Two lines means the item should be washed on the gentle cycle.One line under the basin means the clothing item needs to be washed on the permanent press cycle.No lines below the basin means you should wash the item using the normal cycle of your washing machine.Dots inside the basin also indicate temperature, with one dot for cold water, two dots for warm water, and three dots for hot water.A label that says 30 means a water temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, 40 means 104 degrees Fahrenheit, 60 means 140 degrees Fahrenheit and 95 means 203 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is a number inside the basin, that is the maximum water temperature (in Celsius) that you should use to wash the item.That seems simple, right? Well, a wash basin icon can come with many extra markings, as shown in the illustration above. If it's crossed out, then your garment can't be washed, and typically needs to be dry cleaned. If you see it on the label, that means your clothing item can be washed. The wash basin icon is basically a tub with water in it. Here's what the most common laundry symbols mean on your clothing's care label, so you can clean them effectively and safely on laundry day. Ignoring these icons can leave you with shrunken, discolored or mangled clothes.
#Washing machine symbols how to
They're basically your user's manual for how to take care of your garment so it lasts as long as possible. This symbol may appear with others restricting the cycle, moisture or heat.ĭry clean only using a petroleum-based solvent.ĭry clean the garment using any solvent, except trichloroethylene.The little laundry symbols found on clothing tags aren't just suggestions. Using steam may damage the garment.ĭry clean the garment, using any solvent, cycle, moisture & heat.ĭry clean the garment, using any solvent. Garments may be ironed using steam or dry, at High setting, 200☌ (390☏). Garments may be ironed using steam or dry, at Medium setting, 150☌ (300☏). Garments may be ironed using steam or dry, at Low setting, 110☌ (230☏), only. Garments may be ironed at any temperature, using steam or dry. Garment may be tumble dried at a high heat.Īll iron spares featured in this section are available at .uk Garment may be tumble dried up to a medium heat only. Garment may be tumble dried only at a low heat. Garment may be tumble dried only at the cold "No Heat" or "Air Only" setting. Garment may be tumble dried at the hottest available setting. Dry the garment in the shade, away from direct sunlight. This symbol may appear in conjunction with Line or Drip Dry. Hang the garment to dry, without shaping or smoothing. Usually one of the alternative symbols below will be supplied. Garments may be dried in a tumble dryer, but only on the "gentle" setting. Garments may be dried in a tumble dryer, but only on the "permanent press" setting. Garments with this symbol are not able to withstand any bleach. Only non-chlorine, colour-safe bleach may be used on these garments when needed. When 95C or six dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 95☌ (200☏).Īny bleach may be used when needed on the garment. When 70C or five dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 70☌ (160☏). When 60C or four dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 60☌ (140☏). When 50C or three dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 50☌ (120☏). When 40C or two dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 40☌ (105☏). When 30C or one dot is shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 30☌ (85☏). When there is no temperature or dots in the symbol, and no line underneath, it is recommended the garment be washed with hottest available water temperature, as hot water washes better than cold. Usually, these will need to be dry cleaned. Wash these garments using water, detergent or soap gently using your hands. Wash only on the gentle cycle, involving a reduced spinning cycle and gentle agitation. This cycle normally involves a cold rinse before a reduced spin cycle.
Garments which have been permanently shaped (are wrinkle resistant) should be laundered in the "permanent press" cycle. Below we explain what each symbol on garment care labels mean. You should always check garment care labels for special requirements before washing, drying or ironing.