer guide lists the available dryer sizes and temperature settings.

Use the lowest effective temperature, particularly on synthetic, printed or embellished fabrics. A “do not steam” instruction means dry ironing may still be allowed if the main iron symbol permits it.

Dry clean

A plain circle indicates professional cleaning. Letters inside the circle tell the cleaner which solvent system can be used:

• P: Professional dry cleaning using perchloroethylene and permitted hydrocarbons.
• F: Professional dry cleaning using hydrocarbons.

One line beneath the circle means a mild professional process. Two lines mean a very mild process. Extra markings may instruct the cleaner to limit moisture, mechanical action, heat or cycle duration.

Do not dry clean

A crossed-out circle means the garment must not be dry cleaned.

Professional wet clean

A W inside a circle indicates professional wet cleaning. One line beneath it means a mild process; two lines mean a very mild process. A crossed-out W circle means do not professionally wet clean.

Professional wet cleaning uses specialist equipment, chemistry and finishing. It is not the same as placing the garment in an ordinary water-based wash.

If a valuable garment carries professional-cleaning symbols, show the complete care label to the cleaner rather than trying to interpret solvent codes as home-treatment instructions.

Any bleach allowed

An empty triangle means a bleaching agent may be used when needed. You must still follow the bleach product’s instructions and confirm that it is appropriate for the fabric and colour.

Only non-chlorine bleach allowed

A triangle containing two diagonal lines means only oxygen-based or non-chlorine bleach is permitted. Do not substitute chlorine bleach.

Do not bleach

A crossed-out triangle means bleaching is not allowed. This applies to both chlorine and oxygen-based bleaching products.

You may encounter older or alternate-looking bleach icons on imported or older garments. If the symbol is unclear, follow the written care instructions or contact the garment manufacturer rather than guessing.

Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, acids or other household cleaners.

The five main shapes are a washtub for washing, a triangle for bleaching, a square for drying, an iron for ironing and a circle for professional textile cleaning.

A cross means that treatment must not be used. For example, a crossed-out washtub means do not wash, while a crossed-out square containing a circle means do not tumble dry.

Dots indicate heat. More dots generally permit a higher temperature. On an iron, one, two and three dots mean maximum temperatures of 110°C, 150°C and 200°C respectively.

One line means the item needs a mild process, often called permanent press or easy care. Two lines mean a very mild or delicate process with reduced mechanical action.

It is the maximum permitted wash temperature. A cooler wash may be suitable, but the stain, hygiene requirements and detergent performance should also be considered.

Do not tumble dry prohibits using a tumble dryer. The item may still be suitable for line drying or flat drying if the label shows that instruction. Do not dry is a broader prohibition that must be read with the complete care label.

A circle gives instructions to a professional textile cleaner. Letters such as P and F identify permitted dry-cleaning solvent systems, while W indicates professional wet cleaning.

Only if the manufacturer’s instructions or machine documentation confirm that a suitable hand-wash program is safe. A standard machine cycle may use too much agitation, spin speed or heat.

Laundrlab is a self-service laundromat, not a dry cleaner. Do not put a dry-clean-only or professional-wet-clean-only garment into a standard washing machine.